10 Districts. 30 Neighborhoods. One Mission: Make Sure Women Know Support Exists
UTInc. Joins the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Engagement in Bringing Resources Directly Into Philadelphia Communities
Philadelphia, PA — Sometimes the resource already exists. The problem is that the woman who needs it most may not know it does.
That is why a board member of Unorthodox Therapy Inc. (UTInc.) joined the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Women’s Engagement in an ambitious citywide effort reaching all 10 Councilmanic districts, with visits to three neighborhoods within each district.
The goal is simple but necessary: meet women where they are and make sure they know what support is already available throughout Philadelphia.
From mental health and emotional wellness resources to existing city programs and community-based services, the initiative brings information beyond websites and offices and directly into neighborhoods.
For UTInc., participating in this work reflects one of the organization’s core beliefs. Access does not begin when someone walks through the door of a program. It begins when they know the door exists.
“There are incredible programs already operating throughout Philadelphia, but a resource can only help someone if they know about it,” said Monychann (Mo) McCarty, founder and Executive Director of Unorthodox Therapy Inc. “Going into neighborhoods, talking with women and putting information directly into their hands removes one more barrier between needing support and actually finding it.”
Having a UTInc. board member participate in the citywide tour also represents the organization’s continued commitment to collaboration. Rather than recreating services that already exist, UTInc. believes in helping women navigate the network of organizations, programs and agencies already working on their behalf.
The tour also recognizes that women’s mental health does not exist separately from everyday life. Financial pressures, motherhood, caregiving, relationships, housing, safety, work and countless other responsibilities can affect emotional well-being. Knowing where to turn before reaching a breaking point matters.
Thirty neighborhoods also means thirty opportunities to listen.
Each community has different needs, experiences and barriers. By physically entering those communities, organizations and city leaders can do more than distribute information. They can hear directly from the women they are working to serve.
For UTInc., that is what meaningful community work looks like: showing up, listening, sharing what already exists and helping make the connection.
Because sometimes support is closer than we think. Women simply need to know where to find it.
For more information about Unorthodox Therapy Inc., visit www.unorthodoxtherapy.org.