Groups
Young at Heart Senior Group
Aisling Irish Community and Cultural Center is the main provider of services and outreach for elderly people living in the Yonkers and Woodlawn areas. This group gives our aging population a vital social outlet and allows us to support their physical and mental well-being. We offer our Young at Heart Seniors a wide variety of energizing and enjoyable programs and activities, including free lunches, book club, chair yoga, and shopping transportation.
Senior Book Club
Seniors and retired people meet weekly at the Aisling Center to enjoy the reading group, as well as refreshments and lively conversation.
Team Aisling
Team Aisling is a registered running/walking club with the New York Road Runners.
Team Aisling welcomes all members of the community to connect, become active and get fit as part of a broad wellness program for mind and body. It boasts over 600 members who come together to participate in marathons, half marathons, and 5K races and also attend hikes, fitness classes, and workshops. It is also a social fitness club, both fun and friendly!
As well as running and walking, Team Aisling organizes speakers on topics such as healthy eating, training information and physical/emotional well–being. Bootcamp/training sessions are held regularly. Members meet weekly and coordinate their own runs and walks. Being a part of Team Aisling is a wonderful chance for like-minded people to connect and forge great friendships. Members set goals and support each other in achieving them. Team Aisling provides a healthy and alternative way for people to connect with others from all walks of life – making friends while having fun and getting fit.
Aisling Irish Volunteers for the Homeless
The group, comprising 40-45 volunteers, prepares 800 sandwiches at the Aisling Irish Community and Cultural Center every Monday afternoon.
The food is then taken to various locations throughout the city on Monday nights and handed out to approximately 300 homeless people. One of these streets, Fifth Avenue, is filled with wealthy shoppers and tourists by day while hundreds of homeless and hungry people line up on this very street by night to get “Irish” sandwiches, pastries and hot soup from the Irish Volunteers for the Homeless.
Foróige Youth Group
Foróige is the leading youth organization in Ireland and is active here in New York with the Aisling Center supporting clubs in Yonkers and Rockland. Our mission is to inspire young people to involve themselves consciously and actively in their development and in the development of society. Foróige Clubs are a safe, enjoyable place for young people to hang out, meet new friends, get involved in activities and have a voice.
What makes a Foróige Club different from other youth clubs is that it is run by the young people themselves, with support from volunteer adult leaders. This structure allows them to believe in themselves, make decisions and practice leadership. We have Junior clubs (10-12 years) and Senior Clubs (13-18years).
Our Foroige program was the proud recipient of the Irish Echo’s 2021 Community Champion Award! Learn more about our clubs here.
Parent and Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler Group meets weekly
We have toys, books, crayons, etc for the children to play with and keep themselves entertained while the parents can relax and get to know each other. It is a great opportunity for parents and caregivers from the local community to socialize!
New parents & toddlers are always welcome!
Leadership for Life
This exciting program enables young people aged 15-18 to develop the skills and qualities necessary to be inspiring leaders. Young people are empowered to make a positive change in their community through practical actions and projects.
Throughout the Leadership for Life program there is a focus on the acquisition of these skills. The qualities of communication, teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and self-awareness are developed in a fun and encouraging environment. The method is ‘learning by doing’. During sessions young people are actively engaged in group activities, but time is also set aside for individual work and reflection.