Bergen Volunteers Programming
Community Programs
Bergen Volunteers serves as the hub of the community’s social welfare network, offering unique services and programs that serve all of Bergen County. Our community programs support youth, families, caregivers, seniors, veterans, those with disabilities, and the economically disadvantaged in Bergen County.
Ways to Participate:
1. Volunteer
Utilize your skills, talent, and experiences
2. Request Services
If you need support - request our services
3. Donate
Honor a volunteer
Donate to a scholarship fund
Adopt a recipient
Make a fiscal donation
Sponsor events
CHEER provides a helping hand to seniors and those with disabilities to enable them to live safely and independently in their homes.
Volunteers and clients forge lasting relationships by offering companionship and whenever possible, create opportunities for their CHEER clients to be engaged in their communities.
CHEER volunteers visit weekly to help home-bound seniors with tasks such as grocery shopping and light errands such as prescription pick-up, library book returns, or the post office.
CHEER
CHORE helps Bergen County senior and those with disabilities remain safe in their homes by offering repair services.
CHORE Jobs Include:
-
Installing grab bars and wooden banisters
-
Replacing outlets and switches
-
Repairing leaky faucets
-
Installing door bells and locks
-
Changing light bulbs and smoke alarm batteries
CHORE does not service emergencies.
CHORE
Info: Michele Ogden
201.489-9454 - ext. 203 mogden@bergenvolunteers.org
Info: Michele Ogden
201.489-9454 - ext. 203 mogden@bergenvolunteers.org
Chore Homemaker Education Encouragement Rehabilitation
Community Helpers Offering Repairs and Empathy
Bergen Volunteers’ Mentoring program provides individuals with one-on-one long and short-term support. Our staff and volunteers help mentees learn about the resources available within the community while tapping into their strengths to identify and strive towards specific personal improvement goals.
Our long-term mentoring program runs for 12 months and matches volunteers with:
-
Youth 8 – 18+
-
Caregivers (parents, guardians, foster parents, grandparents, people caring for a senior)
-
First generation college students
Our short-term mentoring program runs month-to-month and is designed to provide bi-weekly phone check-ins. We match:
-
Seniors to Seniors (high school seniors to senior citizens)
-
Adults to high school age and up
Info: Lisa Tredici
201.489-9454 - ext. 208 ltredici@bergenvolunteers.org
Mentoring
Making-It-Home
Making-It-Home brings furniture to formerly homeless veterans, victims of domestic violence, seniors, and individuals with disabilities, who are moving from emergency shelter into unfurnished apartments. Clients are referred by partner agencies including Bergen County’s Housing, Health and Human Services Center (the shelter); the County’s Division of Veteran Services; Catholic Charities; the Center for Hope and Safety; and many more.
Each week we coordinate with donors to pick up their gently-used furniture and we organize teams of volunteers to transport the furniture. Making-It-Home keeps thousands of pounds of quality pieces out of our landfills.
This free service enables our clients to live in safe and comfortable environments that improve their quality of life and ability to achieve greater self-sufficiency and a brighter future. We “make their house a home.”
Info: Cynthia Massarsky
201.289-8444 cmassarsky@bergenvolunteers.org
Reading with Enjoyment Assurance Dedication and Success
Bergen READS
Bergen READS combats illiteracy in Bergen County by training Reading Buddies to work one on one with students in grades K-4. Reading Buddies serve as tutors, advocates, friends and mentors, meeting individually with students each week. Buddies help elementary public schools students enjoy and improve their reading skills in a comfortable and friendly environment.
Please note due to the Covid-19 pandemic we are not currently accepting new volunteers.
Please click here to be added to the waiting list.
Info: Melissa LaRobardier
201.489-9454x206 melissal@bergenvolunteers.org
Seasonal Programs
All Wrapped Up is Bergen Volunteers' Holiday Giving Program, which matches individuals and families in need with willing donors from the community.
The Holiday Hotline opens November 1, 2021.
Check back for registration!
All Wrapped Up
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
VITA is an IRS-certified program to provide free tax assistance to low-to-moderate income individuals and families, those with disabilities, the elderly and English Language Learners, who might need assistance with the forms.
VITA
Info: Debbie Emery
201.489-9454x202 demery@bergenvolunteers.org
Info: Debbie Emery
201.489-9454x202 demery@bergenvolunteers.org