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.