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Open Hearts Initiative

@openheartsnyc.bsky.social
209 followers 333 following 521 posts

Supporting neighbors experiencing homelessness, advocating for housing justice, creating compassionate communities. Click the link to join a chapter! openheartsinitiative.org/hello

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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 7h
Last week, Lower Manhattan & Queens Open Hearts held coffee hours at senior supportive housing sites! Volunteers and residents connected over coffee, donuts, trivia, & wellness exercises. Thank you to everyone who joined us to connect with neighbors! #Manhattan #Queens #CoffeeHour #Neighbors
Two handled cardboard boxes with the words "Dunkin' Box O' Joe" and a stack of cups sit on a table.A piece of paper asking people to answer questions about their current emotional state. The answers are added to the sheet using colorful Post-It Notes.
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New to OHI? Join us on 10/3 for a new volunteer orientation as part of our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience group! During orientation, you will: Get to know OHI volunteers & unhoused neighbors; learn more about OHI’s work; find ways to plug in as volunteer. Click the link to RSVP.
openheartsinitiative.org
New Volunteer Orientation + HLFE Meetup — Open Hearts Initiative
New to volunteering with OHI? Join us for a new volunteer orientation as part of our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience (HLFE) meetup. At the orientation, you’ll: Get to know other O...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Join UES Open Hearts for our language exchange & community meal on Sat, 10/3 from 4-6pm. Come together with housed & unhoused neighbors to practice English and Spanish, share a meal, and get to know each other. We’ll also have fall-themed crafts! To join us, click below! #LanguageExchange #UES
openheartsinitiative.org
Monthly Community Language Exchange/Intercambio - October — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Join Open Hearts on 9/28 at a library in Midtown to help neighbors work through their online housing search! Volunteers will work one on one with shelter residents as they navigate housing websites, make accounts, & apply for housing. Click the link to RSVP (brief training received upon RSVP).
openheartsinitiative.org
Volunteers Needed for Housing Search Tech Support! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Lower Manhattan Open Hearts assembled fall street care kits to support homeless neighbors. Volunteers packed 75 kits with essentials like socks & shower wipes. Volunteers took kits to hand out to homeless neighbors as needed, while remaining kits were brought to the George Daly House shelter.
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New to OHI? Join us on 10/3 for a new volunteer orientation as part of our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience group! During orientation, you will: Get to know OHI volunteers & unhoused neighbors; learn more about OHI’s work; find ways to plug in as volunteer. Click the link to RSVP.
openheartsinitiative.org
New Volunteer Orientation + HLFE Meetup — Open Hearts Initiative
New to volunteering with OHI? Join us for a new volunteer orientation as part of our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience (HLFE) meetup. At the orientation, you’ll: Get to know other O...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Midtown Open Hearts is running a baby supply drive for a family shelter in Midtown East on 9/24, 4-5pm. We’re collecting diapers, training pants, & more! Click the link to purchase an item from our wishlist, donate funds through PayPal, or RSVP to help distribute. #Baby #Donations #Distribution
openheartsinitiative.org
September Baby Supply Distribution in a Midtown Shelter — Open Hearts Initiative
August Midtown Baby Supply
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Get to know your Lower Manhattan neighbors! Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is hosting a coffee hour at a senior supportive housing site on Thursday, 9/24, from 3:30-4:30pm. Click the link to chat with neighbors over free coffee, snacks, & wellness activities. #CoffeeHour
openheartsinitiative.org
Coffee Hour at Lower Manhattan Senior Supportive Housing — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Midtown Open Hearts is running a baby supply drive for a family shelter in Midtown East on 9/24, 4-5pm. We’re collecting diapers, training pants, & more! Click the link to purchase an item from our wishlist, donate funds through PayPal, or RSVP to help distribute. #Baby #Donations #Distribution
openheartsinitiative.org
September Baby Supply Distribution in a Midtown Shelter — Open Hearts Initiative
August Midtown Baby Supply
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Queens Open Hearts is hosting a coffee hour at a senior supportive housing site on Fri, 9/25, 3:30-4:30pm! Chat with neighbors over free coffee, snacks, and NYC-themed trivia! Whether new to OHI or already involved, this is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors. RSVP & receive the address.
openheartsinitiative.org
Coffee Hour at Senior Supportive Housing — Open Hearts Initiative
Queens Open Hearts is hosting a coffee hour at a senior supportive housing site in Jamaica on Friday, September 25th from 3:30-4:30pm. Join us to meet your neighbors over coffee, snacks, and NYC-t...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Get to know your Lower Manhattan neighbors! Lower Manhattan Open Hearts is hosting a coffee hour at a senior supportive housing site on Thursday, 9/24, from 3:30-4:30pm. Click the link to chat with neighbors over free coffee, snacks, & wellness activities. #CoffeeHour
openheartsinitiative.org
Coffee Hour at Lower Manhattan Senior Supportive Housing — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
BK Open Hearts is organizing a free store for homeless neighbors in the Park Slope area on Sat, 9/19, 1-3pm (volunteer shifts 11am-4pm). To work a shift before, during, or after the event, RSVP using the link below. Can’t make it, but still want to help? Click for donation information. #FreeStore
openheartsinitiative.org
September Brooklyn Free Store — Open Hearts Initiative
I want to volunteer at the Free Store: We need LOTS of volunteers on the day of the Free Store, including for shifts before and after the event.  Sign up here ! I want to donate items to th...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Our annual UWS park party is coming up on Sat, 9/19 & we need help making it happen! This event brings together housed & unhoused families for an outdoor hangout with games, sports, & snacks. Here’s how to help: 🌳Volunteer at the event 🍕Donate supplies 💬Outreach and logistics Details & signup:
openheartsinitiative.org
2026 Upper West Side Park Party! — Open Hearts Initiative
On Saturday, September 19th from 2-4PM , our Upper West Side chapter will be hosting an event in Riverside Park for local families with children in shelter. There will be sports, gam...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
A proposed shelter on the UES needs your support! If you live, work, or go to school on the UES (or have a child who goes to school there), add your name to a letter to Council Speaker Julie Menin supporting shelter in our community. openheartsinitiative.org/3rdaveletter #NYC #Shelter #CityCouncil
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Queens Open Hearts is hosting a coffee hour at a senior supportive housing site on Fri, 9/25, 3:30-4:30pm! Chat with neighbors over free coffee, snacks, and NYC-themed trivia! Whether new to OHI or already involved, this is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors. RSVP & receive the address.
openheartsinitiative.org
Coffee Hour at Senior Supportive Housing — Open Hearts Initiative
Queens Open Hearts is hosting a coffee hour at a senior supportive housing site in Jamaica on Friday, September 25th from 3:30-4:30pm. Join us to meet your neighbors over coffee, snacks, and NYC-t...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Join Open Hearts for our next advocacy workshop: Homelessness Basics on Tues, 9/22, 6:30-8pm on Zoom. We’ll explore why homelessness exists, how we got here, and what happens when someone becomes homeless. RSVP to receive the Zoom invitation. #NYC #Housing #Homelessness
openheartsinitiative.org
Homelessness Basics Workshop — Open Hearts Initiative
Looking to deepen your understanding of homelessness in NYC? Want to advocate for local housing and shelter solutions, but feel you need a stronger foundation? Our Homelessness Basics workshop–part ...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Recently, Open Hearts held an arts workshop at a shelter in Midtown East. During this last event, participants decorated fans, sketched, & pieced together puzzles. Want to get to know homeless neighbors through events like this? Join an OHI chapter! openheartsinitiative.org/volunteer #NYC #arts
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Join Open Hearts for our monthly Housing Justice is Racial Justice Discussion group on Mon, 8/31, 7-8:30pm. This month’s topic: myths about homelessness and personal responsibility. To join our discussion on Zoom and receive the reading, RSVP via the link. #Homelessness #NYC
openheartsinitiative.org
August Discussion: Deconstructing Myths About Homelessness and Personal Responsibility — Open Hearts Initiative
Join us for our monthly Housing Justice is Racial Justice discussion group. This month, we'll be deconstructing myths about homelessness and personal responsibility. The discussion is open to anyone ...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Our annual UWS park party is coming up on Sat, 9/19 & we need help making it happen! This event brings together housed & unhoused families for an outdoor hangout with games, sports, & snacks. Here’s how to help: 🌳Volunteer at the event 🍕Donate supplies 💬Outreach and logistics Details & signup:
openheartsinitiative.org
2026 Upper West Side Park Party! — Open Hearts Initiative
On Saturday, September 19th from 2-4PM , our Upper West Side chapter will be hosting an event in Riverside Park for local families with children in shelter. There will be sports, gam...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Donate to our baby and school supply drive!
openheartsinitiative.org
August Baby + School Supply Distribution for Families in Midtown Shelter — Open Hearts Initiative
August Midtown Baby Supply
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Donate to help homeless neighbors get to our events! openheartsinitiative.org/transportation
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
OHI Deputy ED Sara Newman spoke with POLITICO NY about the proposed 1587 3rd Ave shelter: “Schools, families, and seniors are everywhere in NYC. If their presence is treated as a reason a neighborhood is inappropriate for shelter, there will always be a reason not to build shelter somewhere.”
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Join Upper East Side Open Hearts for our Language Exchange & Community Meal on Sat, 8/29 from 4-6pm. Toys and games provided for children, while adults work on their English & Spanish skills. Everything is free and all are welcome. Click to join us or donate towards our community meal.
openheartsinitiative.org
Monthly Community Language Exchange/Intercambio - August/September — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
We need volunteers with basic computer skills & some familiarity with housing search platforms to join us for Housing Search Tech Support on Mon, 8/31, 3-4:30pm. At a library in Midtown, you’ll work one on one with shelter residents as they apply for housing online. To RSVP, click below. #Housing
openheartsinitiative.org
Volunteers Needed for Housing Search Tech Support! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Join Lower Manhattan Open Hearts to assemble care kits for neighbors experiencing street homelessness. These kits are a great way to connect with & support your homeless neighbors. We’re packing Tues, 9/15, 6-7pm. We’ll each take a few care kits home to distribute later. Click to RSVP! #NYC
openheartsinitiative.org
Lower Manhattan Street Care Kits — Open Hearts Initiative
Join Lower Manhattan Open Hearts to assemble care kits for neighbors experiencing street homelessness. These kits are a great way to connect with your homeless neighbors and show your support. The...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Join our Homelessness: Learning From Experience meetup on Sat, 8/29, 1:30-3:30pm. HLFE meetings provide a space for unhoused & formerly unhoused folks to share experiences & build connections. They're also an opportunity for housed neighbors to learn! RSVP by clicking the link. #Homelessness
openheartsinitiative.org
Homelessness: Learning From Experience Meetup — Open Hearts Initiative
Our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience (HLFE) meetings provide a space for unhoused neighbors to share experiences, build connections, and provide input that informs OHI's work. These me...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Join Open Hearts for our monthly Housing Justice is Racial Justice Discussion group on Mon, 8/31, 7-8:30pm. This month’s topic: myths about homelessness and personal responsibility. To join our discussion on Zoom and receive the reading, RSVP via the link. #Homelessness #NYC
openheartsinitiative.org
August Discussion: Deconstructing Myths About Homelessness and Personal Responsibility — Open Hearts Initiative
Join us for our monthly Housing Justice is Racial Justice discussion group. This month, we'll be deconstructing myths about homelessness and personal responsibility. The discussion is open to anyone ...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
There's still time to donate to our PayPal! #FreeStore
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
We loved seeing new faces at August’s Homelessness: Learning From Experience (HLFE) and our Upper East Side chapter’s Language Exchange! Both of these events brought housed and unhoused neighbors together to share a meal and spend time getting to know each other.
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Midtown Open Hearts is running a baby & school supply drive for a family shelter in Midtown West. Want to contribute? Click the link to purchase an item from our wishlist or donate funds through PayPal. #BackToSchool #Baby
openheartsinitiative.org
August Baby + School Supply Distribution for Families in Midtown Shelter — Open Hearts Initiative
August Midtown Baby Supply
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Recently, Open Hearts co-sponsored a rally and resource fair calling for solutions, not sweeps alongside the Safety Net Project, Health Justice for NY, Housing Works, and more. We came together to call for housing and healthcare–not harmful sweeps– and to show what community care can look like.
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Brooklyn Open Hearts still needs volunteers! #FreeStore #ParkSlope #Volunteer
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Recently, Midtown Open Hearts held their monthly baby supply drive at a family shelter. Folks were able to pick up diapers, formula, clothes, & more! We’re so grateful to everyone who donated & especially thankful to volunteers who distributed supplies & created a warm & welcoming atmosphere.
A table of clothing, bottles, and diapers with people shopping in the background.Empty baby bottles arranged on a table.Packs of baby wipes laid out on a table in the foreground with diapers and people shopping in the background.Bottles of baby formula on a table in the foreground, diaper cream and baby shampoo in the background.
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Join Brooklyn Open Hearts to assemble care kits for neighbors experiencing homelessness! We’ll be packing on Sun, 8/9 from 12-1:30pm. Can’t make it? Help your homeless neighbors by purchasing from our wishlist or donating through PayPal. To RSVP or donate, click below.
openheartsinitiative.org
Help us Pack Hygiene Kits in BK! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Our UWS Open Hearts Park Party for unhoused families is coming up & we need volunteers to help us plan! Join us for a planning meeting on Thurs, 8/6 from 4-5pm on Zoom. The goal is to discuss and figure out scheduling, activities, outreach, and donations. RSVP via the link for the Zoom invite.
openheartsinitiative.org
Help Plan Our 2026 Park Party! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Brooklyn Open Hearts is organizing a free store for homeless neighbors Sat, 8/15 from 1pm-3pm. We need volunteers to help organize donations, assist shoppers, & clean up after the event. To RSVP for a shift click the link below. Can’t make it, but still want to help? Click for donation info.
openheartsinitiative.org
August Brooklyn Free Store — Open Hearts Initiative
I want to volunteer at the Free Store: We need LOTS of volunteers on the day of the Free Store, including for shifts before and after the event.  Sign up here ! I want to donate items to th...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
The Open Hearts Initiative is excited to announce that our Douglaston chapter is now our Queens chapter! Wherever you live in the borough, you can join our Queens chapter & help support homeless neighbors in your community. Join our Queens chapter today! openheartsinitiative.org/volunteer #NYC
A piece of paper tacked over a map of the five boroughs says, "Queens Open Hearts."
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Brooklyn Open Hearts is organizing a free store for homeless neighbors Sat, 8/15 from 1pm-3pm. We need volunteers to help organize donations, assist shoppers, & clean up after the event. To RSVP for a shift click the link below. Can’t make it, but still want to help? Click for donation info.
openheartsinitiative.org
August Brooklyn Free Store — Open Hearts Initiative
I want to volunteer at the Free Store: We need LOTS of volunteers on the day of the Free Store, including for shifts before and after the event.  Sign up here ! I want to donate items to th...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Our UWS Open Hearts Park Party for unhoused families is coming up & we need volunteers to help us plan! Join us for a planning meeting on Thurs, 8/6 from 4-5pm on Zoom. The goal is to discuss and figure out scheduling, activities, outreach, and donations. RSVP via the link for the Zoom invite.
openheartsinitiative.org
Help Plan Our 2026 Park Party! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Join Brooklyn Open Hearts to assemble care kits for neighbors experiencing homelessness! We’ll be packing on Sun, 8/9 from 12-1:30pm. Can’t make it? Help your homeless neighbors by purchasing from our wishlist or donating through PayPal. To RSVP or donate, click below.
openheartsinitiative.org
Help us Pack Hygiene Kits in BK! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Join us on Sat, 8/1 at 4pm for UES Open Hearts’ Language Exchange & community meal! English speakers practice Spanish, Spanish speakers practice English. Toys & games provided for any children who attend. This event is completely free & open to all. To help provide the meal or RSVP, click! #UES
openheartsinitiative.org
Monthly Community Language Exchange/Intercambio - August — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Join our #Homelessness: Learning From Experience group Saturday, 8/1 at 1:30pm. Currently and formerly homeless folks and housed neighbors come together to share experiences, build connections, and help shape OHI’s work. Join us:
openheartsinitiative.org
Homelessness: Learning From Experience Meetup — Open Hearts Initiative
Our monthly Homelessness: Learning From Experience (HLFE) meetings provide a space for unhoused neighbors to share experiences, build connections, and provide input that informs OHI's work. These me...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Queens Open Hearts collected an abundance of food donations for 59 families living in supportive housing nearby. Thanks to everyone who made this food drive a success! To help with a future event in Queens, email Jayme@openheartsinitiative.org. #Queens #FoodDrive
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
#StoptheSweeps
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Help lead an arts workshop at a Safe Haven shelter in Midwood with Brooklyn Open Hearts! We’ll be painting, drawing, and chatting with neighbors on Monday, July 27th at 2pm. We’ll provide the supplies and snacks—just bring yourself! Click the link to RSVP. #BK #Art
openheartsinitiative.org
Arts in Brooklyn (7/27) — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Open Hearts’ Housing Justice is Racial Justice discussion group is meeting on Mon 7/27, 7-8:30pm. We’ll discuss They Just Need to Get a Job: 15 Myths on Homelessness. This month’s topic: the myth that “most homeless people are mentally ill and dangerous.” RSVP via the link to receive the reading.
openheartsinitiative.org
July Discussion: Debunking Myths About Homelessness and Mental Health — Open Hearts Initiative
Join us for our monthly Housing Justice is Racial Justice meeting. This month’s topic: debunking myths about homelessness and mental health! We’ll be discussing a few pages from Mary Brosnahan’s ...
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
On Monday, Lower Manhattan Open Hearts held a coffee hour at a supportive housing site in the East Village. Neighbors gathered over coffee, baked goods, & some NYC-themed trivia. We hope to have more of these in fall! To help plan the next coffee hour, email Jayme@openheartsinitiative.org.
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Join Open Hearts on Monday, 7/27 from 3-4:30pm in Midtown East to help homeless neighbors search for housing. A brief training will be provided via email beforehand. If you want to support your neighbors as they navigate housing websites, click the link. #Housing #NYC
openheartsinitiative.org
Volunteers Needed for Housing Search Tech Support! — Open Hearts Initiative
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
City leaders need to hear that New Yorkers want real solutions to homelessness, not sweeps. Click the link below to learn more and email your Council Member! openheartsinitiative.org/events/solut... #Homelessness #NYC #StoptheSweeps
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Open Hearts Initiative @openheartsnyc.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
We often hear from homeless neighbors that transportation costs can make it difficult to participate in some Open Hearts Initiative events. As OHI has grown, this need has increased. So we’re launching our Transportation Fund: a dedicated way for folks to donate to help cover transportation costs.
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