Stories
This is for the seniors I’ve befriended, the volunteers who show up every weekend, and the mentors who helped me build Herralink.
A letter to my friends.
Hey! I’m Akarshan — a former student at Centreville High School. I’m now a freshman at Cornell University and want to share my story with you as a former Herralink volunteer and intern.
Getting into an Ivy League school
A crisis of loneliness is on the rise. It may surprise many to learn that young people tend to report more feelings of loneliness than the elderly or middle-aged individuals.
Are We Connected or Just Online?
Herralink in the News
Virginia Living Magazine
NOVEMBER 14, 2025
“When I started meeting with seniors, I connected with them in a way that was just like any of my other friends,” Dhanormchitphong says. One Dulles resident said their visits meant so much that she remembered everything Dhanormchitphong shared, from her Interests to which days she had tests at school.”
Patch
"I remember the very first time I walked into a senior community, and it changed my life overnight," Solano, the founder of Herralink, told Patch. "I have never felt so welcomed by a group of people before, and it was like everything else just washed away, and it was just me and the people that I was in front of, they were getting to know me.”
SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
McKnights Senior Living
"Faith-based Goodwin Living, based in Virginia, recently announced that it acquired Herralink, a volunteer program that brings high school students into senior living communities to build connections across generations. ”
JUNE 2, 2025
Senior Trade
"Goodwin Living™, a faith-based, not-for-profit, senior living and health care services organization in the National Capital Region, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Herralink, a growing volunteer organization that builds intergenerational bridges by connecting high school students with residents in senior living communities. In addition, Herralink founder Isabella Solano has joined Goodwin Living as Program Manager.”
MAY 14, 2025
“We’re excited to welcome Isabella and Herralink to Goodwin Living,” said Rob Liebreich, President and CEO. “This collaboration will strengthen our ability to bring generations together through shared time, stories and experiences. There is so much good which comes from taking time to be present with one another, and Isabella has created an awesome platform to facilitate this among young and old alike which we are excited to widely share.”
MAY 14, 2025
Goodwin Living Blog
"Audrey did an outstanding job planning and organizing a Wild West-themed party for our residents. The idea sparked during one of her regular one-on-one visits with a resident, who shared her deep love for horses. Thanks to Audrey and Herralink, that resident had the chance to see a pony for the first time in many years, making the event truly special,” Rojas said.”
AUGUST 28, 2024
The Connection
The Connection
"Solano’s work caught the eye of Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield), who praised her for connecting thousands of students with senior citizens who, otherwise, would be alone. In May, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized volunteers throughout the county during its Volunteer Services Awards ceremony. Recommended by Herrity, Solano was honored as the Springfield District Community Champion. ”
AUGUST 28, 2024
The Fairfax County Times
“I’ve never met anyone with dementia before, until volunteering through Herralink. It’s hard to ignore how sometimes residents with dementia forget things you told them a couple of minutes ago. The only thing I feel strongly about is how special it is to see when residents who normally forget things share new parts of their life with you,” said Akarshan Anand, the president of the Herralink group at Centreville High School. ”
JUNE 26, 2024
“It’s like having the family here that I don’t have all the time. And having them come in once a week, it really boosts my morale,” said McCorry. ”
MAY 24, 2024
The Fairfax County Times
Fairfax Connection
“This is a wonderful organization,” added Supervisor Herrity. “It’s connected thousands of students with seniors in assisted-living and nursing homes who are basically alone.”
MARCH 13, 2024
