
Open Hearts Advocacy Training - Spring 2025 Cohort
Build your skills and knowledge to be an effective advocate for housing in your neighborhood and citywide—join our first advocacy training cohort! This cohort will meet for 6 sessions over the course of March through May. Sessions will be on Zoom, and dates are listed below. This training cohort is open to all Open Hearts members and is free. Trainings will be led by OHI Deputy Executive Director Sara Newman and OHI Member Education and Programming Specialist Will Woods, with help from experienced advocacy partners and organizations. We’ll be covering topics like:
How affordable housing and shelters get built
Having tough conversations about homelessness with neighbors
How to advocate to your elected officials
Speaking up at Community Board meetings, public hearings, and more
Session Dates
Note: these sessions build on each other, so we ask folks to commit to attending all 6 sessions, though we recognize that unexpected things may come up.
Thursday, March 6 - 7pm-8:30pm
Thursday, March 20 - 7pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 3 - 7pm-8:30pm
Thursday, April 17 - 7pm-8:30pm
Thursday, May 1 - 7pm-8:30pm
Thursday, May 15 - 7pm-8:30pm
To sign up, fill out the form below.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Riverdale (Bronx)
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.

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts Meeting
Do you live, work, or go to school in Lower Manhattan? Join us for our monthly Lower Manhattan Open Hearts chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP. RSVP using the button below or by emailing Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Midtown
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.

Bronx Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
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 next chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.

Hygiene Care Kits for Neighbors in Downtown Brooklyn
Brooklyn Open Hearts is putting together hygiene care kits for women in shelter in downtown Brooklyn!
Here’s how to help:
Purchase kit items from our wishlist (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 4/17)
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps. (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 4/18)
Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you are interested in helping to assemble the kits on Saturday 4/19 at 11 in Harlem, or distributing kits on 4/22 in Brooklyn from 5-7!

Upper West Side Kindness Committee Meeting
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.

Housing Justice is Racial Justice Reading + Discussion Group
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.)
This month’s topic: To Be Announced!
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.

Midtown Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
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.

Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting
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!

Help Lead Monthly Computer Literacy Workshops in the Bronx
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.
These sessions 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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Midtown
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.

Brooklyn Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
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.

Upper East Side Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
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.

Flyering in Midtown for Public Restrooms
Have you ever been out and about and needed a bathroom, and struggled to find one that was open and in good condition?
The New York City Council is currently considering three bills that would expand public bathrooms across the city and create a long-term infrastructure and maintenance plan. You can learn more about this issue + these bills here.
As part of the Free to Pee coalition, the Open Hearts Initiative is mobilizing New Yorkers to reach out to their Council Members to tell them that public bathrooms are a priority!
Join us on Sunday, April 6 to pick up some flyers and hang them up with friends to encourage folks to reach out to their Council Members about these bills! We'll be meeting in Midtown Manhattan (location will be shared upon RSVP) and you can stop by from 3pm-5pm.
Questions about this event? Reach out to sara@openheartsinitiative.org.


Homelessness: Learning From Experience Meeting
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Riverdale (Bronx)
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.

Collaging in Brooklyn!
Join us at a shelter in South-Central Brooklyn for an afternoon of collaging and getting to know your neighbors! Supplies and snacks will be provided. Specific location upon RSVP. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you’d like to join!

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Midtown
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.

Housing Justice is Racial Justice Reading + Discussion Group
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.)
This month, we’ll be discussing public restrooms as a housing and racial justice issue.
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Riverdale (Bronx)
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.

Upper West Side Kindness Committee Meeting
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.

NY Can End Homelessness Rally
Note: This event is organized by VOCAL-NY.
More than 150,000 people in New York State are homeless, and 175,000 households are at risk of eviction. The Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) would create a statewide rental subsidy to help folks get housed and stay housed. New Yorkers need HAVP in this year’s state budget (set to pass on April 1st)--but Governor Hochul is holding it up! On Thursday, March 27 at 11am, join other Open Hearts members and coalition partners organized by VOCAL-NY to rally for the Housing Access Voucher Program outside Governor Hochul’s NYC office!
Let us know you’re coming by emailing sara@openheartsinitiative.org, and we’ll connect you with any other Open Hearts folks who will be there.
Can’t make it on Thursday 3/27, but want to advocate for HAVP? Join our postcard-writing event.

Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting
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!

Midtown Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Midtown
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Norwood (Bronx)
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.

Postcards for Housing Access
More than 150,000 people in New York State are homeless, and 175,000 households are at risk of eviction. The Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) would create a statewide rental subsidy to help folks get housed and stay housed. New Yorkers need HAVP in this year’s state budget--but Governor Hochul is holding it up! Join the Open Hearts Initiative on Sunday, March 23, from 3pm-4:30pm on the Upper West Side (location will be shared upon RSVP) to write postcards to Governor Hochul and help your neighbors do the same! We'll be meeting at an Open Hearts member's apartment, and all supplies will be provided. No expertise required--just interest in taking action to support neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity!
RSVP using the form below for the postcard event on Sunday, March 23! You’re welcome to stop by or stay the whole time, whatever you prefer!
Other ways to help:

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Riverdale (Bronx)
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Midtown
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Norwood (Bronx)
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Riverdale (Bronx)
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.

Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting
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!

Help Lead Monthly Computer Literacy Workshops in the Bronx
Make it stand out
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.
These sessions 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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Midtown
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.

Weekly English Language Learning Workshop at a Shelter in Norwood (Bronx)
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.

Lower Manhattan Open Hearts Meeting
Do you live, work, or go to school in Lower Manhattan? Join us for our monthly Lower Manhattan Open Hearts chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP. RSVP using the button below or by emailing Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org.

Hygiene Care Kits for Neighbors on the UWS
UWS Open Hearts is putting together hygiene care kits for a new women’s shelter on the UWS!
Here’s how to help:
Purchase kit items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 3/7)
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps. (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 3/8)
Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you are interested in helping to assemble the kits on Sunday 3/9 on the UWS!