Washtenaw Jewish Family Services volunteers help seniors and themselves at the same time

As a volunteer for Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Mike Niemi is helping care for area seniors through the Center for Caregiving program.

But he's also helping himself by getting training for a future career in the growing senior services industry.

Mike Niemi, a volunteer for Jewish Family Services, goes over weekly doctor appointments with Grant Lindsay in Lindsay's Ann Arbor home.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

JFS’s Center for Caregiving is an enhanced concept of the organization’s present program of services for seniors. It trains unemployed and underemployed people for work in the expanding senior services industry. The program's dual focus has earned the JFS a $60,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.

Elders receive regular visits from JFS volunteers, plus transportation, help in organizing their medicines, communicating with their doctors and finding sources of help like food assistance, needed equipment and legal advice available through other organizations. Those who care for seniors, typically the adult children of the elderly, receive help in the form of support groups, counseling, educational resources, and advice on problem-solving.

Meanwhile, volunteers like Niemi, a social worker with 20 years of experience who took time out to raise his two children, are training to work with seniors.

With multiple health problems and limited mobility, 71-year-old Ann Arbor resident Grant Lindsay said he would have a hard time coping without the help of Niemi.

Under the JFS program, Niemi visits Lindsay twice a week, calls regularly, advises him of available services and “helps me get around,” Lindsay said.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for me,” Niemi said. “JFS takes you on as a volunteer, but they treat you as a staff person. They tailor your experience to what you want to do.”

Natalie Zapella, a program associate with the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, praised the Center for Caregiving for providing “a structured pathway to careers in the growing senior service industry.”

“We thought the program really provides solutions to myriad problems in the community,” she said.

Some 40 to 50 people volunteer weekly with the program, with those who volunteer less frequently bringing the total to more than 150, said Deborah Renner, JFS Volunteer Services and Community Outreach coordinator.

JFS has provided employment services and older adult services for 14 years, and aims for maximum results from the $200,000 it allocates for older adult services.

Twenty-eight of its 32 employees are part-timers.

The organization’s services “come at a hefty price tag in terms of the amount of work by the staff,” said JFS Executive Director Anya Abramzon.

“We don’t have a lot of support staff. Our resources mostly go to direct services,” she said.

Those services help 273 clients, or "340 if you include our support for household members who give direct care to the elderly,” said Abbie Lawrence-Jacobson, director of Older Adult Services at JFS.

JFS services are available to clients of all religions and creeds and reflect the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world, said Robin Little, the organization’s director of development.

Janie Jones is a 75-year-old Ann Arborite who is trying to get back on track after a catastrophic illness several years ago.

“My hat goes off to Jewish Family Services,” she said. “Without their help, life would be somewhat of struggle to find the resources I need.”

JFS even helped Jones continue her lifelong volunteer work, finding her a volunteer spot at Catholic Social Services.

Grant Lindsay said one of the best things about the JFS support is just “knowing that somebody’s there."

Bantering with his social worker, it's clear Michael Niemi’s visits are a bright spot in his routine.

“Don’t sell me short, buddy,” he said to Niemi.

“I won’t,” Niemi said with a grin.

Diane Brandt is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.