There are some things money can't buy. A smile on a child's face, a hug at the end of a long day, a warm touch from a senior citizen. Maimonides Geriatric Centre honors the hundreds of volunteers (from 11 years old to ninety years old) whose compassion and commitment has made a difference in the lives of our residents. We salute the volunteers who have given as many as 35 years of their time to enrich our residents lives. Thank you!

The role of the Department of Volunteer Services is to improve the quality of life and the emotional well-being of the resident. Hundreds of volunteers, gave almost 30,000 hours of their time in the past year (this is equivalent to 17 full time employees) and are involved in all areas of the Centre where they play a vital role in enhancing the therapeutic milieu. They bring the outside world in to the residents to let them know that they are not forgotten. They cater to the residents' social and emotional needs by providing them with more individualized attention. By supplementing and assisting the staff, volunteers allow for an increase in the quantity and quality of programs available to the residents as well as an increase in the number of residents who attend each program.

Volunteer Newsletter Winter 2008

The department acts as a liaison between residents, staff, volunteers and the community. By keeping abreast of the needs and concerns of the residents and their families, it can then assign volunteers to respond to those needs.

Contact is maintained with schools, community groups and service groups to recruit volunteers and to keep the public informed about Maimonides.

Would you like more information about volunteering at Maimonides?
Download this manual in PDF format for more information on Maimonides and the Department of Volunteers Services.

To join Maimonides as a volunteer, please call Patti Derstenfeld (ext. 2213) or Rena Halickman (ext. 2223) at (514) 483-2121 or submit your request using our
online registration form.