I am not sure where to start my review on this wonderful nonprofit i call family. MY husband was diagnosed with a severe heart disease and in order to survive he had to have major surgery. Harboring hearts was not only there to provide economical support they were also very emotionally supportive . I have the privilege to call them our Heart Family. After my husband surgery Harboring hearts made sure they kept in contact with us to see if we needed anything or just to check up on us. They provide financial assistance when my husband came home from the hospital.
They are an amazing non-profit and we would like to spread the word to any families going through any heart disease and let them know if they need any support Harboring hearts will be the best people to contact.
My family and i now have the privilege to sever as volunteers, it is an amazing experience to work with such amazing people
I met Michelle and her team in the summer of 2013 at the Center for Social Innovation. Since then I have worked with them and seen them in action on numerous occasions and even though I work with NPO's all the time I find it hard to quantify the level of dedication and passion that Michelle and the Harboring Hearts team has. Their drive and tenacity is infectious. They are often the first people in our coworking space and the last to leave; leaving no stone unturned when on the search for resources for the population that they serve. When Michelle speaks about her clients and her mission there is no mistaking the passion in her voice its obvious that she lives vicariously through the people she helps.
Harboring Hearts provides emotional and financial support to heart patients and their families during the critical time of treatment. It is a much-needed and necessary organization that fills a real void in the medical and heart disease community. While there are many organizations that help patients directly, Harboring Hearts is unique in the fact that it focuses on the needs of the patient's caretakers and family as well. This is so important, as a patient's recovery and treatment is very much affected by their caretaker(s) and family situation.
Harboring Hearts provides numerous different services including but not limited to; providing short term housing for patients and their families, who have to travel afar for treatment, helping with the cost of transportation to and from the hospital, childcare for those patients who are single parents or have a spouse that works full time etc., the cost of medication and tests for the patient, and the alleviation of other financial burdens that are caused by large medical bills like rent and grocery payment.
I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the positive affect Harboring Hearts has on the patients and families they help. All of the patients and families I have spoken with unanimously agree that Harboring Hearts made an already tragic and hard experience live-able, and expressed the sentiment that they do not know what they would have done without Harboring Hearts' support.
Harboring Hearts is a terrific organization to volunteer for. It is a joy to brighten the faces of patients during their community events and it's clear HH is making a difference in the lives of patients.
Harboring Hearts is a great organization bringing much-needed resources to those receiving heart treatment in NYC.
I fully support this organization and the great work they are doing!
Harboring Hearts fulfills life-saving needs that many deserving families and individuals have longed for. Many people are now getting the help that they would not have had otherwise and are saved from even more heartbreak. Harboring Hearts does great work and I have no doubt that they will only get bigger and better!
I fully support the work being done by Harboring Hearts. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!
Harboring Hearts is a much needed organization for those experiences financial stress during the time of heart treatment. Team Harboring Hearts goes above and beyond in uplifting families when they need it most.
Harboring Hearts is an inspiring organization that does wonders for the heart patient community in NYC. They bring smiles to so many faces at their hospital community events, and their emergency fund services are crucial to families undergoing the burdens of heart disease. Harboring Hearts brings families together during the time of need--which is essential for healing.
Harboring Hearts' tireless attitude towards helping some of the most vulnerable members of society that are often forgotten about – heart disease patients – is something I will carry with me forever. The organization’s mission to relieve some of the financial burdens that come with having a serious illness is both noble and all too necessary. With an amazing team, and even more amazing patients, I can truly say that Harboring Hearts is a community like no other.
Volunteering with, and working to forward the mission of, Harboring Hearts has been one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences in my efforts to remaining involved and present with society. The particular issues confronted by the patients and families who seek help from HH are challenging to confront, but the team and leadership at HH remains patient and welcoming of the process and learnings every volunteer must face.
Further, seeing the faces of other people and organizations from the community, hospitals, and treatment centers puts an identity to an issue--a disease--often invisible in daily life. There is no other organization with which I have been empowered and welcomed to contribute, and likewise learned from the dynamic, impressive perspectives each and every officer, volunteer, supporter, and recipient share with the organization.
An A-plus group of people with big hearts, focused vision, and strong will to bring change and betterment to society.
Review from Guidestar
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Harboring Hearts Housing is one of the most integrated, comprehensive, and truly loving charities I have come across. Not only does HH bring together so many different people under a form of shared experience and solace, but it nurtures a mission of educating the patients and families about prevention, coping, recovery, and the very process-of-treatment. The families and patients whom I have had the opportunity to meet are just exceptional examples of courage, strength, and support. The organization's day-to-day is driven by a staff of committed individuals that are accessible, focused, and compassionate. I am proud to say that co-founder Michelle Javian is an old friend, but even more proud when I am able to volunteer and extend whatever I can for her, co-founder Yuki Kotani, the large team of supporters, the hospitals, volunteers, and board members that keep this vision on a path of growth and evolution.
Harboring Hearts is a highly motivated, blossoming nonprofit that focuses closely on accessing and serving the true needs of heart patients and their families. The organization is comprised of extremely passionate and enthusiastic employees who strive for innovation and excellence. As someone who has worked closely with the Harboring Hearts team, I am excited to see the ways in which this organization will undoubtedly grow and flourish.
When I heard about what this organization was doing for people, I was truly touched. When my cousin had medical issues years ago, it was difficult to watch his Pennsylvania family be torn apart every surgery, and procedure when he had to travel with his mother to Philadelphia, leaving his brother and father behind. If something like your organization had existed then and there, I can only imagine the impact it would have had on his recovery. Keep up the good work!
Harboring Hearts is a wonderful non-profit, run by enthusiastic and passionate people who care deeply for the community at large. As someone who has close ties to the medical field, I know it's sometimes a frightening venture for patients what with the costs of medical expenses AND for housing family members who fight to stay by their loved one's side. There is an immense need for the services and programs provided by Harboring Hearts that go above and beyond merely giving families a place to stay, but also providing place to also unwind with a reliable support group!
I am actually rather inspired by how quickly Harboring Hearts has secured a place for itself in the NYC community, with its partnerships with several local hospitals and the amount of outreach and visibility it has achieved in just a few short years! Volunteering with Harboring Hearts has not only satisfied and inspired my own service for the greater good, but also serves as a reminder that anything can be achieved--with enough effort and passion spurned to bring it to life. The team at Harboring Hearts truly deserves a round of applause for their tireless work, and hopefully will continue to grow in the years to come!
As a professional in the field of public health, I understand the immense need for the services and programs provided by Harboring Hearts. I am truly inspired by the dedication of all members involved and the profound impact the organization has on the lives of cardiac patients an their families. Harboring Hearts thoroughly addresses an unmet need of support services, particularly in terms of housing and emotional support for cardiac patients and their caregivers. During the incredibly stressful time of undergoing treatment, the caregiver is often forgotten and even disregards their own health and well-being. Harboring Hearts is cognizant of the important role of the caregiver and strives to provide emotional and financial support during this time. The organization is not only an amazingly inspiring non-profit, but the team is innovative and always looking for ways to make the programs and organization more effective while maintaining a clear focus on their mission and the people they serve.
Having been a social worker at several long-established agencies, I am inspired by Harboring Hearts' innovative role in the human service and public health field. By identifying areas of need for patients and families facing cardiac treatment, providing practical solutions, and alleviating logistical burdens, I have no doubt that Harboring Hearts has paved the way for hope and healing for their clients. I am impressed by how they have established effective partnerships with NYC hospitals within a short period of time. I am looking forward to seeing how Harboring Hearts will continue to grow their programs and public health related services.
As a co-founder of Harboring Hearts, this organization has a very special place in my heart. The mission of the organization is extremely personal to me but most importantly, it is a mission that resonates with so many people. Heart disease is an illness that affects thousands of people and sadly, many people know first-hand how hard it can be to see your loved ones go through this difficult times. Not only do the heart patients experience the hardships, financially and emotionally, but also the family and friends. In the past couple of years, we have provided emotional support and financial assistance for housing to hundreds of heart patients and their families. Under the leadership of Michelle, I have full confidence that we will be able to make a bigger impact on the cardiac community and help more families in need of our assistance.
As a nonprofit professional, I am impressed with Harboring Hearts and their work to address the significant need that heart patients and their families often face. Their mission- to create a nurturing community and to provide support and assistance- and their growth and development in the last few years, is truly inspirational. I have a deep respect for what they are able to accomplish in a challenging environment for nonprofits.
As a heart transplant recipient, I know first-hand how hard it can be on your loved ones watching you go through a life-threatening medical experience. It's been my honor to serve as a Board Member with Harboring Hearts to help support families going through similar experiences. Medical adversity is hard enough to deal with without the financial and emotional burden of not knowing if you can be close to your loved ones. I have the greatest respect for Harboring Hearts co-founders Michelle Javian and Yuki Kotani and Michelle has run the organization with the professional, passion, and heart of a true leader. I'm proud to see how far we've come, and look forward to where we'll grow.
I am forever grateful to have had the chance to be part of the Harboring Hearts team! I interned with Harboring Hearts this past summer of 2012 and my experience was nothing short of wonderful! The Harboring Hearts team works incredibly heart to help families with their needs while their loved ones are undergoing medical care. I was blessed with the chance to work with Michelle Javian, the CEO, and the rest of the dedicated staff on interesting projects that related to HH's mission. I love Harboring Hearts!
I love Harboring Hearts! Their team is so positive and easy to work with. MIchelle Javian is the CEO and she always has a smile on her face. When volunteering, they are very clear in outlining my responsibilities and what I should be doing to help. They are also prompt in their responses and communication when I reach out to them. I have helped out at several of their fundraising events. Harboring Hearts attracts a great group of people who attend their event and are so willing to help for the cause. They plan fun and effective events that people enjoy attending.
My father had a heart transplant, as a family we know how hard it can be not only on the patient but on the whole family emotionally but also financially. What harboring hearts is doing is help take that very real berden off the families, and allowing them to be close to their loved ones when they need them most. Michelle has started this charity that is really going to make a difference, in so many peoples lives. They deserve to be recognized.
I remember driving home from work totally exhaustic from emotional and financial concerns during my 6 year old grand daughter's transitations of waiting for her precious gift of a heart. I had taken in her two siblings 2 and 3 years old while raising my 13 year old and working full time. Expenses were racking up and I really didn't know what to do. I couldn't believe that once I walked in my door, immediately my telephone rang. It was Michelle Javen (GOD SENT) calling to introduce her foundation and it's purpose. She had informed me that she found out about my grand daugther and wanted to offer support. It took me a while to take this all it. It was as if GOD answered my prayers while I was talking to him on the road by sending her my way. Harboring Hearts has been such a blessing for our family and I would like to tell Michelle and all involved...THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL. Jamie, Gabrielle and her mom Ryan Ashley
I work in social services with patients who have cardiac problems requiring surgical intervention. I recently became aware of the work of Harboring Hearts and decided to contact them to see if they could help some of my patients. Financial and housing problems are very common within this population of patients due to the impact that heart failure has on a person's capacity to work and earn income. In recent months I have worked closely with Harboring Hearts to help two of my patients who were experiencing finance-related housing problems. The organization was extremely considerate and compassionate and was able to offer financial assistance to both of my patients. The assistance of Harboring Hearts to these patients was very much appreciated especially when they had not been able to obtain assistance elsewhere. The organization has a streamlined referral process and communicates openly about whether or not assistance can be provided. I am grateful for this organization's existence.
Co-founder Michelle Javian's dedication to the cause is a personal one and goes back to seeing the struggles others were facing at the hospital while she spent countless nights by her father's side, who ultimately succumbed to a heart attack. She's now dedicated her life to helping others coming to New York City from all over the country and even locally who are struggling to keep a roof over their head while awaiting heart surgeries/transplants/etc. To call Harboring Hearts a charitable necessity would be an understatement and the personal attention Michelle puts into each case is second to none.
Two amazing young ladies started this charity after their fathers had to have heart transplants in NYC. One father survived and one did not. The quality of their aftercare may have played a part in that, but both young ladies met others who were patients that had to stay in homeless shelters while they were recovering because New York rent is so high and they had come there from out of town to get the transplant.
These young ladies have gotten some celebrity endorsement and have had great success in launching this charity in a terrible economy. However, I am sure it is a constant struggle to raise funds. Please consider this as a well run, deserving cause.
