Hope for New York

"Faces of Hope" HFNY's Sixth Annual Spring Benefit

05/14/12

Hope for New York held our Sixth Annual Spring Benefit “Faces of Hope” on Thursday, May 10 at Church of the Holy Apostles in Chelsea. Spearheaded by HFNY’s Young Supporters Committee, the event gathered over 400 attendees and featured portraits of and stories from HFNY volunteers, supporters, and clients, as well as a message from Rev. Jeff White, Assistant Pastor of Redeemer’s Downtown congregation. More...

One of Hope for New York's Youngest Young Supporters

03/22/12

Adam Kramer, the 11-year old son of Upper West Siders Dan and Margaret Kramer and big brother to Eli and Daniel, is most likely one of Hope for New York’s youngest donors. Earlier this year, after hearing a Hope for New York testimony during a Redeemer service and watching a news story about homeless kids in Florida, Adam decided to empty his wallet and give half his money to Hope for New York and half to a Florida-based organization that serves the homeless. More...

Volunteers Empowered at Don't Walk By

02/14/12

New Yorkers are in desperate need of empowerment to serve our homeless brothers and sisters, and that’s why we at Hope for New York are so excited about this month’s Don’t Walk By outreach. Every Saturday this month, hundreds of Don’t Walk By volunteers are canvassing the city on a search for the homeless, offering the people they encounter care kits and an invitation to return to a nearby church for food and medical assistance. But, beyond looking to meet immediate and practical needs, Don’t Walk By volunteers are actually engaging with people living on the street— learning their names, listening to their stories, and praying for them. More...

Joy to New York

01/04/12

This past Christmas was a wonderfully successful season at Hope for New York. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to collect over 1,500 toys and raise nearly $25,000 for our Christmas Toy Campaign – both a record high! More...

Giving the Gift of Hope

12/14/11

Elise Chong

As we reflect on this past year, we are overjoyed by the countless ways Hope for New York volunteers and donors have been generous with their time and resources to serve the poor and marginalized in New York City. In this season, we are greatly encouraged by the important work of our affiliates across New York City. More...

His Toy Store: Help Us Reach Our Goal by Dec 4th!

11/28/11

Our goal for His Toy Store this year is to collect 1,750 new toys from our church partners for children of low-income families in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem and Washington Heights. So far, we have collected 746 toys - help us reach our goal by Sunday, December 4th! More...

His Toy Store 2011: Christmas is Here!

11/03/11

Savina KimJohnson

Hope for New York created His Toy Store to provide toys to families in need during the Christmas season. In December, HFNY volunteers set up and run several "Toy Stores" in low income neighborhoods, and churches invite families to shop for toys at these stores at no cost. Through this program, families often make a lasting connection to local churches. There are many ways to get involved! Donate new toys, give toward the Christmas program, or volunteer your time! More...

Christmas, Already?

09/28/11

Savina KimJohnson

Believe it or not Christmas is just around the corner! HFNY loves Christmas, and we know that it can be a tough season for low-income families. That’s why we have two programs to serve our neighbors: Angel Tree and His Toy Store. Last year, over 250 HFNY volunteers set up “toy stores” at neighborhood churches all over the city and we gave away over 3,000 toys to over 700 families. Through the Angel Tree program, we gave away toys and clothing to over 200 children whose parent is incarcerated. More...

"Serving our Youth" Volunteer Fair

08/29/11

Savina KimJohnson

On Sunday, September 25, don’t miss Hope for New York's Volunteer Fair: "Serving Our Youth" edition. This is a great opportunity to connect with HFNY organizations that serve the children and youth of our city. Come check out their work, find volunteer opportunities you can get involved in and be a part of renewing our city by impacting the next generation! The Fairs will follow the East Side 10:30AM and West Side 5:00PM and 7:15 PM Redeemer Presbyterian Church's worship services. More...

Hurricane Irene Resources

08/26/11

Veronica Cho

Hurricane Irene has passed, but we would like to make sure that everyone is well informed about potential next steps. Please check out these websites to make sure that all your needs are met during this time. Volunteer needs are also below. More...

Hope for New York Mentors

07/29/11

Savina KimJohnson

Hope for New York partners with key organizations that serve the children and youth of our city. Here is a story of how a HFNY volunteer at the Morris Academy Mentoring program is making a difference in the life of a teenager by serving as a mentor... More...

HFNY's 5th Annual Spring Benefit

05/26/11

Savina KimJohnson

Hope for New York held its Fifth Annual Spring Benefit “Unto Others” on Thursday, May 12 at Holy Apostles Church in Chelsea. Spearheaded by HFNY’s Young Supporters Committee, the evening kicked off with a dynamic gospel choir performance and encouraged 350 attendees to respond to Jesus’ call to service in Matthew 7:12: “So in everything, do unto others what you would have them do to you”. More...

Easter Sacrificial Offering

04/13/11

On Easter Sunday, April 24th, Apostles and Redeemer Presbyterian Church will collect the annual Easter Sacrificial Offering for Hope for New York. 100% of the offering received will be used as direct grants to HFNY affiliates to sustain programs and expand services to the poor. This year, Hope for New York will also distribute technical assistance grants to affiliates in order to increase their capacity to effectively lead and manage their organizations. More...

Living Justly in an Unjust World

03/29/11

What a fantastic event! Great discussion on justice with Tim Keller. Thank you to Lauren Green for stepping in on short notice for a sick Martin Bashir. We are so grateful for the hundreds who came and quickly filled Ethical Culture to its capacity - 800! And, thank you to those who patiently waited outside but were turned away due to the tremendous overflow. And, finally, thank you to the volunteers and staff from Redeemer and Hope for New York who made this event possible! More...

St. Paul’s House Movie Night: A Reel Time to Share

03/21/11

Albin Sadar

“I don’t remember ever wanting to accomplish anything in particular,” commented one of the St. Paul’s House regular attendees at the Movie Night discussion following “The Astronaut Farmer.” The film tells the story of a NASA-program dropout who builds his own rocket and circles the earth in it. Against all odds, the hero fulfills his lifelong dream. I was taken aback by the “accomplishment” response, mostly because the fellow making the statement said it with no particular emotion, verbally shrugging off his answer. More...

Change. It's happening...

02/01/11

Don't Walk By is a massive homeless outreach that started on January 8 and will go until February 5. Every Saturday, hundred of volunteers fan out the streets of NYC looking for homeless men, women and children. These men and women are then offered a meal at a church nearby and once they arrive, they are offered blankets, clothes, medical assistance, and resources. Read one of the many stories of a new beginning, a second chance that is given to all of us. In Him. More...

Don't Walk By - Transforming NYC

01/10/11

Don't Walk By is a Rescue Alliance initiative. The Rescue Alliance is a partnership of faith-based ministries that are focused on offering homeless men, women and children an alternative to living on the streets. The goal is to educate and mobilize New Yorkers to compassionately engage homeless men, women and children throughout the city. This massive outreach has started already! On January 8 we had our first outreach and it gathered an army of volunteers glorifying God and delivering his healing love and physical restoration to so many. More...

His Toy Store - We have reached our goal!

11/22/10

Our goal this year is to distribute over 3,500 toys to children of low-income families. We are so thankful that once again, we have reached our toy goal! Our goal in numbers: * Raise $20,000 to buy wholesale toys (We raised $21,915) * Collect 1,050 toys from our church partners (We collected 898 toys) We will purchase the rest of the toys with the donations we have received! More...

Jingle Bells....

11/02/10

Michelle Frey

Hope for New York loves Christmas, and we know that it can be one tough season for low-income families. That’s why we have two Christmas programs: Angel Tree and His Toy Store. These two programs have been serving low-income families in neighborhoods across New York City for many years. Read a testimony from one of the churches in the Bronx where HFNY had a His Toy Store last year: More...

Young Supporters Event | What is Mercy?

10/12/10

The HFNY Young Supporters Committee is hosting an event at Gossip Bar on Thursday, October 21 at 7:30PM. What is Mercy? Featuring a panel including Shandra Velez of St. Paul's House, James Winans of the Bowery Mission, Desiree Thomas a HFNY volunteer and David Kim of Gotham Fellows. More...

Hope for New York Charity Bike Ride

08/11/10

If you enjoy biking and have the desire to serve the poor, join the Hope for New York cycling team! It is a great way to raise awareness and funds for HFNY Affiliates that serve the poor and marginalized in our city. No experience? No problem. You can get in shape with the HFNY cycling team through a series of training rides. Not only is it fun, it will be a great opportunity to meet other bike enthusiasts while raising funds for a good cause. More...

Professionals In Action

07/26/10

Hope for New York has just launched its summer batch of Professionals in Action (PIA) projects. PIA is HFNY's effort to utilize skilled volunteers to meet the needs of our affiliates, specifically by completing a short term pro-bono project for an organization serving NYC's poor and marginalized. To learn more and to find out how you can serve, please go to hfny.org/pia or email More...

Awesome Volunteer Awards

06/17/10

On June 10, nearly 150 volunteers and affiliate staff attended HFNY's inaugural Awesome Volunteer Awards (AVA) Ceremony at The Father's Heart Ministries. The evening began with refreshments and a slide show featuring photos of volunteers in action and quotes on their service. During dinner, affiliate staff enjoyed a meal with their valuable volunteers. More...

A Changed Life

03/04/10

My name is Carlos. I came from Trinidad to the USA in 1989 and moved to Queens. I started to work as a security guard for Saks Fifth Ave for five dollars an hour. After about four months, I was asked to work there full time. My salary jumped from making five dollars to thirty dollars an hour, then $30,000 a year to $80,000 a year. I was really happy. I had never seen money like this in my life. I thought I was on top of the world. More...

Haiti Earthquake Relief

01/21/10

Some of you have been wondering how to respond to the crisis in Haiti. If you are looking for ways to support the relief efforts, please consider giving to World Vision, a Hope for New York affiliate. World Vision has been working in Haiti for 30 years and had 370 employees in Port-au-Prince when the quake occurred. For more information, visit their website: www.worldvision.org More...

Thank You!

01/05/10

We want to thank you for the generosity you have shown this past Christmas! Because of you, we were able to collect over 900 toys and $6,700 in donations through our November toy drive. That enabled us to distribute gifts to over 3200 children throughout the city. More...

HFNY's Impact at the Bowery Mission Women Center

12/09/09

Debbie Jonnes

The Bowery Mission Women’s Center is the newest residential program of the Bowery Mission, serving homeless women for over 4½ years. Women come to our Center for many different reasons – fleeing domestic violence, struggling with long term substance abuse, job loss, loss of home and other hardships. Their life stories often reflect great pain, disappointments, shame and broken relationships. More...

Love In Action and Truth: Serving the City

10/04/09

On Sunday, October 4th, there was a “Love In Action & Truth” event sponsored by RENEW and Hope for New York (HFNY). The goal of the event was to mobilize Redeemer congregants to serve the city during the month of October as a response to the vision message on “Hope for the Poor.” According to 1 John 3, the gospel calls for involvement in each others’ lives, involvement in our neighborhoods, and involvement in the life of the poor. More...

2009 Bike-A-Thon

07/07/09

Ready to Ride? Come join the HFNY cycling team in raising funds to support the work that benefits the poor and marginalized in New York City. More...

Give HOPE

05/14/09

As the economy has dipped and turned, we as a community have felt each jolt and wondered how best to react. Over 200 young adults participated in the 3rd Annual Hope for New York Spring Benefit on May, 13th where they heard an answer to that lingering question. Simply put: give HOPE. More...

Hope for New York Easter Sacrificial Offering

03/31/09

Each Easter, Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Apostles Church in New York City collect a special offering for Hope for New York (HFNY), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. 100% of the offering received is given in the form of direct grants to HFNY's affiliate organizations that serve the poor and marginalized throughout New York City. More...

Update: Hope for New York's New Executive Director

01/28/09

The Board of Hope for New York is pleased to announce that Elise Chong has been selected as Executive Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of service to our city. Her passion for HFNY's mission and vision tightly coupled to her skills and insights for nurturing all of the relationships that make HFNY effective emerged as the most compelling attributes in support of the selection. More...

A Year in Review

12/17/08

Kristian Rose

2008 has been a year of unprecedented need and unprecedented generosity. We're entirely grateful to our faithful volunteers and donors who have enabled us to serve more people this year than ever before. More...

Serve NYC this Thanksgiving

10/20/08

Juliet Yera

In just a few weeks many New Yorkers will be gathering with friends and family to celebrate an American holiday focused on giving thanks, yet there are many in our city that are unable to celebrate due to the hardships of life. Consider offering hope to those struggling in NYC by serving through one of Hope for New York’s affiliate organizations this Thanksgiving. Please review the list of Thanksgiving service opportunities and contact our affiliate organizations to sign up! More...

The Most Valuable Investment

09/18/08

Donna Sells

Successful mentoring requires a considerable investment of time, intellect, and emotions but can yield some of the most valuable rewards for the next generation of New Yorkers. More...

Families Help At-Risk Students Be Prepared for School

09/02/08

Hope for New York and Redeemer Presbyterian Church partnered to support family friendly volunteering through the annual backpack project. More...

Hope for a New Mother

06/17/08

At a time of need, a Hope for New York volunteer was able to give hope and assurance to a new mother through the programs at Midtown Pregnancy Support Center. More...

HFNY Spring Benefit

06/13/08

Juliet Yera

It is a typical site across Manhattan for groups of young professionals to gather after hours at a local spot and talk about life and work in New York. It is not typical however, that this group would meet for the purpose of raising awareness and funds for the poor and marginalized. But that is exactly what happened at the 2nd Annual Hope for New York Spring Benefit. More...

Isaiah 58

03/26/08

Jane Park

My first experience with the death of someone I loved was the passing of my grandmother who was 96 at the time. The next was with Margaret. But this experience was different. Despite her physical illness, Margaret was a dear friend of mine who I felt still had so many more years to live ... More...

Alleviating Suffering in Tough Times

12/10/07

Twice last week on my way to work as I stepped on the always-packed A Train, I experienced that excited feeling one gets upon spotting open seats during rush hour and knowing that you are likely to be one of the lucky few. I naturally, along with the people in front of me, made a bee line in that direction, but as I approached the seats I noticed the others pausing - as if pondering whether to sit - and then quickly moving away to another part of the car. I was momentarily perplexed, but then I arrived at the seat and noticed, sprawled in the adjacent ones, a passed out homeless man. As I moved away to escape the stench, my spirits fell low and I was consumed by the conviction that, as a Christian, I was supposed to react differently, to do something to help. What though? I felt powerless. More...

Fear or Hope

12/10/07

I recently moved from Manhattan's Upper East Side to the heart of Brooklyn, into a neighborhood consisting largely of Middle-Easterners and Eastern Europeans, and have consequently been forced to look at this city through a new set of lenses. I have observed with interest these subcultures as they establish their roots here and have wondered what neighborhoods such as mine imply about the future of New York. More...

All the Money in the World

12/10/07

Times are tough, and this city-so recently flush with prosperity-now hobbles along, crippled by rising unemployment rates, sliding stock prices, and a population with ever-diminishing expectations about what lies ahead. For so many of us, even members of God's eternal city, this sea change in circumstances has made us anxiously aware of the piles of shifting sand in which we have been placing our hopes. We are convicted, not comforted, by the Apostle's words in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." There is an antidote to the pervasive feeling of powerlessness brought on by the collapse of our misplaced hopes. More...

Emma Arbizu - Angel Tree

12/10/07

From Monday through Friday 9 to 5, my goal is to get from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible. I am on the first train, first car and stand closest to the door facing my stop. I take the fastest elevator up, avoid the talkers, slow walkers and women carrying big bags. My photo ID at hand to flash it without missing a beat, I am in the office on the dot. I figured I would shed some light in efficient management by volunteering for the Angel Tree Christmas party. More...