The world’s largest gathering of academic mathematicians concluded Wednesday in Washington, DC.
The American Mathematical Society (AMS) hosted the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) from January 3 to 7 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.
The AMS partnered with United Way of the National Capital Area to collect hundreds of handwritten encouragement cards from JMM attendees.
“We want to do more for the places we visit since we do come in and there are a lot of us, it makes sense to give back,” Kelly Lang, a program manager for AMS, said. “It helps us spread positivity to those who need it during tough times.”
The cards will accompany kits assembled by United Way NCA volunteers and distributed to those in need.
“There’s a person out there struggling, and we want to be helpful. It’s a message of care and concern,” AMS CEO John Meier said. “When we bring our big, major convention to various cities across the country, we’re—at least on a short-term basis—we’ve got relationships here in the city and surrounding area. So, we’ve partnered with the United Way (NCA) to help us lean into that a little bit.”
The kits will be distributed to individuals and families from over 600,000 low- and moderate-income households in the Washington, D.C. area known as the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) population. This group earns above the Federal Poverty Level— $30,000 annually for a family of four in 2023—yet cannot afford basic necessities. “This translates to more than 1.3 million adults and children living in the region who cannot meet the daily cost of living for the county or state in which they live,” according to United Way NCA.
“Just knowing we might be a slight ray of sunshine in someone’s otherwise hard day, it makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside,” Lang said.
United Way NCA’s essential needs kits are vital to supporting communities, building resiliency, and preparing individuals for success, according to the agency. “The goal of the encouragement card project is to ensure that each kit pack we make has positive and uplifting messages for those who receive them,” said Liza Feiler, volunteer engagement manager at United Way NCA. “The American Mathematical Society can assist with the United Way in making these encouragement cards and providing extra support for those who need it.”
To learn more about volunteer and partnership opportunities with United Way NCA, contact volunteer@uwnca.org.
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