Volunteering with JFCS doesn’t always require grand actions—sometimes, it begins with the simplest of gestures. Meet two dedicated volunteers whose handmade birthday and holiday cards bring joy and connection to our Older Adult and Holocaust Survivor clients.
Jessica Yao, a rising high school senior from Mount Laurel, began volunteering with JFCS in March 2022, when she was just thirteen. Inspired by her father and older brother, who served as personal shoppers for JFCS during the pandemic, Jessica wanted to find her own meaningful way to give back.
Each month, Jessica creates a batch of imaginative, one-of-a-kind birthday cards for our Older Adult clients. Her artistic talent shines through in every card, which she designs around seasonal themes and holidays to make each one feel special and heartfelt.
Jessica is motivated by the thought that her cards bring a smile or stir a happy memory for someone who may be feeling isolated. Her goal is simple but powerful: to remind clients that they are seen, valued, and remembered. As a teen volunteer, Jessica shows how even small acts of kindness can have a lasting, meaningful impact.
Karla Nuciforo joined JFCS as a volunteer in October 2024. She lives in Somerdale with her husband, mother, and three beloved pets. After working in medical billing and customer service, Karla was diagnosed with a chronic medical condition that eventually made it difficult for her to leave home. In 2019, she stepped away from the workforce. When her therapist—a former JFCS social worker—suggested volunteering with JFCS, Karla found a perfect fit creating holiday cards for our clients.
Art has always been Karla’s passion, and card-making has become a deeply therapeutic and meaningful outlet. Though she was raised Catholic, Karla has taken the time to learn about Jewish holidays and traditions so she can create culturally sensitive and beautiful cards. She even purchased special stencils featuring Judaic symbols to incorporate into her handmade designs.
Each of Karla’s cards is a work of art—thoughtfully detailed and lovingly crafted. Her cards bring brightness and warmth to our holiday deliveries and let our clients know they are cherished. Karla says she loves helping people feel seen, especially those “who might feel unseen or lost in the fold.” Her warmth, empathy, and artistic gifts make every card a true mitzvah.
Together, Jessica and Karla show us that kindness doesn’t require big gestures—just a big heart. We are so grateful for their dedication and creativity, which bring light and love into the lives of our clients, one card at a time.
