In 1949 a small group of committed volunteers established the Volunteer Service Bureau, Inc. (VSB) at the recommendation of the Westchester Council of Social Agencies. The Volunteer Service Bureau received donated office space and a borrowed desk and phone.

By February, 1950 the first Executive Director, Mrs. Glen Hudson interviewed and referred the first of thousands of volunteers who would come through The Volunteer Center’s doors.

In 1954 Operation Steppingstone was founded to help people recovering from mental health issues transition into work. This program is upgraded with a partnership with Westchester Department of Mental Health in the 90s with an additional program called Volunteer Internship Program.

In 1969, VSB was one of the first agencies to run a SERVE program, the forerunner of RSVP when it was launched as a pilot nationally.  By 1970 Westchester SERVE volunteers (age 60+) gave over 4000 hours to two local hospitals.

RSVP is launched nationally in 1970 and VSB becomes the sponsor to RSVP of Westchester in 1972.

In 1970 VSB starts to focus on youth with a summer program. Today, almost 25% of The Volunteer Center referrals are for youth.

In 1971 VSB becomes part of a national network of volunteer centers called, National Center for Voluntary Action and changes its focus from just matching volunteers to actively seeking out strategies to solve community issues.

In 1985, The Volunteer Service Bureau and The United Way of Westchester and Putnam entered into an agreement to foster greater volunteerism and VSB expands service area to Putnam County.

In 1990 VSB becomes The Volunteer Center of United Way.

In 1995 the First Leadership Westchester class graduated.

The 2000’s have proved to be some of the greatest years for The Volunteer Center, with expanded programs to youth, seniors, corporations, and nonprofits. Some highlights include:

• A 2003 The Volunteer Center expands volunteer matching to the internet through www.volunteer-center.org and a partnership with the Helen Andrus Benedict Foundation increases volunteering in Yonkers for people 55+.
• In 2005 a partnership with New York Life quadruples the number of youth receiving volunteer referrals.
• 2007 launches Corporate Programs division
• In just five years The Volunteer Center goes from working with about 3,000 volunteers to 11,000.