By Aadhya Edunuri
In just under three years, Herralink has shown that it only takes one person to change a life. We’ve witnessed our high school volunteers turn senior living facilities into homes with a newfound sense of community. These visits allow the gradual progression from strangers to the best of friends.
Herralink by Goodwin Living is a volunteer program that creates intergenerational friendships between students and older adults. Through consistent, meaningful quality time every week with a volunteer and resident paired together, we have worked to reduce the loneliness epidemic that many older adults face. Herralink volunteers are represented by dozens of high schools in the national capital region. Along the way, friendships blossom and the unlikely pairs of high school students and older adults become close companions.
Herralink matched residents with volunteers through thoughtful outreach and scheduling. The result: ongoing intergenerational friendships where stories, wisdom and laughter are shared across generations.
Twisha, an enthusiastic Herralink volunteer, recently shared about her friendship with Teresa, “Through the one-on-one program and my time with my resident, I have learned many valuable lessons. I’ve learned that everyone has a story to tell and that those stories are worth listening to. My resident has shared with me fascinating tales from her past, which have given me a deeper appreciation for history and personal resilience.”
Our volunteers see it time and time again; strangers become friends, and that simple transformation brings new energy to young and older adults alike. Check out our Instagram to see how we’ve captured stories like Twisha and Teresa’s.
Herralink | Creating Star Volunteers
Of the 900+ Herralink volunteers, a key group of 19 students best reflected Herralink’s greater purpose. These students were paired with residents in nursing homes with little to no visitors and are often bed-bound. Every weekend, the Herralink volunteers spent time with their new friends, with one exemplary volunteer barely missing a single session over the course of a year. Herralink volunteer Mahika, a student, quickly became close to Erica, forming a true friendship that went beyond just “gaining service hours.”
From light-hearted stories to heartfelt wisdom, the two share experiences and moments in their lives with undeniable trust and kindness. Moments like these serve as a reminder of what a passion for serving others can accomplish, while highlighting the dynamics of an interdependent, supportive relationship
The Herralink one-on-one program creates a special environment where judgment and pressure do not exist the way they often do in high school. Herralink offers a way for the students and residents to form genuine bonds built on respect and attention.
Whether it’s students, residents, parents or teachers, everyone deserves to feel valued. In the Herralink one-on-one program, recognition and support are not overlooked; they are cultivated.
Herralink | Volunteers Make a Lasting Impact
Herralink aims to reduce the risks of loneliness, with friendships that reinforce the positive change students have made in some of the most vulnerable communities. Together, we’ve shown that weekly hangouts from volunteers offer an opportunity to serve the local community and create lasting friendships.
To join us on our mission and become a Herralink, visit Herralink.com or email Volunteers@GoodwinLiving.org to start the volunteer process.
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Aadhya Edunuri is a growth coordinator for Herralink by Goodwin Living. She recruits volunteers, helps spread Herralink’s mission and specializes in community outreach. Aadhya first started volunteering for Herralink in 2023 and joined the Goodwin Living Family in June of 2025. With a passion for helping others, Aadhya loves giving back where she can. by fostering friendships that reinforce the positive changes
