Fall Update
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Back in May I wrote a letter to our community titled “Stitch a New Garment” which summarized how advocates were responding to the COVID crisis. Since then stories of advocates responding in love keep piling up.
But we are still in shock of how quickly the city (and world) has changed and we mourn the loss of so many lives. Our culture's values have been exposed by the way this crisis is disproportionately affecting those on the margins. For example, people living in nursing homes make up just 0.6% of the US population and yet a New York Times article revealed that more than 40% of COVID fatalities happened in nursing homes.
Much of this year mirrors the beginning of time when “darkness was over the surface of the deep” (Gen. 1:2)... but we must remember that then there was light and there was a separation between the light and darkness (Gen. 1:3).
A Vision Forward
COVID has no doubt changed New York significantly. It's heartbreaking and surreal. At our recent fall (virtual) info session, where we had over 30 registrants, Do For One offered a vision forward by inviting New Yorkers to not so much ask “What can New York do for me?” but rather “What can I do for New York?”
So what can we do?
“It is the unenforceable acts of neighborly love that transform lives at the deepest level” says Jane who (thanks to your support!) came on full-time in August. Her official title is program coordinator and she is quickly becoming our lead mobilizer – bringing new faces and a fresh momentum into our work.
UWS Picnic
Tom Kohler of Savannah Georgia Citizen Advocacy joined Do For One advocates for stories and a conversation on September 26th. One theme that came out of the discussion was the power of steady relationships.
The Power of Steady Relationships
For example, there is a Do For One partner who is a gifted writer who uses a keyboard to write essays about life as an autistic man who uses a device to talk. Here is one titled “A Caring Friendship.” Throughout the pandemic, his mom who cares for him needed assistance. Their needs we’re not only too specific for a food pantry type service but they were also facing profound social isolation from not being able to leave during the spring and much of the summer months.
Thankfully he was matched with a family in the neighborhood late last year. When the pandemic hit, the steady relationship that was already established enabled them to respond – not only to all of those practical needs – but to provide emotional support through genuine friendship.
The mother said, “She is a lifesaver and a dear friend. She renewed my faith in humanity.”
Astoria Picnic
How You Can Support
Now more than ever before we have an opportunity to bring new life into New York and we need your support. Starting November 24th we will begin our year-end fundraising campaign. We’re excited to share more stories and highlights from this year as well as our vision for next year.
Will you consider generously giving financially toward this campaign?
Then on December 11th from 6-7pm, we will be celebrating our 5th Annual Year-End Celebration online. There will be a video presentation highlighting the year and a look at what’s ahead for us in 2021. We'd love for you to join us. I will be sure to share the registration link with you when it is available.
We will of course be sure to make the video available to watch after the event as well.
The disheartening reality that we all know is that it's not just COVID that has plagued our nation – previous commonly held virtues like love and humility aren't so common anymore. We believe in the work we do specifically because love (often a quiet and steady sort of love) is at the center of the call. Love is the light that drives out the darkness. Thank you for believing that with us. And thank you for holding the rope for us financially.
Many Blessings,
Andrew