Sign On to Housing is the Solution Plan
OHI is a supporter of Housing is the Solution: A Plan to End Mass Homelessness in NYC, a set of policy recommendations for the next Mayor, created by homelessness + housing advocates at the Coalition for the Homeless, Community Service Society, and more. We’re trying to help get as many signatures as possible from everyday New Yorkers to show that New Yorkers demand that the next Mayor take bold, proven steps to end mass homelessness! Click the link below to learn more and sign on.
Men’s clothing fundraiser for new neighbors in the Bronx!
Bronx Open Hearts is raising money to provide fresh clothing for men living in a new shelter in the South Bronx. All funds will be used to purchase new shirts, socks, and undergarments!
Use the button below to donate!
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 Mondays 12pm-1pm, need an additional volunteer who speaks some Spanish or French. If you can help with this, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org.
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.
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.
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 Google Meet. Google Meet link will be shared upon RSVP.
Upper East Side Summer Free Store!
Our Upper East Side Open Hearts chapter is organizing a free store, offering summer clothing, toiletries, toys, 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 to volunteer here
I want to donate items to the Free Store:
There are two ways to donate:
Drop off donations: We're looking for new or gently used summer clothing, toiletries (unopened only!), and toys and games (portable is preferred). These items can be dropped off at the Upper East Side on 7/18 from 9am-5pm, or 7/14-7/18 from 9am-5:30pm in Harlem (address upon RSVP). Sign up to donate here
Donate to the Paypal here to help fund additional supplies for the day like toiletries and snacks!
Summer Fun Bags for Kids in UWS Shelters!
Upper West Side Open Hearts is putting together summer “fun bags” for kids living at several shelters in the neighborhood.
Here’s how to help:
Purchase items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 7/19)
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 7/20)
Pack and distribute gift bags on the UWS on Monday 7/21 at 5 PM on the UWS. Address will be provided upon RSVP. Use the RSVP button below to sign up.
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.
Monthly Baby Supply Distribution for Families at a Midtown Shelter
Midtown Open Hearts is collecting baby supplies for a monthly distribution to families staying in a Midtown shelter! Here’s how to help:
Distribute supplies on Thursday 7/31! RSVP here.
Purchase kit items from our wishlist.
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps.
Have supplies on hand to donate? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to coordinate a pickup/drop-off!
Distribute Care Kits in Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan Open Hearts will be packing and distributing street care kits at the Battery Park City Library on Thursday, July 31st from 4-6pm. These kits will include basic needs items for unhoused neighbors. Join us to help pack and distribute (RSVP below), or donate to help us fill the kits!
Brooklyn Summer Free Store
Our Brooklyn Open Hearts chapter is organizing a summer free store, offering summer clothing, school supplies and snacks. 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
I want to donate items to the Free Store:
There are two ways to donate:
Drop off donations: We're looking for new or gently used summer clothing, school supplies, and snacks. These items can be dropped off any time in Harlem, or every Sunday from 11-12:30 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. You can also arrange a drop-off in Clinton Hill, East New York, or Manhattan. Sign up to donate here
Purchase items for donation from the wishlist: Click here to purchase items for the school supplies or snacks to be sent directly to the church. Or donate to the Paypal for the snack table here!
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. Virtual meeting link provided upon RSVP.
Midtown Writing Workshop
Join us at a shelter in Midtown East for an afternoon of creative writing and getting to know your neighbors! Supplies and snacks will be provided. Specific location upon RSVP.
E
mail caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you’d like to join!
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 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 Tuesdays 2:00pm-3:00 pm and Thursdays 11am - 12pm. If you’re interested in helping out 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. Virtual meeting link will 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. Location will be shared upon RSVP.
We’ll be talking about:
To Be Announced!
Questions? Email Will at will@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.
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: continuing our discussion about supportive housing!
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.
Monthly Community Language Exchange/Intercambio - June!
Complete este formulario para confirmar su asistencia al evento. Te enviaramos la ubicacción después. El evento es en el vecindario Upper East Side.
Anglohablantes van a practicar el español, y hispanohablantes van a practical el inglés
No experiencia del pasado es necesaria
Juegos para los ñinos
Comeremos la cena juntos
¡El evento es gratis!
Alojado por Upper East Side Open Hearts (Corazones Abiertos).
Con preguntas o para obtener más información, puedes contactor caroline@openheartsinitiative.org o (516) 782-4081.
Please complete the form to RSVP for this event. Location will be provided upon RSVP. The event is on the Upper East Side.
English speakers will practice Spanish, and Spanish speakers will practice English
No prior experience is needed
Toys and games will be provided for the children!
Dinner will be served
The event is free!
Hosted by Upper East Side Open Hearts
For questions or more information, contact caroline@openheartsinitiative.org or (516) 782-4081
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.
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!
Collaging in Midtown!
Join us at a shelter in Midtown East for an evening of collaging and getting to know your neighbors! Supplies and snacks will be provided. Specific location upon RSVP.
E
mail caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you’d like to join!
Monthly Baby Supply distribution for Families at a Midtown Shelter
Midtown Open Hearts is collecting baby supplies for a monthly distribution to families staying in a Midtown shelter! Here’s how to help:
Purchase kit items from our wishlist.
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps.
Have supplies on hand to donate? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to coordinate a pickup/drop-off!
Distribute supplies on Thursday 6/26! Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you want to join!
Policy and Advocacy Committee Meeting
Interested in getting involved in OHI’s city- and state-level policy advocacy efforts to end homelessness in NYC? Join OHI's member-led Policy and Advocacy Committee for our next meeting.
On the agenda:
Mid-year check-in about our 2025 policy priorities
Planning upcoming policy campaigns
This meeting will be on Zoom. RSVP below 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 West Side Park Party!
On Saturday, June 21st from 2-4PM, our Upper West Side chapter will be hosting an event in Riverside Park for local families with children in shelter. There will be sports, games, and snacks! Exact location will be provided upon RSVP.
Join us—and bring your kids!—for some fun community-building.
Volunteer: We’re looking for volunteers--for both before the event and at the event itself! To sign up to volunteer, fill out this form!
Donate: Help us purchase supplies for the park party by donating through our PayPal!
VIRTUAL 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.
This month, we’re hosting an extra HLFE meeting—a virtual “lunch and learn” hangout and discussion! If you're interested in joining us, click the button below to RSVP. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.
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.
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. Virtual meeting link provided upon RSVP.
Sign Up for OHI’s Summer Advocacy Training
This summer, OHI will be offering 2 mini advocacy training series. Both are virtual, totally free, and are open to all Open Hearts members. Folks are welcome to participate in one or both of these series! See below for descriptions and dates of the two training series.
Advocacy Training 101: Homelessness and Housing Basics
2 evening sessions on Zoom, 2 hours each
Tuesday, July 8 and Tuesday, July 15
6:30pm-8:30pm
Topics covered:
The evidence for why homelessness is a housing problem
History of homelessness in NYC
Different types of shelter and housing
Who has power over homelessness and housing in NYC?
How shelters and supportive housing sites get approved and built
This training might be a good fit for you if: You don't know a lot about homelessness, and you want to build that foundational knowledge in order to be a more confident advocate.
Advocacy Training 201: Advocacy Skills
2 evening sessions on Zoom, 2 hours each
Monday, August 11 and Monday, August 18
6pm-8pm
Topics covered:
Having difficult conversations about homelessness with other housed neighbors
Speaking up at Community Board meetings
Lobbying elected officials
This training might be a good fit for you if: You already have some knowledge about homelessness, and you want to learn and practice different tactics to advocate for housing and shelters in your neighborhood and for city- and state-level policies to reduce homelessness.
Sign up using the button below! Questions? Email Will at will@openheartsinitiative.org.
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 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.
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. Virtual meeting link will be shared upon RSVP.
Women's Summer Clothing Drive
Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is requesting new or used summer clothing and accessories (in good condition) for a downtown women’s shelter. We are accepting t-shirts, shorts, skirts, shoes, sunglasses, fashion jewelry and more! All styles and sizes appreciated. If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact Jayme@openheartsinitiative.org for drop-off location and hours.
Donations accepted until Friday, June 13.
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 Sara at sara@openheartsinitiative.org. Location will be shared upon RSVP.
We’ll be talking about:
To Be Announced!
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 or French. 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.
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.