THE EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS
Our ONWARD Campaign to raise $50,000 has begun! Thank you to those who have already given! We’ve raised over $10,000, and to keep this momentum going, one of our regular donors anonymously offered to match the next $10,000 raised, pushing us over the halfway mark! Click here to give.
THE EPIDEMIC OF LONELINESS
In May this year, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. Surgeon General, released an 85-page advisory announcing loneliness as a new public health epidemic in the United States. He states, “...we must prioritize building social connection the same way we have prioritized other critical public health issues such as tobacco, obesity, and substance use disorders."
For the last eight years, our talented core leadership at Do For One has improved upon the mission, facilitating 100+ matches and tackling the vital question many are struggling to find viable answers to – how do we bring isolated people into greater community life?
WHO IS MOST ISOLATED?
“... studies find the highest prevalence for loneliness and isolation among people with poor physical or mental health, disabilities, financial insecurity, those who live alone, single parents, as well as younger and older populations.”
the advisory, page 19
Each year, Do For One creates a multi-path strategy to recruit people directly as "Partners," each belonging to one or more of the above (underlined) categories, emphasizing those with disabilities with little to no family support living in isolating environments such as nursing homes, group homes, and shelters. Our staff will then recruit an Advocate who forms a freely chosen relationship with one isolated person, dedicated to addressing their needs and interests within a sustained, enduring relationship.
One Advocate put it this way, “I find that Do For One is an invitation into more of what Jesus was talking about (Matt 25:40) and doing it with others who have made similar commitments. With love.”
FROM VICIOUS TO VIRTUOUS CYCLES
More than the number of matches (although we do have specifically targeted numbers of new matches mapped out each year), one of the key factors we look for is the trajectory that each match sets for the isolated person over the long term — this is aligned with one of our guiding principles, a true north for us, which is bringing isolated people into greater community life.
“The factors that facilitate, or become barriers to, social connection can reinforce a virtuous or vicious cycle. Better social connection can lead to better health, whereas less social connection can lead to poorer health. However, each of these can be reinforcing. Being in poor health can become a barrier to engaging socially, reducing social opportunities and support and reinforcing a vicious cycle of poorer health and less connection.”
the advisory, page 21
Two Examples:
Here are two examples to demonstrate how this approach unfolds in practical terms.
Pennie, the Advocate, is the Director of a community center in Manhattan. She invites her Do For One "Partner," Ivy, to join her for events hosted weekly. Ivy has become a regular at a communal activity of listening to the Bible. Her knowledge of the bible enables Ivy to connect with others in the community. Pennie even threw a birthday party for Ivy with family and friends.
Jose was paired with Jeff and Telisa, a married couple. Joining their church, Jose reflects on his baptism experience: Jose said, “Jeff and his wife, Telisa, invited me to their church. I felt welcomed. I decided to get baptized there. Jeff was there; I trusted him. He told me that baptism is about being reborn. It’s like a birthday. I don’t feel depressed or anxious anymore. I’m sleeping better now. I feel like a new person.”
Your Support
We’ve raised over $10,000 of our $50,000 goal, and to keep this momentum going, one of our regular donors offered to match the next $10,000 raised, pushing us over the halfway mark!
Do For One NYC
455 Main Street #4H
New York, NY 10044
Thank you for your support!
ONWARD!!
Andrew