Despite the social distancing, United Way of New York City was able to catch up with one of our incredible Tocqueville members, JP Paquin—remotely of course. JP has been a tremendous partner to UWNYC, as a volunteer, donor, and advocate. And, he doesn’t do it alone! JP gets his entire family involved in community service, as well as his co-workers at BBH. Check out our Q&A with JP!
COVID-19 has certainly been an unprecedented and trying time. While navigating your own family’s health and well-being, you still found time to give back. Why did you choose to support the COVID-19 Community Fund in addition to your year-round support?
My daughter likes to say that we are now “living in someone else’s history lesson.” A global pandemic of this magnitude is unprecedented. It is disproportionately impacting the very communities that the UWNYC serves. My wife and I felt strongly about being a part of the solution. We have supported healthcare workers, hospitals, local organizations near our home, and UWNYC. This is an extraordinary time. As a family, we are proud of how we’ve tried to help fight this illness. And as UWNYC COVID-19 Community Fund looked to grant the dollars raised, I joined the Allocation and Distribution Committee to help funnel dollars raised into the community where it’s needed most.
In your own words, share what UWNYC does for the community.
So much! From addressing food insecurity, homelessness, education needs, employment assistance, clothing… UWNYC is a tremendous resource for those in need.
What is your involvement with UWNYC?
I’m a donor, a Tocqueville Cabinet member, and a frequent event attendee. I also love to promote the UWNYC’s activities within my firm, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., so you will see me at many joint BBH-UWNYC volunteer projects.
How and when did you first get involved?
I’m fortunate that BBH has been a corporate partner of UWNYC for 45 years. So, early in my career, I started contributing to the BBH-UWNYC annual giving campaign. As time passed, I realized that if I were more public about my support of UWNYC, maybe that would help drive greater contribution levels from others. I started to do more UWNYC-led volunteer projects at work – backpack drives, book drives, working at food pantries and kitchens. Eventually, I was asked to join the Tocqueville Cabinet and I realized how much I enjoy being a spokesperson for UWNYC and all the good that it is doing.
What was it about the organization that captured your interest?
The way UWNYC interacts with the communities it serves is so vast. I’m always learning new things about how the money raised from private and corporate donors, and government programs, is deployed. So many worthy community partners rely on UWNYC to help drive their success. And of course, UWNYC’s mission—helping people achieve self-sufficiency—is so important.
You encourage your entire family to get involved. Why is it so important to you to make giving back a family affair?
When you live in the NYC area and work in Manhattan, the disparity that exists between those who are more fortunate and those who are less fortunate is impossible to miss. As our children (now ages 13 and 11) have become more aware of these differences, my wife and I have felt it was critical that they understand the role that we play in helping those in need. At first these concepts are abstract, but even small children start to connect the dots when you describe, for example, another 1st grader, who lives not very far away, who doesn’t have a home, or enough food, or a change of clothes. We give back both to help others but to also make sure we stay grounded as a family and appreciate the good fortune that we have had.
How do you recommend others get involved, and why?
In the past, I would have said that it is as easy as coming to one of the many events UWNYC hosts which showcase their great work. You could mingle with other supporters, meet the (awesome!) UWNYC team, and most importantly, meet and hear from some of the people who are being helped by UWNYC. That is harder now, but UWNYC has made a concerted effort to maintain a dialogue with its supporters. Get in touch with a Tocqueville Cabinet member, participate in a UWNYC webinar, donate. UWNYC has also found ways to create virtual volunteer opportunities—just ask!