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!

Maximine reached out to H2H Executive Director Mary Theresa McCombe to thank her and got yet another surprise. Mary Theresa asked if the sisters would like some cozy blankets, made specifically for them by a special donor.

Cynthia found out about Hearts to Homes when her boss at Marketsmith, Monica Smith, put out an email about filling an apartment registry for a former foster youth. Though she thought H2H was a wonderful organization, Cynthia didn’t have the means to contribute financially, and she wanted to find another way to help. She was moved when Mary Theresa spoke at Marketsmith, and recalls with emotion, “The one line that stood out to me, is ‘[these kids] never had anything of their own that was brand new.’”

From there she had an idea – she could contribute unique blankets for the youth receiving assistance from Hearts to Homes! Cynthia had been crocheting since grammar school, where she learned from a friend, and had made many baby and full-sized blankets for almost everyone in her life. She even calls crocheting her therapy. Cynthia had always wanted to support foster children, and this was the perfect way for her to do it, utilizing her talents to create something comforting and personal.

To make it even more special, she thought, “Everyone is so quick to give secondhand or hand- me-downs too…What if I let these kids pick out their own color for their own room so they can say ‘someone made this for me’?”

So after connecting with Mary Theresa, who offered the blankets to Maximine and Michelle, the plan was in motion. Michelle picked a lovely coral blue for her color, and Maximine says her choice of baby pink was obvious: “My favorite color is color is pink – my whole room is pink, so of course I’m going to go with pink!”

When the sisters received their blankets, they were surprised at how fast they came and loved how soft and warm they were. The apartment can get chilly in the winter months, and they were grateful for the comfort. The loved the colors, and Maximine, in particular, was inspired by the blankets – in a lovely coincidence, she used to crochet in middle school, making little hats, and she says, “It got me thinking, hmm, maybe I should go back to that as a hobby!”

Maximine continues, “I’m inspired by her giving to people – if you like doing something that makes you feel happy, and then to be able to give it to other people to make them feel happy? That’s a great thing that I also look forward to doing.”

And Cynthia is happy with how this little idea to give back in the way she could turned into something tangible. “I wanted these girls to know that someone cares about them. I’m happy if I can make someone feel loved. That’s what we are supposed to be doing in life.”

Cynthia hopes each youth enjoys the blankets as much as she enjoys making them – because she is not finished with her crocheted donations. She recently worked on a few more blankets, in pink, white, and blue, and they will find a home with other former foster youth who would love something cozy to snuggle into this February.

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