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!