The Volunteer Center of United Way has changed its name while continuing to partner with United Way of Westchester and Putnam. The Tarrytown-based nonprofit is now Volunteer New York!
Alisa H. Kesten, executive director of the renamed organization, told an audience at the group”™s recent 34th annual Volunteer Spirit Awards that the goal of  the rebranding is “to create a call to action, increase volunteerism and better encompass the expanded Westchester and mid-Hudson Valley region we have been covering since 2011.”
Kesten in her announcement said the center will deepen its commitment to Westchester and Putnam counties by focusing on volunteerism in the areas of education, income and health, “the building blocks for a better life for all.” This fall, Volunteer New York! and United Way of Westchester and Putnam will jointly launch a new campaign to better connect volunteer mentors and tutors to at-risk children as part of United Way”™s SmartStart initiative.
Kesten at the awards breakfast also announced a new Volunteer New York! Youth Initiative to increase “meaningful volunteerism” among youths in Westchester and the mid-Hudson Valley. “When young people engage in community service, they are more likely to have a positive sense of empowerment and less likely to engage in risky behavior. Young volunteers do better in school, have a greater success finding meaningful jobs and feel more connected to their families and communities,” she said.
Volunteer New York! connects individuals and businesses to nonprofit organizations and organizes volunteer projects in the county and region. Volunteers last year gave more than 250,500 hours of service to 500 nonprofits at a value of over $8.2 million, the organization said.
