English Language Workshops in the Bronx and Midtown
We are in need of a few more volunteers to help facilitate English language workshops for adults living at shelters in the Bronx and Midtown who are learning English! Experience teaching English to language learners is welcome but not required. Interested in helping out or learning more? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org!
Speak Up 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.
Learn more about this issue here.
Use this this easy tool to contact your Council Member and tell them that public bathrooms are a priority!
NEW NEEDS FOR FALL: Donation Drive for Riverside Terrace!
The list has been updated for fall!
We are collecting donations again for families living at the Riverside Terrace shelter! Add your name next to items on the spreadsheet that you would like to donate. Items can be new or lightly worn! After you sign up, organizers will reach out to connect you with the room number and to provide further information about drop-off. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org, if you have any questions!
Holiday gift drive for kids on the UES!
Please consider helping spread some holiday joy and welcoming new families to our neighborhood this year! Upper East Side Open Hearts is excited to deliver toys and other gifts to families seeking asylum who are living in a temporary shelter in the neighborhood. Our team has collected wishes from each family including gift ideas for children and adults.
Sign up here and you will be sent your child/family's wish list within 48 hours.
Interested in supporting but don't have time to shop/ship a gift - consider donating to our GoFundMe here and we'll do the shopping for you!
Questions? email HolidayGifts2025@gmail.com!
Bring a Thanksgiving Pie for Families in Shelter
Upper West Side Open Hearts is organizing a Thanksgiving pie distribution at the Newton Hotel shelter. Here’s how to help:
Bring a pie to the Newton Hotel shelter on Monday, November 25th from 3:30pm-5:30pm! To sign up and get address details, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org. Please sign up in advance so we know how many pies to expect.
Donate here to help us fill in the gaps and make sure all our neighbors at the shelter get some seasonal treats!
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.)
If you're interested in joining, click the button below to let us know, and we’ll share the Zoom details.
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. NOTE: This meeting will be focused on planning the process for setting the committee’s policy priorities for the next year.
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.
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.
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.
Help Lead Computer Literacy Workshops in the Bronx
After a great first computer literacy workshop in the Bronx a few months ago, we’re scaling this program up! The first session will be at a supportive housing site in the Bronx on Tuesday, Dec. 10th, and they will recur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. We are in need of a few more volunteers to help out! 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.
Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested in helping out! Address will be provided upon RSVP
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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 November chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.
Distribute donations to neighbors at the Waldo Sanctuary in Riverdale
After receiving many donations for families staying at the new sanctuary shelter in Riverdale, it’s time to distribute supplies on 11/15! Help out by:
Driving supplies up to the site from the OHI storage space in Harlem: 2 - 3 PM
Handing out supplies and getting to know neighbors on site at the shelter: 3-5 PM
Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to RSVP
Address shared upon sign up
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. NOTE: This meeting will be focused on planning the process for setting the committee’s policy priorities for the next year.
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!
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.
Bracelet & Keychain Making in Brooklyn
Join us at a shelter in South-Central Brooklyn for an afternoon of making bracelets and key chains 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!
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.
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.
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.
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. NOTE: This meeting will be focused on planning the process for setting the committee’s policy priorities for the next year.
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.
Treat Yourself: Fall Cookie and Cupcake Decorating
Join Lower Manhattan Open Hearts for a fun fall-themed cookie and cupcake decorating event at a local women’s shelter! We’ll be decorating cookies and cupcakes together, doing other fall-themed activities, and getting to know each other as neighbors. All supplies will be provided. This event takes place at a shelter in Lower Manhattan. Location will be shared upon RSVP. RSVP to will@openheartsinitiative.org.
Fall Care Kits for the W. 83rd St Safe Haven
Upper West Side Open Hearts is excited to put together fall care kits for neighbors living at the W. 83rd St Safe Haven! Right now, there are 3 ways to help:
Purchase supplies for the kits from our Amazon wish list!
Help pack the kits on Sunday 10/20 from 1:30pm-3pm
Help distribute kits on Thursday 10/24 from 4pm-6 PM.
Interested in helping pack or distribute? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to sign up!
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!
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 October chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.
Help Families in Shelter Get to the Children’s Museum
On Tuesday 10/15 from 3:30 - 5:00, families in shelter on the Upper West Side have the opportunity to visit the Children’s Museum of Manhattan on W. 83rd Street for free! We are in need of volunteers to help escort families from their shelters to the museum! Interested? Email 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.
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.
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.
Painting in Brooklyn
Join us at a shelter in South-Central Brooklyn for an afternoon of painting 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!
Suitcase and MetroCard Fundraiser
Upper East Side Open Hearts, in collaboration with the Movement for Justice in El Barrio, is raising money to provide suitcases and MetroCards for families needing to move out of their shelter in East Harlem. Use the button below to donate! If you have suitcases on hand to donate, you can fill out this form!
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.
If you're interested in joining, click the button below to let us know, and we’ll share the Zoom details.
Support the Waldo Sanctuary in Riverdale!
A new sanctuary shelter for migrant families is opening in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx! Bronx Open Hearts, in collaboration with various neighbor groups, is organizing a donation drive of food, toiletries, and supplies. Support the families as they move in by ordering from the Amazon wish list!
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.
Douglaston Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
Do you live, work, or go to school in Douglaston and want to connect with other neighbors organizing to welcome and support folks experiencing homelessness in our neighborhood? Join Douglaston Open Hearts for our September chapter meeting on Zoom. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.
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.
Back-to-School Distribution on the UES
Upper East Side Open Hearts is looking for volunteers to help us distribute back-to-school donations to families a shelter on the Upper East Side! Distribution will take place on-site at a shelter on the Upper East Side on Friday 9/20 from 3pm-5pm. If you can help out, RSVP to Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org.
Free to Pee Rally
Do you care about public bathrooms and making sure that everyone--including folks experiencing homelessness!--has access to them? Join Open Hearts and the Free to Pee coalition—including partner organizations like VOCAL and Coalition for the Homeless—for a rally at City Hall Steps.
Can you make it? Let us know so we can coordinate any Open Hearts folks who are attending! Email Sara at sara@openheartsinitiative.org to RSVP.
We're also putting together a group of folks to testify at a City Council hearing on this topic on Thursday 9/19. If you're interested in this--even if you're not sure if you're available to testify that day!--please reach out ASAP to Sara at sara@openheartsinitiative.org. We'll support you in preparing testimony whether it's your first time or you've done it before!