Nonprofit helps adults aging out of foster care furnish homes
The executive director of Hearts to Homes says the group just furnished their 1,000th apartment.
More Stories
May is National Foster Care Month, and one young adult is sharing how a local nonprofit is helping him transition out of the foster care system.
Micah Jackson loves having a place of his own in Mount Vernon.
"I literally get to just do whatever I want to do. I come as I please, go. It's just something that I'm not used to," the 21-year-old says.
While it's exciting now, Jackson says the thought of furnishing his apartment initially stressed him out. He's aging out of the foster care system and says he's truly on his own.
"It's stressful because you're going with nobody. It's like you're leaving out with nobody. You have to figure things out yourself," Jackson says.
However, Jackson says he felt some relief when his foster home connected him to a group called Hearts to Homes. They provide furniture and essential items to young adults aging out of foster care.
"Everything was free. They got me a blender, they got me a kitchen set, they got me my couches," Jackson says.
The Westchester-based nonprofit has been around for 10 years and just furnished its 1,000th apartment.
Anthony Sabia, the organization's executive director, says the milestone highlights just how many young people need support right now.
"Well, let me put it this way, between New York City and Westchester, approximately 700 young people a year age out of foster care and...many kids that transition do not have the financial means to furnish their apartment when they transition, particularly in Westchester," Sabia says.
Sabia says he hopes the group's work shows the young people that they're not alone.
Jackson says he's grateful for the group's support.
"If it wasn't for Hearts to Homes, I wouldn't have the stuff that I need right now," Jackson says.
To learn more about the nonprofit, please visit this website.
