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JCA Insights, August 2023

By JCA on August 29, 2023

Interages® Offers Summer Volunteering Opportunities

for Students

The Heyman Interages Center is offering several volunteer opportunities for students this summer. Two of the opportunities are in partnership with JCA’s Kensington Clubs (KC). Music Appreciation/Music Therapy is a virtual program with a reflection project. The other involves direct interaction with KC members for activities such as games, discussions, and crafts. The third opportunity is part of the Read Across the Generations

program in local libraries. Volunteers will guide young children in choosing and reading books. All the programs offer SSL hours. See the full descriptions on the JCA website.

Senior HelpLine: 240-290-3311 or 703-652-1515

In this issue:

➢ Interages Summer Volunteering for Students

➢ Kensington Club Hosts a Special Visitor

➢ Staff Profile

➢ Upskill Bookkeeping Class

➢ Village Rides Partners with Caring Matters

➢ Career Gateway Graduate Reunion

➢ JCA Blog Highlights

Kensington Clubs Hosts Weatherman Doug Kammerer

Storm Team4, Chief Meteorologist, Doug Kammerer came to speak at Kensington Club @White Oak Senior Center on June 14th. Participants heard about weather and weather forecasting and posed for pictures with the local celebrity.

Staff Profile: Moti Galil

Moti Galil, Director of JCA’s Transportation Center, and JCA’s longest serving employee, has been at JCA since September of 1981. “JCA was created as a way to provide transportation,” he remembers. Moti had been working in a warehouse when he saw an open position at JCA. He began his career at JCA as a driver and, over time, stepped up to make the transportation process smoother and more efficient. Now he oversees the department, keeps the drivers happy, and makes sure the buses are operating properly. “A

lot of times, riders tell the drivers that they are grateful that the transportation JCA provides helps them maintain mobility,” says Moti. “This is a need that will always be there,” and JCA is glad to have the opportunity to serve the people who rely on this program. From July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023, Moti’s team drove 24,098 trips to Montgomery County Senior Centers.

Intro to Bookkeeping Class

Begins in July

As older workers move from physically demanding jobs to office work, the Upskill Program enables them to make the transition. Introduction to Bookkeeping and Quickbooks® provides participants with the tools they need to perform accounting functions that every business needs. This class equips the graduates with portable skills that are needed in businesses of all sizes and can help them successfully launch

their own small business. Contact Cathy Nestoriak for more details.

Village Rides Partners with Caring Matters

VillageRides signed on a new partner in June. Caring Matters Caring Matters is our 16th partner, the 12th in Montgomery County, with the other 4 in Prince George’s County. While Caring Matters had an existing volunteer driver program, VillageRides will help streamline volunteer management and provide marketing material to promote the

program. Plans are underway to train staff and volunteer drivers about the VillageRides scheduling platform. Village Rides is also working to create branded flyers, car magnets, and driver id badges. The program launch is anticipated in early July.

Career Gateway Alumni Networking Event

On June 21st, Career Gateway alumni gathered at Pinstripes in Pike & Rose. Over 100 Career Gateway alumni and volunteers attended. It was the first time in four years that they were together, networking, mingling, and eating great food. Dr. Elisse Barnes, the class Facilitator, was also in attendance, and for many of the graduates, this was the first time that they were able to meet Elisse and Jodie Rasch, program director, in-person. Some of the volunteer mentors were meeting those they mentored face to face for the first time. Several attendees wrote to Jodie after the event

expressing their thanks with praise about Career Gateway being an innovative career-changing platform for “Tech Savvy” seniors. Thanks to the generous support of JCA and the Next50 Initiative, this event was free of charge for alumni and volunteers.

Blog Highlights

The JCA Blog, Information for the Sandwich Generation, shared some noteworthy news this month. Dementia care partners may want to sign up for some of the many online programs offered this summer: from the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arc of Montgomery County, and Suburban Hospital. In addition, our immediate past president, Howard Gleckman gave a webinar outlining

his thoughts on designing a more perfect healthcare system. Check back often for more useful articles and resources of particular interest to older adults.

Sign up for a Virtual JCA Program Tour

Come learn about the impact JCA has in our community in a 45-minute Zoom “tour of our mission.” You might be surprised at what you hear as we introduce you to our CEO, board president, Career Gateway graduate, Interages volunteer, and Kensington Club activity leader. Reserve your spot for July 12 at 9:30 a.m. or in person at Parklawn Drive on July 27 at 2 p.m. We really would love to meet you!