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AARP AARP States Volunteering

A Foundation of Service: AARP NJ Celebrates National Volunteer Month with CreateTheGood.org

Over fifty years ago, AARP was founded with the motto, “To serve, not to be served.” Today, that motto is still at the heart of AARP’s work in NJ and across the nation. April is national volunteers month, and AARP NJ would like to thank the over 300 hundred AARP NJ volunteers who give their time, passion, and expertise to drive our mission and lead positive social change in their communities every day across the Garden Stat

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One way AARP demonstrates this commitment to service and volunteerism is through CreateTheGood.org an online tool that connects you with volunteer opportunities to share your life experiences, skills and passions in your community. At CreateTheGood.org you’ll find do-it-yourself ideas, email notifications about the newest volunteer opportunities in your area, a monthly newsletter filled with ideas to give back, local resources and service projects—or learn how to start your own project. Our free, searchable database is full of opportunities. We provide the tools, ideas and direction. You take it from there. Need a little more inspiration? Check out these unique volunteer programs and opportunities searchable through CreateTheGood.org to get you started!

Mentoring Anyone? II For “People of the Golden Age” By “People of the Golden Age” In Englewood NJ

by Marcia Gongora, program creator/developer and Ellen Taner, evaluator/consultant.

At the Bergen Family Center, a local community services agency in Englewood, New Jersey, the Mentoring Anyone?II Program addresses senior citizens’ lives in a holistic approach; impacting the mind, body and spirit of its participants. Mentoring Anyone? II includes a one year agreement between volunteer trained mentors and mentees that details the frequency of their meetings (typically a few hours a month), and the mentees’ preferred goals and objectives. Together they prioritize areas to address with mentors careful to meet mentees at their level. They seek to promote positive activities and to prevent set-backs while they support self-efficacy, strengthen problem solving and communication skills, and provide constant reinforcement and encouragement of any and all progress. It also provides support and respite to caregivers and is a resource to help seniors stay in place” in their homes and communities. This is a cost effective program, that helps promote independence and dignity. Anyone who would like to offer their time as a volunteer mentor, may contact: Mentoringanyone@gmail.com

Become a Volunteer Career Coach: The New Start Career Network and New Jersey’s long-term unemployed workers need your help!

by Maria Heidkamp, Director

The New Start Career Network (NSCN), is a program to serve New Jersey’s older, long-term unemployed job seekers operated by the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. NSCN’s goal is to connect New Jersey job seekers to a mix of free-of-charge “high tech” and “high touch” services to help them meet their employment needs and address their personal and financial challenges. These services include job search information and advice, career coaching provided by a network of trained, volunteer coaches, access to education and training, and referrals to mental health and financial advising.

The New Start Career Network is seeking volunteer career coaches and professionals with backgrounds in career counseling, recruiting, human resources, and related fields. NSCN asks that interested individuals donate 2-4 hours per week over a minimum of a 6-month period to helping coach one or more NSCN members. By joining, you become an important part of a statewide, Rutgers University-based team dedicated to reducing long-term unemployment in New Jersey! Certified NSCN Volunteer Job Coaches complete a 1-day (6-hour) preliminary orientation and training session, and later also complete a basic mental health workshop, provided by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ). Because individuals struggling with long-term unemployment are often also struggling with depression, stress, and related issues, the New Start Career Network has teamed with MHANJ to offer this training to volunteer job coaches so that they are better prepared to recognize when referrals to mental health professionals are needed. If you are interested in joining NSCN's Volunteer Coaching Team, or have questions that you would like answered, please contact Maria Heidkamp, Director, NSCN, at: heidkamp@rutgers.edu or 848-932-1490.

About AARP States
AARP is active in all 50 states and Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Connect with AARP in your state.