Community First, Service Always

CJ’s Senior Society began in September 2025 with a simple idea: bring young people and seniors together through friendship, conversation, games, music, and time spent with one another.

CJ started the group during his freshman year of high school, organizing a group of friends to visit Sunrise Assisted Living in Marlboro every Thursday after school. What began as a small group quickly became something the boys—and the residents—looked forward to each week.

During their visits, members of CJ’s Senior Society spend time playing bingo, cards, bowling and other games with the residents. One member plays piano, leading music and sing-alongs, while other visits may simply involve sitting together, sharing stories, laughing, and getting to know one another.

For CJ, the program has always been about more than completing community-service hours. His goal is to create genuine relationships between generations while giving his friends an opportunity to experience how rewarding it can be to give their time to others.

Now in his sophomore year, CJ has expanded the Senior Society to a second location at Sunrise of Lincroft. He recruited and organized an additional group of students, bringing the program to approximately 12 young men serving at two assisted-living communities every Thursday after school.

CJ oversees both groups, coordinates participation and holds members accountable for how they interact with the residents. He uses a point system to recognize effort, attitude, participation and respect. He also sets expectations around phone use so that volunteers remain engaged and present during their visits.

What started as one teenager wanting to make a difference has grown into a student-led service organization built around kindness, leadership, responsibility and connection.

CJ’s hope is that the Senior Society continues to grow, giving more students the opportunity to serve while reminding seniors that their stories, experiences and friendships remain an important part of the community.

One generation giving its time. Another sharing a lifetime of stories.