Jacqueline Jefferson’s life reflects her deep commitment to others and to her community. Mrs. Jefferson’s concern for the welfare of her fellow Philadelphians extends across the life cycle, from her contributions to the education of children as a volunteer at the Franklin Institute to her work improving the lives of elders experiencing the challenges of cognitive impairment through her volunteer work at Artz Philadelphia to her advocacy for the frailest elders as a volunteer in CARIE’s Long Term Care Ombudsman program. For over two decades, Mrs. Jefferson’s tireless commitment to CARIE as a volunteer in the Pennsylvania SMP has helped this statewide initiative become a model for the national SMP community. Her genuine concern for her peers and her ability to engage her audiences have helped thousands of Medicare beneficiaries protect themselves from fraud and abusive scams. Mrs. Jefferson’s patience and kindness, along with her sense of humor, contribute to her effectiveness as a volunteer, educator, and advocate.
Mrs. Jefferson is a past recipient of the Spirit of CARIE award. This year, in recognition of her continued work to advance CARIE’s mission, CARIE is establishing the annual Jacqueline R. Jefferson Outstanding Volunteer Award. Mrs. Jefferson’s selection as the first recipient of the award named in her honor acknowledges her important contributions to the betterment of our community.
