I have been a donor for over 10 years and, before electing to give to Project Renewal, researched many similar non-profit organizations. To me, Project Renewal stood out - and continues to stand out - as an exceptionally efficient charity that is able to maximize its impact on the homeless community. Its mission is a powerful one, as it aims to reach out to and rehabilitate the homeless by instilling a sense of personal responsibility. To accomplish this, Project Renewal works to improve the mental and physical health and in cases sobriety of its clients by providing various treatment programs, housing, health assistance and ultimately means to employment. The ultimate goal - which I understand the organization has accomplished on behalf of thousands of New Yorkers - is to enable individuals to return to a self-sufficient life in society. Hence the name "Project Renewal."
I've been a donor to Project Renewal for about 5 years now. My only regret is not hearing about them sooner. They seek out the "hardest to reach" homeless population and embrace them--they find them a home, counseling for addiction and/or mental illness, basic healthcare through their mobile health clinics (which saves our taxes paying for medicaid ER visits!). They either find them a job, or train them for a particular trade if they didn't have one. They help to make the homeless whole again. It's truly amazing how they transform lives, and at such a small cost.