We have a great group of volunteers leading weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Riverdale area of the Bronx, which take place on Fridays 3:30pm-4:30pm.

If you’re interested in helping out with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

Interested in getting involved in OHI’s policy advocacy efforts on the city and state level? Join OHI's member-led Policy and Advocacy Committee for our next meeting.

This meeting will be on Zoom. If you’re already in the Policy/Advocacy Google Group, you’ll receive the Zoom link via email. If you’re not in that Google Group, or not sure if you are, RSVP to Sara (sara@openheartsinitiative.org) to get the Zoom link!

Our weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in Midtown, which take place on Tuesdays 12pm-1pm, need an additional volunteer who speaks some Spanish. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

We’re looking for an additional volunteer to help out with weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Norwood area of the Bronx, which take place on Tuesdays 11am-12pm. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

Do you live, work, or go to school in Brooklyn? Join us for our monthly Brooklyn Open Hearts chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.

Do you live, work, or go to school on the Upper East Side? Join us for our Upper East Side Open Hearts monthly chapter meeting. Zoom link to be shared upon RSVP.

Our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience (HLFE) meetings provide a space for unhoused neighbors to share experiences, build connections, and provide input that informs OHI's work. These meetings are also a great opportunity for folks who are housed to listen and learn about homelessness and build connections with neighbors in a casual setting.

If you're interested in joining us, click the button below to RSVP to Will at will@openheartsinitiative.org. Location will be shared upon RSVP.

We have a great group of volunteers leading weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Riverdale area of the Bronx, which take place on Fridays 3:30pm-4:30pm.

If you’re interested in helping out with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

Do you live, work, or go to school on the Upper West Side? Join OHI's UWS Kindness Committee meeting. Zoom link provided upon RSVP.

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is collecting donations for their warm workwear clothing drive for residents of a downtown women’s shelter.

Items Needed

New or gently-used business casual clothing of all sizes, including but not limited to:

• Cardigans/sweaters

• Vests

• Collared or plain shirts

• Dress pants

• Blazers

• Coats and jackets

NEW:

• Socks

• Thermalwear

• Underwear

Donations of clothing across the gender spectrum are welcome. Please make sure all clothing is washed before donating!

How to Donate

Two options:

1. Drop off donations in Harlem on February 18, 19, or 20 from 10:30am-3pm. Contact jayme@openheartsinitiative.org to register to drop off and get the details.

2. Pick up available in Queens and Brooklyn through February 23. Contact mahirahbillah@gmail.com to schedule a pickup.

New to volunteering with Open Hearts? Or, did you sign up a while ago, but are still looking for the right way to get plugged in? Join us for our volunteer orientation on Wednesday, February 26, from 7:15pm-8:45pm. What to expect at the event:

• A short overview about OHI

• Meeting other volunteers and hearing from them about their involvement

• Making street care kits together

• A fun, casual environment with food and snacks—we know it’s around dinner time!

This volunteer welcome event will be held in-person at a location on the Upper West Side. Location will be shared upon RSVP. RSVP to will@openheartsinitiative.org.

Interested in getting involved in OHI’s policy advocacy efforts on the city and state level? Join OHI's member-led Policy and Advocacy Committee for our next meeting. NOTE: This meeting will be focused on finalizing the committee’s policy priorities for 2025.

This meeting will be on Zoom. If you’re already in the Policy/Advocacy Google Group, you’ll receive the Zoom link via email. If you’re not in that Google Group, or not sure if you are, RSVP to Sara (sara@openheartsinitiative.org) to get the Zoom link!

Do you live, work, or go to school in Manhattan between 14th St and 59th St? Join OHI's Midtown Open Hearts chapter for its monthly meeting, where we'll be discussing ongoing efforts to welcome and support neighbors experiencing homelessness in Midtown. This meeting is on Zoom; Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.

Our weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in Midtown, which take place on Tuesdays 12pm-1pm, need an additional volunteer who speaks some Spanish. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

We’re looking for an additional volunteer to help out with weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Norwood area of the Bronx, which take place on Tuesdays 11am-12pm. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

Join us for our monthly Housing Justice is Racial Justice meeting!

This is an informal reading and discussion group for OHI members to learn together about the intersections of housing justice and racial justice and the roots of the housing and homelessness crisis in policies driven by systemic racism. It's a "101" type of space to learn and grow together, so no expertise is required (in fact, it’s geared towards folks who may not know much about these topics!) and is open to all OHI members. Each meeting focuses on a different “text” chosen by an OHI member that will serve as a jumping-off point for discussion. (Want to choose a text and help facilitate a meeting in the future? Reach out to Will at will@openheartsinitiative.org.)

If you're interested in joining, click the button below to let us know, or email Will at will@openheartsinitiative.org, and we’ll share the Zoom details.

Our Upper East Side Open Hearts chapter is organizing a Valentine’s day free store, offering winter clothing, toiletries, toys, snacks, resources, and more. Everything is free, and all are welcome!

I want to volunteer at the Free Store:

We need LOTS of volunteers on the day of the Free Store, including for shifts before and after the event. Sign up here

Douglaston Open Hearts and Zion Episcopal Church are organizing a Free Store for the residents of the Douglaston Women’s Shelter.

Donate

We’re looking for new or gently-used women’s spring clothing and brand-new toiletries. Please note: we are NOT accepting items outside of these categories.

Drop off your donations at the parish office of Zion Episcopal Church (Church St. and Orient Pl. in Douglaston) on Tuesdays through Fridays, 9am-1pm, before February 16.

Or donate from our Amazon wishlist!

Questions? Reach out to Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org.

We have a great group of volunteers leading weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Riverdale area of the Bronx, which take place on Fridays 3:30pm-4:30pm.

If you’re interested in helping out with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

Do you live, work, or go to school in the Bronx and want to connect with other neighbors organizing to welcome and support folks experiencing homelessness in our neighborhood? Join Bronx Open Hearts for our February chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.

Our weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in Midtown, which take place on Tuesdays 12pm-1pm, need an additional volunteer who speaks some Spanish. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

We’re looking for an additional volunteer to help out with weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Norwood area of the Bronx, which take place on Tuesdays 11am-12pm. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

We have a great group of volunteers leading weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Riverdale area of the Bronx, which take place on Fridays 3:30pm-4:30pm.

If you’re interested in helping out with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

Interested in getting involved in OHI’s policy advocacy efforts on the city and state level? Join OHI's member-led Policy and Advocacy Committee for our next meeting. NOTE: This meeting will be focused on setting the committee’s policy priorities for 2025.

This meeting will be on Zoom. If you’re already in the Policy/Advocacy Google Group, you’ll receive the Zoom link via email. If you’re not in that Google Group, or not sure if you are, RSVP to Sara (sara@openheartsinitiative.org) to get the Zoom link!

Want to meet your neighbors and prep for your Valentine’s Day celebrations? Join our Lower Manhattan chapter at a card-making event at a local shelter Thursday, February 13th from 6-7:30pm. RSVP with Jayme@openheartsinitiative.org for location and details.

We are in need of a few more volunteers to help lead monthly computer literacy workshops at a supportive housing site in the Bronx! Support neighbors as they learn about internet basics, email/portal access, and how to recognize scams. No special expertise is required, just comfort with computer basics.

The next session will take place on Tuesday, February 11th, and they will recur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested in helping out! Address will be provided upon RSVP.

Our weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in Midtown, which take place on Tuesdays 12pm-1pm, need an additional volunteer who speaks some Spanish. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. 

We’re looking for an additional volunteer to help out with weekly English language learning classes at a shelter in the Norwood area of the Bronx, which take place on Tuesdays 11am-12pm. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org.