Scarsdale's Leslie Chang to Receive Non-Profit Accolades

Mentions of volunteering in Westchester may conjure up vignettes of do-gooders ladling out dinner at a soup kitchen, or helping to paint a neglected community center.

But for Scarsdale Samaritan Leslie Chang, ladles and paintbrushes aren't the tools of choice. Instead, they're social media and web design.

And as Westchester's non-profits seek to expand their reach, Chang's tools are just as crucial as any other.

Chang's efforts—donating 20 to 30 hours each week to Family Services of Westchester (FSW) for the past three years—have earned her accolades at the local non-profit's upcoming STAR Gala. The April 25 fete will feature emcee Bob Woodruff of ABC journalism fame.

Chang said her start with FSW came on the heels of a decision to distance herself from her work.

"I wanted to change the pace of my life—I had a very demanding career in the software industry doing marketing," Chang explained.

But Chang, who lives in the village with her husband and two-year-old son, saw her tenacity transition with her.

"I stopped working, and the next day was Googling non-profits," she said.

"I'm not the type to stay at home," Change added. "I figured I had skills to contribute—and that turned into something that changed my life."

Chang was swift to settle on FSW for a slate of reasons—one of the region's farthest-reaching organizations, the non-profit also eschews political and religious leanings.

"It's one of the oldest, largest and most-respected non-profits in the area," Chang said.

Chang jumped in, bringing an acumen many volunteers are without: digital savvy. She was able to relaunch a bolstered website, tap into a crucial swath of social media, cobble together email blasts and flex her graphic design muscles, Change said.

"I'm doing pretty much anything in the realm of development, fundraising and marketing," she added.

Chang also helped kickstart FSW's Junior Board, communicating with the region's younger demographic that is equally eager to pitch in.

"It's a platform to reach the younger, community-minded population," she said.

Since its inceptions about two years ago, the Junior Board has raised almost $40,000 for FSW.

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The details

What: Family Services of Westchester's STAR Gala

When: April 25

Where: Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle

Tickets: $300; can be purchased here, or by contacting Marianne Gordineer at mgordineer@fsw.org, (914) 305-6876.