Michael Ambrosini, Director, Corporate Community Relations

“I’ve always been a connector, and connecting volunteers with opportunities to serve is an extension of that.”

In charge of engaging and overseeing the volunteer workforce across VNSNY, Michael plays a critical and valuable role in the organization. “There are two main buckets of volunteers,” he says. “Administrative and fundraising volunteers, who are office-based or working remotely from home, and Friendly Visitor volunteers, who service hospice patients and their families in their homes and assisted-living facilities.”

When the pandemic hit, notes Michael, his team had to pivot—and quickly. “We had to completely change the way we utilized volunteers, because they couldn’t come into the office or enter homes or care facilities anymore,” he says. “Early on, we shifted to using our volunteers to help us source protective equipment for our field staff.” VNSNY’s volunteers heard the call to action and immediately stepped up to find PPE that would protect the organization’s frontline staff. “Those efforts resulted in $750,000 worth of free PPE,” he adds.

Volunteers also sent morale-boosting cards to VNSNY field staff as well as to maintenance and food workers and home health aides in partner organizations like nursing homes, thanking them for taking care of our patients. And though in-person visits haven’t resumed yet for hospice patients, Friendly Visit volunteers have gone telephonic, providing clients with their comforting services while also social distancing.

“I’ve always been a connector, connecting people to people or to resources that they need, and connecting volunteers with opportunities to serve is an extension of that,” explains Michael. “Building that bridge to the organization is something in which I am very much invested.”