"As I listen to my partners from many different countries, I am reminded of how much we are all alike, and yet special.  Each person becomes a new and permanent page in my life story.  Volunteering continues to open my heart and enrich my soul."

- Margo King


"Everything about my work at the Center is rewarding to me. My first hour is always spent having coffee and a snack with my old and new friends. I love teaching my classes and introducing myself to the new students. It’s always exciting for me to meet people from every country in the world. It’s a great job--a vacation really. It’s never work!"

- Joe Lamb


" The most rewarding aspect of volunteering is making an honest connection of understanding between myself and the student. Helping the member improve his or her English provides an opportunity for 'cross cultural' understanding. In some ways, I feel as though I get to travel the world through my interactions with members. While they are adapting to this new, strange 'American culture', I am subconsciously trying to adapt to theirs. It can be very enriching."

- Joe Hickey

"Being a volunteer at the ICNY is great because I've met so many friends here and always feel welcome when I walk in. It’s valuable to learn to put yourself in others’ shoes, and once you understand how hard New York's immigrants work to learn the language and acclimate themselves to the culture, it’s difficult not to be more sympathetic to people from other countries whom you meet in daily life. The Center's benefits work both ways. Members may be learning language and culture, but volunteers learn even more about perspective, understanding and how Americans are viewed by others.

- Cara Blouin