This Summer is a Great Time to Consider Volunteering at River Garden: An interview with Esther Yegelwel Raffol, Volunteer Coordinator

By Kari Bell River Garden Senior Services

Although River Garden has been a part of your life since childhood, has anything surprised you since you started?

E: Yes! I did not know volunteers truly founded River Garden! Volunteers were the boots on the ground for two decades. What a legendary accomplishment and I love that each new volunteer becomes part of our founders’ legacy of service!

What is something that may surprise our community members? Perhaps, the acronym RGT?

E: Thank you for bringing this up because it appears to be one of our community’s hidden gems! RGT stands for River Garden Teens. It’s our summer volunteer program and it’s one of the most unique teen programs in Jacksonville. Teens ages 13-17 can participate. The program lasts about 6 weeks - between June 12th to July 20thand each student can arrange a personalized schedule. It is a wonderful way to build friendships and to engage in a variety of activities. There are still a couple of spaces available for this summer - I am just a phone call or email away.

I was recently asked if someone needed to be a “people person” to volunteer here - do they?

E: A potential volunteer’s desire to support River Garden and our residents is way more relevant than any skill set. Our friendly visitors, activity escorts, and furry friends may be more visible to some guests but we have amazing men and women creating new resident packets for admissions, sorting resident USPS mail, performing data entry, utilizing organizational skills, stuffing envelopes, repairing a resident’s seam or button, and more. We support whatever supports the mission. Is there a meaningful way to participate with a limited time or irregular schedule?

E: There are three key blocks of time for volunteer participation each day - morning (9:30-12), afternoon (1-3), and early evening (4-7), with countless ways to arrange that time. There are volunteers that donate an hour of their time and others who serve several days each week. Some people assist in monthly events or offer to be on a “backup” list and will help when available. I really enjoy identifying and coordinating opportunities that make sense for each person.

How is someone accepted into the program?

E: In order to ensure the protection and safety of our residents and organization, there are a few simple steps to become a volunteer at River Garden: visit for a tour, complete paperwork, and attend volunteer orientation. What if you are not sure when you can start?

E: I recommend anyone interested in the program to fill out the paperwork and attend the short orientation now. This process establishes your volunteer status with zero obligation of volunteering afterward. However, it allows you to jump in when you are ready or be eligible to participate in a one-off event or activity of your interest whenever they arise.

Is being Jewish a requirement for volunteering at River Garden?

E: Absolutely not. Just like our resident population, our volunteer program is not exclusively Jewish and applicants of all faiths are most welcome.

Is there anything else you want to share? E: River Garden now has a volunteer app that enables volunteers to see opportunities and modify their schedules. I’m excited to show everyone how it works!