Celebrating the Power of Volunteers: UNA-Westchester Marks UN Day 2026
On Saturday, October 24th, UNA-Westchester gathered at the White Plains Public Library for a special United Nations Day celebration honoring the International Volunteer Year and the long-term partner organizations whose volunteers strengthen our communities every day.
This year’s celebration was especially meaningful because it gave us an opportunity to turn the spotlight toward the organizations that have worked alongside UNA-Westchester for years: supporting education, civic engagement, human rights, global awareness, youth leadership and service throughout Westchester County and beyond.
Volunteerism was at the heart of the afternoon. Our partners represent very different missions and communities, but each relies on people who choose to give their time, expertise and energy in service to others. UN Day 2026 was a celebration of that shared commitment and of what becomes possible when organizations work together.
Voices on Volunteerism
We were honored to welcome Vincent Valdmanis, Director of Peace and Security Policy at the United Nations Foundation/Better World Campaign, who began his UN career as a United Nations Volunteer in South Sudan, and Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, President and Executive Director of the I.B. Taylor-Kamara Foundation and former Chief of the Civil Society Unit at the UN Department of Global Communications. Their experience brought an international perspective to a day focused on the value and impact of volunteer service.
The program then brought that conversation home to Westchester. Angela Mathews, UNA-Westchester Young Professionals Chair, introduced the discussion on volunteerism, followed by a panel moderated by Katie Pfeifer, Senior Director of Programs at Volunteer New York!.
Panelists Ashley Scott of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Nu Omega Chapter; I. Javette Hines, Esq. of The Links, Incorporated, Westchester County Chapter; Matthew Viskewich of Mercy University Model UN; Stephanie Henriques-Malcolm of the Rotary Club of New Rochelle; and Susan Lee of the League of Women Voters of Westchester County shared perspectives on what volunteer service looks like within their organizations and why it continues to matter.
Honoring Our Partners
The heart of this year’s UN Day was the recognition of the organizations that have built lasting relationships with UNA-Westchester.
We were proud to recognize:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.®, Zeta Nu Omega Chapter
City of White Plains Youth Bureau
League of Women Voters of Westchester County
The Links, Incorporated, Greater Hudson Valley (NY) Chapter
The Links, Incorporated, Westchester County (NY) Chapter
Manhattanville University Mary T. Clark Center
Mercy University International Relations and Diplomacy Program / Model UN
Mount Vernon Youth Bureau
National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Westchester County Section
Rotary Club of New Rochelle
UNA-USA Southern New York State Division and Westchester Chapter
Volunteer New York!
Westchester Women’s Agenda
Their work spans youth development, education, civic participation, women’s leadership, social justice, international affairs, community service and much more—but across every organization, volunteers are essential to making that work possible. Our partner recognition presentation highlighted both the breadth of their work and the extraordinary volunteer commitment behind it.
We were also honored to receive certificates recognizing our long-term partner organizations from U.S. Representative George Latimer, New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins.
Representative Latimer and Senator Mayer joined us during the celebration and shared remarks recognizing the importance of volunteerism and community partnership. We were also pleased to welcome elected leaders Greenburgh Town Councilwoman Ellen Hendrickx, Westchester County Legislator David Imamura and White Plains Common Council Member Jeremiah Frei-Pearson.
Celebrating Community
The afternoon also featured a performance by Grupi Rozafati Dance NY, under the supervision of Angjelina Nika, followed by a reception that gave guests, speakers and partner organizations an opportunity to continue the conversation and connect with one another.
We are deeply grateful to every speaker, panelist, elected leader, partner organization, volunteer, Board member, co-sponsor and guest who helped make UN Day 2026 such an uplifting celebration.
Most of all, we thank our partners. The relationships represented in the room have been built over many years, and they demonstrate something at the core of both UNA-Westchester’s work and the International Volunteer Year: lasting change depends on people who are willing to participate, collaborate and serve.
See More from UN Day 2026
All event photography courtesy of Kevin Ruballos.
Photo gallery available through November 26, 2026.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating the power of volunteers and the partners who help turn shared values into action every day.
