For Debbie Levy, retiring from JF&CS wasn’t the end of her story with the agency — it was a new beginning. After nearly three decades in her role as Accounts Receivable Manager, Debbie found herself drawn back in a completely different way: as a volunteer supporting older adults.
“My last day was a Friday, and the following Tuesday, I was volunteering in Brain Health Boot Camp!” she laughs. “I really believe in the work we (JF&CS) do, and I wanted to stay involved.”
Helping clients strengthen cognition and slow cognitive decline through Brain Health Boot Camp allowed Debbie to connect directly with older adults. Despite not having prior experience with dementia, she quickly became drawn to the cause and the people, largely because of her own meaningful relationships with elders throughout her life.
Debbie fondly remembers her great-grandmother, with whom she shared a close bond until she passed when Debbie was 19. She was also very close to her ex-husband’s grandmother, and she has always seen intergenerational relationships as a priority. “I’ve always had a passion for older adults,” she says.
A New Program: One Good Deed Dementia Support
One Good Deed, a JF&CS program that has matched friendly volunteers with older adults for almost 20 years, launched its newest initiative this fall: One Good Deed Dementia Support. The program is funded by an Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation grant.
This new initiative was developed in collaboration with Aviv Memory Support Services and is designed to support family caregivers who are living with and caring for a loved one with dementia. Volunteers are intentionally matched with these families to provide companionship to the person living with dementia and meaningful respite for the caregiver, who is often a spouse or adult child.
When Debbie heard about the program, she was ready to serve in a new way.
“We had a six-hour training, which answered all my questions and helped me feel prepared,” she says. She also participated in a dementia immersion experience, an “eye-opening” practice that gave her “perspective and empathy. I understood how someone might withdraw or isolate themselves.” By the end, she felt the training she received “gave me what I needed to walk in with confidence.”
Her first match had more advanced dementia than she expected. But with patience, creativity, and the tools she gained from training, Debbie quickly found ways to connect. From puzzles to rhyming games, she tailors each activity to her match’s abilities and interests. “It’s trial and error,” she explains. “But finding what resonates and creating a personal connection is incredibly rewarding.”
“Debbie is kind and nurturing, and truly cares about making an impact,” said Vivienne Kurland, One Good Deed Program Manager. “Debbie shared how meaningful it felt to hear from her match’s husband right after her first visit, thanking her for giving him the chance to leave the house and have some much-needed time to himself. We are very intentional when we make matches, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
The Benefits of Volunteering
For Debbie, volunteering is as enriching for her as it is for the people she supports. “Volunteering allows me to give back, stay engaged, and connect with people without the pressure of a job,” she explains. “The commitment is only four hours a month, so I’m still able to travel and enjoy retirement.”
It also keeps her busy, in a good way. “Volunteering with JF&CS gets me out in the community so I’m not isolating at home. Otherwise, I might be doing jigsaw puzzles all day!” she laughs. “It’s fulfilling, educational, and it keeps me active.”
Lastly, this experience helps Debbie stay sharp herself, improve her cognition, and equips her to recognize signs of dementia in her own family. “It’s just not something we talk about enough,” she says. “Having this knowledge makes me more aware and compassionate.”
Debbie’s story highlights how volunteers can make a difference while staying connected, purposeful, and engaged. JF&CS’s One Good Deed Dementia Support program relies on volunteers who provide companionship, support, and social interaction for older adults living with dementia. Experience is not required, and you’ll receive all the training and resources you need to feel confident.