NYC Chapter Newsletter
Spring 2026 | Hello Spring!
April invites us to reflect on the power of giving back, and in honor of National Volunteer Month, we’re celebrating the many ways Women’s Connection NYC has shown up through volunteerism. Through service, we discover something deeper. A renewed sense of purpose, meaningful connections, and the simple joy of making a difference. This month’s newsletter looks at volunteerism within Women’s Connection NYC from chapter leadership to personal growth to community impact—and highlights how these shared experiences have sparked new friendships and strengthened existing ones.
As you read on, we hope you feel inspired to get involved. Whether that means leading a new SIG, lending your time to a chapter committee, or taking part in one of our volunteer opportunities. Even if you’re just beginning to explore where you fit in, there’s a place for you to contribute, connect, and grow.
|  | | Members Sandy Pollack, Laurie Treinkman, Claudia Gerson, Maryan Gaughan and Leslie Jones Volunteering at St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen |
Discover your path to volunteering through Women’s Connection NYC
Last year, Women’s Connection NYC launched a new initiative to provide our members with a diverse line up of "one-off" volunteer opportunities – volunteer once with an organization, and if you enjoy the experience, you can go back on your own.
The program is a resounding success! In the past year, dozens of Women’s Connection members have generously given their time to organizations across New York City, finding new purpose as they build friendships and make new connections. Based on interest so far in 2026, we anticipate that volunteer participation this year will double compared to 2025.
Where are Women’s Connection NYC members making an impact?
Our volunteers help to prepare medically tailored meals that God’s Love We Deliver (GLWD) delivers around the city. You’ll also find Women’s Connection members assisting with food pantry, meal prep and service at Community Help in Park Slope (CHiPS), Broadway Community, National Council of Jewish Women (Upper West Side), and St. Joe’s Soup Kitchen (West Village).
At Women in Need (WIN), the largest provider of family shelter and supportive housing in the city, our members fold clothes, open boxes, and sort donations. For the Queens Public Library, we assembled the Decision Day Kits distributed by the library’s High School and College Readiness Team.
The tasks may be simple, but these experiences can be life changing.
|  | Members Elizabeth Meek and Bonnie MacKay at CHiPS
| “Volunteering gives me the opportunity to be with members of the Women’s Connection community in a new way”, notes 4-year member Bonnie MacKay. “ We work closely together with members of the charities and their volunteers. And seeing the meal recipients being so thankful means so much for our team.” The volunteer experience is so rewarding! | Members Pam Ramsden, Sandy Pollack, Deborah Sloyer and Bonnie MacKay at God’s Love We Deliver | Sandy Pollack, who joined Women’s Connection in January says, “After moving to New York from California, I needed to find new relationships, structure, and purpose in my life. Through a single Women’s Connection volunteer shift at God’s Love We Deliver, I now have a weekly Tuesday afternoon slot that fits my schedule. I've met great people, I work hard, and leave feeling like I've helped make the world a little easier for those in need. Thanks to Women’s Connection and GLWD for assisting in my journey!” | |
Interested in volunteer opportunities?
Check the weekly Women’s Connection eblast every Monday to learn about, and sign up for, upcoming events.
If you have a favorite organization where you volunteer, and you think there may be opportunities for Women’s Connection members to volunteer with you, please contact us at volunteers.womensconnectionnyc@gmail.com.
A big thank you to all our incredible volunteers — you’re making a real difference, one act of service at a time!
|  | Celebrating our NYC Chapter Volunteers
Women’s Connection runs on volunteer power! From curating engaging programs and welcoming new members to managing social media, leading SIGs, and handling the behind-the-scenes work of creating chapter policies and managing budgets, every part of our chapter is powered by women who generously share their time and talent to keep our chapter growing and evolving.
“I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” — Lily Tomlin
Today, we pause to recognize and celebrate the incredible women who make it all possible. Your expertise, leadership, ability to improve what we do, and help to chart new directions do not go unnoticed. Your work shapes the experience of every member in our NYC Chapter. Thank you for all that you do—you are the heart of Women’s Connection.
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NYC Members in Action
Candlelight Suppers is a Special Interest Group (SIG) that grew from an idea Nicole Morgenstern had when she attended the Women’s Connection NYC SIG Festival in 2024.
Nicole says, “The goal was to have a regular opportunity for Women’s Connection foodies to share the experience of a splendid meal in a welcoming home setting -- to prepare it and share it together.” Now co-coordinated by Eileen Kobrin and Marlene Hochman, Candlelight Suppers currently has 24 members, and is looking to welcome new participants.
What makes this SIG so special? Every member actively participates. Through rotating homes, the host is responsible for the main dish, and each of her guests brings an accompaniment. That’s where the fun – and connection – really begins.
“Having the surprise of the unexpected is what makes these evenings so memorable”, Eileen observes. “Everybody comes in with their dish and we’re all excited to see what each of us brought. People get creative and use interesting and unusual ingredients. It’s not just going to someone’s house; it’s truly a shared experience.”
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How Volunteering turned into 14 Years of Friendship
The Snowbirds SIG
What begins as a simple decision to volunteer can turn into something far more meaningful. Leading a Women’s Connection NYC Special Interest Group (SIG) is not just about organizing gatherings or sharing a common interest. It is about building community, creating space for connection, and forming friendships that often last a lifetime. When you step up to lead, you open the door for others, and in the process, you may find your own circle growing in ways you never expected.
A Spark That Became a Tradition
Fourteen years ago, Susan Cohen had an idea to bring together NYC members who traded NYC blustery winters for sunnier days in Florida. “If memory serves, there were five of us at that first meeting at a small restaurant on the Upper East Side of Manhattan,” she recalls.
From that very first gathering, there was a shared excitement about connecting with others living a similar lifestyle. The group quickly became a space for exchanging ideas, asking questions, offering advice, and sharing plenty of laughter, and sometimes even a few tears.
More Than Conversations
Over the years, the Snowbird SIG has been filled with lively and meaningful conversations. Members have swapped tips like taking the Auto Train instead of driving straight through, shared recommendations for new restaurants, compared packing strategies, and navigated practical questions like insuring a car in Florida. They have also bonded over cultural experiences, from new exhibits to local discoveries.
What started as casual conversation soon became something deeper. The group found its rhythm meeting in a variety of interesting restaurants, many discovered by Susan. Then, in a generous and heartfelt gesture, Phyllis Epstein opened her home, creating a more intimate and welcoming setting. Her home truly became a home base for the Snowbirds. As the group grew, even developing a waiting list, her hospitality remained a cornerstone of its success.
A Legacy of Connection
The Snowbird SIG has evolved over the years, shaped by the dedication and care of its leaders. The group remains deeply grateful to Susan and Phyllis for nurturing it and keeping it thriving for so long.
Today, Rae Carole Fischer and Cora Hoberman have stepped forward volunteering to lead the group, continuing its tradition of connection both in New York and Florida. With their leadership, the Snowbird SIG looks ahead with excitement, ready to welcome new members and foster friendships for years to come.
A special thank you to Cora for bringing us the history of the Snowbirds SIG. Stories like this are at the soul of Women’s Connection NYC. Volunteering to lead a SIG is not just about planning meetings, it is about creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and connected.
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In Case You Missed it
We enjoyed a wonderful lineup of amazing events so far this year. We are moving full steam ahead with engaging programming for the rest of the Spring and Summer as well! From museum visits and fabulous lunches to walking tours of NYC’s hidden gems, cocktail making and wine tasting, volunteer opportunities, workshops, and lively discussion groups, there was something for everyone.
Take a walk down memory lane and explore our photo gallery featuring highlights from a few Women’s Connection 2026 events. You may discover events you missed, relive favorite moments, and who knows, you might even spot yourself in a photo or two!
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Welcome New and Returning Members! | Susan Alter, Dina Caffrey
Carmen Cantor, Rita Citrin
Maura Crossley, Marjorie Davanzo
Debra Flics, Stephanie Foster
Maryan Gaughan, Katrina Goli
Brook Hersey, Brenda Hornstein
Phyllis Lakin, Rosemary Lane
Amy Lane, Lisa Levine
Shontel Miliziano, Ann Moore
Trish OSullivan, Angela Paik
Elise Platt, Diane Sidikman
Meryl Strassner, Molly Sugarman
Patricia Szendrey, Amy Van Gorp
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