United Way of New York City and NYC Service Launch Ambitious Service and Volunteerism Effort in Partnership with The Franklin Project

NEW YORK, July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Way of New York City and NYC Service today announced a partnership with The Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute to launch an ambitious effort that will increase service corps positions for young New Yorkers and increase the number of New Yorkers who volunteer annually to 50%, more than doubling the current rate. Increasing volunteerism and the number of young people involved in national service in NYC will benefit a wide range of areas including senior support, immigrant services, energy conservation programs, emergency preparedness, teen service and leadership programs and more.

"At United Way of New York City, we believe service is a critical ingredient and one of the most important solutions to solving the systemic problems we face as a city," said Sheena Wright, President and CEO, United Way of New York City. "The launch of this service and volunteer effort with NYC Service and The Franklin Project at Aspen Institute is key to helping us in our mission to make New York City work for every New Yorker. We are a proud convener of the many businesses and governmental, nonprofit and community-based organizations that will make this city one of the great volunteer service hubs in the country."

"We are living in an income inequality crisis today, with 46% of New Yorkers living at or near poverty. This crisis is the challenge of our times," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We need the skills and diversity of all New Yorkers to tackle such challenges, strengthen our communities and give all New Yorkers a fair shot at success. The work being done by United Way of New York City, NYC Service and The Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute will aid the goals of City Hall to address our city's most pressing needs."

"NYC Service's mission is to promote volunteerism, engage New Yorkers in service, build volunteer capacity and mobilize the power of volunteers to impact New York City's greatest needs. We are proud to partner with United Way of New York City and The Franklin Project on this critical initiative. We believe that we can dramatically increase our city's census-based volunteer participation rates to over 50%. There is no reason we can't achieve that goal and become a leading example for cities across the country," said Paula Gavin, Chief Service Officer, NYC Service. NYC Service launched its 2014-2015 Strategic Plan at the NYC Service Summit.

United Way of New York City (UWNYC) occupies a unique position in the City of New York, with access to thousands of corporations and working relationships with most of the nonprofit and community-based organizations in the city. This partnership with NYC Service highlights UWNYC's connection to the public sector and government, including the recent $52 million partnership of the NYC Department of Education with UWNYC for the mayor's community schools initiative that will support the development of 40 community schools in the city over the next four years.

At the Summit, heads of major institutions, academic centers, nonprofits and corporate America led discussions and provided their insights to innovations that will result in "Making an Impact through Service." Panelists included Joel Berg, Executive Director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, Danielle Chery from New York Cares, Felix V. Matos Rodriguez, the new President of Queens College, Tim McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation, and Laurie Tisch, President of the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund.   

"National service is an extension of the commitment to civic engagement that Hunter seeks to instill in its students," said Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab. "I am very proud that Hunter hosted this summit with NYC Service, United Way of New York City and The Franklin Project at The Roosevelt House, the historic New York City home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, as there is no one who did more for our country to show the lasting value of national service than Franklin Delano Roosevelt."

For more information, visit unitedwaynyc.org or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/unitedwaynyc. Follow us on Twitter at @unitedwaynyc.

For media inquiries, contact Rida Bint Fozi at The TASC Group at (646) 723-4344 or [email protected].

About United Way of New York City
For more than 75 years, United Way of New York City has been working to weave a net of interconnected solutions to catch New York City's poorest neighbors. UWNYC mobilizes communities to break down barriers and build opportunities that improve the lives of low-income New Yorkers for the benefit of all. UWNYC envisions caring communities where all individuals and families have access to quality education and the opportunity to lead healthy and financially secure lives. United Way of New York City is working to make New York City work for every New Yorker. Learn more at unitedwaynyc.org.

About NYC Service
NYC Service promotes volunteerism, engages New Yorkers in service, builds volunteer capacity and mobilizes the power of volunteers to impact New York City's greatest needs. Its vision is to inspire and empower all New Yorkers to volunteer and serve New York City and each other. For more information,  visit nyc.gov/service. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @nycservice.

About The Franklin Project | Aspen Institute
The Franklin Project is a new venture by the Aspen Institute, which envisions a future where a year of fulltime national service—a service year—is a cultural expectation, a common opportunity, and a civic rite of passage for every young American. A young person would discharge his or her national service obligation by either serving in the military or as a civilian by completing a fulltime paid service year through programs such as Teach for America, AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. For more information, please visit http://www.aspeninstitute.org/franklinproject.

About the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College
The Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute is dedicated to innovative approaches to teaching, research, and public programming. Located in the heart of New York City, the institute provides a platform from which high quality scholarship effectively informs and influences public debate and public life. The mission of Roosevelt House is three-fold: to educate students in public policy and human rights, to support faculty research, and to foster creative dialogue.

Contact:
Rida Bint Fozi - 646-723-4344
[email protected]

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SOURCE United Way of New York City