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. 

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.)

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.

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 is putting together care kits for homeless neighbors in Lower Manhattan!

Here’s how to help:

• Purchase kit items from our wishlist.

• Pack the care kits (date and location TBD) - email Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested in helping with this, and she’ll share the details!

• Distribute care kits with us in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, April 23, 12pm-1pm - email Jayme at jayme@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested in helping with this, and she’ll share the details!

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. 

Note: This event is organized by VOCAL-NY, Safety Net Activists, Coalition for the Homeless, and Neighbors Together.

Date: Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025
Time: 11:00 am
Location: City Hall Park (by the fountain!) in Manhattan

On Tuesday, April 22nd, organizations across the country are taking action to demand Housing to End Homelessness, stop harmful budget cuts, and reject unjust fines and arrests. In New York City, OHI will be joining partner organizations to speak out against devastating sweeps, involuntary commitments, the shelter sanctions policy, and the newly created NYPD Quality of Life Division. Join Safety Net Activists, Coalition for the Homeless, Neighbors Together, and VOCAL-NY as we call on New York City to make housing more equitable and accessible for all.

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.

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 next 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!