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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
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 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!
Upper West Side Kindness Committee Meeting
Do you live or work 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 or work 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 or work on the Upper West Side? Join OHI's UWS Kindness Committee meeting. Zoom link provided upon RSVP.
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
UWS Kindness Committee Meeting
Do you live or work on the Upper West Side? Join OHI's UWS Kindness Committee meeting. Zoom link provided upon RSVP.
Toiletry Drive for the Newton Hotel
The UWS Open Hearts shelter support team for the Newton Hotel is gathering NEW toiletries for asylum-seeking families living at the Newton Hotel.