Our Programs
At Hearts to Homes, we believe that every young person leaving the foster care system deserves a foundation of stability, dignity, and care as they take their first steps into independent adulthood. While transitioning to a new home is an exciting milestone, doing so without a safety net or a family to rely on can be overwhelming. Through our programs across New York City, Westchester County, and the lower Hudson Valley, we step into that gap. By providing essential home furnishings, supporting young parents, ensuring holiday food security, and funding vital basic needs, we empower resilient young adults to build stable, successful, and independent lives.
Housewarmings for Foster Youth
This core program transforms empty apartments into warm, functional spaces by providing essential home furnishings to young adults transitioning out of the foster care system. Each young adult may select up to 90 items for their bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen, including cleaning and safety supplies.
Why It Matters: Most young adults leave foster care with very few possessions and no safety net. Government grants rarely cover everything needed to run a functional home, which compromises nutrition and health. By supplying these foundational household items, we act as a critical barrier against homelessness and ease anxiety, allowing our resilient youth to focus on jobs and education.
Building Bright Beginnings
An expansion initiative specifically dedicated to supporting the infants and young children of the young adults we serve, supplying essential child-related gear such as cribs, mattresses, highchairs, and safety items.
Why It Matters: Nearly one-third of the young adults referred to our program are already parents. Breaking the cycle of multi-generational foster care starts with protecting its youngest members. By alleviating some of the financial burden of infant care, we ensure young parents can establish a safe, stable, and nurturing environment where their children can look forward to a bright future.
Thanksgiving Meals
A seasonal food security initiative that delivers complete holiday meal baskets to our young adults across New York City and five surrounding counties.
Why It Matters: The holidays can deeply amplify financial stress and feelings of isolation for young people navigating independent adulthood. This program ensures that our youth are not forgotten during the holiday season. It fosters community connection and delivers a message of care, ensuring every recipient can enjoy a festive, warm, and dignified meal.
Start Strong Pantry Grant
Hearts to Homes provides grocery gift cards so young adults can stock the pantry in their new home with nutritious, accessible food—giving them the flexibility to choose the staples that help them feel settled and supported.
Why It Matters: Food insecurity stands in the way of personal growth, steady employment, and academic success. This can be most acute during the transition from foster care when food benefits may not yet be available. Without reliable access to
nutritious food, it’s incredibly hard for young adults in transition to build stable, productive lives. By providing grocery gift cards, we help ensure they can stock their pantry with the nourishment they need—so they can focus on work, school, and settling into their new home with confidence.
Start Strong Wardrobe Grant
This initiative provides a direct financial grant to source appropriate clothing—ranging from professional attire for job interviews to basic everyday wear—for our young adults entering the workforce or higher education.
Why It Matters: At Hearts to Homes, we know how clothing insecurity can affect confidence and job readiness. This program removes that economic barrier, helping young adults step into interviews, classrooms, and new chapters with confidence and pride.
We are grateful to Macy’s for their initial grant for this program.