NYC Service launches "Every Action, Every New Yorker" campaign; POTS, Form Prep win partnership impact award

New York City launched the "Every Action, Every New Yorker" campaign to promote volunteerism across the five boroughs and to give nonprofits more capacity to serve residents, the city's chief service officer said on Bronx Talk.

"We have over a thousand organizations that have opportunities," Laura Rag, identified on the program as New York City's chief service officer, said. She told listeners the campaign aims to support nonprofits, bring people together and build a culture of service; through partner reporting, the city tracks roughly one million volunteers and is working to expand that reach.

The program spotlighted POTS (Part of the Solution), a Bronx nonprofit that provides food and housing services. Christina Hansen, POTS executive director, said the organization serves about 37,000 people a year and provides roughly three million meals annually. "Our dining room is beautifully set up as though it's a restaurant," Hansen said, describing a new facility designed to offer food and other services with dignity.

POTS was awarded a partnership impact prize in the city's mayoral service recognition awards for its collaboration with Form Prep. Hansen said students from Form Prep helped raise more than $142,000 worth of donated food and assembled over 600 hygiene kits for POTS's dignity and wellness program.

An on-air volunteer described day-to-day tasks at POTS, saying volunteers work in the pantry, help with grocery-style shopping for clients and assist in the kitchen; on busy days the volunteer estimated serving "up to 300" people. The volunteer also recommended NYC Service's platform as a way for Bronx residents to find local opportunities: "I Googled NYC Service and that's when I realized ... that's when I started filtering and searching things located nearby to my house."

Hansen described how POTS coordinates volunteers: a volunteer coordinator manages signups, the organization runs two daily shifts Monday through Saturday (8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for prep and noon to 3:30 p.m. for lunch distribution) and the group works with bothindividuals and larger groups to match needs.

Laura Rag encouraged businesses and community groups to join the campaign; she said private-sector partners can pledge that at least 10% of employees will volunteer before Dec. 31 and that NYC Service functions as a clearinghouse to connect organizations and volunteers. "If you're looking for a volunteer experience, you can go in and search by whatever your interest is, by your zip code," Rag said, directing listeners to nyc.gov/service.

On policy context, Hansen pointed to housing affordability as a root cause of increased demand for POTS services, citing a rise of 61% in housing costs "since before the pandemic" as discussed on the program. Both Hansen and Rag said the city plans ongoing outreach and additional campaign partners through the end of the year.

Contacts and next steps: POTS listed its social handle as POTS Bronx and website potsbronx.org for volunteers and donors. NYC Servicedirects prospective volunteers to nyc.gov/service for signups, training resources, and information on grants for community groups. The broadcast ended with host closing remarks and production credits.