Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington (JCA)

Helping over 30,000 local elders of all faiths live independently and avoid isolation through award-winning adult day care, transportation, employment, information and referral services, adult educational programs and technology training.

How do you help people in my community?

As you read this profile, a staff of 63 full- and part-time employees and more than 500 volunteers are working miracles, large and small. Board and staff members, volunteers, and financial supporters are passionate about JCA's work. They never forget that "clients" are really family, friends, and neighbors.

The Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington serves the communities of Washington, DC; Suburban Maryland; and Northern Virginia. For detailed information, please visit the JCA website at www.jcagw.org. In Maryland or DC, you may reach us at 301.255.4200; in Northern Virginia, please call 703.425.0999. The TDD number for hearing-impaired callers in all locations is 301.881.5263.

Why do you need my support?

Government programs cannot begin to meet the urgent needs of local elders. Families in crisis may have neither the skills nor the finances to provide necessary help. Yet, with community support—but only with community support—JCA is there: Caring. Accessible. Responsive.

Your tax-deductible gift to the Jewish Council for the Aging—an independent agency—is a gift of self-sufficiency for the fast-growing population of elderly men and women (and their caregivers) throughout the National Capital Region.

We depend on your designated gift to the United Way or Combined Federal Campaign—our number is #8127—and we are very grateful for it!  We also accept used cars as donations. Please call us at 301.255.4235 for information.

How can I be sure that you will use my money wisely and won't waste it?

Every dollar counts! We work hard to control administrative costs, even arranging for donated space and donated utilities at most program locations. A knowledgeable, dedicated cadre of volunteers and donors meets monthly (and sometimes more often) to ensure that JCA manages its resources efficiently and effectively. An independent auditor provides a detailed annual report on our finances and financial management protocols.

Thanks to the many donations we receive, JCA has never refused to care for an elder in need. Indeed, we devote more than one-third of our annual operating budget to helping indigent older people in the Greater Washington Area, and 100 percent of our budget to local senior services.

Can I Volunteer? How?

Throughout its 33-year history, the Jewish Council for the Aging has been an organization about people—people with vision, determination, and spunk—willing to not only dream but also champion their dreams. JCA volunteers include retirees, students, journalists, photographers, trainers, information specialists, caregivers, and more. They assist with every aspect of JCA's operations.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us by phone at 301.255.4242, via TDD (for hearing-impaired callers) at 301.881.5263, or by e-mail to Volunteer@jcagw.org.

Thank you!