How to Build a Volunteer Program That Actually Works in Senior Livin

Building a volunteer program in senior living can feel like a heavy lift, especially if you’re starting from scratch or rebuilding after a gap. Many Activity Professionals walk into communities with little to no volunteer presence and immediately feel the pressure to create something impactful, organized, and sustainable.

But what if the secret isn’t building something big right away?

What if it’s simply starting with one person and letting it grow from there?

That’s exactly how Danielle “Dani” McNally, Director of Engagement at Legacy at Long Meadow, has built a thriving volunteer program rooted in connection, consistency, and community.

After COVID, her building had very few volunteers. Instead of overcomplicating the process, she focused on small, consistent efforts. She reached out to local groups, welcomed every opportunity, and made it a priority to get people through the door. Over time, those small efforts started to compound. One volunteer turned into two, two turned into several, and eventually, those individuals became part of a larger network that now supports both assisted living and memory care in meaningful ways.

One of the biggest shifts in her approach was expanding where she looked for volunteers. Rather than relying on a single source, she tapped into multiple areas of the community. Local high schools became a strong starting point, especially with students needing volunteer hours through programs like National Honor Society. Colleges and universities also provided opportunities, as many students are required to complete community outreach hours. Churches, neighborhood Facebook groups, youth organizations, and even families already connected to the building all became valuable sources.

Her mindset throughout all of this is simple: say yes first, then figure it out.

If someone wants to come in and volunteer, perform, or bring a group, she finds a way to make it work. It may not always fit perfectly into the schedule at first, but getting people into the building is what matters most. Once they experience the environment, meet the residents, and feel the energy, they naturally want to return.

This is where many communities get stuck. There’s often a belief that staff should be able to do everything themselves, and that bringing in volunteers somehow replaces or diminishes their role. In reality, volunteers expand what’s possible. They create opportunities for one-to-one interaction, small group engagement, and meaningful moments that staff simply don’t have the capacity to provide consistently throughout the day.

While a staff member may be running multiple programs at once, a volunteer can sit with four residents and play dominoes, help someone learn how to FaceTime their family, or spend uninterrupted time building a relationship. Those moments may seem small, but they are often the most impactful.

Once volunteers are in the building, Dani keeps the onboarding process simple and approachable. Her orientation is intentionally short, usually around 10 to 15 minutes, and focuses on the essentials. Volunteers learn basic safety expectations, get a quick tour of the building, and most importantly, have a conversation about what they enjoy doing.

This piece is what sets her program apart. Instead of assigning volunteers to tasks, she builds opportunities around their strengths. Someone who loves music might come in to perform or lead sing-alongs. A student interested in technology might help residents learn how to use their phones. Others might simply prefer to sit and talk, play games, or assist with small group activities. When volunteers feel comfortable and confident in their role, they are far more likely to return.

For those interested in memory care, she takes extra time to build confidence. Many volunteers have never interacted with someone living with dementia, so she walks them through real-life scenarios and provides simple guidance on how to respond. The focus is always on what residents can do, rather than what they’ve lost. Activities like painting, singing, and hands-on projects create easy entry points for connection, and volunteers are never left to navigate these experiences alone.

As relationships begin to form, something shifts within the community. Volunteers are no longer just helping with activities; they become part of the culture. Residents start to recognize them, look forward to seeing them, and build genuine connections. You’ll see volunteers walking in and immediately being greeted by name, or residents waiting for a familiar face to arrive.

Over time, these relationships extend even further. Some volunteers are family members who continue coming back long after their loved one has passed. Others are community members who discovered a sense of purpose they didn’t expect. Students who originally came for required hours often stay because of the connections they’ve built.

What started as a simple effort to bring more people into the building becomes something much bigger. It becomes a community within the community.

If you’re looking to build or strengthen your own volunteer program, it helps to think of it as a series of small, intentional steps. Start by reaching out to local schools, churches, and community groups. Take the time to get to know each person who shows interest. Keep your orientation simple, welcoming, and focused on building confidence. Match volunteers to roles that align with their strengths, and consistently follow up to show appreciation and keep the relationship going.

Most importantly, give it time.

A strong volunteer program isn’t built in a week or even a month. It grows through consistency, relationships, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when it feels slow at the beginning.

Because in the end, it really does take a village.