“A House of Caring”
Our visit at Siena House
Last week, we visited Siena House, a Department of Homeless Services (DHS)—a registered women’s shelter located in the Bronx to drop off our in-kind donations. Siena House provides temporary housing for pregnant women and mothers with infants under the age of two, offering not only a safe place to stay but also a structured environment that empowers families to transition into stable, long-term housing and secure jobs.
Shelter Tour
During our visit, we toured the shelter with Ed Beglane, Director of Siena House. Each family is provided with a single room furnished with a bed and a crib. At the time of our tour, roughly 20 families were living on-site, with new residents continuing to arrive. Residents typically remain in the program for six to seven months, during which caseworkers and housing specialists offer personalized support to help them transition tino self-sufficiency once they leave Siena House.
Beyond housing, Siena House provides support and educational programs designed to promote safety, confidence, and independence.
- Overdose prevention and Naloxone training (mandatory)
- Breast cancer awareness and screening workshops
- Access to a birthing doula, supporting first-time and teen mothers
- Classroom and workforce workshops, including NYS childcare certification and free online college-level courses
The building is welcoming and community-centered, with clearly designated nursery spaces, communal kitchen areas, and a resident lounge.
Deepening Partnership
Following our visit, we identified an opportunity to deepen our partnership. Siena House has ongoing needs for basic hygiene and household items—essentials that can become overwhelming financial burdens for young mothers. In response, Gfoundation plans to assemble and deliver care kits on a consistent basis.
These kits will include items such as:
- Soaps, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Feminine and menstrual products
- Household cleaning supplies
More to come
For more than three decades, Siena House has shown how steady, compassionate support can change the lives of families experiencing homelessness. Gfoundation looks forward to supporting Siena House’s mission to help mothers and their children move toward a stable and hopeful future—reflecting the type of people we are committed to serving.
