Challenge’s Story “It was important for me to participate in “Expand the Circle Challenge” for many reasons, however the main reason was time. It was time for me to step outside of myself and take an active part in helping others – to stop watching from the sidelines.” Yvonne Kenney, Circle of Sister for Social Change On May 15, 2008, we celebrated our 21st Annual Celebrating Women® Breakfast where we announced an exciting new challenge – “Expand the Circle”. The goal of the challenge is to increase the Foundation’s grantmaking and to engage more donors as activist philanthropists. Every gift between May 15, 2008 and September 15, 2008 will be matched dollar–for–dollar up to $1 million dollars. To date, we have raised over $700,000 towards our goal and engaged over 1,000 activist philanthropist. Our success is due to the generosity and commitment of New Yorkers like Yvonne who believe in the work of the Foundation and want to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and families in our city. We asked her to share with us why she joined the challenge and how she expanded the circle. We hope that you will also be inspired to join the Challenge. Interviewer: Why was it important to participate in “Expand the Circle Challenge”? Yvonne: I see the effects of poverty every day as I move around the city. I find myself making judgment calls about some individuals I see – walking around those I don’t want to see or dropping a dollar or two in a cup because I am forced to think “thank God that’s not me.” I once heard a comedienne say, “a studio apartment is one room away from being homeless.” Today that statement can be anyone’s reality. However, I don’t think women wake up choosing poverty as a lifestyle choice. Each day we are constantly reminded about the fragility of our economy as we learn about businesses laying off thousands of people. I think to myself how many women will be affected (could I be one?), lose their jobs and deplete their savings to pay an unanticipated medical debt. How many will become newly divorced and/or widowed while trying to raise their families. I would like to think it only happens to other people, however poverty knows no bounds. It was important for me to participate in “Expand the Circle Challenge” for many reasons, however the main reason was time. It was time for me to step outside of myself and take an active part in helping others – to stop watching from the sidelines. Interviewer: How did you get your friends and colleagues to join you in the challenge? Yvonne: It was not hard getting friends and colleagues on board. I stated two of the three facts given to me by the Foundation: 1) that three out of five women live in poverty, and 2) that 58% of all New York families living in poverty are headed by women. This in itself was enough for many to stop and pause. I encouraged people to give what they could and reminded them that their donations would be matched dollar for dollar, which brought a smile to their faces. Interviewer: What advice can you give others who may want to Expand the Circle? Yvonne: My approach with people who were unfamiliar with the Foundation was to encourage them to donate the cost of a typical night of going out in Manhattan. This way there is the void of pressure that goes along with donation. I wanted their experience to be pleasant and affordable with the hopes that they will continue to give in the future. “Expand The Circle” with us and make a difference in the lives of women and families in New York City ! Give a gift to The New York Women’s Foundation® and reach out to your friends and networks to also give as generously as they can to the Foundation. Remember that every gift counts. Please click here to make your online donation today! ^ back to top