Get Involved
“May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion.”
Thomas Jefferson
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Westchester Institute for Human Development!
We are so pleased that you are considering becoming a part of the WIHD team. The professional staff welcomes your assistance with our Child Welfare Program and our Department of Assisted Technology, and we want you to know that the time you commit to WIHD will have a direct impact on improving lives.
If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer, please contact:
Liz Pavlovich, MScPH
Director of Development & Community Engagement
(914) 493-8993 or epavlovich@wihd.org
Volunteer Highlights
“It means a lot to see the impact that you can have on a person’s life and the emotional impact of a ‘small’ thing like eyeglasses and other assistive technology. [For others], it can be massive.”
– Lucas Canter, Senior High School Student at Byram Hills High in Armonk, NY and WIHD Volunteer (2022-2023)
To view more inspiring stories of our dedicated volunteers, please visit our Volunteer Highlights page.
Child Welfare Program Volunteer Opportunities
Helping Hands
The Child Welfare staff has a long tradition of supporting its children and their families not only through direct therapies and treatment but also through special giving initiatives. Typically, staff collects donations to stuff back to school backpacks, distribute toys during the holidays, etc. The staff would welcome volunteers to help with these special projects on an as-needed basis.
Assisted Technology’s Senior Program Volunteer Opportunities
The Staff of the Assisted Technology Department are in need of two volunteers to assist in their AT Loan Programs.
The Senior Program, or MFP loan program, is designed to help seniors remain in their residence and/or transition back home from a nursing or rehab facility. WIHD loans equipment at no charge for an eight week period for evaluative purposes. Most of the equipment loans are extended beyond the initial loan period, affording seniors an opportunity to “try before you buy.” Dutchess County is a new region for WIHD’s Senior Program and staff needs to reach out to four facilities* and provide hands-on time with the equipment.
Volunteers will become familiar with the equipment that is loaned (primarily seating, mobility, daily living, hearing and visual supports.) The equipment is of a type typically used by parents/grandparents living at home—walking supports, amplified phones, portable ramps, etc. Information and device demonstrations/training will be scheduled for volunteers. Volunteers would be supplied with equipment, brochures, and detailed equipment lists to meet with seniors, their families, and caregivers in the community. Primary duties would be educating them on what is available, demonstrating the equipment, and sharing knowledge on what they think they should be purchasing. For example, a person with a hearing aid might experience buzzing feedback on a typical phone with volume control; a volunteer would recommend that they consider an amplified phone.
Timing for visits would be coordinated with the individual facility. The facilities* which have been identified as needing volunteer visits are:
*Hudson Valley Home Matters, Poughkeepsie
*Rhinebeck at Home, Rhinebeck
*Friendship Centers (sites are located in Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck, Millerton, South Amenia, East Fishkill, Pawling, and Beacon.
Next Steps ….
Liz Pavlovich will be coordinating both the scheduling and state-required paperwork for the program. Please contact Liz either by email (epavlovich@wihd.org) or phone (914) 493-8993 and she will provide you with the necessary information. Thanks again for joining the WIHD Team and working to create better futures for all individuals!