Finding a Path to Community through Volunteering 

When Allison Armstrong moved to Culver City after more than 20 years in Santa Monica, she wanted to find a way to become more involved in her new community. She found that opportunity at the Culver City Senior Center. 

“I was just looking for a way to get involved with the community,” Allison shared. “I saw this long line of people lining up every day at the senior center and thought, that must be something good that’s going on in there.” 

She learned that Jewish Family Service LA provides free meals at the senior center and reached out to learn more about volunteering. After completing her orientation, Allison began helping at the meal site. 

Her interest in working with older adults comes naturally. Allison works in the film industry and, with her husband, runs Story Bank Productions, a business focused on capturing family histories through interviews, photographs, and video. Through that work, she has developed a deep appreciation for the stories and experiences of older adults. As a volunteer, Allison helps prepare and serve meals and occasionally delivers meals to older adults when additional drivers are needed, including around the holidays. Over time, she has come to appreciate that the program offers something beyond a nutritious meal. 

“I think loneliness is a problem for seniors,” Allison said. “To see the room go from quiet and empty to this flood of energy, with everyone eating and talking, is a good feeling. It’s fun to watch.” 

She has also seen how even a brief interaction can make someone feel acknowledged. Whether she is placing a meal in front of someone or delivering one to their home, Allison believes those small moments matter. 

“It’s providing not just a meal, but it’s also providing this connection,” she explained. “You feel seen, or you feel part of something.” 

Her time volunteering has changed the way Allison thinks about the role community resources play in people’s lives. Visiting the senior center regularly has exposed her to how important it is to have places where people can gather and feel supported. 

“I didn’t realize how much that kind of connection is needed, for older adults, and for us too,” she said. 

The community Allison found through JFSLA extends beyond the people she serves. She has developed friendships with fellow volunteers, particularly the group she works with on Wednesdays. Some of those relationships have continued outside of their volunteer shifts, including meeting for coffee. 

“I like the people I volunteer with,” Allison shared. “They’re a fun group, and connecting with them is part of the equation, too.” 

Those relationships, along with the opportunity to make a tangible difference, keep Allison coming back. Even with the unpredictability of freelance work, she makes time to volunteer whenever she can. 

“I always leave feeling great,” she said. “It’s not much time to give, but you can still feel connected and feel like you’re part of something.” 

She encourages anyone considering it to start small and simply give it a try. 

“Just do it,” she said. “Even if it’s just a couple hours, it’s a fun group to be with, and it’s a really good thing to feel a part of.” 

What started as a search for a way to get involved in her new neighborhood has become a meaningful part of Allison’s life. Through JFSLA, she has found an opportunity to support older adults while building relationships and discovering a stronger sense of community for herself. 

“I feel proud to be a part of it,” she said. 

For more information on volunteering, please visit jfsla.org/volunteer.