Our largest expansion yet and the addition of a new program
What an extraordinary year 2025 was! Our furnishing services were provided to 202 former foster youth, up from 183 in the prior year. Included in that number were the parents of thirty-seven infants, toddlers and young children. Hearts to Homes not only brings warmth, comfort, and support to individuals, but we can be counted on to help families as well.
These young people found housing in all five boroughs of New York City, with Brooklyn having the highest numbers of requests. We also furnished apartments in Westchester, Suffolk and Rockland counties and even took our services to Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas when former NYC foster youth moved out-of-state after aging out of care.
This year, we crossed the threshold of providing over $1,900,000 in furnishings since our inception in 2016. We added one new partner – New Yorkers for Children – while continuing to seek out additional organizations whose missions align with ours.
In May 2025, we added our first new program – Building Bright Beginnings – responding to the increasing number of parenting youth who asked if we could provide child-centered items such as cribs, toddler beds, bedding, highchairs, playpens, strollers, car seats, stove knob protectors, electrical outlet covers, sippy cups, toddler plates, and utensils. This new program enhances stability, eliminates unnecessary hardships, and allows parents to focus on raising their children in a safe, nurturing environment.
Finally, and perhaps most significantly, we announced in September 2025 that we are now able to serve all youth who are aging out in our area without regard to any of these previously limiting criteria. Prior to this a young person would have had to have a certain level of education, or a job, be a parent, or have a Fair Futures coach. Now, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we never have to turn a former foster youth in need away.
As we approach the 10th anniversary of our organization, and are on the cusp of furnishing our 1,000th apartment, we reflect on all of the foundations, corporations, and individuals who make our work possible. On behalf of the youth we serve, thank you. We wish you all the best that 2026 has to offer.