Two storied histories, one powerful future.
For over 150 years, Heartshare has responded to the needs of the New York community. Formed from two Brooklyn organizations born from the Catholic Church around the turn of the 19th Century, today's agency continues to be driven by the belief that every single person deserves to be listened to, respected, and given the opportunity to thrive.
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1869
THE ORIGINAL NEWSIES HOME
St. Vincent’s Services opens as a home for young working boys, many of whom either had no family, or had families too poor to care for them.
1906
A NEW HQ ON BOERUM
66 Boerum Place opens as a foster home. By 1920, 250 boys call this building home. Today, it remains the headquarters of Heartshare St. Vincent’s Family Services.
1914
Catholic guardian society opens
Catholic Guardian Society is created to support 5,000 orphaned teens and destitute children upon their release from childcare institutions and orphanages.
1931
BUILDING OUT CARE & SUPPORT
Catholic Guardian Society expands services for youth 16 years and older. The organizations works to find permanent homes and jobs, and to provide appropriate counseling.
1940s
More than a home
In the 1940s, the boys of St. Vincent’s start attending local schools, better preparing them to become part of society. By the 1950s, St Vincent’s increases its professional staff and programs to include athletic teams and recreational activities.
1975
THE CITY’S FIRST PREVENTION PROGRAM
As a better alternative to foster care, New York City’s first prevention program opens, providing counseling to families in crisis to keep them united and avoid foster care placement of their children.
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1977
developmental Disability services is born
Under a Federal court mandate after the exposure of horrific conditions at Willowbrook State School on Staten Island, New York State agrees to close the institution and provide community-based living for over 5,000 individuals. Heartshare opens its first group home – the Clinton Residence – for eight boys, seven of whom are Willowbrook survivors.
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1978
ACCEPTANCE VIA THE REFUGEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Spurred by the vast numbers of unaccompanied immigrant Vietnamese, Cambodian, Amerasian and Haitian children, Heartshare is one of only four NYC agencies to establish a Refugee Assistance Foster Care Program to protect those minors as they arrive in Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.
1982
pioneering early childhood centers
Two First Step Early Childhood Centers are opened, providing early intervention support for children with developmental disabilities. The Centers are the first of their kind in New York City for children aged two to five.
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1986
new epidemic, new program needs
In response to the AIDS epidemic, the Positive Caring Services program opens, supporting infants and youth living with HIV/AIDS and other medically fragile conditions, including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and autism.
1988
COMMUNITY-INCLUSION FOR ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
As group homes flourish throughout our community, there is a corresponding need for additional adult day programs that provide training and community inclusion opportunities, consistent with the everyday rhythms of life. The first of many program sites opens in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
1992
CATHOLIC GUARDIAN SOCIETY BECOMES HEARTSHARE
Reflective of expanding and diverse programming, Catholic Guardian Society of Brooklyn and Queens changes its name to Heartshare Human Services of New York.
1993
OPENING RESIDENTIAL PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE
Some adults with developmental disabilities can live in the community with staff support and individualized service options rather than in a group home setting. Heartshare’s 35th Avenue Residence in Queens is the first supervised Independent Residential Alternative program in New York City.
1997
ALLOWING YOUTH IN CARE TO ACCESS THE AMERICAN DREAM
St. Vincent’s launches the American Dream Program, providing youth in care with educational coaching, mental health counseling and tuition assistance for both college and vocational schools.
2007
BUILDING A SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM
In response to requests from parents of children with autism, Heartshare expands its education services by developing a school-age program focused on children, ages five to 21 years, on the autism spectrum.
2012
STEPPING IN TO CREATE HEALTH STABILITY
The Health Home program opens to support patients with chronic conditions. Case managers coordinate health care and services for individuals across all five boroughs of NYC, improving both health and quality of life.
2014
BECOMING STRONGER TOGETHER
In order to better prioritize those receiving support, St. Vincent’s joins Heartshare and Dawn Saffayeh becomes Executive Director. Child welfare and developmental disabilities remain distinct focus areas with dedicated boards. Heartshare helps form the Catholic Federation of Social Service Agencies to ensure it remains connected to its original mission.
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2020
American dream for all of nyc
With Heartshare St. Vincent's at the forefront, Fair Futures is launched — a youth-led advocacy group spanning NYC foster care agencies. Focus centers around 1:1 coaching in New York City. The campaign successfully secures $10m in funding.
2024
CONTINUING TO SUPPORT SOCIETY’S MOST OVERLOOKED
Nuevo Camino opens in Brooklyn, providing temporary foster care for unaccompanied minors as they make their way to family members within the United States. As with St. Vincent’s and Catholic Guardian Society at their foundings, Heartshare continues to take care of the children society too often ignores.