Join The United Way Bridge Walk in Response to Record Poverty Numbers – Too Many (video)!

“One in five New Yorkers lives below the poverty line…”

On Saturday, October 1, 2011 United Way of New York City’s LIVE UNITED Bridge Walkwill attract thousands of New Yorkers, community leaders, and teams from the business, government and nonprofit sectors to help raise awareness of the need to “bridge” critical gaps in education,  income stability and health that exist in New York City. More than 3,000 participants are expected to gather in Foley Square and then walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Cadman Plaza Park for a Volunteer Festival featuring live music, food, activities for children and youth, plus more than 60 nonprofit organizations from all five boroughs offering volunteer opportunities for New Yorkers of all ages.

The Bridge Walk and Volunteer Festival will raise awareness about critical needs in our city that require sustainable solutions:

·         One in five New Yorkers lives below the poverty line, which for a family of three means earning less than $18,000 a year.

·         More than 1.6 million New Yorkers live below the federal poverty line; highest level since 2000.

·         Nearly 60% of New York City public school students in grades 3 through 8 read below grade level and a little more than 39% of New York City students who enter ninth grade fail to graduate with their peers four years later.

·         One in four New Yorkers lives in a household that can’t afford enough food. Forty percent of New York City children in Head Start are obese or overweight.

There is no registration fee for the Bridge Walk, but every walker must register in advance at LiveUnitedNYC.org. All registered walkers will receive a free LIVE UNITED t-shirt. Fundraising is optional.  but tools to help participants raise money among colleagues, friends and family are available on the Bridge Walk registration site (www.LiveUnitedNYC.org).   Dollars raised will help fund United Way’s outcome-driven programs that are working to ensure substantially higher graduate rates, improved income stability, and healthier lifestyles for vulnerable New Yorkers.

The Volunteer Festival is open to the public and will feature live music from local bands; a family zone with stilt walkers, face painters, and arts and crafts; sports activities for youth and teens; interactive pavilions to learn about United Way’s work in education, income and health; and a chance to visit with more than 60 local nonprofit groups that are seeking volunteer assistance throughout the year.

All walkers will receive complimentary health snacks and beverages courtesy of KIND Healthy Snacks and Food Should Taste Good. The festival will feature at least 10 specialty food trucks including Organic Carts NYC, Rickshaw Truck, Kimchi Taco Truck, Treats Truck and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.

WHEN: Saturday, October 1, 2011

Opening Ceremony: 9:45AM

Bridge Walk: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Volunteer Festival: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

WHERE: Bridge Walk kicks-off at Foley Square in downtown Manhattan Volunteer Festival takes place in Cadman Plaza Park in downtown Brooklyn

WHO: United Way of NYC and sponsors Skanska, Guardian, and National Grid……

NYCService – co-presenter of Volunteer Festival

Leaders from business, government, and nonprofit sectors

Teams and individual walkers who register at LiveUnitedNYC.org.

General public welcome at Volunteer Festival