The Union County Torah Center announces the expansion of its volunteer-based program, "Caring Connections." This service, which began on a small scale in 2004, fills the need for hospital/nursing home visitations and home visits for local families with special needs children.

The expanded home visitation program provides opportunities for Jewish children with special needs to share meaningful time in the company of a teenage volunteer, and offer respite for their families. Volunteers share activities with the children to encourage their involvement in the full range of Jewish cultural, religious, and social experiences.

Meeting the constant needs of a child with a disability often places considerable strain on parents. The mission of Caring Connections is to offer a helping hand to families in the Jewish community with special needs children who have critical needs, and to offer friendship, support, and encouragement to the children.

In the time he or she is there, an enthusiastic, sensitive volunteer can inject a new vitality into the family of a child with special needs. Volunteers are never left alone with the children without adult supervision, but the pressure on the parents to directly care for the children is lifted for a period of time each week, giving them much-needed quiet and personal time.

The Caring Connections program benefits the child with a disability, who looks forward to weekly visits by an older friend. It benefits the teenage volunteers, who learn the value of giving and cherish the experience of making a difference in a child's life. And it benefits the child's parents, who get a needed break and the pleasure of seeing their child become part of the community.

Volunteering for Caring Connections gives teens an exceptional opportunity to connect with the children in a personal way, making a lasting impact on the child and the entire family. Volunteers give just a few hours of their time a week, but the love, fun, compassion, and caring they share with their special young friend are immeasurable.

If you know a family who would benefit from weekly volunteer visits or if you know of a teenager who would like to volunteer, please contact the Union County Torah Center at 908-789-5252 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it