10 Years, 1000 Homes, Limitless Futures

Hello!

We have so much to celebrate!

As we continue our 10th year of service to young adults aging out of foster care, we are ushering in new leadership and new programs while honoring our roots and a wonderful past year. We invite you to read along for all the exciting news we have to share!

Heading into Our Next Decade,

Anthony Sabia Named Executive Director

We are pleased to announce that Anthony Sabia has been named the new Executive Director of Hearts to Homes, effective January 5, 2026. Anthony brings extensive experience and is known for his strategic, collaborative leadership and innovative approach to partnership development. He previously served as Executive Director of the Bridge Fund of New York, the largest privately funded eviction prevention program in New York City and Westchester. He also held multiple leadership positions at Covenant House, where he developed more than 100 housing units across New Jersey and New York, including Nancy's Place - an innovative permanent supportive housing program for young adult with severe and persistent mental illness.

"Working with homeless youth and young adults for the better part of my career, I have witnessed both the joy and the angst they face as they transition to independence. Hearts to Homes provides a critical stepping stone to that process, and I am proud to be a part of this mission and to contribute to a young person getting a head start to a happy and productive life," Anthony said.

We are grateful that Co-founder and Outgoing Executive Director Mary Theresa McCombe will work with Anthony during this transition period, sharing institutional knowledge and introducing him to our partners, donors, and community supporters.

As we look ahead to the next decade, and Anthony's leadership, we remain committed to ensuring that more young people moving on from foster care begin their adult lives in safe, fully furnished homes that offer comfort, dignity, and stability.

Year in Review: 2025

What an extraordinary year 2025 was! Our furnishing services were provided to 202 former foster youth, an increase from 183 in the prior year. This number included the parents of thirty-seven infants, toddlers, and young children. Hearts to Homes not only brings warmth, comfort, and support to individuals — we take pride in helping families as well.

Our young people found housing in all five boroughs of New York City, with Brooklyn having the highest numbers of requests. We also furnished apartments in Westchester, Suffolk and Rockland counties, and even took our services to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas when former NYC foster youth moved out-of-state after aging out of care.

Last year, we crossed the threshold of providing over $1,900,000 in furnishings since our inception in 2016. We added one new partner and one new program, Building Bright Beginnings, while continuing to seek out partnerships with additional organizations whose missions align with ours. Most importantly, we announced that we are now able to serve all youth aging out of foster care in our area without any of the previously limiting referral criteria.

Join Us for Open Hearts:

An Anniversary Gala

Like No Other!

This year, our annual Open Hearts Gala will be held at Inside Park at St. Bart's, 325 Park Avenue, on April 30, 2026.

We are pleased honor two incredible people as part of this special celebration—Outgoing Executive Director Mary Theresa McCombe & long-time advocate John McCombe. Together they represent a decade of compassion, leadership, and advocacy for young people aging out of foster care. Please consider becoming a sponsor or joining us for an evening of celebration in support of Hearts to Homes!

Click for Sponsorships and Tickets

Hearts to Homes Accepted as Member of

New Yorkers for Children's 2026-2027 Community Catalyst Fund Cohort

New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) announced eight organizations selected to join the 2026–2027 Community Catalyst Fund cohort, a two-year initiative designed to strengthen grassroots organizations working with children, youth, and families impacted by New York City’s child welfare system. Hearts to Homes is thrilled to be named as one of these eight.

The Community Catalyst Fund is supported by a five-year, $4 million investment from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, advancing NYFC’s work to strengthen New York City’s child welfare ecosystem by investing in mid-stage organizations with strong community ties and bold visions for change.

“These organizations reflect the leadership, creativity, and expertise that drive meaningful change in child welfare,” said Alan Yu, Executive Director of New Yorkers For Children. “Through the Community Catalyst Fund, we have paired unrestricted funding with practical supports that help leaders strengthen their organizations to ensure that they can better serve children and families across New York City.”

Introducing Our Newest Offering:

The Start Strong Wardrobe Program

What better way to celebrate our 10th anniversary than by finding a meaningful way to provide an extra dose of confidence for each young person who is referred to us for furnishing services!

We are grateful to Macy's for providing Hearts to Homes with a $10,000 grant to initiate our Start Strong Wardrobe Program! What does this mean? This generous donation guarantees that beginning March 1st, every former foster youth who is referred to us for assistance will be eligible to receive a Macy's gift card to start this new chapter in their lives with outfits that make them feel special. From smart work attire to building confidence through everyday style, this grant is a gift of dignity for these deserving young adults.

Please join us in thanking Macy's for their generosity! ❤️

Donate today to show a young adult aging out of foster care that you care about their tomorrow!

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.

From Foster Care to First Home

51 Lindbergh Place

Yonkers, NY 10707

(914) 400-7193

heartstohomes.org