At Hearts to Homes, our core mission is to empower individuals aging out of foster care by transforming empty living spaces into a place they can call home.
We provide essential furnishings and a sense of comfort to those in need, ensuring that young adults who are transitioning out of the foster care system have the support they deserve as they embark on their journey of independence.
By working to create a more comfortable living environment we can increase the stability of those who age out of the system while acting as a barrier to homelessness, incarceration, and multi-generational foster care involvement; all issues that affect the aging-out population. We aim to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve, one home at a time.
Hearts to Homes Furnishings, Inc. is a New York-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations to Hearts to Homes are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Who do we help? 
Hearts to Homes does not take applications for assistance from individual young adults, but instead partners with the finest child welfare advocacy organizations in New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Nassau and Suffolk counties in order to assist young adults who are aging out. We rely on these organizations to refer young adults who are aging out of foster care and need furnishing assistance.
These referring partners provide programs and supportive services that help to ensure that each young adult is prepared for independence. The benefits provided by Hearts to Homes complement these existing support programs. Together, we improve the odds of a successful transition from foster care to independence.
Hearts to Homes directly supports young adults aging out of foster care, but our home furnishings have also indirectly benefited over 260 infants and young children, as nearly one-third of our referrals are parents. In April 2025, we launched Building Bright Beginnings to directly address this need, providing essential child-related items like cribs and safety gear to these young families as they transition to independent living.
Why do we help?
Hundreds of young adults age out of foster care into independent living in New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Nassau and Suffolk counties each year. Generally, these young adults are 18 to 21 years of age who have never been successfully reunited with their parents or adopted. Many of these young adults leave foster care with few possessions and no family to help them make this transition. For a young adult who is aging out of foster care, a first apartment is expensive and requires a great deal of effort to put together. Both can be roadblocks for a successful transition and a productive life.
Sometimes, governmental agencies do provide some funds to assist in the aging out/first apartment process. Those funds may provide for first month's rent, rental security deposits, utilities deposits and some furniture. Even with this financial assistance, much of the rest of the apartment remains empty. With no cooking or cleaning items, nutrition and health can be compromised. Many young adults leave foster care without any governmental or agency support at discharge.
Many foundations and organizations make funds available to improve the odds of success in a young adult aging out of foster care. Their programs, such as job training, mentoring and financial literacy, are examples of additional programming assistance that help to increase these odds. Hearts to Homes believes our program of providing essential home furnishings is a necessary and unique complement to such programs. After all, it is hard to be successful at a job without access to the items that help you to be presentable on the job – items like an iron and ironing board, a hair dryer or a shower curtain!
Referring Agencies
What do our partners say?
Recipient Testimonial 1
I think Hearts to Homes has helped me with the best start up in my first new apartment. The couch is great, and all the appliances are so great. I appreciate that you guys do this for people. It is such a blessing!
Recipient Testimonial 2
Please tell your donors that my Hearts to Homes experience was truly amazing. I got things I didn’t even possibly think I would need – but I actually do need them! The best part is not having to worry about how to furnish my home.
Recipient Testimonial 3
We loved receiving things that we needed for our new apartment so that we wouldn’t have to purchase them ourselves with the very tight budget that we have. I am happiest with the vacuum. It makes it a bit easier for me to clean up with a toddler.
Recipient Testimonial 4
I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t have ever imagined this. I started crying when I saw all the items. I’m grateful and feel like an adult.
Recipient Testimonial 5
I’d like to say thank you. Hearts to Home was like my karma coming around – for everything that was taken away from me, we’re going to give you everything right back. It’s a really satisfying feeling. Sometimes I put my baby to bed and I just go sit on the couch, and it is the most peaceful thing ever.
Recipient Testimonial 6
With your help, I was able to have a big weight lifted off my shoulders. I was very worried about my transition from care to independent living, especially when it came to buying everything I would need. Luckily for me, you were able to help me. I know ‘stuff’ doesn’t make a place a home, but your help make it much easier to make this place a home. I am grateful.
What does it
cost to help?
There are a variety of ways that you can help and an option for every budget:
- If you only have $10 to give, you can buy laundry detergent or oven mitts,
- $25 will buy a tool set or a shower curtain,
- $50 will buy a set of dishes and cutlery,
- $75 will buy a vacuum cleaner, broom and dustpan,
- $90 will buy an infant car seat,
- $100 will buy an alarm clock, comforter, set of sheets and pillows.
If you have more support to give, you would be providing much-needed furniture:
- $225 will buy a crib, mattress and highchair,
- $300 will buy a comfortable chair for the living room,
- $500 will complete a bedroom, and
- $900 will complete a kitchen and a bathroom.
NYC housing grants may provide furniture support for referred NYC youth, allowing Hearts to Homes to provide the remaining essential furnishings for an average cost of $1,250. Housing grants are typically not available to youth outside of NYC, so furnishing costs rise to $2,900 with the provision of several essential furniture items, including a loveseat, chair, dinette, and bedroom set.
Please consider sharing our mission, and our current campaigns, with your friends.
It takes just a moment to help change a life.
Hearts to Homes is listed on GuideStar.
Non-Discriminatory Statement
Hearts to Homes does not, by policy or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, marital or military status, or based on any individual’s status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
