Help Run Meal-Prep / Nutrition Discussion Groups!
We are in need of a few more volunteers to help lead nutrition and food prep discussion groups at a supportive housing site on the UWS on Thursday 1/29 at 11 AM! Join us as we talk about our favorite meals, what we like and don’t like about cooking, and how we grocery shop! No expertise required, just an interest in chatting with neighbors!
RSVP here to help out!
UWS Street Care Kit Distribution!
Our Upper West Side Open Hearts chapter is distributing care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We need volunteers to help distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).
I want to help distribute
RSVP here or using the button below.
I want to donate to the care kits
While our care kits are ready to go this month, you can donate money to help purchase the supplies here.
Welcome Kits for New UWS Women’s Shelter
Upper West Side Open Hearts is assembling welcome kits for neighbors moving into a new women’s shelter on the Upper West Side! Here’s how to help:
Assemble kits on Sunday 2/1! RSVP here or using the button below.
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps.
Purchase an item from the wishlist!
Have clothing, hygiene supplies, or toys on hand to donate? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to coordinate a pickup/drop-off!
UWS Street Care Kit Distribution!
Our Upper West Side Open Hearts chapter is distributing care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We need volunteers to help distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).
I want to help distribute
RSVP here or using the button below!
I want to donate to the care kits
While our care kits are ready to go this month, you can donate money to help purchase the supplies here.
Holiday Stocking Assembly and Distribution for Manhattan Families in Shelter!
Help assemble and distribute stockings to families living in Manhattan shelters!
Here’s how to help:
Join us on 12/20 from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM on the Upper West Side to assemble 400 stockings!
Distribute stockings at an Upper West Side shelter on Monday, 12/22 from 4-5 PM
Distribute stockings at an Upper East Side shelter on Tuesday 12/23 from 4-6 PM
Sign up for all shifts here or using the button below!
Want to donate to the stockings? Visit our donations page here!
Donations for Holiday Stockings going to Manhattan Families in Shelter!
Help purchase items to go into holiday stockings for families living at several shelters in Manhattan!
Here’s how to help:
Purchase stocking items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 12/19)
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps. (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 12/20)
Donate items you have on hand! Have any small toys, socks, makeup, snacks, etc. that could go into a stocking? Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to set up a drop-off! Not sure if your items are stocking-worthy? That’s okay, feel free to ask! With so many stockings to fill, we’re getting creative!
Winter care kit distribution & Holiday Party on the UWS!
Upper West Side Open Hearts is excited to distribute winter care kits and host a holiday party for residents of an UWS safe haven! We need volunteers to help hand out kits and create a warm party environment! RSVP below to help out on Thursday 12/18 from 1-3 PM on the UWS! Address provided upon RSVP
Upper West Side Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
Do you live, work, or go to school on the Upper West Side? Join OHI's next UWS chapter meeting. Virtual meeting link provided upon RSVP.
Help Run Meal-Prep / Nutrition Discussion Groups!
We are in need of a few more volunteers to help lead nutrition and food prep discussion groups at a supportive housing site on the UWS on Tuesday 12/4 at 11 AM! Join us as we talk about our favorite meals, what we like and don’t like about cooking, and how we grocery shop! No expertise required, just an interest in chatting with neighbors!
RSVP here!
Bring a Thanksgiving Pie for Families in Shelter
Upper West Side Open Hearts is organizing a Thanksgiving pie distribution at a local shelter. Here’s how to help:
Welcome Kit Distribution for an UWS Women’s Shelter!
Upper West Side Open Hearts is distributing welcome kits (which we made back in March!) to women moving into a new shelter in the neighborhood. Join us on Tuesday, 11/25 from 12-1 PM to hand out kits and connect with new neighbors. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org if you’re interested!
UWS Street Care Kit Distribution!
Our Upper West Side Open Hearts chapter is distributing care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We need volunteers to help distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).
I want to help distribute
RSVP here or using the button below!
I want to donate to the care kits
Upper West Side Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
Do you live, work, or go to school on the Upper West Side? Join OHI's next UWS chapter meeting. Virtual meeting link provided upon RSVP.
Speak Up in Support of the 59th St. Women’s Shelter
Background
The West 59th Street women’s shelter, which you can learn more about here, will offer shelter and services for women experiencing homelessness. It is part of an effort to expand shelter capacity in neighborhoods across the city to meet the needs of our homeless neighbors (and provide dozens of trained clinicians and staff members who will support residents' needs). For the past few years, Upper West Side Open Hearts members have been organizing to support this new shelter site! On Tuesday, October 28th at 6:30 PM, Manhattan Community Board 7 is meeting to review final details of the site. While the site is approved and planned to open, we could use some additional voices in support at this meeting.
Take Action
The #1 need is for folks to provide comments virtually (on Zoom or phone) during the meeting (Tuesday 10/28; meeting begins at 6:30 PM) or in person at the meeting at 250 W 87th Street (Tuesday 10/28; meeting begins at 6:30 PM)
If you aren’t able to join the meeting virtually or in person, you can submit written comments (this can be done any time between now and the meeting on Tuesday 10/28)
Haven’t spoken at a Community Board meeting before? No worries—the board hears from members of the public all the time at hearings like these, and Open Hearts will be there with you every step of the way. We’ll provide suggested talking points, connect you with other folks who will be speaking up, and help you navigate the logistics.
Use the links below to RSVP to show support for the 59th St. shelter. Once you RSVP, we’ll be in touch to share suggested talking points and logistical details!
Halloween Care Packages for Kids in UWS Shelters!
Upper West Side Open Hearts is putting together Halloween care kits for kids living at several shelters in the neighborhood.
Here’s how to help:
Purchase items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 10/23)
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 10/23)
Pack gift bags on the UWS on Friday 10/24 at 6 PM. Location provided upon RSVP. Sign up here or using the button below!
Distribute gift bags on the UWS on Tuesday 10/28 at 3:30 PM. Location provided upon RSVP. Sign up here or using the button below!
Have any spare Halloween costumes on hand? We’ll take them! Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to schedule a drop-off/pickup
UWS Street Care Kit Distribution!
Our Upper West Side Open Hearts chapter is distributing care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We need volunteers to help distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).
I want to help assemble and/or distribute
RSVP here or using the button below!
Upper West Side Open Hearts Chapter Meeting
Do you live, work, or go to school on the Upper West Side? Join OHI's next UWS chapter meeting. Virtual meeting link provided upon RSVP.
Can’t make this one? No worries—reach out to Caroline (caroline@openheartsinitiative.org) to make sure you’re on the Upper West Side chapter email list so you can stay in the loop!
Upper West Side Park Party!
On Saturday, September 20th 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!
UWS Street Care Kit Assembly and Distribution!
Our Upper West Side Open Hearts chapter is assembling and distributing care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We need volunteers to assemble and distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).
I want to help assemble and/or distribute
RSVP using the button below if you’re interested in helping with any of the following!
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.
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.
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. All slots are filled at the moment, but email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to join the waitlist!
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.
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!
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.
UWS/UES Street Care Kit Assembly and Distribution!
Our Upper East Side and Upper West Side Open Hearts chapters are collaborating to assemble and distribute care kits to neighbors experiencing street homelessness. We are excited to partner with Project 12:31 to get this done! We need volunteers to assemble and distribute kits on the UWS (location upon RSVP).
I want to help assemble and/or distribute
RSVP below if you’re interested in helping with any of the following!
Mother’s Day Gift Bags for Moms in UWS Shelters!
Upper West Side Open Hearts is putting together gift bags for Mother’s Day gift bags for moms living at several shelters in the neighborhood.
Here’s how to help:
Purchase items from our wishlist. (LAST DAY TO PURCHASE: 5/8)
Donate via PayPal to help us fill any gaps (LAST DAY TO DONATE: 5/9)
Pack and distribute gift bags on the UWS on Saturday 5/10 at 10 AM or 5/12 in the mid-morning. Address will be provided upon RSVP. Email caroline@openheartsinitiative.org to sign up!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.