Almost immediately after the Marshall Fire ended and the crisis emerged as many Boulder-area residents found themselves homeless, the Boulder JCC mobilized a community of volunteers to help JFS Boulder staff handle the large influx of people coming for help. People started coming into the JCC looking for help but weren’t sure where to go or what to do. JCC Executive Director Jonathan Lev and Susan Rona, who has worn many hats at the J from Board member to staff member, to consultant, wanted to make things as easy as possible for everyone seeking help, as they had just been through a traumatic experience.

“JFS Boulder is small, but mighty, and we wanted to do everything we could to help this team as they assisted the fire victims,” says Susan. She met with JFS staff to learn what type of support was needed and, along with Mary Pierce, JFS Boulder volunteer coordinator, sent emails to recruit volunteers. “Within a day, 20 people responded that they wanted to help,” explains Susan enthusiastically.

Susan quickly created assignments, protocols, and information for the volunteers. Many of the JCC staff members stopped what they were doing to help, too. A mix of JFS and JCC volunteers greeted people in the lobby, supported them with paperwork and online applications, distributed laptops, and assisted JFS staff so they could be as efficient as possible.

Susan found it particularly meaningful that JFS was giving out laptops so people could get back to work, file insurance claims, and connect to resources. “People didn’t receive gift cards where they would have had to go into a store, make decisions, and purchase a computer,” she explains. One man who received a laptop shared that he was so grateful he could go home—which was temporarily his in-laws’ house—and get back to work and have a sense of normalcy.

“It’s amazing how this community shows up for each other,” says Susan. “I didn’t struggle to get people to help at all. We posed a need, created a structure, and people showed up on time and filled in if someone got sick. This fire created such a point of vulnerability for our community, and everyone was feeling some level of trauma. It was truly life-affirming to see people getting outside of themselves to help others.”

The volunteers assisted for about a month, until JFS staff could handle the relief efforts on their own. Susan adds, “Everyone worked together really well to assist the fire victims and JFS staff. It was so meaningful to see how much support there was for JFS staff and the community!”

Mary Pierce says, "Having a friendly face to greet them and to share their stories was just what folks needed – along with the computers and gift cards." 

Jennifer Banyan, JFS Boulder director, shares, “Susan started a volunteer program almost overnight to support our fire response. Without Susan’s amazing skills, organization, and vision, we would not have been able to serve the hundreds of households we’ve helped to date.”

In a message to thank the volunteers, Jennifer said, “Our neighbors were met by friendly volunteers as they walked into the JCC for help and at a time when they were in varying states of trauma and shock. Each one was touched by your presence and reassurance. We intend to be here for the long-term and it will take all of us to continue rebuilding our community, our neighborhoods, and support families as they rebuild their lives.”

If you would like to support the relief efforts or if someone you know needs financial assistance or mental health counseling due to the fires, please visit jewishfamilyservice.org/boulder.