2024 by the numbers

The average age of someone referred to H2H for furnishing assistance is 21, which has been consistent throughout our 8 years of operations. In addition, referred youth are primarily female-identifying. This year, 135 women, 42 men, and 6 non-binary individuals were referred for our services.

The majority of the youth we assisted found housing in New York City: 65 young people in Manhattan, 50 in Brooklyn, 42 in the Bronx, 17 in Queens, and 1 in Staten Island. Additionally, we helped 5 former foster youth in Suffolk County, 1 in Westchester County, 1 in Orange County, 1 in Connecticut, and 1 in North Carolina. We’ve also been seeing a trend in youth moving to supportive housing. What was once 1 in 10 referrals is now 1 in 3! The majority of youth do still find a home in public housing (64%), while only 4% of young adults are able to afford market rate housing.

Education is important, so we are happy to say we helped 9 recent college grads furnish their first independent homes. It is well-documented that finishing college is a herculean task for those in foster care, so a big congratulations to these incredible young people who were successful in completing their degrees! We also worked with 27 individuals who aged out of care while working toward their degree. Another 19 were referred after finished their GED, and 88 were referred after finishing high school. Hearts to Homes also furnished apartments for 3 people who had completed trade certificates and 18 who were working on their GED. 19 of the youth we assisted were focusing on working or parenting instead of current education goals.

As we speak about the young people we assist, we would be remiss to not acknowledge the impact that H2H furnishings can have on young families. 63 individuals referred to H2H in 2024 were parents (4 dads and 59 moms). In total, 65 infants, toddlers, and young children had their primary living space transformed into a warm and comfortable home.

Twenty-five organizations made these referrals happen. Our thanks to these incredible organizations for helping young adults in need make a smoother transition to independence: Abbott House, Children’s Aid Society, CASA-NYC, Cayuga Centers, Catholic Guardian Society, Cardinal McCloskey Community Services, The Children’s Village, Family and Children’s Association, Forestdale, Inc., Good Shepherd Services, Graham Windham, Coalition for Hispanic Family Services, HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services, The Jewish Board, JCCA, Little Flower Children & Family Services, Lawyers for Children, Lutheran Social Services on New York, Martin de Porres Youth & Family Services, MercyFirst, The New York Foundling, Rising Ground, SCO Family of Services, Seaman’s Society for Children & Families, and St. Dominic’s Family Services.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of hundreds of individuals and dozens of corporations, organizations, and foundations. Our board of directors, our volunteers and our staff are also instrumental in keeping operations running efficiently and in ensuring the success of our special events.

We thank everyone who played a part in an impactful 2024 and look forward to empowering even more young people in 2025!

Once a permanent home is secured, hope is possible, and dreams don’t feel as far away. While aspirations differ from person to person, they drive us to keep going and urge us to reach for more. While it’s easy to get caught up in numbers—how many people have been helped and how many people have been referred to us, etc.—it’s important to remember that the young adults we help are real people with real hopes and dreams.

When you have a dream, for example, “I want to attend college and major in Business. Afterward, I would like to start my own food truck,” it might seem far-fetched without the right tools or support. But with a network of people ensuring you have the things you need, you are more likely to feel empowered to go out into the world and are one step closer to achieving that dream. So, in the case of this young person. who was recently assisted by Hearts to Homes, they’re able to expand on their cooking hobby now that they have their own kitchen and kitchen tools and can now begin to think about how to take the necessary steps to achieve their dream of opening up a successful food truck.

We asked the young adults that have been referred to us to share their goals for the future and they’re just as unique as the people pursuing them. For example, a fair share of people see themselves getting established and attending or finishing college in the next five years. Others hope to pursue higher education by going to law school, getting a real estate license, or becoming a veterinarian. Several have entrepreneurial zeal; some want to start their own businesses and others want to learn to trade stocks and become more financially independent. For others, it’s as simple as acquiring steady employment and improving physical and mental health.

No matter where they are in their journey or what the next 5, 10, or 15 years look like, a dream is possible with housing stability and the knowledge that others believe in you and are there for you. Help us to be there for the next young adult who needs help furnishing their first apartment. You can donate at https://heartstohomes.org/donate/

When we help provide the essentials to furnish a first apartment for these young adults, we help them create a space of their own – and improve the odds that they remain in their apartments, in school or employed, and parenting their children.

Join us in helping young adults aging out of foster care make a fresh start. We have the opportunity to receive a $15,000 match when we raise the first $15,000 in GoFundMe donations! Visit our GoFundMe link to make a donation today: https://gofund.me/deab56d2
We hope you feel as we do, that this journey, and your part in it, is worth celebrating!

Let’s keep building confidence, security and hope in these young adults!
From Foster Care to First Home.

Of course, you can also donate right here on our website – heartstohomes.org/donate/
Or, you can “buy a bundle” of the most requested household necessities for our next foster
youth aging out – heartstohomes.org/current-campaigns/
You can also find us on Venmo @Hearts_to_Homes and make your donation there!

Hearts to Home was a pivotal force in teaching me about the autonomy of personal space. Their incredible generosity empowered me to choose and be in control of every detail of my new home’s interior. At the age of 19,—I opted for pink plates, pink bed sheets, and pink curtains, the whole nine embracing the full spectrum of my favorite color. Although my preferences have evolved towards a more neutral palette today, I treasure the memory of being able to make those choices. It was a profound shift from accepting leftovers, like ive always been used to, to selecting items that truly sparked joy. Hearts to Home essentially provided me with the canvas and colors to paint my dream living space, which marked a significant milestone in my journey towards independence and self-worth.

At 19, the idea of setting up a home was daunting. Buying pots, pans, and knives? That was uncharted territory. Yet, Hearts to Home, with their intentional support, made it possible. These items have become more than just tools; they are a daily reminder of my journey towards self-sufficiency. They have enabled me to achieve goals that make me a better version of myself every day. I aspired to be a self-sufficient adult who could make breakfast, lunch, and dinner, host friends for holidays, and create a sanctuary where I could study and unwind after a long day. Hearts to Home turned these dreams into reality, helping me craft a home I’m proud of, a place where peace and ambition coexist.

Today, as I stand before you, I’m not just a beneficiary of Hearts to Home; I’m a testament to its mission. I am currently a full-time college student at John Jay College, pursuing a BS in Human Services and Community Justice, with aspirations for graduate school while working full-time as a policy entrepreneur at a think tank called Next100, dedicating my efforts to create avenues for youth with experiences in care to access quality, dignified, and safe housing.

My story is one of many, each unique yet unified by the common thread of transformation made possible by Hearts to Home. This organization didn’t just furnish my apartment; it furnished my future with opportunities, hope, and dignity. To everyone at Hearts to Home, your unwavering generosity and belief in the transformative power of community have not only changed lives but have also built homes—mine included.

Every meal that I prepare in my kitchen, every friend I welcome into this space, and every quiet night I spend studying in the serenity of my own room, are testaments to the incredible impact of your contributions. These moments of everyday joy and the sanctuary I now call my own are direct outcomes of the compassion and support extended by Hearts to Home. Your dedication resonates within the walls of this house, turning it into a home where dreams are nurtured, and futures are built. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to embrace the security and peace of a place I can truly call mine.

Organizations like these ensure that more young adults like me can transition from care to independence with the dignity and support they deserve. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Hearts to Home, for being the foundation upon which I and many others are building our dreams.

Greg Spero, our outgoing board treasurer, was an original member of our board. Greg was instrumental in the development of all the critical policies and procedures, as well as the development of our accounting and donor processing systems. His guidance in these areas allowed H2H to grow from a good idea into an organization with a powerful mission. We are deeply indebted to Greg and thrilled to announce that he will continue on as a volunteer at H2H.

Diane Vezza, also an original member of our board, was the driving force behind our special events. Those in the know recognize Diane’s famous baked goods that all guests received at the end of these events. After serving as our board secretary for years, Diane took on a major responsibility in connecting our parenting youth to furnishing services that they might need for their children. We are thrilled that Diane will stay on as an H2H volunteer, helping to organize our special events and continuing to act as the liaison for our parenting youth.

Artie Lange, the final original member of the board, brought his business acumen to Hearts to Homes when we were just a good idea in need of some professional advice. Always a sponsor of our special events, Artie could marshal the support of his professional contacts to step up and sponsor alongside of him. As we grew, we knew that we could count on Artie for his thoughtful opinions on strategy.

Cookie Humphrey introduced Hearts to Homes to the readers of Compulsive Magazine twice over the past few years. With lived experience in foster care, Cookie understood the needs of the young adults we served and helped to guide board decision. Cookie helped us make connections to others in philanthropy, an important asset for any non-profit organization.

Please join us in welcoming new board members Ali Heriyanto, Kevin Kennedy, Cathy Murphy, Maureen Noonan, Dana Solomon, and John Vezza. With skills in areas that are critical to a volunteer-led charity like Hearts to Homes, these six professionals will bring new and important perspectives to our growing organization:

Ali Heriyanto is an innovator in women’s lifestyle tech blogs and the VP of Product and Tech Support at the Corcoran Group. She is a supporter of the missions of several non-profit organizations.

Kevin Kennedy is a consultant in the supply chain and logistics industry with prior experience at Tracer Imaging and Sterling National Bank. Like several of our current board members, Kevin came to his term on the Board of Directors following several years of dedicated service on our Associates Board.

Cathy Murphy takes the reins as our new board treasurer. She is a long-time supporter of Hearts to Homes and is currently the executive VP of NY operations for Blue Raven Solutions.

Maureen Noonan is a dedicated educator with a 32-year career in Catholic education. She is an innovator and a visionary in the areas of advancement and organizational growth.

Dana Solomon is an experienced human resources professional with knowledge of the full employee lifecycle. Her advice will be critical as Hearts to Homes continues to move from small start-up to a recognized name in the world of support for youth aging out.

John Vezza has been connected to Hearts to Homes since its earliest days. John is a real estate investor, having retired from running the family business, Astor Place Hairstylists. John’s contributions have included both the financial and logistical, as he has brought essential deliveries of furnishings, baby items, and even holiday food baskets to many of our H2H young adults.

You can read more about our new board members at Board of Directors – Hearts to Homes

Hearts to Homes’ assistance generally happens in the geographical area that constitutes New York City, Long Island, Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties. However, like Sara, some individuals aging out of foster care want to attend college or continuing education programs out of state where they need to find their own housing. Some youth may decide to stay out of state after finishing their degree, and others may find a job in a different state or relocate to live near extended family.

Our mission at Hearts to Homes is to help foster youth as they transition into independent life by providing furnishing support, so sometimes we can provide that support outside of our normal area of operations. If an individual is associated with a foster agency we work with, our support follows them. So far, we’ve provided virtual housewarmings for recipients in New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas, Louisiana, and upstate New York!

Sara remembers being surprised that she was able to receive furnishing assistance in New Jersey. “I wasn’t quite sure how I would pick up big items but [Mary Theresa] explained that the items would be delivered to me either by the store directly or a volunteer. I just couldn’t believe it… the fact that they were willing to drive an hour to deliver things to me in another state was unbelievable.”

She goes on to relay the impact of this support, made possible by your donations.

“For most of my time in foster care I received used items. Getting new things wasn’t normal for me. I can’t explain how good it felt to move into my apartment and have all new things. I was starting an intensive nursing program, and I didn’t have to worry about furnishing my apartment and where I would get the money to pay for all of these items. Hearts to Homes was a life saver.”

Sara has since graduated from her nursing program and moved into her second apartment. She says all the items she received from Hearts to Homes made the trip. “Without them, I certainly wouldn’t have a fully furnished apartment.”

In cases like Sara’s, Hearts to Homes ensures that former foster youth in need are cared for and supported. The process and vendors may be slightly different when fulfilling furnishing needs elsewhere in the country, but the same magic is possible with donations from supporters like you!