Long Island volunteer shares thoughts on celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month

In celebration of Asian American/Pacific Islander Month, AARP NY is featuring profiles of members and volunteers on Long Island.  Mona Ng has been an active volunteer since 2015 and has lived on Long Island for over 30 years.  She also spends her time volunteering at a Chinese cultural center, a hospital and at senior centers on the island and says “Giving back to the community gives me a lot of satisfaction.”  Her avid volunteerism garnered her a nomination last year for North Hempstead’s annual May W. Newburger Women's Roll of Honor.

On celebrating her heritage, she proudly states “This month recognizes our Asian heritage through Asian performances, activities and events. It gives the community at large an understanding of our culture.”   When acknowledging some of the concerns she has come across with the aging Asian population in NY, she states, “Older Asians tend to stay home and don't socialize.  Many are too proud to ask for help even when they need it.”

After retirement, Mona oversaw a renovation project of a cultural center a few years ago.  As far as what she still would love to accomplish in her lifetime, she wants to continue to work with her community to create more opportunities for the aging to stay active, “I would also love to be able to bring the various Asian communities together to discuss what is needed and can be done for our aging.”

To learn more about how you can get involved with your community and any upcoming AARP NY volunteer opportunities, visit: www.aarp.org/volunteerhere