How to Get Involved with JABA: Volunteering and Events

JABA offers two main ways to get involved: volunteering and attending community events. Both are open to people of all ages, and both support the same mission — helping adults 60+, adults with disabilities, and caregivers across Charlottesville City and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson Counties. If you want to give time, start with the volunteer opportunities listed on JABA's site. If you want to show up, eat, and support a cause, an event like the BINGO Fundraiser is the easiest entry point.

Volunteering with JABA

JABA describes volunteer opportunities as one of its services for "everyone," alongside disability resources, caregiving support, and intergenerational connections. That framing matters: you don't need to be a senior or a caregiver to volunteer.

What volunteers typically do

Based on the programs JABA lists, volunteer roles connect to:

• Intergenerational connections — JABA's blog highlights that people of different ages often live, work, and spend time separately, and that intentional relationships between generations are more important than ever. Volunteer work here means helping build those relationships.
• Support for adults 60+ — including peer connection, nutrition, medical care access, insurance counseling, and advocacy.
• Caregiver support — helping people who are supporting a friend or family member who needs extra help.

How to start

1. Go to jabacares.org.
2. Look for the volunteer opportunities section (JABA lists "volunteer opportunities" under its services for everyone).
3. Review what's available and follow the site's instructions to express interest.

Expected result: You'll be matched with a role based on current needs and your availability. JABA's site is the authoritative source for open roles — specific position details aren't listed in the material available here, so treat the website as your starting point rather than assuming a fixed menu of roles.

Common snag: People often assume volunteering requires a long-term commitment or prior experience with older adults. JABA's own description doesn't set those conditions, so it's worth asking directly rather than self-screening out.

Attending JABA Events

JABA runs community events that double as fundraisers. The one currently featured is a BINGO night.

BINGO Fundraiser — what to expect

This is a low-commitment way to get involved: you show up, play, eat, and the money supports JABA's services. It's also a good option if you want to see the organization in action before committing to volunteering.

How to participate: Visit jabacares.org and follow the "Learn more" link for the fundraiser to get current details.

Common snag: Event details like this can change. The date, time, and venue above come from JABA's site, but confirm before you go — especially around holidays like Halloween.

Which Option Fits You?

• Choose volunteering if you want an ongoing role, want to build relationships across generations, or want to directly support older adults and caregivers.
• Choose an event if you want a one-time, social way to contribute, or if you're testing whether JABA's mission fits before giving more time.
• Do both if you want to support the mission financially and with your time — the fundraiser and the volunteer program feed the same services.

A Note on Who This Is For

JABA has supported adults 60+, adults with disabilities, and caregivers for 50 years. Its services cover Charlottesville City and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson Counties. As an Area Agency on Aging, it provides comprehensive resources and support — and its own framing is that "everyone is aging, and we all can use help from time to time." That's why involvement isn't limited to one age group.

For the most current volunteer openings and event registration, jabacares.org is the place to check.