Jennings values the generous time and talents of volunteers. Their compassion and contributions are important to continuing our mission and helping people of all ages to celebrate life.

We continually welcome new volunteers to Jennings through a variety of meaningful opportunities. We are grateful for the many volunteers who together contribute more than 15,000 hours of service annually.

Do you have some time and would like to make a difference? Do you enjoy helping others? You can complement our mission and enhance our ministry by choosing one of our open opportunities or sharing your unique talent. We will match your interests with an experience that will leave you feeling fulfilled.

Adult Volunteers

Adult volunteers are part of the backbone of enriching life at Jennings. From family members to retirees, our compassionate volunteer network has a profound impact for the individuals served by Jennings. They provide an abundance of one-on-one services and social programs as an extension of our staff.

Jennings Mildred McIntyre Award for Volunteer of the Year Patricia Roberts has worked with residents and staff in the Jennings Garfield Heights Gift Shoppe for 24 years. She comes in most Friday afternoons and befriends all who enter the Gift Shoppe. She is consistent and friendly. For these reasons, she has was awarded Jennings Mildred McIntyre Award for Volunteer of the Year.

Students and Service Hour Opportunities

Students can volunteer their time and benefit from making personal connections, celebrating their talents and learning new skills. Students can volunteer individually or with groups such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and other youth groups for personal growth, put on performances or to earn service merit.

Volunteering at Jennings can also help students fulfill service hour requirements from their schools. Volunteer internships provide students with experiences to explore career choices, develop professional skills and learn about emerging healthcare careers.

Student Volunteer Application Packet

Fairmount Dance students shared their talents and performed to the delight of residents.

Group and Corporate Volunteers

Groups and corporate volunteers make a difference through either regular visits or helping with one-time projects. Some groups volunteer regularly for ongoing events such as Happy Hour, gardening or special visits, while others unite for one-time/annual visits to help with larger projects such as painting, planting spring gardens and holiday decorating.

Resident Council Volunteer Choice Award recipient Lois Puky was a Gift Shoppe Volunteer from April 1996 - December 2021. She came in every Saturday and tended to the Gift Shoppe while she assisted and visited with Jennings residents.

Volunteer Opportunities

Jennings’ volunteer opportunities are unlimited! We value our volunteers’ unique talents and welcome you to create an opportunity to make the most of your experience. We also have the following regular needs:

• Gift Shoppe volunteers to greet customers and assist with sales
• Appointment assistants to help individuals with wheelchairs get to Mass or appointments within the building
• Social visitors to spend one-on-one time with individuals
• Life enrichment assistance to help with entertainment and games and sharing interests such as reading, listening to music, completing crafts or gardening
• Therapy pet visits for the enjoyment of our pet lovers
• Hospice volunteers for companionship through friendly visits, actively listening, playing music and letter writing