Department of Homeless Services311Search all NYC.gov websites
Meet Our Sponsors
Carnegie Hall - Weill Music Institute
Community Works
Disney/ABC Television Group - VoluntEARS
Free Arts NYC - Free Arts Day Program
Garden of Dreams Foundation
generationOn Community Service Programs
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Museum of the City of New York - Public Programs
NYC & Company – Mayor’s Take Me Out to the Ballgame Program
Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
Carnegie Hall - Weill Music Institute
Over the last 20 years, Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute has presented a wide array of concerts and performances to New Yorkers in shelter, working with DHS to match various populations to the musically varied experiences of its Neighborhood Concert Series. Taking place throughout the year and throughout the city, the endeavor enables children and adults to be exposed to live music at some of the city's premier cultural institutions, including the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the Brooklyn Museum, and Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education.
With the inception of the Musical Connections program three years ago, DHS' partnership with Carnegie Hall has continued to grow, providing access to live music while addressing the needs of individuals in challenging social and economic circumstances, including those in shelters, prisons, hospitals, and senior centers. As part of this undertaking, Carnegie Hall hosts highly successful three-month songwriting workshops, which enable participants to express themselves through the development of creative lyrics and melodies.
Furthermore, Carnegie Hall has also invited clients in shelter to participate in its innovative Community Sing project, which brings musical artists from around the world to educate groups about the process of making music. Reflecting on Carnegie Hall's mission to connect music to the widest possible audience, the Weill Music Institute will serve more than 350,000 individuals through its programs this season alone, as it continues to collaborate with DHS and a number of other partners.
Visit the Carnegie Hall - Weill Music Institute website
Community Works
Community Works links DHS clients to two dynamic programs: Theater Connections and Saturdays at the Dwyer Cultural Center.
Through its partnership with major art and cultural venues in neighborhoods throughout the city, Theater Connections brings an array of multicultural performing arts events to families in shelter. During these daytime performances-which are especially targeted to preschool aged children and possess strong interactive and educational elements-established artists and the best emerging companies treat attendees to a dazzling spectrum of music, dance, and theater that exemplify the beauty and richness of the arts.
Combining film screenings, concerts, theater performances, and art classes, Saturdays at the Dwyer Cultural Center offers programming for all ages in a state-of-the-art cultural center in Harlem.
Visit the Community Works website
Disney/ABC Television Group - VoluntEARS
For more than 20 years, Disney/ABC Television Group has sponsored programs for families in shelter, hosting an assortment of events specifically during the holiday season. Aiming to brighten the holidays for DHS clients, the Adopt-a-Family and Santa Mickey programs embody the company's mission of championing the happiness and well-being of families throughout its annual endeavors.
Furthermore, through VoluntEARS-the volunteer department of Disney-employees from both Disney and ABC Television donate their time to work on an array of special projects, ranging from making blankets by hand for infants to painting murals for families living in shelter.
In addition, Disney/ABC Television Group has continued to provide tickets to Disney theatrical productions, including Disney on Ice. In-kind donations of Disney products, such as books, artwork, and prizes from the ABC show The View, are also made possible throughout the year.
Visit the Disney/ABC Television Group website
Free Arts NYC - Free Arts Day Program
Founded in 1998, Free Arts NYC has partnered with DHS for most of its existence, inviting school-aged children from City shelters to explore the artistic and cultural offerings of the five boroughs. As one of DHS' year-round partners, the organization also promotes the importance of mentoring, as it matches children with volunteer buddies to help them throughout each of the day-long Free Arts Day programs.
Working hand in hand with their buddies, children explore a variety of educational and historical themes through art projects that are usually followed up by lunch and live performances.
Finally, the organization also facilitates a number of special field trips, including visits to the Guggenheim Museum, Cirque Du Soleil, and the Big Apple Circus.
Visit the Free Arts NYC website
Garden of Dreams Foundation
Madison Square Garden's philanthropic organization Garden of Dreams has-in its five years of existence-collaborated with DHS and other partners to serve more than 185,000 families in the tri-state area. Providing tickets to a number of sports and entertainment events at the Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the Beacon Theater, Garden of Dreams enables families in shelter to attend New York Knicks, Liberty, and Rangers games, in addition to an array of concerts and musical performances, including the Christmas Spectacular, Walking with Dinosaurs, and the Lipizzaner Stallions.
Additionally, the foundation organizes encounters with sports teams and athletes, during which children participate in activities on the floor of the Garden, meet sports legends, and partner with team members to tour famous New York City landmarks. Always being mindful of educational opportunities, Garden of Dreams also hosts initiatives, such as FUSE Rocks the Classroom, through which teens in shelter learn about the television industry, and Knicks City Dancers, which promotes healthy lifestyle demonstrations.
Visit the Garden of Dreams Foundation website
generationOn Community Service Programs
Aiming to teach the value of volunteerism and community service, generationOn continues to engage families in shelter through an array of service-themed programming. As the youth division of Points of Light Institute, generationOn has unified the nation's leading youth service organizations under one umbrella, including New York-based Children for Children, The League, and Learning to Give.
Building on New York City's outstanding commitment to volunteerism, generationOn provides youngsters with an opportunity to see the issues in their communities and become part of the solution. From the Grow Involved event on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to Sweat for Nets, generationOn's activities offer a menu of age-appropriate opportunities to learn about helping others, while simultaneously having fun in the process.
Visit the generationOn website
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Since 2004, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum has generously welcomed more than 2,000 families and veterans from over 40 City shelters onto its decks for a multitude of educational events.
Giving attendees an up-close look at one of the most famous aircraft carriers of all times, the museum launched its partnership with DHS through the development of its Gift of Thanksgiving program, an event that annually closes the vessel to the public and provides an extraordinary Thanksgiving celebration for shelter residents.
Over the years, the collaboration between DHS and the Intrepid has continued to grow, offering sports workshops featuring professional athletes, storytelling/musical workshops with renowned performers, and special Kids Days that offer additional activities, such as face painting and crafts. All events include full access to the many exhibits and activities aboard the ship, which often include private tours.
In 2012, DHS and the Intrepid embarked on a new leg of their partnership-through Community Connections, the museum holds on-site educational and historical workshops that utilize exhibits and artifacts from the Intrepid's collection.
Visit the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum website
Museum of the City of New York - Public Programs
The Museum of the City of New York offers interactive, entertaining, and educational performances for all ages by groups representing genres running the gamut from sword dancing to salsa, and one-woman theater routines to hip hop dance and Latin music concerts. In the company of artists and authors, the museum also employs arts and crafts workshops for children, linked to its many new exhibitions on the social history of New York City. Private tours of the museum are also part of the program, and admission fees are waived for DHS shelter residents.
Visit the Museum of the City of New York - Public Programs website
NYC & Company - Mayor's Take Me Out to the Ballgame Program
As the official tourism office for the City of New York, NYC & Company also commits itself to enriching the lives of low-income households through New York City sporting events. By maintaining partnerships with sports teams and colleges, the agency connects children in shelter to top-notch sporting matches, including basketball games at St. John's University, minor league baseball games at the Brooklyn Cyclones' MCU Park, and track-and-field meets.
Visit the NYC & Company website
Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation
Founded in 1995, the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation aims to enrich the lives of America's youth, focusing on opportunities that provide educational offerings to populations across the nation and the world. Executing this goal in New York City, the foundation has maintained a long-standing partnership with DHS, reaching out specifically to teenagers in shelter.
Through Tours for Teens, young adults in shelter learn about the fashion industry through a visit to the Tommy Hilfiger corporate headquarters. Additionally, as one of the only organizations to specifically tailor holiday events to this age group, the company invites teens to its offices each December for a night of food, entertainment, and dancing.
Reaching out to other populations, the Tommy Hilfiger USA sponsors the donation of thousands of new designer clothing items to infants, children, men, and women at family shelters throughout the five boroughs. These donations are made throughout the year, allowing shelter residents to benefit from exciting, yet practical, gifts.
Finally, the foundation continues its generosity by underwriting the cost of the monthly Gotta Groove dance workshops and recreational outings for homeless families. As an endeavor that began in a dance studio, Gotta Groove has since expanded to facilitate outings to parks, bowling alleys, and more.