Introducing Do For One
Go back to the main Involvment Guide page Mission Statement
Do For One is a relationship-building program that brings isolated people into greater community life. We selectively match one person with disabilities (‘Partner’) with another person who enjoys a more socially included life (‘Advocate’). We then support voluntary Advocates as they strive to understand, represent, and respond to the interests of their Partner.
The Issue
We live in a culture that values power, productivity, intellect, and money. Our neighbors with disabilities who are perceived as lacking in these qualities are at great risk of being segregated into settings where opportunities to make social connections and to thrive in greater community life do not naturally occur.
People with disabilities are often:
Decreased in social status
Moved involuntarily and separated from others
Excluded from commonplace socializing
Denied personal agency over their lives
Exposed to abuse and neglect
The problem Do For One addresses is not disability per se, but social devaluation. Devaluation is when society perceives a person or group as having less value and, therefore, treats them poorly (and differently!) than people who possess characteristics that society values.
How We Address It
Do For One’s approach effectively addresses this issue by initiating relationships that bring a person’s contributions and needs into the life of the wider community.
We focus on making one-on-one, freely given relationships because we believe the most critical relationships in most people’s lives are not with highly trained professionals but rather the relationships we have with family, close friends, and colleagues. These relationships are built on mutuality, loyalty, and respect and are a universal human need.
History
Inspired by Tony Brooks, who lived in WillowBrook State School until his early teens. Andrew met Tony in 2005 when he started working for Job Path NYC – an agency that helps people with developmental disabilities find jobs, live in their own homes, and become involved in community life.
During Andrew’s 13 years working for Job Path, he realized that what most adults with disabilities lack in their lives are genuine, long-term relationships with people who are not paid to spend time with them. In 2012, Andrew started Do For One as a project based out of Job Path NYC. In May 2015, DFO became an independent 501(c)3.
Today, Do For One is making supportive relationships across societal barriers possible all across NYC. In 2023, Do For One reached the milestone of making its 100th match in the program’s history. Approximately 78% of matches have lasted one year or more. Some have lasted nine years or more.
Staffing
We are an independent nonprofit organization with a small staff of 2 full-time employees and 1 part-time employee, including:
Andrew Oliver, Founder & Executive Director
Jane Yoon, Program Director
Ben Tien, Part-Time Program Coordinator
The staff’s primary job is to thoughtfully and selectively recruit, match, orient, and support freely given one-to-one relationships. Do For One is governed by a Board of Directors made up of NYC leaders committed to seeking justice for, and the acceptance of people with disabilities in NYC and beyond.