NEWARK EQUITABLE VACCINE INITIATIVE

For 11 months, United Way of Greater Newark supported 14 organizations to provide education, outreach, support, events, and free vaccination opportunities to increase COVID-19 Vaccinations for Newark Residents. During the span, UWGN’s network provided over 27 thousand COVID-19 vaccinations and reached over 900 thousand people.

Testimonials

“Before the past 2 and a half years, people didn’t pay our organization any attention. We weren’t essential until we were…And the community and the country didn’t realize how much they needed us until they did.”

"The flexibility provided allowed us to switch gears and change tactics. We were building the bicycle while we were riding it and figuring out what worked and what didn't."

"We had to make sure that we met people where they were, that we were able to communicate with them in their language, in their home, where they were most comfortable in a way that they would receive it."

"The 4 C's: Communication, Collaboration, Coordination and Cooperation. That's really what made all of this work."

"We started just providing vaccines because there was so much immediate need. Later, we incorporated HIV testing and a mental health component because we have always provided holistic integrated services. We also have a nurse with us that can deliver any care needed right away."

CLICK HERE FOR THE UWGN REPORT

United Way of Greater Newark's campaign was part of The Rockefeller Foundation's Equity-First Vaccination Initiative. Newark was one of five cities selected for this project alongside Baltimore, Maryland; Chicago, Illinois; Houston, Texas; and Oakland, California. Across all campaigns, nearly 100 Community-Based Organizations worked on the ground. Many CBOs shifted their focus from a variety of areas including early childhood care, food insecurity, and housing to vaccinations as part of this effort.

Across the board, this initiative helped administer over 64 thousand vaccinations. Nearly 15 million connections with community members to provide accurate information were made, over 4 thousand vaccination events were held, and vaccination assistance was provided nearly 155 thousand times.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ROCKEFELLER REPORT

Vaccination doses given, nationally (left panel) and in EVI cities (right panel),

by month from June 2021 to February 2022