Do For One

Alvena and Alexa recently celebrated Alvena’s birthday for the NINTH year in a row! They went to watch Betty Boop, the musical (Alvena’s choice!), sneaking in a cake and card opening time during the intermission 🎂🎂🎭🎭 Alexa and Alvena’s friendship is one that has withstood the test of time including Covid quarantining, moves, job changes, and more. Somehow after 9 years and many eras of life later, Alvena and Alexa currently live closer than ever before - only 6 blocks apart! Alvena and Alexa were one of the first two people to be matched into a supportive relationship through Do For One in 2015. 10 years later, we currently support 103 one on one relationships that continue to deepen year after year. Alexa, the Advocate, says “Alvena gets really excited about planning her birthday. I feel like we spend a quarter of the year every year talking about what we’re going to do for her upcoming birthday. So that’s been a tradition we always look forward to.” Alvena, the Partner, says, “I can trust her. I can trust her in my heart. We stick together like brother and sister glue.” #relationships #hope #dignity #community #beloved #lasting #enduring #friendship #mutual #joy #beauty #nyc #disability #inclusion #freelygiven #advocacyEdited

Our Gatherings Are Back! ✨ Our aim is to make the BIG CITY feel smaller and less isolating, where Advocates and Partners can come together to deepen their friendships and connect with like-minded people. They’re also a welcoming place for new friends to join our mission of building and strengthening relationships between people with and without disabilities. Sometimes, existing matches inspire new ones. Other times, friendships gain extra support from someone they meet right here. This Saturday, we loved seeing Maegan & Cindy! They were matched back in 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Maegan (Partner) said,
"I love listening to Cindy talk about her life because it makes me think about what my life could look like in the future. A lot of well-meaning people focused on telling me what I couldn’t do. But in our conversations, I’ve set those aside. I want to live a full life—just like anyone else." Cindy (Advocate) added
"Maegan encourages me to tackle some of my own goals too, like learning to ride a bike. It’s been a mutually fulfilling friendship, and I’m excited to keep getting to know each other." This is what Do For One is all about: mutual growth, shared joy, and friendships that last. 💛 #DoForOne #BuildingFriendships #DisabilityAdvocacy #CommunityConnections #NYCNonprofit #FriendshipGoals

In case you’ve ever wondered about the team that keeps Do For One’s program running, here we are from left to right! Andrew Oliver, Founder and Director Benjamin Tien, Program Coordinator Makenna McCoy, Coordinator in Residence Jane Yoon, Program Director Belinda Leung, Coordinator in Residence Swipe to see some recent photos of our staff, our growing leadership team, and Lead For One cohort in 2025! As of today, we support 100 enduring relationships across societal divides! Every relationship we support centers around the needs, interests, and desires of a person with a disability who largely lacks access to freely given relationships and wider community life. We believe there is simply no substitute for freely given relationships and mutually beneficial relationships that are motivated by love. When people across societal barriers come together, everyone benefits. Photo Credit: Nacor Zuluaga #hope #dignity #relationships #humanrights #advocacy #friendship #disability #community #nyc