Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey a Faith in Action Program

I am a volunteer with Caregivers Volunteers of Ocean and Monmouth County, NJ. I semi retired after working and owing real estate company for over 40 years. It was my way of giving back and I get more out of it than the receivers. It is such a pleasure to ease the worry of folks who need assistance. It’s a great outfit and provide many services needed by those needing the help

As a caregiver volunteer, I provide friendly visits to seniors in the area. My first assignment was with a 97-year-old man, a WW II veteran, who had recently lost his wife of 66 years. We hit it off immediately and became friends. We met each other's families, and he invited me to his 100th birthday party. He brightened my day, and I brightened his day. He was always so grateful for my weekly visits, and we talked about so much together. He regularly told me that he had lived a good life, he was blessed, and he had nothing to complain about. He said he was even so lucky to have met a friend like me at the age of 97.
I visited him at his home and then in the hospital toward the end of his life.
My first caregiver volunteer assignment with Joe lasted 5 years, where he remained in his home and eventually died there peacefully. We changed each other's lives for the better in many ways. St. Francis of Assisi said, "For it is in giving we receive." That sums up my experience with Caregiver Volunteers of Central New Jersey. An hour a week in my busy schedule has changed my life forever while providing a simple, yet essential service to seniors, like Joe, who still lives on in my heart.



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I started volunteering with CVCJ during Covid by taking seniors to get their Covid Vaccinations. It was so rewarding to be able to help out because without CVCJ’s assistance they would have no way to get the medical center.

I have taken seniors to medical appointment, sometimes it’s for office visits or testing. I also make Reassurance Calls once a week and sometimes twice a week if there is something going on.

I’ve attended an open house at the adult day care for one of the seniors. She had no family members able to go with her so I spent the day with her. Her face expression when she saw me arrive was just precious!

The best part of being a CVCJ volunteer is that I can help on my schedule, very flexible.

Volunteering for CVCJ is so rewarding and fulfilling. I’ve met so many incredible people, each with a different story to share!

I have volunteered with Caregivers for 8+ years. Ocean County Library hosted a Volunteer "Job" Fair. There were many great organizations from which to choose. I was attracted to the mission of Caregiver Volunteers and their commitment to work with the schedules of the volunteers including travel plans. I started food shopping and am currently providing transportation for medical appointments. It is such a rewarding experience. I have met so many interesting people. The staff are helpful always. I tell anyone who will listen that Caregiver Volunteers is an incredible organization!!

Caregivers is a wonderful organization. I’ve been driving receivers and performing assessments for almost 3 years. The receivers are all very nice and appreciative. The office staff is great as well. I look forward to helping our amazing seniors into the future.

CVCNJ is a wonderful organization. I began doing on line shopping for 2 elderly women as a volunteer . They were sweet and extremely appreciative. The organization was patient and nurturing with them (and me!) I listened to their stories and learned a great deal from these women. I have referred a client of mine to use their at home Alzheimer’s buddy for her husband so she could get a much needed break and she had only good things to say. I look forward to continued work with CVCNJ in the future.

This is an amazing organization that helps seniors that are home bound. My husband & I have volunteered for almost 20 years for them. It is a wonderful resource for older adults who require help. One of the things we do is to food shopping on-line for this lovely lady for five years. We finally realized that we never actually met her in person. Well, that was solved when we set up a dinner date and thoroughly enjoyed spending the evening with Annette. We learned so much about each other and realized how food shopping for CVCJ clients not only helps solve a problem but also creates lasting friendships. Looking forward to another evening together soon.

I first heard about Caregivers through my church, and immediately felt drawn to their mission. Signing up to volunteer was a breeze-within hours I had my application submitted, a friendly welcome call from the volunteer coordinator, and clear next-steps on how to book my first ride.
Since then, I've had the privilege of assisting a number of wonderful seniors-each with their own story and zest for life.
Every ride is more than just a trip; it's a chance to listen, and to learn. Caregivers doesn’t just provide transportation-it offers companionship and dignity, free of charge. If your considering volunteering you'll discover that the conversations you'll have are as rewarding as the service you'll provide.

Anne McDonough

As a volunteer for Caregivers for over 10 years, I find this organization priceless. It helps a disadvantaged population on limited incomes. As a volunteer I get to meet so many interesting people whether I am driving them to a doctors appointment or doing an assessment. The stories I get to hear are so wonderful. Everyone is so grateful for their services Caregivers provide!!

I have been involved with Caregivers for over 25 years first in Middlesex County and now Ocean County. They are a wonderful organization helping many people in different ways. I mainly food shop and do visits and the people I have met have been very pleased with our services. I am retired now so I have more time to devote to this and gives me a sense of purpose and joy when I know I am helping people.

I began my journey with Caregivers in December of 2013. I just became a certified therapy dog handler with my pup, Earl. We received our first care receiver that spring and it has been magic ever since. From the Caregiver canine program, Vet to Vet, ARCP respite program, friendly visits, and phone calls. Volunteer Ambassador for a little while. The Caregiver program is simply super. I love that I found them. To be able to help the seniors in my community is an honor and a privilege. I sometimes feel that I receive more than they do.

First as a "Friendly visitor" and then as an Alzheimer's Respite volunteer, I have found these experiences tremendously rewarding. Over many years, I have forged new relationships and learned so much from the clients and their caregivers. The staff at Caregivers are extremely supportive and I feel blessed to be involved with their programs.

A wonderful nonprofit that puts people first. Loving, kind and caring companions for those in need, be it a friendly visit, pet therapy, shopping or a friendly phone call. Also, a respite for caregivers who need time away to recharge or simply to take a nap or read a book.
Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a blessing to many and the volunteers are blessed by the people they encounter and come to know and love like family.

As a volunteer driver to and from doctors offices, I've listened to interesting people, helped them into and out of my car, changed light bulbs in their homes, picked up their prescriptions and their favorite foods from local restaurants , and reported to the police and Caregivers that the care receivers probably weren't able to answer their doors/phones so needed immediate help. Central Jersey Caregivers is a wonderful, caring program that goes beyond their original mandate every day.

Getting old is tough
~ Loss of independence, can no longer drive????
~Loss of spouse or S/O
~Loss of close friends / family
~ Family is far away
Without Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey is a unique organization which helps the elderly, homebound and veterans with medical transportation, grocery shopping, friendly phone call or visits. Living a wonderful motto " Caring for People by who Care"

Imagine: age 23 marry the love of your life, Harry
age 26 welcome your 1st child , then age 28 your 2nd child
You have a good life, nice home, good income.
your kids grow up, get married and move away.
You and Harry decide to down size and move into a adult community, you want to enjoy your "golden years". Life is still good though you move a little slower, go to the doctor(s) more often as now high blood pressure, arthritis and diabetes have decided to hop on your health, ugh but hey you and Harry still go to the stores and take some trips. You love seeing the kids and grandkids when they visit, but the visits are never long enough. Harry gets ill and passes away. This event is devastating, but your faith is strong and you carry on. The kids encourage you to join the senior center to "get involved" ! Your vision is starting to diminish, you really don't like driving because your afraid. At a doctor's visit he tells you "it is time to hang up the keys " Now at the age of 84, you live alone and can't drive anymore ? How am I going to get to the doctor's or get groceries ? Your kids live 2 states away they call to check on you, tell you to look into cabs for appointments and to get meals on wheels. Your at the senior center one day and there is a speaker from Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey giving a presentation on their services. Wow~ they offer medical transportation to doctor's, grocery shopping, friendly visits, pet visits.... Their services are free ! They are a nonprofit, interfaith organization whose mission to help the elderly and homebound remain in their home independently with dignity.