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DHS collaborates with community organizations, non-profits and corporations to host countless special events designed to enrich the lives of children and adults experiencing homelessness. Through these programs, we engage clients in shelter and encourage them to participate in productive activities that will boost self-esteem, promote teamwork and demonstrate the importance of ongoing community involvement.

In a City with enormous educational and cultural offerings, DHS strives to provide households in our system with opportunities they may not otherwise receive. However, we also aim for these experiences to enhance our overall mission of helping New Yorkers return to self-sufficiency. By connecting clients to art, literacy and volunteerism (among other activities), we ultimately strengthen family ties and give families a creative outlet as they work to transition back to homes of their own.

Each year, DHS organizes over 300 events, including 125 cultural festivities, 75 educational projects and 50 sporting events. These programs are only made possible through the generosity of our many sponsors and community partners, including the following organizations that regularly support the mission of our agency, as well as the New Yorkers we serve.



 DHS Encourages Voter Registration at Puppet Show
On Friday, February 24, approximately 200 children and parents from City shelters were transported back to 1787, as they watched a performance of “Guess Who Signed the Constitution”- a musical puppet show that tells the story of the founding fathers.  
   
City Conducts Eighth Annual HOPE Survey City Conducts Eighth Annual HOPE Survey
On Monday, January 30, thousands of volunteers canvassed the five boroughs to conduct the City’s eighth annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE). As one of the most comprehensive surveys of its kind nationwide, HOPE enables the City to efficiently allocate resources to the issue of street homelessness, ultimately aiming to help this population transition from the streets into housing. This year, DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond was joined on his survey route by John U. Sepúlveda, Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Additionally, DHS was pleased to welcome Adolfo Carrión, Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), at the Hostos Community College site in the Bronx. Thank you to all of the 2012 volunteers, who once again stepped up to prove that one night can make a difference in the lives of homeless New Yorkers. 
   
Tommy Hilfiger Foundation Hosts Teens for Holiday Event Tommy Hilfiger Foundation Hosts Teens for Holiday Event
As one of the world's leading brands for premium lifestyle fashions, Tommy Hilfiger has become a household name in both the industry and the department stores. However, the company's innovative take on preppy, all-American styles are not second to its commitment to giving back. Founded in 1995, the Tommy Hilfiger Corporate Foundation aims to enrich the lives of America's youth, focusing on opportunities that provide educational offerings to populations across the world.
   
Celebrating the Holidays at the Radisson Martinique Celebrating the Holidays at the Radisson Martinique
In 1898, surrounded by the champagne sparkle of Broadway, the Hotel Martinique opened its doors to visitors from across the globe. Now recognized as the City's oldest operating hotel, the Beaux Arts building has been witness to an array of stories behind its walls- some depicting the wonder and amazement of well-traveled guests, and others more sadly portraying the struggles of families who stayed there during its stint as a welfare hotel. 
   
A Holiday Visit from Adam Graves A Holiday Visit from Adam Graves 
On Monday, December 12, the holidays came early for children at one lower Manhattan shelter. Joined by DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond, Councilmember Margaret Chin and former New York Rangers player, Adam Graves− the youngsters selected and received winter coats at an event sponsored by the Garden of Dreams Foundation
   
Ringing in the Holiday Season at Macy's 61st Annual Operation Happy Children Event Ringing in the Holiday Season at Macy's 61st Annual Operation Happy Children Event
Every year, amid the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping rush, the magic of the North Pole comes to Macy's Herald Square. Building on this joyous tradition, on Tuesday, November 29, Macy's marked the 61st anniversary of Operation Happy Children- an effort that has long brought the excitement of Santaland to underprivileged children throughout the five boroughs. 
   
Thanksgiving on the Intrepid Thanksgiving on the Intrepid
On Tuesday, November 22- continuing its annual Thanksgiving tradition- the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum hosted approximately 150 clients from City shelters for a night of education and entertainment. Accompanied by Commissioner Diamond, attendees received personal tours of the vessel, and an up close look at one of the most famous aircraft carriers of all times. 
   
DHS Kicks Off Thanksgiving Holiday with New York City Rescue Mission DHS Kicks Off Thanksgiving Holiday with New York City Rescue Mission
On Monday, November 21, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond joined former Mayor David Dinkins, Councilmember Annabel Palma, Councilmember Margaret Chin, Councilmember Al Vann, State Senator Daniel Squadron and other community representatives for the New York City Rescue Mission’s annual Thanksgiving Banquet.  
   
In Flight Above Manhattan In Flight Above Manhattan
For the seventh consecutive year, the Fashion Center Business Improvement District (BID) hosted “Kite Flight,” an event that transforms the roof of Port Authority Bus Terminal into an artistically-inspired space. On Sunday, September 18, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond accompanied approximately 100 children from four City shelters to participate in the event, joining the ranks of hundreds of other kids from the community. 
   
 

Playing Ball at Citi Field
On Monday, September 12, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond accompanied approximately 60 children from shelter to the Mets versus Nationals game at Citi Field. Coordinated by DHS' Office of Communications & External Affairs, the event was just one of many special activities offered to families throughout the year, thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors and nonprofit organizations.

   
 

DHS Kicks Off New School Year With Fenimore Church Luncheon
With a new school year now underway, on Saturday, September 10, Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Commissioner Seth Diamond joined 160 parents and children from the Auburn Family Shelter at a luncheon, hosted by Fenimore Church in Brooklyn.

   
 

A Day of Service and Remembrance
On Saturday, September 10- in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks- children from two shelters participated in a national day of service and remembrance. Held at PS 188 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the event centered on the theme of, “I will,” and encouraged youngsters to celebrate diversity and become actively involved in their communities.

   
 

DHS Joins City Response to Hurricane Irene
On Thursday, August 25, DHS joined the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and approximately 40 other agencies in implementing the City’s coastal storm plan. As part of the plan, low-lying areas throughout the five boroughs were ordered to evacuate, with DHS spearheading the charge to open and manage approximately 80 hurricane shelters and evacuation centers for affected residents.

   
 

DHS Holds Ribbon Cutting for New PATH Family Intake Center
On Wednesday, May 11, Mayor Michael Bloomberg joined Deputy Mayor Linda Gibbs, DHS Commissioner Seth Diamond and HRA Commissioner Robert Doar to formally open the new Prevention Assistance & Temporary Housing (PATH) intake center. Culminating years of reform within the homeless services system, the state-of-the-art facility will serve families with children who are applying for shelter in the City of New York.

   
 

Thanksgiving with Commissioner Diamond
Every Thanksgiving, New York City captivates the nation with the classic sights and sounds of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. However, long after the balloons dance between the buildings, after the floats have halted and the music has subsided, another very important tradition remains: the City’s outstanding record of serving New Yorkers who have fallen on hard times during the holiday season.

   
 

Walking for Awareness
On Saturday, October 2, DHS joined the Human Resources Administration (HRA) and more than 3,000 New Yorkers for the United Way’s LIVE UNITED Bridge Walk and Volunteer Festival. Accompanied by Commissioner Seth Diamond, the DHS team was comprised of agency staff members and approximately 40 children from City shelters who laced up their walking shoes to support a worthwhile cause.

   
 

Spurring Social Change Through Sports
On Thursday, September 16, several members of the New York Red Bulls–our City’s first professional soccer team– gathered in Manhattan's Roosevelt Park with soccer ball in hand.

   
 

DHS Promotes Day of Service and Volunteerism
On Tuesday, June 29, Commissioner Seth Diamond joined nearly 400 employees from Morgan Stanley– including Chief Operating Officer Tom Nides– for a day of volunteerism, service and collaboration, sponsored by Children for Children.

   
  

A Day at Free Arts Camp
A group of 10 children sat on the grass of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, shouting out names of flowers they had just passed.  For the youngsters- all between the ages of 5 and 14- the visit to the Gardens, and the neighboring Brooklyn museum was more than a summer daytrip. Instead, the excursion served as a rare, but valuable window into the world of the arts, led by Free Arts NYC.

   
 The Park Slope Armory: A Community Gem 
With the completion of the Fourteenth Regiment Armory in 1895, the Park Slope neighborhood quickly flourished around the castle-like edifice– a building constructed to house troops of the Civil War. Today, the armory remains one of the finest, most architecturally distinguished National Guard facilities in the City and after more than 200 years of existence, is still considered a treasure to the surrounding Brooklyn community. 




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