Jewish Family Services

Supporting and strengthening lives throughout Greater Kansas City.

  • About Us
    • About JFS
    • Brookside
    • Governance
    • JFS Staff
    • Financials
    • Media Corner
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Services
    • Services Overview
    • Chaplaincy
    • Counseling and Mental Health
    • Family Life Education
    • Food Pantry
    • Kesher KC
    • LGBTQ Services
    • Older Adults
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Overview
    • Food Pantry
    • Help@Home Volunteers
    • JETTM Express Drivers
    • Spiritual Care Volunteers
  • Donate
    • Donate Now
    • Ways to Give
    • Special Events
    • Donors
    • Momentum KC
    • Fund for the Future
    • Legacy Society
    • Purchase Kesher KC Care Bags
    • Donate A Vehicle
    • JFS Stories
  • JFS Blog
  • Contact Us

Jan. Calling Connections Volunteer – Max

​The JFS Volunteer of the Month for January is Maxine “Max” Garrison.

One connection made by JFS volunteer Maxine “Max” Garrison was with a JFS older adult client, Saundra.


During COVID-19, JFS volunteers have been a critical link to connect with older adults. Many have become more isolated than ever before.


Saundra—a 74-year-old Kansas City native who fell on hard times—has been a JFS client since 2018. She receives food from the JFS Food Pantry, belongs to our monthly Help@Home Program, uses JET Express drivers to get to appointments (as permitted with the current guidelines), and is part of our new Tech Connect program.

“Max and my client have formed a charming relationship,” said Jana Fielder, JFS Older Adult care manager. “Saundra has frequent hospitalization, and Max keeps track of her whereabouts—consistently asking if there is anything that the client needs.

Max is a freelance writer and editor who found time to work as a Food Pantry volunteer two years ago. When new food pantry protocols changed because of COVID-19, Max stepped up to help with Calling Connections “because it felt right helping people feel connected,” she said. “I don’t make other calls at this time, but I do make donations to JFS drives, purchase gifts for children in the JFS Hanukkah program, etc.”

Max is not a Kansas City native but has lived here with her husband for 40 years after growing up in Washington, DC. They have two daughters, and their grandson attends the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

When Saundra heard about Max’s honor, she said, “Well, bless her. She deserves it and more—she deserves two months! I love her dearly, but I can’t tell her what I need because Max will send it to me. Do you know that she sent me a brand-new pair of sandals for my swollen feet? She also sent me books, puzzles, and a blanket.”

Max and Saundra have not had a chance to meet because of COVID-19, but they talk regularly. “Besides my regular check-ins, I call her when the Chiefs are playing because we are both fans,” Max said.

For more information about JFS programs, please call 913-327-8250. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, email volunteers@jfskc.org, or visit jfskc.org.

Donate Now

Upcoming Events

Jan
18
Mon
all-day JFS Offices Closed – MLK Day
JFS Offices Closed – MLK Day
Jan 18 all-day
 
Jan
20
Wed
11:30 am JFS Grief and Loss Support
JFS Grief and Loss Support
Jan 20 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Meets first and third WednesdayThe ongoing support group is for individuals grieving fromthe death of a loved one. The group provides an opportunityto address issues of loss and grief within a Jewish spiritualcontext in a[...]
Jan
21
Thu
1:00 pm JFS Virtual LL&L – Brain Fitness
JFS Virtual LL&L – Brain Fitness
Jan 21 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Learn Laugh & Love January 21, 2021 Zoom 1:00-2:00 ***Register in advance for this program: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUodeqorj0vE9Z32U2J9TXetAt4DLES_dCk After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Brain Fitness – Keep your[...]
Jan
25
Mon
3:00 pm JFS Virtual Happiness Habits
JFS Virtual Happiness Habits
Jan 25 @ 3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Start the new year with a weekly habit that brings happiness! This Happiness Habits Wellness Series is a free and ongoing half-hour program in partnership between JFS, the Kansas City Public Library, and the Greater Kansas[...]
Jan
27
Wed
1:00 pm JFS “New Year Habits” Virtual Wo...
JFS “New Year Habits” Virtual Wo...
Jan 27 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Title: New Year, NewHabits: Exploring Self-Care Tools and TechniquesFacilitators: JFS Therapists, Lauren Glass & KathleenHallingJoin us in this interactive session to learn the benefits ofself-care and how to develop a more compassionate and supportive relationshipwith[...]
View Calendar

View the KC Jewish Community Calendar

Connect with us!

Sign up below to receive the latest news and events from JFS:

Jewish Federation logo

Copyright © 2021 Jewish Family Services
5801 W. 115th St., Suite 103 | Overland Park, KS 66211
913.327.8250 · info@jfskc.org

United Way logo