County-Operated Senior Wellness Centers Need Volunteer Instructors for Health, Wellness, and Educational Classes

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Volunteer as an instructor at any of the six Somerset County-operated senior wellness centers and have the opportunity to teach fitness programs, craft groups, music lessons, educational classes and more. Programs occur Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will receive free training and materials.

Why volunteer? Studies have shown that individuals gain joy and fulfillment when volunteering their time and talent. According to the American Presidency Project, volunteers establish strong ties with their communities, develop new skills, and make valuable social and professional connections.

There are multiple volunteer opportunities involving evidenced-based programs that have been tested and proven to provide health benefits for the aging population including:

• Bingocize – a wellness program that combines the game of Bingo with information about fitness and nutrition.
• Geri-Fit – a health and exercise program that helps participants rebuild their strength through the use of light weights.
• Tai Chi – a Chinese martial arts system of exercise that provides strength training through very slow controlled movements.
• Walk Well with Ease – a walking program to help improve mobility and one’s overall health.

Other volunteer opportunities include:

• Clubs – lead games, poetry sessions, book and film discussions, and photography groups.

• Craft groups – teach participants how to create seasonal decorations, paint pictures and more.
• Educational classes – teach history, art, health, culture, and literature, computer and technology classes.
• Gardening – discuss gardening topics and teach participants how to garden indoors and outdoors.
• Line dancing for seniors or other types of dancing– teach participants how to line dance or lead other dance groups.
• Music lessons – instructors will provide vocal and instrumental lessons.

Requirements for Volunteers

Volunteers must complete a criminal background check and fingerprinting before their start date. The county provides background checks and fingerprinting for free. Volunteers also need reliable transportation.

For more information, call Karen Z. Kowalski at 908-704-6327.

About the Somerset County Office on Aging & Disability
Somerset County’s Office on Aging & Disability Services oversees all six county-operated senior wellness centers. The Agency is a designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC), which is designed to streamline access to long-term care support services, health promotion, and education by linking seniors, their caregivers, and adults with disabilities to the programs and services needed to remain independent and active in their communities.

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