Open Hearts Initiative organizes housed community members to build support for homeless New Yorkers and advocate for housing justice in their own backyards. This includes working with neighbors to gather material support for families and adults experiencing homelessness. We organize free stores, pack welcome kits for folks arriving at shelters, and coordinate supply drives on site. We also organize programming at shelters throughout the city to build relationships and exchange skills through activities ranging from computer literacy to language exchanges and arts and crafts. Volunteers also advocate for policy that supports housing and services, and speak at community board meetings to voice their support. At our core, we mobilize housed community members to support their unhoused neighbors.
