Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love....
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Eric Johnson House, Morristown
Private Volunteer Bedroom
Volunteer Opportunities
There’s no such thing as a volunteer at NJAS.That’s because we tap into the strengths and passions of each volunteer and creatively incorporate them into our organization.Volunteers with an interest in working directly with clients provide program coverage, transportation, prepare meals, offer skill instruction, and share their professional services.Volunteers who prefer to work behind the scenes are involved in fundraising, facility maintenance, clerical support and community outreach.
The following is provided to give you some understanding of our volunteer needs but it is by no means a complete list. If you have an idea of how you would like to help that is not listed, please feel free to share it with us!
Direct Service Volunteer Activities
Dinner Preparation: The ten residents of the Eric Johnson House gather to enjoy a home cooked meal provided by volunteers. You have the option to bring in a meal fixed in the comfort of your own home or you may choose to use EJH's commercial six-burner stove and you are welcome to take part in the meal with the residents. Dinner is served Monday - Saturday between 5:45 - 6:45 and on Sunday between 5:00 - 6:00.
Program Coverage: The assistance of volunteers makes it possible to staff the Eric Johnson House 24 hours a day. This residential program provides transitional housing services for a maximum of 10 HIV+ men and women for a period of up to two years.
Days and Evenings: Volunteers assist with tasks such as answering phones, helping residents access household items that may be stored in the supplemental pantry and generally helping in whatever way is needed. As volunteers feel comfortable, they may provide coverage when staff need to leave the building.
Overnights: The purpose of this position is to act as the point person in the case of an emergency and set / deactivate the building alarm. Volunteers are welcome to perform their duties with the company of their partner. For your comfort, we provide a private volunteer bedroom which includes a television, a full size bed with clean sheets for a good night?s sleep and a full size bathroom designated for volunteer use. Normal shifts are as follows: Monday-Thursday, 10pm-9am; Friday-Saturday, 11pm-9am. It is possible to accommodate volunteers who may need to leave earlier than 9am.
Transportation: Most NJAS clients do not have cars and need assistance with transportation to medical appointments, support meetings and outings. A valid driver's license is required.
Services: We welcome the services of individuals with training or education in areas including:
Haircuts
Make overs
Nutrition education
Physical fitness
Massage
Reiki
Yoga
Meditation
Life Skills Mentor: Our clients regularly request instruction in areas such as:
Basic cooking skills
Resume preparation
Internet use: employment and housing searches, e-mail, social networking, etc.
Computer software use: wordprocessing and spreadsheet skills
GED preparation
Recreation: Outings are planned for the residents throughout the year and volunteers are occasionally needed to participate. Additional opportunities exist to plan and host the following:
Small picnics for resident's children at Eric Johnson House
Large picnics for all NJAS clients
Game / Karaoke nights at Eric Johnson House
Program Support Volunteer Activities
Facility Maintenance: The beautiful 1935 stone church rectory that serves as Eric Johnson House needs constant attention in order to maintain a safe and welcoming living environment for our clients.
Gardening, Landscaping, Lawn Maintenance, Snow Removal: Choose from planting and tending our small flower garden, pruning bushes, mowing the small lawn, raking leaves and snow removal.
Painting and Cleaning Projects: Painting and cleaning projects are planned on an as-needed basis and a great opportunity for individuals and groups to become involved.
Small Repairs:General repairs to keep the house in good running order are always appreciated.
Pantry Organization: Keeping the kitchen pantry stocked, organized and free of expired items is the perfect job for organization buffs.
Office / Clerical Support: We often require assistance at both locations. Tasks may include answering the phone, making copies, data entry or stuffing envelopes.
Community Outreach: Volunteers are some of our best advocates in the community, sharing information about HIV and our services!
Collection Drives: Organizing collection drives on our behalf to collect pantry staples, personal care items and cleaning supplies help our clients stretch their limited income. Please contact us to discuss our most needed items and date of donation.
Exhibition Representative: Bring awareness of our services and volunteer opportunities to the community by staffing information tables at health fairs, volunteer expos and related events.
Fundraising Projects: Assist in the planning, preparation and execution of special events including our largest fundraiser, New Jersey AIDS Walk, held each May.
Speakers Bureau: Visit schools, churches and civic organizations to speak about HIV infection and NJAS services. Speaking engagements may be solo or as part of a small group.
Donation Solicitation: Approach corporations, local businesses and service. Each contact serves as an important reminder that HIV infection remains an issue and provides awareness of our organization. Contacts can be made by email, letter, phone calls and/or personal visits.
Event Photographers: Help us create a visual record of our special events for use in the NJAS newsletter, our website and in press releases. Clients also appreciate having photographs of themselves and each other for their own personal use.
Apply!To download the volunteer application, please click here. When the application is complete, please email it to our Volunteer Coordinator or mail to:
Volunteer Coordinator New Jersey AIDS Services 44 South Street Morristown, NJ 07960
After reviewing your application, the Volunteer and Community Coordinator will contact you by phone. The purpose of the call will be to discuss your areas of interest as well as any screening and/or training requirements associated with these roles - and of course, answer any of your questions. If you need to talk to someone before completing the application, please call (973) 285-0006 and ask to speak to the Volunteer Coordinator.
