On March 11, Hearts to Homes was thrilled to welcome Monica Malcolm to our Open Hearts event to share a little bit with our guests about her H2H experience. Here are a few moments from that evening:
Mary Theresa: And now for my final happy responsibility, I would like to invite Monica Malcolm to join me on the stage. Hearts to Homes was first introduced to Monica in August of 2021 when she was aging out of care and referred to us by Rising Ground. If we all remember August of 2021, it was still “COVID time.” Furniture was in short supply with huge supply chain issues. When I look back at texts with Monica it was “this can be delivered on this day” and “that can be delivered on that day,” and she took it all in stride.
Being the amazing person that she is, Monica continued her education, graduated from Borough of Manhattan Community College with her associate degree and now works as a patient dining associate at NY Presbyterian.
Monica: I wanted to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for experiencing Hearts to Homes. I am incredibly thankful for the chance to accomplish this once in my lifetime, despite everything I have experienced while in foster care.
This was one of the many things that lifted my spirits. Helping each other really helps the world to be better as a whole.
In reality, this entire process began as procrastination. When I was eighteen, I didn’t immediately apply for apartments on the waiting list. However, a few years later, when I eventually gave in, I received a call quickly. That phone call was one of those rare moments you only get to have once.
I was connected to Hearts to Homes through my agency. I was given a listing of several types of furniture and other things for my apartment that I could select from. Because Hearts to Homes donors care about us, we have brand-new furnishings.
To be honest, if this program didn’t exist, I wouldn’t be standing here. If I hadn’t gone through the program, the small amount of stress that was attached to me while moving would have been a whole lot more stressful.
I want to let you guys know that I am very, very, very, very grateful for donors helping us. You know that really means a lot. We don’t know what’s the next step. I thought that I was just going to get an apartment and that was pretty much it. I would have to spend my money on furniture. I didn’t know what I was going to walk into, so when I received help and I got my form and checked off what furnishings I needed, my apartment was filled with over 25 boxes of different stuff. And I couldn’t believe it.
You know they came and were like “come outside, do you have a shopping cart, or anything?” They had a van. I’m like “Yeah, sure,” and I was just expecting like small little things and then they were just loading up the cart and we just made several trips. And I was like “Oh my gosh, this is a lot!” I even received a shopping cart while bringing my shopping cart!
And they gave me so much things…like so so much things. I literally did not need it to come out of my pocket for anything and that just made me feel so good. To know that somebody, they still, they care, you know. That really really made me feel good, because, you know, I was just going to age out and I was going to receive help, but I received help on help on help. Like so much help! So, thanks.
Like it’s a huge step to be on your own. There’s no more foster family. You’re doing this by yourself now. So, I appreciate it. Thank you so much!