The District That Inspires®

April 28, 2020

NoMad Heroes: Hearts of Gold Helps New Yorkers in Need

Hearts of Gold, an admirable non-profit based in NoMad, continues to provide support and to the underserved community of domestic violence victims and their children.

The organization and its founder Deborah Koenigsberger delivering smiles distributing care packages that contain a two-week supply of grocery and personal care items, they distribute handmade masks, teddy bears, and snacks for the children on what Deborah calls “Snack Day” — meant to lift the spirits of the children in more ways than one.

Hearts of Gold is also partnering with Aaron Doades, CEO of Peach Goods, whose generous donations of supplies of toilet paper are being shared with the community through Deborah’s team.

CBS News recently profiled the wonderful help Deborah Koenigsberger has been providing with Hearts of Gold. In a time when the news is full of dire stories, Koenigsberger’s not only gives hope, it shows how individuals can make a positive difference in their community one person at a time.

With New York City schools closed, it’s been a challenge for most parents. This is especially true for families who don’t own a computer they can dedicate to virtual schooling. It is even more challenging when more than one child trying to learn from home.

Koenigsberger helped a single mother of three, a freelance hairstylist currently unable to work during New York’s stay-at-home order, who did not have computers for schooling from home. She gave the family three Chromebooks, which had been donated to the Hearts to Gold learning center – a facility that had to recently close due to the pandemic.

But Koenigsberger’s help didn’t stop there. Upon hearing that one of the children had already been struggling in school, she connected the family with a tutor. Now the family has tools for all three children to get school assignments and hand in homework from home. Plus, they have a virtual tutor to help out, as well.

Beyond education, Deborah Koenigsberger is committed to making sure these families have access to food and hygiene – something more important than ever now that schools are closed. If families need food, they are encouraged to get in touch with her and Hearts of Gold.

Hearts of Gold’s mission is to work together with homeless or formerly homeless mothers and their children to help them become more confident and self-sufficient as they transition out of the New York City shelter system to permanent homes.

You can be a Nomad Hero, too

You can join these heroes, by helping Deborah Koenigsberger and Hearts of Gold to continue doing their extraordinary and important work. If anyone has time, money, or goods to help, Hearts of Gold is always open to volunteers or donations.