“Imagine all the people living life in peace.”
JOHN LENNON.
United Way has been guided by fundamental principles that we should all expect of ourselves and grant to others. Those words carry even greater weight today. Or so we hope.
Meanwhile, tragic events continue to show that without equity for all, the community we aspire to be is nothing more than a dream. That’s why we invite all dreamers to join the project of imagining and creating a better world.
No matter race, income, where we come from and zip code, every individual should have the opportunity to thrive. That’s why we do what we do: fighting for the education, financial stability and health of every individual in our community. We support our communities in this moment of pain and call on everyone to join together with the goal of healing wounds, addressing structural issues and ensuring equity for all. We believe that, this way, we will manage to build the world we aspire to.
There is no single or correct way to address the challenges we face. That’s why it’s necessary for all of us to work collectively, in all kinds of different ways, but toward the same goal. Through research and planning, mobilizing volunteers, community engagement, investments in programs and initiatives from other NGOs, public awareness activities, we are creating real, measurable change in people’s lives. Each generation never knows what history will ask of them. But what history has shown us is that when there is unity, collaboration and empathy, humanity moves forward. This pandemic, the climate crisis and the economic crisis are a warning for communities that haven’t done their homework on the 2030 Agenda.
Six months have passed since the pandemic in Spain, and we’re starting a “new year.” In these last 6 months we’ve done everything possible to keep all the education programs we had underway to fight school dropout and support for the elderly running, and some have even been extended over the summer. Thanks to the generosity of more than 500 people and 5 companies that have donated to the campaign we launched, #únetealosqueayudan, we’ve been able to help 10,434 people in different ways, raising €200,000 up to June 1st.
But the work continues. And we haven’t stopped. The pandemic has highlighted how much it affects the most disadvantaged in their situation of risk or social exclusion. Worsening old inequalities and creating new ones. Mothers with precarious jobs who weren’t making social security contributions and who have children in their care. Children whose parents can’t help with online education because they themselves never received an education (let alone a digital one) or can’t afford a wifi connection. Elderly people who remain as isolated as ever, or more so. Health habits that have even worsened due to lack of exercise or healthy food. For the first time since 1990, the UN warns that the poor are going to get poorer, as this crisis hits directly and simultaneously the 3 pillars UNITED WAY works on, and which measure human development—health, education and people’s income.
We believe our collective impact model is necessary and effective. A model where public-private collaboration is key. We know that the impact generated by companies’ social initiatives, when aligned with the needs of their environment and government actions, is more efficient and effective. That’s why coordination with the third sector and civil society is more necessary than ever. Since the pandemic began, thanks to United Way’s existing alliances with its more than 52,000 partner companies, and especially with what we call Global Corporate Leaders, we have received donations to keep helping locally in Spain, reaching more people. Also thanks to new alliances with Spanish companies we will manage to expand the number of beneficiaries. But after lockdown we don’t want to rebuild what wasn’t working. We want to “imagine” a new future, and for that we must secure more resources.
As of September 1st, another 11 companies and 2 individual donors have joined. Our new goal, through December 2021, is to raise at least one million euros to keep fighting inequalities, creating a more resilient society where all its members can reach their maximum potential. It’s a modest goal for such a large network as ours: 1,800 offices in more than 40 countries. Especially compared to the $91 million raised so far in Korea or the more than $500 million in the U.S., but it’s ambitious for United Way España, a foundation with only 4 years of existence.
UNITED WAY was born 133 years ago to make sure no member of any community gets left behind. We still think the same. We were born to help and believe that only if we all do it will we be able to build the world we aspire to.
If you believe a society is rich and successful only when no member is left behind, join us and support our work by volunteering, donating, raising awareness among those around you… GET INVOLVED. Every bit of help counts. No matter how big or small, be part of your community! As Lennon said: “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one” #LIVEUNITED
If you’d like, you can make a donation and get in touch at: info@unitedway.org.es
Marina Fuentes Arredonda
CEO, Fundación United Way España
Illustration: Ignacio Hildebrandt