Meet NWNY’s Volunteer Program & Chief Culture Officer Abbey Longyear
NWNY’s very first volunteer is getting ready for a new and exciting role in our community!
Abbey Longyear has been volunteering with New Women New Yorkers (NWNY) since 2014. Since then, she has played an active role in building our volunteer team, initiating partnerships with a wide range of organizations and companies, planning and coordinating programs and events, and much more. In her new, part-time role of Volunteer Program & Chief Culture Officer, Abbey will be responsible for helping NWNY to continue expanding and diversifying our team of volunteers, and to ensure that we develop volunteer & HR strategies, policies, and procedures that reinforce the organization’s culture and values.
Introduce yourself: Where are you from and where do you live in NYC?
I grew up out on Eastern Long Island and I’ve been living in Astoria, Queens for the past 5 years.
How do you relate to the immigrant experience?
My family, like almost all families in the US, is part of this country’s immigrant history with roots in Romania, Lithuania, Russia, and Poland.
What inspired you to first join New Women New Yorkers as a volunteer?
I had been working abroad in a center for refugees and asylum seekers from North Africa, and having to return to the US, was looking for opportunities to continue in that same field. What I found was a life-changing volunteer experience being part of a community of wonderful people who are smart, dedicated, fun, and resilient. I was, and continue to be, inspired by the mission and values of NWNY, and by Arielle’s leadership.
What has your experience volunteering with NWNY meant to you?
It’s hard to put into words, really. Trying not to sound cliche, NWNY has been the place I go to when I need inspiration and motivation. From the very first planning meeting with Arielle and the original start-up team, it was so apparent that we were creating something unique that would change people’s lives. Our first LEAD participants, the first team retreat, the first outreach handbook, writing the first workshop curriculum, the hours of training volunteers on how to talk to people about NWNY … it all started the building blocks of where we are today and I feel really proud of all that. We’ve grown tremendously in size and scope but we haven’t lost the message that teamwork and collaboration are the best ways to accomplish something important.
Now that you’re joining NWNY in a part-time role of Volunteer Program and Chief Culture Officer, what do you hope to accomplish?
So many things! Organizational culture is at the heart of a nonprofit. How your people feel about running the organization affects your programming and participants, donors, and Board Members. It’s not enough to rely on the mission to promote us. As we continue to expand our amazing organization, we have to nurture and sustain a culture of collaboration and support that reflects the organization’s values. Like everything we do at NWNY, it’s an interactive process which means tapping into the incredible experience and expertise of our community. We are lucky because we work with the most innovative and creative people, so I’m confident that we will accomplish, maintain, and exceed our goals.
We want to learn a bit more about you: What do you do in your spare time, and what are your favorite places in NYC?
I love to hike and explore new places, especially small towns throughout New York State. In NYC, my favorite spot is Union Sq. I love the market, nearby restaurants, and the hustle and bustle of the park. There’s always a fun performance to watch.
What is your greatest survival skill in NYC?
Definitely weaving in and out of crowded city sidewalks! It’s a hard skill to master but so important when you have somewhere to be (or find yourself in Times Square anytime of the year).
At New Women New Yorkers we always like to talk about food, because we believe in the power of food to bring people together: do you have a favorite dish?
I’d say anything that includes rice, beans, hot sauce, and guacamole.
Last but not least, do you have any advice you could offer someone who is immigrating to NYC?
New York can seem like a big scary place but in time, you’ll realize how small it really is. It will take no time at all for you to know the route to your favorite grocery store, how to navigate the subway, and find your go-to spot for lunch. “New Yorker” is defined as a “native or inhabitant of the US city of New York.” That’s you now so own it! This city belongs to you so take the time to explore and find the pieces that make it your home.
