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.
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.
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 volunteers
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.
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.
Social Media
Connect with Herralink on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram to see real-time updates, stories and behind-the-scenes moments from the Herralink team.
We asked Gen Z & Baby Boomers the same question to see how their answers compare. This week’s question: What’s something people would never expect about you?
Sara is 16, a student at @generals_pride , and can make a four-leaf clover with her tongue. Shulie is 75, a resident at @goodwinliving , and has made over 50 quilts!
#keyclub #classof2027 #Herralink #servicehours #collegeadmissions
Spend your weekend with us & play trivia 😎
Every Saturday, volunteers lead trivia at @goodwinliving Our favorite topic so far? Learning what the first ladies were up to during their time in the white house (basically running the whole show).
Join us every Saturday from 3:15 pm – 4:30 pm! Sign up on our website at herralink.com or click the link in our bio for the application form
#keyclub #volunteering #volunteer #classof2027
@katti.isha is a student at @westfield_hs & Lucy is a resident at @goodwinliving . Even though they’re from different generations, they’re really close friends.
Isha started visiting Lucy every Saturday to earn service hours for her group @empowertheminds . A few months later, it’s become more than just volunteering and turned into her favorite day of the week. She’s visiting her BFF to catch up, laugh, and share the occasional gossip.
The best friendships can be the ones you never expected. Meet your BFF through Herralink! Visit our website to get started.
#servicehours #volunteering #goodwinliving #highschool college
We asked Gen Z and Baby Boomers from @goodwinliving the same question to see how their answers compare.
Today’s topic: dating advice 💁♀️
#servicehours #volunteering #goodwinliving #highschool college
Caroline is a Herralink ambassador representing Washington-Liberty High School. She leads activities at @goodwinliving every Saturday!
Games include cup-pong, balloon volleyball, and Just Dance (Rasputin is a must).
THIS SUMMER VOLUNTEER WITH HERRALINK! Sign up on our website and get access to over 50 volunteering opportunities in Northern Virginia and Washington DC.
SEE YOU SOON! ☀️😎
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #highschool college
Herralink partners with Springhill Community Village and South County High School (FCPS) to host a monthly tech workshop for older adults.
Volunteers help residents resolve tech issues, learn to use apps like Snapchat to send fun photos to their grandkids, and create Bitmojis. 👻
This events takes place on the 4th Thursday of each month from 4–5 PM. Volunteers can sign up on our website: www.herralink.com
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #highschool
Mads and Shirley have been best friends since November 2025.
Mads, a junior at South County High School, drives an hour every Friday to visit Shirley, a resident at Goodwin House Alexandria.
What started as volunteering quickly turned into one of the most meaningful friendships of her life. Turn the audio up and hear their story 💚
If you want a friendship like theirs, sign up for the Friendly Visitor program at www.herralink.com
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #college
Claudia is a recent grad from George Mason University who spends her free time volunteering at @foresthillsofdc & @goodwinliving !
If you’re a student at @au.healthstudies, @mphhoward , or the @udc_cab consider signing up for our ambassador program: https://www.herralink.com/ambassador
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving highschool college
Volunteers from Herralink’s friendly visitor program helped celebrate Janet’s 100th birthday at @goodwinliving
Friendly Visits are one-on-one hangouts between volunteers and older adults. You’ll be matched with a resident based on a short personality quiz and your goal—whether that’s building a friendship or visiting someone who doesn’t get many visitors. Visits are flexible and scheduled around your availability.
Sign up on our website!
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #highschool
Volunteers from @paulvicatholic l and residents from @goodwinliving played Beer Pong!
We’re looking for high school and college volunteers to lead activities, recruit friends, and earn service hours. Sign up at www.herralink.com or email herralink@gmail.com to learn about our ambassador program.
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #college
We welcomed students from @thesaintslife at @goodwinliving this week for a New Year activity! Together, they wrote reflections on small slips of paper, placed them into mason jars, and decorated each one.
A special thank you to the students who founded the @goodwinlivingclub !
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #highschool
We partnered with Liberty’s Promise to work with Justice & Falls Church High School to create shirts focused on civic issues like gun and drug policy!
Visit herralink.com/register to join activities like this (and earn service hours). 💚
#servicehours #volunteering #herralink #goodwinliving #highschool
