32 | SEPTEMBER 8 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

M

ichigan-based nonprofit JARC 
nominated Rick Herman of 
Metro Detroit as Volunteer 
of the Week for his devotion to its 
Culture and Engagement Committee. 
The nonprofit serves people with 
developmental disabilities via group 
homes, independent living support and 
in-home respite care.
“Rick’s unwavering commitment 
and extraordinary efforts for JARC is 
inspiring. Rick is a bastion of strength and 
a wonderful example for all,” said Shula 
Kantrowitz, senior director of human 
resources at JARC.
Herman sits on the Culture and 
Engagement Committee as co-chair and 
has given his time to the committee for 
the past two years, but he’s been part of 
the JARC family for much longer. 
“My brother, Michael Herman, has used 
JARC services since he was a kid, and he 
just turned 66,” Herman explains. “For 50 
years or more, he’s been involved. So, I’ve 
been involved periodically as well.”

Herman emphasizes the importance 
of organizations like Gesher Human 
Services (JVS Human Services and 
Kadima) and JARC in the Jewish 
community. 
“There are people who need these 
services, and I don’t know what this 
community would be like without them,” 
Herman said.
JARC’s Culture and Engagement 
Committee focuses on what they can do 
for those who work with the nonprofit 
organization. 
“It’s an important committee that gives 
back to the staff because without those 
folks, we’re nothing,” he said.
The committee gets together every 
other month, but because of the pandemic 
they’ve had to do things virtually. Herman 
is hopeful things will go back in-person 
soon. 
“The people on my committee, 
including my co-chair, Janis Shulman, are 
great and they’re really devoted. I think 
that’s what makes JARC such a great place, 

all the staff and all the people involved. 
The passion, commitment and empathy 
keep this organization going.”
Herman plans to continue volunteering 
with JARC for as long as he can and 
encourages others to get involved as well.
“I don’t ever see myself stopping. As 
long as they want me to continue, I’m 
willing to do it as long as I’m able to. And 
if you have the time to give back, get in 
touch with JARC; we can always use more 
volunteers,” Herman added. 

If you would like to learn more about JARC, you can 

find more details at jarc.org. 

If you would like to nominate someone to be the 

next volunteer of the week, send a nomination with 

a short paragraph telling us why to 

rsweet@thejewishnews.com.

Meet Rick 
Herman, 
who’s says 
services 
like JARC 
keep the 
community 
alive.

Much More 
Than Volunteering

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK: 

Rick Herman and his brother Michael Herman

