NCJW|LA

I work on the Women Helping Women Services Counseling Talkline funded entirely by NCJW. It is a free community service where we talke to callers for up to one hour or more if necessary about their problems with work, child rearing, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts, financial problems, homelessness, etc. To my knowledge they are one of the few organizations that spend unlimited time on the phone with a caller and also have virtually free unlimited one on one in person counseling with trained and licensed social workers. They also have extensive counseling groups in schools, shelters and agencies where these services are needed. Women Helping Children services are also very responsive to children's needs and their Advocacy programs are outstanding.

This is a wonderful charity and has helped me a lot. I have a very limited income and cannot afford many clothes. Being able to go to the annual free clothes give away has been very helpful. Again Thank you for caring!

When my daughter was nine years old, she started hearing bells ringing in her ears.I became very concerned. Called my Pediatrician who examined her and said that there was nothing wrong physically. He suggested finding some psychological help for her. I taught in the high school across the street from the NCJW/LA facility.I called and asked if they did counseling. They said "Yes". I quickly made an appointment for my daughter. We were assigned to a great psychologist whohelped her and our family.

NCJW LA makes such a difference in Los Angeles. They provide vital time and support to children in need helping them with their homework and practicing art and reading. When LA is closing it's school libraries, NCJW is still there supporting the children and making a difference. I have never seen an organization as involved with the school system.

I feel so lucky to work at NCJW/LA, one of the only social service agencies in town that has been able to expand services, while so many programs are being cut. With so many people in need, it is incredibly gratifying to be able to offer such high quality, long-term therapy to strengthen adults, children and families who are struggling. It's inspiring to have so many passionate and compassionate volunteers offer their time and support on our Counseling Talkline. And it's invigorating to have the opportunity to train new social workers who are so committed to making a difference in the community. NCJW/LA has the most passionate, talented and dedicated staff, interns and volunteers in the city... And I'm the envy of all my social work colleagues, because I get to work with such amazing people, to work for an organization that truly exemplifies the values of social welfare, and to put my ideals into practice every single day.

It has been both satisfying and frustrating working to advance the wonderful programs of NCJW/LA -- satisfying because often, I can see how my effort will benefit a woman and/or a child. The benefit may be small but it is there. For example, preparing food packages for the elderly homebound; reading to a child at an elementary school library (which library would otherwise be non-functioning without NCJW/LA volunteer support); tutoring a 3rd grader struggling with her arithmetic. What is frustrating is that so many families are so underserved by a City that is patently failing them.

I think that NCJW-LA is doing great work in the community with my donations, both of objects for the store and cash donations. The organization makes an outstanding contribution to the community in several ways.

I have been on NCJW/LA talk line as a volunteer for many years along with our scholarship program for giving women a chance and opportunity to further their education. I can say that since I have become involved with NCJW/LA I have fulfillment in my life in making a difference.

I have worked at the National Council for Jewish Women in the Women Helping Women department for two years. It is such an honor to be a part of an organization that cares so deeply about serving the underprivleged and empowering women and children. It is a unique and gratifying experience to work for an agency that treats the clients it serves like beloved members of our community.

I volunteer for Artpals, a program that teaches lessons on contemporary art to 3rd & 4th graders in the San Fernando Valley. NCJW has generously supported this fantastic program for many years. Without NCJW many children would not have the experience of learning about & participating in the world of contemporary art. We teach them how to analyze a work of art, along with the accompanying vocabulary. Each lesson includes a participatory project. I have done this for 7 years but the program is approximately 20 years old. I am grateful to NCJW for supporting us.

I participate in an NCHW/LA program called "Art Pals" Each week, our team of 5 women teach basic concepts of contemporary art to 3rd grade classes of disadvantaged children in Los Angeles. We use descriptive vocabulary, books, slides and hands-on projects to introduce our students to a new world of line, color, shape, texture and mood. The culmination of our program is a field trip to a local gallery or art museum where our students can experience the work of nationally known artists. NCJW/LA provides all materials and transportation for this program.

As a committed feminist and a liberal Jew, I find NCJW to be an amazing organization. I am impressed with their community oriented outlook, caring about women and children issues in the community at large, the world actually. From delivering cloths to needy before Christmas, advocacy and support on a daily basis for people and caring so much about the political and social environment in which we live. NCJW has bright and dedicated women. staff and volunteers who want to improve life and options for women and bring change into our society, and their "newer" preparation of a women conference is indeed to be lauded.

NCJW provides our pregnant and parenting students with many services ranging from tutoring to providing art supplies and opportunities for field trips. Many of our students would have never had the experiences or enrichment if it weren't for NCJW. Melissa Tillman, the "Women Helping Children" coordinator for Los Angeles, has been amazing and diligent in keeping the program running smoothly and effectively for several years. McAlisiter High School is honored and privileged to work with this wonderful organization.

I am a reader at an elementary school, I read books to first graders every Monday and help them in the library. The idea is to foster interest in reading at an early age.
This experience has been priceless. The kids are bright, engaging, adorable and very original thinkers. They seem to have a lot of support from the school/their teachers even though the school is not wealthy and the class sizes are medium to large-ish.
It has been a overwhelmingly fulfilling to get to know these kids for one hour once a week. When you see them engaged in a story, practically holding their breath to hear what will happen next, it's a powerful, positive and hopeful experience. No one has told them that no one reads books anymore!
Besides listening to the stories, I encourage the kids to interact: we talk about the choices for the characters in the book, and what they think might happen, etc. These interactions are phenomenal, as the kids display such lively and unique imaginations.
The opportunity to volunteer in this way has changed my life. I am even exploring ways to get more involved.
The NCJW has done a tremendous job of organizing this program. They are always available, they notify you of any changes in a timely manner and they even make the effort to thank all the volunteers with a luncheon. I feel as though I should be thanking them!

Art Pals volunteers, from the National Council of Jewish Women, worked in my third grade classroom for two school years. The interactive program taught children about the elements of art, artists, and styles of art. In addition, the students participated in a related art project in each of the lessons taught. The value of the program was fully recognized, as my students transferred the knowledge they gained in Art Pals transferred to their learning in the areas of math and language arts.

Furthermore, the NCJW (Art Pals) supplied our school library with books. Each 3rd grade class also were given T-shirts and art books for use in their classroom library. We also were given a bus for a field trip to a museum.

I have been a volunteer with various children's programs for NCJW/LA as well as having served on the Board. It's a phenomenal organization that - in short - fills in the gaps. It helps people, no matter who they are. It is there for people in a way that other organizations can not be. And, the people who are involved are so passionate and committed and are just really great people!

I volunteer in the Alexandria House Teen Center. They provide a safe place for teens to get help with homework, hang out and enjoy enrichment activities. I enjoy helping the students develop an appreciation for art, writing and etiquette. The NCJWLA organization does so many great things for low income families in Los Angeles.

NCJWLA is an amazing organization with so many programs helping women, children and families. I'm proud to support them in any way I can.

NCJW is one of the few organizations that helps everyone and is involved in human rights issues. If you are low income or a victim of human trafficking, sexual Abuse, domestic violence they will give free counseling. they also have an incredible clothing giveaway every year. If you need help this is the place to go. To them you are a humAn being in need regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation if you need they are there for you. Incredible people!!!!

I volunteer with NCJW because they are doing some of the most amazing work in our community. They have so many programs that are helping women and children in Los Angeles and I feel like they are able to organize volunteers so that we can effectively serve our community.
I tutor adolescent girls at a community funded alternative school one day a week and it is always one of the highlights of my week! I would never have even known about this wonderful program or that I could help without the NCJW. I'm proud to be part of a great team doing awesome work in our community!

I became a volunteer for NCJW/LA this year. It has given me many wonderful experiences. The program is well organized and serves different groups in the community. I recently participated in the Mitzvah night. It has given me the inspiration to form a women's group in my area. I love the interaction of the members and the satisfaction of giving back.

Before I was asked to join the Board in 2008, I enjoyed volunteering at the annual Clothing Giveaway with my mother. We volunteer together at this event every year, and always come away with a great feeling of community, satisfaction and gratitude. While we serve our community at the event, we station ourselves at different tables, Mom usually at the Women's table and I usually at the Men's. After our shift is over, we share our experience over lunch at Canter's, where I learn of some of her brief, yet incredibly poignent and meaningful, encounters with women seeking clothing for work, for home, for chores and for school; and she learns of mine with the men. As we talk, our conversation is often peppered with tears, with great guffaws of joy, and sometimes with silence as we count our own blessings. In 2009, the line went around the block on Rosewood, and then around that block to Hayworth, and then down almost to Beverly Blvd.! The last clothing giveaway was in December 2010, and we were both SHOCKED to see the number of people lined up! I believe there were almost 6,000 people served that overcast December Sunday, and 92.3 FM sent dj's to play fabulous old school jams that kept our spirits up and our faces smiling with song!

The staff at NCJW/LA deserves mention, because they're not just "staff". They seem to live and breathe for the Organization, showing up to events in the evenings, weekends and on holidays! I am always amazed and envious of their seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for their jobs and the people they serve!

I chose to volunteer on TalkLine because I want to help - by listening and showing others that I care - TalkLine offered invaluable training and athe wonderful supervisors, interns and guest speakers made training fun, unteresting and something I will take with me all my life. NCJW has so many great programs and people working there - I am proud to be a part of it all.

Since 2001 I have worked on a weekly basis with the Alexandria House after school and teen programs through NCJW-LA. Because the children progress through this program from kindergarten all the way through high school graduation, I have had the chance to watch kids grow up---and benefit from the homework help, arts projects, and writing workshops, not to mention field trips. Having known some of the kids for almost ten years, I feel that they are more like my own children rather than just students. I have had teens I’ve known for many years literally tell me “you saved me" or "you changed my life," and I have even had a couple kids call me (years after they left the program), to thank me for supporting them all those years. This is the most rewarding experience I have ever had, and I cannot imagine my life without it. The passion and consistency with which NCJW-LA supports this neighborhood program continually amazes me.

I signed up with the homework club because they are close to my house, but the reward has been so much more. I look forward to every Tuesday and feel like I'm actually making a difference in some of the kids' lives. One student, I feel like I've formed a special bond with. Before homework club, we wasn't completing any of his work. But, this student was clearly intelligent. He wasn't getting any of the attention he so needed. Now, he rushes over to me, we quickly finish his work, and then he has time to talk about whatever is on his mind that week! I can tell he really appreciates the one on one time. It means so much to me.

I chose to volunteer with NCJW because it was close to my house and I'm so glad I did. The staff is fantastic -- they really care about volunteers and clients -- and they have lots of programs to choose from. I really feel like I'm making a difference when I volunteer with them. They allow volunteers to help pilot new programs, which lets us use our strengths and specialties to the utmost extent. Also, they're excellent at communicating with volunteers, and they always express their gratitude for our work. I've volunteered with many different organizations, and I've never felt so at home as I have with NCJW.

Because of NCJW, our ArtPals groups bring art appreciation, art lessons, and art projects to low-income schools. Our ArtPals students don't have access to museums or art classes and are able to express themselves in many mediums, leading to enhanced learning in all facets of their lives. Without the support of NCJW, this program would not be possible.