Human Services
When Eric Guzman talks about his work, you can hear the pride and purpose in his voice. As Director of Development at Together for Youth, a New York–based child welfare agency, Eric leads fundraising efforts that support thousands of children and families across the state, many of them in crisis. But his job is about more than raising money. It’s about creating moments of joy, providing structure and support, and helping kids simply be kids.
A Mission-Centered Rebrand
It all began in 1886 when founders Frederick and Catharine Burnham had a dream to create a sanctuary for troubled youth in Canaan, New York. Today, Together for Youth operates across nearly every county in New York, offering everything from family preservation and foster care to group homes and detention services. In 2024, the organization took a big step forward—rebranding from its historic name, Berkshire Farm Center, to a name that reflects its mission: working together to lift up youth and families.
“It takes a village to wrap around children and families who are struggling and need support.”
– Eric Guzman, Director of Development, Together for Youth
Creating a “Summer to Remember”
One of the first campaigns Eric championed in his new role was Summer to Remember, an initiative focused on providing summer experiences to children in Together for Youth’s prevention programs. Kids who are in these programs still live at home but are at risk of removal due to crisis situations and summer can be especially tough for them. During the summer months schools are closed, routines vanish, and structure disappears.
This campaign wasn’t just about summer camp, but giving kids something to look forward to and giving parents a little extra support. Eric and his team raised funds to send kids to sports camps, local fairs, and even a Buffalo Bills training camp. They asked the kids what they wanted to do—and then made it happen. Some of those funds also went toward back-to-school supplies, clothing, and meals. “We’re really wrapping fully around these families, meeting them where they are,” Eric said. “And hopefully letting kids be kids.”
Why Neon CRM Is Eric’s Daily Sidekick
So where does Neon CRM come in?
For Eric, it’s simple. Neon CRM is his daily sidekick.
He uses the dashboard to track fundraising progress—setting visual goals for each campaign so he knows where things stand at a glance. He relies on Neon’s built-in acknowledgment tools to make sure every donor gets a thoughtful thank-you, whether it’s via email, printed letter, or even a handwritten note. And when it comes to staying organized, Eric doesn’t miss a beat: he logs notes, sets reminders, and uses the platform’s grants features to keep funding deadlines on track.
“After opening Outlook and Microsoft Teams, Neon is the next thing that I’m opening on a daily basis. It’s a core piece of all the activities I’m doing.”
– Eric Guzman, Director of Development, Together for Youth
Building Human Connections Through Technology
What’s really powerful is how Eric uses Neon CRM to deepen connections. For the Summer to Remember campaign, he added a prompt to the donation form that humanizes the act of giving: “Do you have a childhood memory you’d like to share?” And donors responded. Some shared well-wishes. Others talked about their own summer traditions. One even gave a shout-out to a favorite ice cream stand. Neon CRM also helped him spot surprising trends. He noticed that employees and foster parents who already give their time and energy to the organization, also made financial gifts. “These people are already on the front lines,” he said. “And then they’re also choosing to make a gift and support a campaign. That’s just double the generosity.”
Measuring What Truly Matters
All of this helps Eric measure what matters most, not just dollars raised, but the quality of relationships formed. He’s had donors call just to ask how they can help. Corporate partners reach out proactively to offer support. In his words, “It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality.”
Neon One: A Platform That Powers Purpose
At Together for Youth, generosity looks like a lot of things. It looks like a social worker showing up for a family in need. It looks like a kid getting a backpack and being excited for the first day of school. And yes, it looks like a donor clicking a button and choosing to support something bigger than themselves.
Neon CRM helps make that happen. It gives Eric and his team the tools to stay connected, stay informed, and stay inspired. And for the thousands of kids across New York who deserve a summer to remember, and a future full of possibility, that makes all the difference.
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