Volunteer

Helping the Community

How You Can Help

We are proud that members of NCJW, GRS enrich the lives of women, children and families in Monroe County by volunteering at our community service programs. Some of these programs had to pause due to the pandemic, but here’s how you can still make a difference through NCJW today.

NCJW, GRS Programs

PAD Project

Did you know that many underserved women and girls regularly miss work and school during their menstrual cycle? They can’t afford tampons and pads! 

Government programs like SNAP, formerly food stamps, do not provide for feminine hygiene products. When faced with the prospect of stretching a few dollars, women often put their children’s needs first, buying diapers rather than tampons and pads for themselves. Sometimes they use paper towels or cut-up diapers to substitute for tampons or pads.

In response to this constant need, NCJW, GRS and The Scensible Source Company, creator of Scensibles disposal bags, have developed the P.A.D. Project Initiative, which stands for providing access and dignity to women and girls during their monthly cycle.

Contact Gina Horowitz at ginarose@rochester.rr.com or 585-482-8652 to get involved.

Consider College

Consider College is an academic and career mentoring project of NCJW, GRS. Its goal is to provide a selected group of low-income Rochester City School District students with the support necessary to acquire a positive attitude and confidence as learners so they realize that in the future all doors and possibilities are open to them to pursue higher education. Consider College started in 2006 with 25 sixth graders at school No. 17. Between 2006 and 2008, it grew to 75 students and since then, because of attrition, we now have a solid corps of fifty 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Twenty-two NCJW mentors have shared hands-on presentations, cultural activities, job shadowing, and trips to local area colleges. With patience and humor, we believe we are having an impact on the lives of our mentees. We hope for close to 100% graduation from high school and definite post high school plans – either further education or employment. We would like to triple the percentage of Rochester City students who receive Regents diplomas from 26% to 78%.  Many of the current 11th graders are in Honors classes and several are taking Advanced Placement courses. To volunteer as a Consider College mentor, contact Mollie Traub at (585) 442-7521 or mtraub@rochester.rr.com.

Books Mommy and Me

Each year on Veterans Day, the downtown YWCA is packed with teen moms from the Rochester City School District and their babies, along with YWCA staff and NCJW volunteers. They are there to participate in Books, Mommy and Me, an early childhood literacy program aimed at encouraging teen moms to read to their preschool children in order to enhance their language skills and better prepare them for school.  The Books, Mommy and Me project draws girls from the Young Parents Support Services Program, sponsored by the YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County. The teens enjoy lunch, create a craft project, and receive several children’s books donated by Scholastic and the Volunteers of America. The YWCA case managers help to coordinate the girls’ attendance for the special event. NCJW volunteers help to serve lunch, read to the children, talk with moms, and assist with the craft project. Books, Mommy and Me is currently on hold due to the pandemic. If you wish to participate in the next Books, Mommy and Me event, email us at ncjwgrs@gmail.com.