The best part of their day. And yours.

Herralink brings volunteers and older adults together through room visits, group activities and personal connections that can grow into lasting friendships.

Become a volunteer

Herralink annual intergenerational prom at The Jim Scott Community Center

Who we are

Connections that last a lifetime

Herralink is Goodwin Living’s volunteer program, connecting high school students and adults of all ages with older adults. Some volunteers come for one activity. Some visit regularly. Others are matched one-to-one with a resident, building enduring friendships over time.

Whatever path you choose, Herralink makes it easier to participate in a way that feels personal and meaningful. When you volunteer, you’ll earn service hours, academic credit, support your community and help older adults feel more connected and cared for.

VOLUNTEER TYPES

Volunteer around your schedule

Herralink offers three levels of volunteering: monthly guest activities, recurring short-term service or the signature 1:1 program, which pairs one volunteer with one resident for regular visits that foster trust, joy and lasting bonds. Whether you want to participate once a month, volunteer several hours each month or make Herralink part of your regular schedule, you can choose the option that works best for you.

So far, Herralink has brought together more than 1,200 registered volunteers and senior living community residents across 15 participating senior communities and continues to grow.

Learn more

Guest volunteer

Perfect for volunteers who want to participate in one activity each month or try a new experience.

Sign up for one activity each month
No background check or training required

Short-term volunteer

Ideal for those looking to volunteer regularly with a flexible, part-time commitment.

Volunteer from 1 to 10 hours/month
Phone screening
Volunteer orientation
Background check for adults only (age 18 and older)

Long-term volunteer

Designed for dedicated volunteers ready to commit more than 10 hours each month.

Volunteer more than 10 hours each month
Phone screening
Volunteer training
Background check and tuberculosis test

The numbers behind Herralink’s impact

In only three years, we’ve made a real impact in the lives of students and older adults. And we’re just getting started.

2000

Older adults impacted with friendly interactions

1200

Registered Herralink volunteer

70

Participating high schools and colleges in Northern Virginia and D.C

15

Participating senior communities in Northern Virginia and D.C

GET STARTED

Ready to volunteer?

The first step to becoming a Herralink volunteer is creating an account on our website through Galaxy Digital. Once you create a volunteer profile, you can find opportunities that fit your schedule and interests.

Sign up now

I know firsthand, as a teenager, how easily we can morph into whatever version of ourselves we need to be in order to feel accepted in certain friendships. But I’ve never felt that with the senior I visit. There’s no judgement between us. We just talk, and I always come away from our visits feeling like I’ve learned something. It may be a different kind of bond, but that’s what makes it so special.

Kendall & CC
Friends since October 2024
What started as a small group of students interested in volunteering with older adults and have grown into a club of more than 100 members at our school. Herralink has played a huge role in making that possible by making the whole process incredibly simple. They help us coordinate events, connect students with meaningful service opportunities, and make sure our members can build genuine relationships with older adults.

Serafina Rhind-Tutt
Goodwin Living Club President from St. Stephen St. Agnes
Through Herralink, I’ve met my best friend Lucy, a resident at Goodwin House Alexandria. Visiting Lucy is my favorite part of the week! Herralink has been such an amazing, heartwarming experience, and I can’t imagine spending my Saturdays doing anything else!

Isha & Lucy
Friends since June 2026 at Goodwin House Alexandria
I started volunteering to gain experience for medical school, but I stayed because I love bringing joy and connection to the residents. Seeing them laugh, share stories, and feel appreciated is what keeps me coming back

Rachel Teixeira
Herralink Trivia Ambassador at Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads

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Areas we serve

We’ve built lasting friendships between volunteers and older adults through partnerships with senior living organizations, high schools and colleges throughout Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. area. As we continue to grow, enter your ZIP code below to see if there’s a participating community near you.

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