Filtering by: “UWS”
Hygiene Care Kits for Neighbors on the UWS
Mar
9
Donation, UWS

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!

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Biweekly Shoe Transport
Jan
24
to Feb 28
UES, UWS, Midtown

Biweekly Shoe Transport

After one of our chapter members facilitated a great connection with Tip Top Shoes on W. 72nd St, our Upper West Side, Midtown, and Upper East Side chapters have been working together to regularly transport these shoe donations to a local clothing closet that serves homeless neighbors.

Every other Friday, volunteers pick up shoes from Tip Top Shoes and transport them to the clothing closet on the Upper East Side. It's been a big success so far, and we're so grateful for the generosity of Tip Top Shoes!

We're looking for more folks who are available midday on Fridays to join the rotation of volunteers who help to transport the shoes. Typically only one volunteer is needed each time, so signing up is not committing to picking up shoes every time--it just means we'll keep you on the list and reach out to see if you're available! A car is not required, but you should be prepared to transport a bag of shoes in whatever way works for you.

If you're interested in helping with this, please reach out to Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org and share your phone number, and she'll add you to the list to help out.

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Holiday Stockings for UWS Families in Shelter
Dec
10
to Dec 22
UWS, Donation

Holiday Stockings for UWS Families in Shelter

Upper West Side Open Hearts is putting together holiday stockings for families living at several shelters in the neighborhood.

Here’s how to help:

Purchase stocking items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 12/18)

Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps. (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 12/18)

Pack and distribute stockings on the UWS on Sunday 12/22 at 1:15pm or Monday 12/23 in the mid-morning. Address will be provided upon RSVP (RSVP by clicking the RSVP button below.)

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Bring a Thanksgiving Pie for Families in Shelter
Nov
25
UWS, Donation

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!

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NEW NEEDS FOR FALL: Donation Drive for Riverside Terrace!
Oct
30
to Dec 14
UWS, Donation

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!

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Fall Care Kits for the W. 83rd St Safe Haven
Oct
20
to Oct 24
UWS, Donation

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!

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Upper West Side Park Party
Sep
14
UWS

Upper West Side Park Party

On Saturday, September 14th 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!

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, email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org.

Donate: Help us purchase supplies for the park party by donating through our PayPal!

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Upper West Side Park Party
May
18
UWS

Upper West Side Park Party

On Saturday, May 18th from 2-4PM (rain date Sunday, May 19 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—plus a piñata! 

Join us—and bring your kids!—for some fun community-building.

  • Volunteer opportunity: We’re looking for A LOT of volunteers--for both before the event and at the event itself! Check out the list below for details, and if you can help with any of these, email Caroline at caroline@openheartsinitiative.org.

    • Before:

      • Hand out flyers at UWS family shelter sites to spread the word about the event

      • Pick up donations from UWS businesses in advance of or day of the event

      • Donate games, activities, picnic blankets

    • Day of event:

      • Set up in the park

      • Support kids with different activities during the event

      • Escort families from the park entrance to the event

      • Help clean up after the event

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UWS Kindness Committee Meeting
Mar
28
UWS

UWS Kindness Committee Meeting

Do you live or work on the Upper West Side? Join the Kindness Committee of Upper West Side Open Hearts for our monthly meeting, where we'll be discussing efforts to support homeless neighbors on the UWS through our shelter support teams, programming and workshops in shelters, and more. Zoom link will be shared upon RSVP.

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Speak Up for Homeless Neighbors on the Upper West Side
Feb
27
UWS

Speak Up for Homeless Neighbors on the Upper West Side

As you may have seen, a new shelter is coming to W. 74th St on the Upper West Side. Volunteers of America - Greater New York will operate a shelter for single adult women and provide them with services as they journey from homelessness to permanent housing.

The shelter will be discussed at a Manhattan Community Board 7 Health & Human Services Committee meeting on Tuesday, February 27th at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to speak, and our UWS chapter is organizing supportive Upper West Siders to come speak about welcoming homeless neighbors and help dispel any anti-homeless rhetoric that comes up at the meeting. The meeting will be held both virtually on Zoom and in person at the CB7 Office (250 West 87th Street). 

Are you an UWSer who's interested in speaking at this meeting to show support for welcoming new neighbors to this site? Make sure to do ALL of these 3 things using the buttons below:

  1. Sign up to speak at the Community Board 7 meeting.

  2. If you plan to join the meeting virtually, register to get the Zoom link.

  3. Email Bennett to let us know you'll be speaking as a supportive neighbor! Bennett can offer support, share suggested talking points, and connect you with other neighbors who will be speaking!

Questions? Are you considering speaking but not sure about signing up yet? Reach out to bennett@openheartsinitiative.org.

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West 83rd St. Safe Haven Resource Distribution + Community-Building Event
Dec
14
UWS, Donation

West 83rd St. Safe Haven Resource Distribution + Community-Building Event

Over the last few months, new neighbors have moved into a Safe Haven shelter on the Upper West Side. We’re excited to have them as neighbors and are organizing a sidewalk resource distribution and community-building event!

4 Ways to Help

  1. Send items for the distribution by ordering from our Amazon wishlist! (Items will be shipped directly to one of our volunteers, who will deliver them to the event.) The Amazon wishlist is HERE.

  2. Send a financial donation to be used on supplies! You can send donations through PayPal HERE.

  3. Drop off winter gear and shoes! If you have adult-sized winter gear (hats, gloves, scarves, etc.) or shoes that you’d like to donate for our resource distribution, send an email to Bennett (bennett@openheartsinitiative.org) and he’ll follow up with you. NOTE: If you’re looking to donate a winter coat for folks at the Safe Haven, please direct it to the coat drive organized by our friends at B’nai Jeshurun, which folks at the Safe Haven will have access to!

  4. Volunteer with us at the distribution! If you’re available on the afternoon of Thursday, December 14th, and want to meet new neighbors and distribute resources to Safe Haven residents, send an email to Bennett (bennett@openheartsinitiative.org) and he’ll follow up with you.

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Newton Winter Holiday Drive
Dec
11
to Dec 20
UWS, Donation

Newton Winter Holiday Drive

Our Upper West Side Open Hearts shelter support team for the Newton Hotel shelter is continuing to organize after a successful event last month! Now, they're gathering toys, gifts, and winter gear for the children at the shelter. 

  • To purchase toys and gifts from the wishlist, which will be shipped to one of our volunteers, click here.

  • Want to help distribute items on Wednesday 12/20 from 4pm-6pm? Send us an email at info@openheartsinitiative.org. Spanish speakers are especially needed!

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