Guest Blogger, United Way of New York City
It’s about more than a website
By: Don Jordan, Director, Strategy and Operations, Community Impact, United Way of New York City
We like to think of New York as the greatest City in the world. But for 2.7 million New Yorkers that can’t cover the basics—housing, food, childcare, taxes, and healthcare—that’s just not the case. New York City is one of the richest cities on the planet, but 1 in 3 people who we pass on the street can’t make ends meet. For nearly 80 years, United Way of New York City (UWNYC) has worked to impact that statistic and better the lives of our most-vulnerable neighbors, empowering them to become self-sufficient.
Central to this work are our partnerships with local community-based organizations that specialize in the delivery of services, and especially emergency services, for our neighbors and community members. But the challenge of assisting those in need and delivering a sense of opportunity isn’t the only obstacle we face. A core function of UWNYC’s work involves ensuring that organizations delivering these essential services are also self-sustaining and that they have the means to adequately communicate with and remain a trusted member of their community.
That’s why UWNYC’s partnership with 48in48 is so critical. Through this partnership, 48 under-resourced or financially strapped organizations can develop an online presence or get support to upgrade an out-of-date site. Forty-eight organizations desperate to get the word out to the local community about the services they offer can do so. And 48 organizations can not only be discoverable to each other but also realize just how close in proximity they are from one another and how they might work together to impact those in need.
For our most-vulnerable neighbors, this partnership significantly means that anyone in a neighborhood with an Internet connection, either at home or on their phone can immediately locate his or her nearest services.
We believe that when organizations work collectively toward a common goal, especially raising the quality of life and future opportunities for all New Yorkers, everyone succeeds. The 48in48 project is a clear example of how when many hands come together to make change, the results can be astonishing.
