Life After Homelessness: NYC's Hearts of Gold Helps Shelter Families Reach Their Goals

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Aug 12, 2014, 10:30 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Homelessness in New York City reached an all-time high in April 2014, when a record 54,667 homeless people, including 13,001 families with 23,116 children, were sleeping each night in the municipal shelter system.

Hearts of Gold Founder & Executive Director Deborah Koenigsberger revs up the crowd at the organization's 2014 Walk for Kids, supporting NYC's homeless mothers and children. For more information or to support Hearts of Gold, visit www.heartsofgold.org. Photo: Jeffrey Gamble (PRNewsFoto/Hearts of Gold)

Nonprofit organization Hearts of Gold is working to reduce that number by tackling the root causes of homelessness: disintegration of extended families, domestic violence, joblessness, and a lack of education and basic life skills. "We partner with city shelters to address critical quality-of-life issues, empower homeless mothers and their children with a sense of hope, and help them rebuild their independence," said Founder and President Deborah Koenigsberger.

Hearts of Gold's summer fundraising efforts included a "Walk for Kids" Fundraiser in Riverside Park and a "45" Dance Party at the Manhattan Penthouse. Proceeds of more than $160,000 fund programs for mothers and children at the organization's adopted shelters, which include providing everything from diapers, meals, tutoring and school supplies, to career planning and crisis intervention counseling.

Upcoming fundraising events include:

August 15: Back to School Street Fair, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 25^th Street between Broadway and Sixth Avenue. Nearly 200 shelter children supported by Hearts of Gold receive back-to-school supplies at this celebration, with a DJ, games and activities for all.
November 11: Hearts of Gold's 18^th Annual Fall Gala, 6:00 p.m. at the New York Stock Exchange. Hearts of Gold's celebrity-studded fundraising event celebrates 20 years of service with a runway fashion show, live and silent auctions and after-party.

Founded in 1994, Hearts of Gold has raised more than $7 million to help homeless New York City families exit the city's shelters and thrive on their own. The organization supports more than 1,000 mothers and children in residence annually in shelters operated by Nazareth Housing, Semiperm and Freedom House. To donate, or to learn more about Hearts of Gold, visit http://www.heartsofgold.org or call (212) 206-1461.

About Hearts of Gold: Founded in 1994 and incorporated in 2001 by former model, fashion stylist and owner of Noir et Blanc boutique Deborah Koenigsberger, Hearts of Gold (HoG) is a nonprofit organization that fosters sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. HoG and its resale boutique, The Thrifty HoG, have raised in excess of $7 million in support of New York City shelters operated by Nazareth Housing, Semiperm and Freedom House. Koenigsberger and her work have been featured in The New York Times, NY1 News, NBC's Today Show and WCBS. The organization has attracted the support of celebrities including Amy Carlson, Kirsten Dunst, Edie Falco, Emme, Marcia Gay Harden, Lawrence Konner, Hoda Kotb, Laura Linney, Soledad O'Brien, Malaak Compton Rock, Rhonda Ross, Susan Sarandon, Ivana Trump, Tamara Tunie and Stevie Wonder. For more information, visit http://www.heartsofgold.org/.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140811/135284

SOURCE Hearts of Gold