Just One Voice 2.0

Dear friends, 

Today, I’m excited to announce the unveiling of Just One Voice 2.0.

Six years ago, I posted an open letter (read here) on social media titled “Just One Voice” about my views on events happening in the world and questioned whether one person could make a difference.

At the time, I could never have foreseen where that one post would lead. It connected me with people I never would have met who were doing wonderful things in the community, as well as individuals who simply needed a helping hand. Four years later, those connections and that journey led me to launch this nonprofit, Just One Voice.

And along the way, I learned that one person really can make a difference.

I saw firsthand how a personal connection could make a difference in someone’s life, especially for someone who otherwise might not have access to the same opportunities.

The best title I could think of for myself was Dot Connector, knowing from personal experience that

“one connection can change a life.”

Today, that’s Just One Voice’s official tagline and the core driving ethos of the organization.

So, let me introduce you to Just One Voice 2.0.

We’ve learned that our role isn’t to recreate the work already happening in our city. It’s to help strengthen the connections around it.

Sometimes that means connecting an individual to an opportunity. Sometimes it means helping a local organization access resources or capacity. Sometimes it means opening a door through mentorship, career exposure, or direct support.

The form may change, but the idea at the center of the work remains the same: one connection can change a life.

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An Ecosystem Powered by Relationships

Just One Voice doesn’t fit neatly into one category. We aren’t just a fund, nor are we a specific program.

We are a relationship-powered opportunity ecosystem.

Our mission is to connect people and local organizations to the relationships, resources, and opportunities that expand access for building stronger futures across New Orleans’ underserved communities.

Specifically, we build pathways to opportunity by:

• removing financial and practical barriers

• creating access to relationships and resources

• developing skills, confidence, and readiness

• investing in trusted organizations already doing the work

We’ve defined these four giving areas as our core offerings:

• Opportunity Access

  Helping remove financial, relational, and practical barriers that prevent people and grassroots organizations from accessing opportunity.

• Career + Life Pathways

  Helping youth and young adults build skills, confidence, exposure, and real pathways into education, work, and leadership.

• Mentorship & Relationship Network

  Expanding people’s networks so access is not limited by their existing relationships.

• Partner Capacity + Community Investment

  Strengthening trusted community organizations that already have relationships with the people they want to serve.

We believe this new model helps us more clearly communicate to individuals, community partners, donors, and other stakeholders why we do what we do, how we work, and how to connect with us.

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A New Opportunity Is Opening

We all need people to give us opportunities in life. Some people have them, and some people don’t. Our goal is to help give people an opportunity they otherwise might not have. With this in mind, we’re excited to launch our Opportunity Access Fund.

The fund is designed around a simple reality: sometimes the distance between where someone is and where they’re trying to go is one barrier that can be addressed with the right support. Through direct funding, we hope to help individuals overcome those barriers and access opportunities that can help them build a stronger future.

Applications open September 1 for individuals seeking support through individual grants, scholarships, or emergency + practical assistance.

What Comes Next

Explore the new Just One Voice 2.0 website and the different pathways available to connect with us. Follow along on social media for stories from our community, partner spotlights, new opportunities, and a closer look at the people and organizations behind this work. And if someone comes to mind as you read this, share Just One Voice with them.

It might be an individual looking for support. It might be an organization doing meaningful work. It might be someone who wants to mentor, contribute, partner, or simply learn more.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is help the right people find one another.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of Just One Voice so far. We’re excited for what comes next.

Marty Mayer
Founder, Director, & Dot Connector
Just One Voice