In Westchester, a simple monthly lunch has grown into something much more
meaningful.
Emily Shteinhauz, a Scarsdale resident and mother of three, has brought together a small group of local women—friends from different parts of her life—to volunteer at the JCCA residential foster care campus in Pleasantville. What began as an idea to give back has evolved into a powerful example of community, connection, and shared purpose.
The group, made up of six women from across Westchester, gathers once a month—most recently on April 29—to visit a cottage of boys living on campus. They bring meals, organize activities, and most importantly, spend time with the teens, offering consistency, care, and something to look forward to.
“These boys are just the sweetest, most fun kids,” Shteinhauz said. “They’re always up for an activity, and they really look forward to our visits.”
While many of the women didn’t know each other before joining the group, their shared commitment to volunteering has strengthened their bonds. Each month, one person takes the lead on planning—whether that’s coordinating a favorite meal, organizing games, or finding new ways to engage the teens.
“It’s been a great experience to do it together,” Shteinhauz said. “Everyone has really enjoyed it, and it’s definitely brought us closer.”
The idea for the group came after Shteinhauz began volunteering through UJA-Federation of New York, where she first participated in another “lunch bunch” with a girls’ cottage. Inspired by the experience, she reached out to JCCA staff about forming a second group with her own circle of friends.
At the Pleasantville campus, youth in foster care receive not only housing and education, but also therapeutic support and life skills development as they prepare for the future. Volunteers play an important role in that environment, helping to create moments of normalcy, joy, and connection.
For Shteinhauz, the impact goes both ways.
“I don’t know how much you can quantify what we do,” she said. “But I do think it helps, even if it’s just a little. And for us, it’s a reminder of how much we have—and how important it is to give back.”
That sense of perspective is something she is also passing down to her children. Her 13-year-old son now volunteers on campus as well, playing board games with the teens, and her younger children plan to get involved when they are old enough.
“It’s important for them to see there’s a lot of life outside of the bubble we live in,” she said.
The group’s commitment extends beyond their monthly visits. Around the holidays, they organize gifts for the youth, contribute to campus events, and look for additional ways to support the organization. In one case, Shteinhauz and fellow volunteers helped organize a bake sale that raised money for a summer outing to Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.
The organization itself boasts hundreds of volunteers from across Westchester and beyond and is always looking for others to get involved. For more information or to register as a volunteer, you can visit the Get Involved section of the JCCA website.