JVC is joining in the basketball frenzy with match-ups that pit our non-profit Partners with Purpose (organizations to which we refer volunteers) against each other. Each Partner with Purpose is matched with a team on the NCAA Sweet 16 bracket and will follow that team through the rest of the tournament.
Click Here to see the complete Partner with a Purpose Bracket.
Jewish Museum of Maryland
The Jewish Museum of Maryland plays in the “Associated” league of organizations. Founded in 1960 in an effort to save and revitalize the Lloyd Street Synagogue in Baltimore’s Jonestown neighborhood, The Jewish Museum of Maryland is America’s top regional museum of Jewish history, culture, and community. The JMM bench is full of talented individuals who work in the archives and collections, do genealogical research, welcome visitors at the front desk and in the gift shop, and share the museum’s treasures as docents and marketing specialists. The Jewish Museum always needs talented and passionate new players who are interested in their team’s focus on history and community-building. To learn more, visit www.jewishmuseummd.org and click on “Get Involved.”
Did You Know: On Community Mitzvah Day, volunteers at the Jewish Museum made more than 100 SoupKits for their neighbors at Living Classrooms. SoupKits are jars of ingredients that can be made into a nutritious soup for a family of 4 just by adding water and a can of tomatoes.
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Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland plays in the national “Meals on Wheels” League. Chartered in 1960 in the Baltimore area, Meals on Wheels enables people to live independently at home through the provision of nutritious meals, personal contact and related services. While the Meals on Wheels starting bench of meal packers and delivery drivers is well known, their bench of volunteers also includes shoppers, friendly visitors, phone pals, and a cheerleading squad that makes gifts to remind recipients that they are part of a community that cares for them. Meals on Wheels has even started a special role for its junior bench, who take the court in their strollers and car seats to volunteer with a parent. For more information on Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, visit https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/ and click on volunteer.
Did You Know: On Good Deeds Day, volunteers at the Park Heights JCC will be making gifts to be delivered to clients of Meals on Wheels, as a way of brightening their spring.
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Sarah’s Hope
Sarah’s Hope plays in the “St. Vincent De Paul” league of organizations and has two home courts – one in Reisterstown at Hannah More Park and one in Sandtown on Mount Street. Sarah’s Hope is a comprehensive shelter serving homeless families in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Services include meals, youth activities and tutoring, adult education classes, case management, housing placement and referrals. The Sarah’s Hope bench of volunteers provides meals, activities, workshops on life skills, and more. Sarah’s Hope welcomes new bench players, especially in groups, that can come one-time or on a regular basis. For more information about joining the Sarah’s Hope bench, visit http://www.vincentbaltimore.org/our-programs.
Did You Know: JVC volunteers served meals and ran activities at Sarah’s Hope on Community Mitzvah Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
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Casey Cares
Casey Cares is an independent player with no league affiliation. Founded in 2000 by Casey Bynes, the Casey Cares Foundation provides uplifting programs with a special touch for critically ill children and their families throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The Casey Cares home court extends throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania and their signature plays include birthday parties and other celebrations, vacations, family adventure days and more. Their bench of volunteers coordinates and manages these activities and works to share information about the work that Casey Cares does. Team cheerleaders also manage a program to make sure that every child in the hospital has a warm pair of cozy pajamas to make them feel safe and at home. For more information about joining the Casey Cares volunteer and cheerleading bench, visit www.caseycares.org and click on Ways to Give.
Did You Know: On Good Deeds Day, volunteers at Bolton Street Synagogue will be creating at-home movie night kits for Casey Cares to distribute to families with critically ill children.
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Woodholme Gardens
Woodholme Gardens plays in the “Compass Pointe” league of organizations. At their home court in Pikesville, MD, they provide assisted living and memory care services to residents in a residential environment that has all the comforts of home. The Woodholme Gardens bench of volunteers provides activities to residents as groups or individuals. For more information, visit http://www.woodholmegardens.com/.
Did You Know: On Good Deeds Day, volunteers will play bingo and spend time visiting with the residents of Woodholme Gardens.
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Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Levindale plays in both the “Lifebridge Health” league of organizations and the “Associated” league. Founded in 1890 as the Hebrew Friendly Inn, Levindale’s mission is to provide service for the aging, frail and ill in institutional, community and home settings. Their team has adopted the Eden Alternative philosophy, which focuses on creating a home-like environment. They’ve turned their home court into a Neighborhood Model, with each unit set up like a family home. The Levindale volunteer bench supports residents in many ways, including friendly visiting, assisting with activities, managing the gift cart, and even working in the horticulture therapy program. Levindale is a great volunteer opportunity for junior players as well, as they accept individual volunteers as young as 14. Volunteers of all ages are welcome with their families. For more information about joining the Levindale volunteer bench, visit www.lifebridgehealth.org/levindale and click on the “Giving and Volunteering” link.
Did You Know: JVC supports VolunTeams that “PlayDate Together” at Levindale, bringing children to visit residents and enjoy stories, games, songs.
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Kids Safe Zone
Kids Safe Zone is the star team in the “Maryland Community Health Initiatives” league, better known as Penn North. Founded in 2015, Kids Safe Zone provides a safe and supportive after-school program for kids at their home court in Sandtown-Winchester. Their “coaches” use a philosophy based on mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, while providing everything from athletics to crafts to tutoring to computer programming and games. Kids Safe Zone is almost unique among the players in this tournament in that the participants actually do play basketball! The volunteer bench at Kids Safe Zone provides activities, tutoring, mentoring, career guidance, and more. In addition, team cheerleaders provide snacks, supplies, and other in-kind donations including meals. For more information about Kids Safe Zone, visit http://www.penn-north.com/kids-safe-zone/.
Did You Know: JVC supports a VolunTeam that provides career education at Kids Safe Zone.
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CHAI
Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI) plays in the “Associated” league of organizations. Founded in 1983 with the goal of stabilizing the Northern Park Heights neighborhood, their mission is to strengthen neighborhoods with a significant Jewish presence by developing and enhancing housing, affecting community development, and supporting aging-in-community. CHAI supports its home court through foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, community activism, and support for schools. At the same time, CHAI supports its “alumni network” through aging services that include senior home repair and the Northwest Neighbors Connection Village. The CHAI bench of volunteers helps seniors live safely and with confidence in their homes, drive Village members to appointments and errands, and provide administrative support. For more information about joining the CHAI volunteer bench, visit www.chaibaltimore.org and click on the Volunteer link.
Did You Know: CHAI is a project site for Good Deeds Day. Volunteers will be helping get senior adults ready for Passover by cleaning their homes and switching out dishes.
