HeartShare Human Services of New York
HeartShare Human Services of New York nurtures and empowers children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy and supports their families.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
HeartShare and its Family of Services have been responding to the needs of the New York community for over 100 years. The New York State and New York City government rely on HeartShare to deliver essential services, including housing, health care, education, employment training, grant opportunities and more to its most vulnerable citizens, including children and adults with developmental disabilities, children and families affected by foster care, and adults struggling with mental health and chemical dependency issues. HeartShare's goal is to help these core groups of people access the resources they need to reach stability and a more independent life.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Developmental Disabilities Services
HeartShare Developmental Disabilities Services assist children and adults diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, through numerous programs, including educational, life skills and vocational training, residential, case management, recreational and family support health care services. Through two of its affiliates, The HeartShare School and HeartShare Wellness, the agency offers quality education to children with autism and full diagnostic health services to those with developmental disabilities. Since its founding in 1914, HeartShare has expanded to over 100 program sites across Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. HeartShare is proud that 90% of all revenue goes directly in its programs and services. HeartShare is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children and is a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity.
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services
HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services (HSVS) empowers children, individuals and families to overcome the challenges of family crises, addiction, mental illness and poverty. Working together, HSVS opens new doors of opportunity to help clients achieve healthy and happy lives. With four programmatic divisions - Foster Care and Preventive Programs; Integrated Health Services; Residential and Housing Programs; Youth Development and Community Programs - HSVS staff members serve over 5,000 New Yorkers each year, including over 2,700 of the city’s most vulnerable youth. This continuum of services enables HSVS to meet clients’ unique circumstances and needs, equipping them with tools and skills needed to achieve their dreams. By offering a stable home, a safe place to go after school, a means to graduate college and the skills to achieve physical and mental well-being, HSVS equalizes opportunities for those who need it most.
The HeartShare School
The HeartShare Education Center, known widely as The HeartShare School, opened in 2007 for children ages 5-21 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and the TEACCH approach, The HeartShare School utilizes the New York City Common Core Curriculum, working to shape academic goals to meet each child’s individual needs. The HeartShare School also offers speech, counseling, adapted physical education, occupational and physical therapies. The HeartShare School seeks to customize the academic and development level for each student, which is achieved through a variety of means, including computers and iPads equipped with specialized learning apps, enrichment opportunities like the Annual Science Fair and Career Day, as well as opportunities to take individual music and art lessons. In a group setting, The HeartShare School choir and rock band are both creative and therapeutic, encouraging self-expression during rehearsals and year-round student performances. The HeartShare School is a resource that was developed to meet the needs of special education students in the Brooklyn community and continues to provide an unparalleled education for these young people, while preparing them for the brightest and most productive future as adults.
HeartShare Wellness
HeartShare Wellness, Ltd., established in 2000, offers evaluations and therapy for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as a targeted case management program for those with chronic conditions. The Mental Health (Article 16) Clinic offers speech, occupational and physical therapies, individual and group counseling, psychological and psychosocial evaluations, as well as sexuality assessments. The Dental Clinic offers preventative, basic restorative and specialty dental care, for people with disabilities. Health Home Targeted Case Management Program (TCM) provides important case management services for children and adults with two or more chronic conditions, such as diabetes, asthma or severe depression. Health Home aims to reduce the number of hospitalizations and Emergency Room visits for this group and in turn, stabilizing the individual’s health and quality of life.
HeartShare Wellness has merged its Medical (Article 28) Clinic, including pediatrics, adolescent and adult psychiatry, podiatry, neurology, optometry and women’s health, with Metro Community Health Centers to form a network of five clinics throughout New York City. The affiliation with Metro Health is enabling the medical clinic to grow and thrive in a rapidly changing health care environment.
Energy Assistance and Community Development
HeartShare Energy Assistance & Community Development uplifts low-income families throughout New York State. In partnership with utility companies, elected officials and community organization, we administer small grants to people experiencing poverty, such as veterans and senior citizens, handle utility costs through extreme weather. HeartShare’s efforts include an annual trip to the Capitol, where the team advocates for federal funding, such as for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Reflective of HeartShare’s dexterity in responding to the needs of the community, HeartShare’s Community Development Program also has been deployed under dire circumstances. We helped families get back on their feet following Superstorm Sandy. Together, these services ensure that our most vulnerable New Yorkers are safe and healthy.
Where we work
Awards
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the total number of New Yorkers served in programs at HeartShare and its Family of Services, including The HeartShare School, HeartShare Wellness and HeartShare St. Vincent's Services.
Number of public events held to further mission
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Fundraiser events include 5Ks, golf outings, benefit dinners, a fashion show, baseball game and toy drive.
Number of list subscribers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
This is the number of subscribers on the HeartShare donor e-mail list.
Number of children with disabilities receiving early intervention services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers
Related Program
Developmental Disabilities Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare evaluated and educated children with special needs, as well as UPK students.
Number of adults with disabilities living in congregate care facilities
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Developmental Disabilities Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare offered homes and apartments to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Number of individuals applying skills learned through the organization's training
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Developmental Disabilities Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare offered learning opportunities with a focus on community inclusion to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Number of families who report they are supported in utilizing natural supports in their communities (e.g., family, friends, neighbors, churches, colleges, recreational services)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Caregivers, People with disabilities, People with intellectual disabilities
Related Program
Developmental Disabilities Services
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare offered respite for families caring for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Total number of grants awarded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Energy Assistance and Community Development
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare uplifted low-income New Yorkers through energy grants and responding to the needs of the community.
Number of children with autism spectrum disorder receiving special services by age 48 months
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adolescents
Related Program
The HeartShare School
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The HeartShare School educated children and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.
Number of children in foster care who have stable placements
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Infants and toddlers, Children and youth, Ethnic and racial groups
Related Program
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services placed children in healthier home environments.
Number of older adults where emergency room admission is prevented
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults, Seniors
Related Program
HeartShare Wellness
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Health Home Targeted Case Management provides case management services to children and adults with two or more chronic conditions.
Number of people who received clinical mental health care
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults
Related Program
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services empowers children and adults to achieve heightened wellbeing through mental health and chemical dependency clinics.
Number of youth receiving services (e.g., groups, skills and job training, etc.) with youths living in their community
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, At-risk youth
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HSVS encourages children and youth in our community programs and our youth in foster care to develop positive and constructive relationships, expand their experiences and achieve their dreams.
Number of children and youth with disabilities living in congregate care facilities
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of youth who plan to attend post-secondary education
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, At-risk youth
Related Program
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services supported youth in foster care achieve their college and career dreams through the American Dream Program.
Number of clients who self-report increased skills/knowledge after educational program/intervention
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services offered resources to strengthen families in crisis.
Number of community-based organizations providing primary prevention services in substance abuse
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Substance abusers
Related Program
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services has clinics in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
The mission of HeartShare Human Services of New York is to nurture and support, with dignity and respect, children, adults and families in order to expand opportunities and enhance lives.
To achieve this, HeartShare responds to the needs of the New York community. HeartShare opened its doors to assist 5,000 teens transitioning from orphanages with no place to live or work. It created programs to help orphaned refugee children following the Vietnam War in the 1970s, to offer housing and case management during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and to offer a safe place for children to go after school during the drug epidemic of the 1990s. When the community needed special education classrooms, HeartShare opened a school for children with autism. When young adults aging out of foster care needed a safety net, the then St. Vincent's Services created the American Dream Program to help youth achieve their college and career dreams and since becoming HSVS has transformed that program to meet the needs of more young people both financially and programmatically. Past and present, the agency works with New York's most vulnerable to build the independence needed to lead the life they want.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
To achieve this mission:
1. HeartShare encourages people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to direct their own lives. HeartShare's Developmental Disabilities Services nurture and empower children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy. From early childhood to adulthood, HeartShare supports people with disabilities to get a sound education and lead happy and fulfilling lives in the community.
2. HeartShare helps low-income New Yorkers stay safe and healthy. In partnership with utility companies, elected officials and community organizations, HeartShare helps people experiencing poverty handle utility costs and educates the public about what this group needs to stay safe and healthy.
3. HeartShare St. Vincent's Services wants to strengthen children and families overcoming personal crises. By offering a stable home, a safe place to go after school, a means to graduate college and the skills to achieve physical and mental well-being, HSVS equalizes opportunities for those who need it most.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
HeartShare has over 100 program locations, which work directly with children, adults and families in need.
HeartShare's Developmental Disabilities Services offers people with disabilities greater access to independence. HeartShare invests in the potential of children with disabilities with evaluations and in special needs classrooms that customize learning and therapies. HeartShare develops homes and apartments that help people with disabilities become an integral part of their community. HeartShare develops learning opportunities that encourage self-exploration through recreational activities, facilitates life-skills training, and offers vocational and training experiences that prepare people for competitive jobs in corporate, retail and educational settings throughout New York City. HeartShare also supports families caring for those with disabilities at home, including respite programs, grant opportunities and in-home community habilitation services that enhance quality of life. HeartShare coordinates health services for patients with complex health needs. Tying this all together, HeartShare's Medicaid Service Coordination connects people with disabilities and their families to internal and partner agency resources.
HeartShare Energy Assistance & Community Development uplifts low-income families throughout New York State. In partnership with utility companies, elected officials and community organization, we administer small grants to people experiencing poverty, such as veterans and senior citizens, handle utility costs through extreme weather. Reflective of HeartShare's dexterity in responding to the needs of the community, HeartShare's Community Development Program also has been deployed under dire circumstances. We helped families get back on their feet following Superstorm Sandy. Together, these services ensure that our most vulnerable New Yorkers are safe and healthy.
HeartShare St. Vincent's Services finds stable loving homes for children, as well as offers family services to prevent the placement of children into foster care. HSVS has Outpatient Mental Health and Chemical Dependence Clinics. HSVS supported apartments and group homes offer vulnerable children, youth and adults a safe place to reach their goals and transition to a more independent life. HSVS encourages the participants in our community programs and our youth in foster care to make positive connections, expand their experiences and achieve their college and career dreams. HSVS also has several after-school programs for children and youth.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
In its over 100 years of service to the New York community, HeartShare has made a difference in the lives of New Yorkers in need. David who was born chemically dependent and premature, is now healthy and living in a loving adoptive home. Tallal, a child diagnosed with non-verbal autism, and against all odds, now speaks. Dea, who grew up in foster care and never thought higher education was attainable, is attending college. Erick, a skilled, hard-working man with a developmental disability, finally accessed the equal opportunity to work in a competitive job. These are just a few of the over 36,000 at-risk New Yorkers for whom HeartShare provides services to improve their well-being.
We also have become a solidly accredited and trusted provider, which measures impact to improve how we transform lives. This means that we're constantly aware of how to become more efficient and more responsive to the needs of the community. In the face of a competitive New York market, HeartShare is working on how to further strengthen its fundraising repertoire by diversifying its revenue stream, updating its fundraiser traditions and focusing on digital marketing. In the face of slow growing wages determined by government funding, HeartShare continues to foster a high performing workforce through a culture of learning, feedback and growth, like management training opportunities and employee recognition. In the face of changing and increasing government regulations, HeartShare continues to collaborate with its program participants, peer agencies and government leaders to ensure that the agency adapts to industry changes, such as in the health care arena, but also to what New Yorkers need for a better life.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
HeartShare Human Services of New York
Board of directorsas of 11/30/2023
Paul Torre
AST Fund Solutions
Arleen Baez
Alpine Woods Capital Investors, LLC
Joseph R. Benfante
The Law Offices of Joseph R. Benfante, P.C.
Patrick S. Flanagan
St. John's University
Kenneth Nolan
Speiser Krause, PC
Peter E. Pisapia, Esq.
TIAA-CREF
Jim Kerr
Frank J. Maresca
Broadridge Financial Solutions
Joseph Malone
First Eagle Investments
Matthew Lipsky
JP Morgan
Renee McClure
National Grid
Mitchell Scott
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes