About

Coordinated Assistance Network

  • About
  • History of the network
  • The Team
  • Causes

A dynamic platform redefining the delivery of social services.


Mission:

The Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) is a portal to meet the demands of the changing world we live in with a goal of making people’s lives better. The CAN advances upward mobility for all people, particularly those who have been historically underrepresented, by connecting support initiatives to low-to moderate income communities for employment, education, housing, counseling, and a more economicallysecure and equitable future. Simply put, the CAN is an intersection of philanthropy, impact, and measurement.

For Nonprofits:
The CAN empowers service providers to deliver sound remedies no matter the applicants social, economic, demographic or geographic differences. A suite of technology is available for nonprofits to perform nearly every function of a day-to-day operation, ultimately streamlining their services to those who need them the most.

For Applicants:
Applicants are offered customized applications for assistance, as well as self-help tools within their own dashboard to assess and learn, enabling them to become part of their own solution. When they require more assistance, they can make a streamlined request and be connected to local and national programs with one simplified application.

The Future of Opportunity:
Our path forward is moving from commitment to action. Three strategic priorities — Champion Inclusion, Strengthen Our Diversity, and Grow Our Impact — guide us along our path. The actions we take against these priorities position us to win the future. We have seen that unchecked technology often follows broader social patterns of privilege and power. To that end, the Coordinated Assistance Network seeks funding partners to continue building the bedrock of a changing landscape for people through Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.
Partner with the CAN today and see how your investment multiplies the reach and direct impact on nonprofits, communities individuals that deserve better.

We live in a dynamic world—where new technologies, changes in our economy, evolving demographics and more—continually shape where and how we live, learn, work and play. These changes will profoundly impact health equity in our society, from our individual health and the health of our families to the health of our communities. What dramatic changes might we see in the next decade or two? What can we do today to create a better, more equitable tomorrow for everyone? Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including the lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care. We believe the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN) is the framework to a future where all can experience health equity through communication, collaboration, and technology.

We are committed to preparing nonprofits to work proactively to address systemic inequities in access to resources. Together, we advance and celebrate diversity, fight discrimination, foster inclusion, and advocate for equity in every aspect. The CAN Portal is building a diverse set of service providers who collectively and individually contribute valuable thoughts, practices, and perspectives. We look forward to sharing new opportunities, materials, and recommendations for fostering and embedding greater justice, equality, diversity, and inclusion into the framework of the CAN Portal offerings.


Areas of Service within CAN


In addition to Military and Veteran family providers, the platform can be used by nonprofits & service providers in the following sectors (with a few examples of each):

Social Identity: Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Age, Religion, Sexual Orientation

Human Services: Civil Rights, Liberties, Diversity, Inclusion, Racism, Activism, Culture, Exercise, Food & Nutrition

Housing: Homelessness, At Risk, Preservation, Mitigation, Transition, Sustainability, Servicing

Financial: Education, Planning, Coaching, Banking, Emergency Assistance, Grants, Benevolence

Counseling: Financial, Mental Health, Domestic Abuse, Marital & Family, Educational, Substance Abuse, Career

Education: Scholarship, Vocational, Technical, Achievement, Higher Ed, After School, Research

Employment: Mentorships, Seeking, Placement, Wardrobe, Resume, Interview Prep

Disability: Physical, Brain, Mobility, Benefits, Caregiver Support Health: Disease, Substance Abuse, Addiction Rehabilitation, Crisis

Populations: Youth, Senior, Minority, LGBTQ, Immigrant, Veteran, 1st Responder, Caregiver

Animals: Animal Therapy, Rescue, Training, Shelter, Protection

Faith Based: Outreach, Ministries, Volunteerism, Missions

Legal: Civil Rights, Divorce, Bankruptcy, Will / Trusts

Disaster Relief: Hurricane, Flood, Wind, Earthquake, Fire, Preparedness, Safety, Relief

Sports: Professional, Amateur, Competition, Facility, Equipment, Training, Education

Wading in the Sea of Goodwill


“How we touch people throughout our country [in] this sea of goodwill, who want to help our people and their families…we have got to figure out a way to do that.” – Admiral Michael Mullen, United States Navy

Before there was the CAN Portal, there was the Yellow Ribbon Network or YRN. Established in 2011, The Yellow Ribbon Network (YRN) was a collaborative platform supporting the transformation of the military and Veteran experience through information and technology. As a mission-driven nonprofit, the YRN offered a unique depth and breadth of expertise in financial innovation, multiple counseling channels, housing solutions, workforce development, healthcare information, and education tools. Each YRN pillar informed research and analytics to advise leaders, stakeholders, and influencers on best practices through the advancement of technology.

Throughout the history of the YRN, the network delivered key insights, metrics and measures to nonprofit partners, for-profit services providers, employers, and government officials. With the committed partnership of Prudential, MetLife, NTT Global, and others, the YRN served as the access point for community providers who focused operations on military & Veteran families through all phases of deployments and transition to civilian life. The YRN included thousands of individual users, nonprofit partner organizations and community service providers across the United States and 9 countries.

How the pandemic exposed the need for a new way forward


As a result of the COVID-19 national crisis, the YRN partnered with several organizations that had little to do with the military community. Tens of thousands of organizations were forced to close, many of whom would never open their doors again due to the lack of preparation for remote management. By offering a remote access workspace to better suit employees for work from home, the YRN answered the call for many organizations. There was an obvious need for a new way forward. The Coordinated Assistance Network was born out of that new inclusive strategy.

2010

MAY

Sea of Goodwill White Paper


JUN

Meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff Re: YRN Vision

NOV

Launch of YRN Version 1

2011

2012

DEC

50 Non-Profit partner organizations using YRN

JUL

DOD Yellow Ribbon Program recognizes YRN as "Top Resource"

2013

2014

JUN

DOD Yellow Ribbon Program recognizes YRN as "Top Resource"

DEC

Major supporters fund development of YRN Version 2

2015

2016

JUL

YRN Contracts Tech Affinity for YRN Version 2 build


DEC

YRN Version 2 beta testing begins for Financial Assistance Partners & Financial Coaching/Counseling Partners

MAR

Habitat for Humanity Veterans Build Affiliates sign on as YRN Version 2 Housing Assistance pilot users


AUG

Univ. of Tampa Entrepreneurship Center selects YRN into Incubator Program


OCT

Applicant outreach efforts begin

2017

2018

FEB

YRN selects Univ. of Tampa student veteran team for business development plan and growth strategy


JUN

Habitat for Humanity Veterans Build Affiliates support proof of concept for Housing Assistance platform


NOV

YRN Version 2.0 Launch Party

APR

YRN Certified as a HIPAA Compliant Platform


MAY

Presented Software at National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

2019

2020

JAN

isupportveterans.org Launch Party & Benefit Concert


MAR

Launched Internal Job Board and Employment Assistance


APR

Launched AFCPE COVID-19 Financial Counseling Joint Task Force


AUG

YRN Becomes ADA Compliant


OCT

Met Life Foundation Dell Technologies Opportunity Workshop for Growth


DEC

50 Non-Profit partner organization using YRN

FEB

NTT Global provides massive server upgrade


MAR

YRN Rebrands to Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN)

2021

2022

MAY

The new CAN brochure site goes live


John Pickens

Executive Director

John Pickens

Executive Director

Chris Fitzpatrick

Deputy Director

Chris Fitzpatrick

Deputy Director

Kyle Van Schoyck

Director of National Operations

Kyle Van Schoyck

Director of National Operations

Shannon J Crandall

Director of Corporate Affairs

Shannon J Crandall

Director of Corporate
Affairs

Sydney Marks

Director of Communications

Sydney Marks

Director of Communications

Roberto Rubi

Director of Business Development

Roberto Rubi

Director of Business Development

Marco Lueras

Social Researcher

Marco Lueras

Social Researcher

Jam Nelavai

Technology Advisor

Jam Nelavai

Technology Advisor

Heath Carelock

DEI Strategist

Heath Carelock

DEI Strategist