Volunteer at Neighbors Link
We are excited that you are interested in volunteering with Neighbors Link! At Neighbors Link, it is our mission to strengthen the whole community by actively enhancing the healthy integration of immigrants. We have found that having long term residents work side by side with our clients helps us attain our mission. Through your various forms of commitment, we take pride in your dedication to the critical programs and services that benefit our entire community.
Please note that we accept high school volunteers and adult volunteers. Middle school volunteers are welcome for certain activities, however, it is required that a parent stay on the premises during their volunteer sessions.
Volunteer Opportunities for Adults
Adelante Juntos Parent-Child Program
The Adelante Juntos Parent-Child Program is a great opportunity for adult volunteers who are available during the daytime and love working with young children. Volunteers assist the instructor with guided activities for children ages 0-4, while their parents attend Neighbors Link parenting and child development classes. We offer this program in Mount Kisco, Ossining and Yonkers.
ESL Tutoring Program
In our ESL Tutoring Program, volunteers tutor adult learners in the English language, one-on-one or in small groups. Curriculum and training is provided by the staff. Our ESL Tutoring programs take place in the evenings from 7:00-8:30, as follows:
- In- person ESL Tutoring in Ossining: Wednesdays
- In-person ESL Tutoring in Mount Kisco: Thursday
Technology Tutoring program
In this program, volunteer tutors help our clients who drop-in with technology questions. Questions might range from how to reset a password to how to set up/use email to how to fill out an online application. Volunteers for this program should be at least somewhat proficient in Spanish and have a good grasp on basic technology. (You don’t have to be totally fluent in Spanish or be a tech expert!) We welcome adults, college students and high school students as volunteers. We offer this program in Mount Kisco, Ossining and Yonkers.
Volunteer Opportunities for High-School Students
Learning Links Program
Our high school Learning Links volunteers work with elementary-aged kids, helping them with homework, reading to them and doing enrichment activities with them, after school at Mount Kisco Elementary School from 3:15-5:00. The program runs every weekday and we ask volunteers to pick one day of the week that they can commit to coming each week.
Tuesday Evening ESL Tutoring Program
In our Tuesday Evening ESL Tutoring program, high school volunteers work with adult learners one-on-one or in small groups, helping them with their English skills. This program is running both in our Mount Kisco center on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-8:30.
Technology Tutoring program
In this program, volunteer tutors help our clients who drop-in with technology questions. Questions might range from how to reset a password to how to set up/use email to how to fill out an online application. Volunteers for this program should be at least somewhat proficient in Spanish and have a good grasp on basic technology. (You don’t have to be totally fluent in Spanish or be a tech expert!) We welcome high school students, college students and adults as volunteers. We offer this program in Mount Kisco, Ossining and Yonkers.
Summer Links
This summer, high school students will have the opportunity to volunteer with our Summer Links program, helping elementary school students keep their academic skills strong over the summer. The program will run for five weeks throughout the summer, and we ask that volunteers participate in all five weeks, or two consecutive weeks at a minimum. Summer Links takes place at Mount Kisco Elementary School from 8:30-12:30 each day.
Thank you for your interest in Neighbors Link. The success of our programs depends on your involvement and support. If you have questions, please contact Ali Leisawitz and Daniela Valdovinos, Volunteer Coordinators at volunteerinfo@neighborslink.org.
Volunteer Staff
Ali Leisawitz joined Neighbors Link in 2021, where she is the Volunteer Coordinator, connecting adults and high school students to volunteer opportunities within the organization. Prior to joining Neighbors Link, Ali was an ESL/ENL teacher in a local elementary school, where she worked with children whose families had recently arrived in the country. Along with teaching her students English and helping them with school life, she also formed relationships with the families, supporting them as they navigated life in their new homes and neighborhoods. Ali has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Spanish from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Hunter College. As a previous volunteer in the ESL Tutoring Program at Neighbors Link and other local organizations, Ali understands the important role volunteers play in the success of programs and is inspired by the outpouring of interest and dedication among local volunteers. Ali lives in Westchester County with her husband and two daughters. When she’s not working or carpooling, she enjoys hiking and traveling with her family.
Daniela Valdovinos joined Neighbors Link in 2022 as a Volunteer Coordinator. In her role, she connects adults and high school students to volunteer opportunities. Daniela received her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Fordham University. Daniela is passionate about social justice. She is excited to work with volunteers, providing opportunities to connect and enrich communities of Westchester County.
Daniela was born and raised in Westchester County. In her free time, she enjoys painting, and exploring Westchester’s beautiful parks with her dog, Blue.