“A House of Caring” 
Last week, we visited Siena House, a Department of Homeless Services (DHS)—registered women’s shelter located in the Bronx to drop off our in-kind donations. Siena House provides temporary housing for women and single 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. 
We were able to tour the facility containing 27 rooms, each furnished with one bed and one crib due to limited space. At the time of the visit, Siena House was serving nearly 20 families, including 13 young children with new residents arriving soon. Residents range in age from 18 to 38, and the average length of stay is 231 days, which is shorter than the DHS peer shelter average of 314 days. The staff of caseworkers and housing specialists work closely with each resident to ensure they are prepared for integration into society.
Beyond housing, Siena House provides a range of 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 during pregnancy and labor
- Classroom and workforce workshops, including NYS childcare certification and free online college-level courses
The building is organized, warm, and community-centered, with clearly designated nursery spaces, communal kitchen areas, and a resident lounge.
Following our visit, an opportunity for deeper partnership was identified. Siena House experiences ongoing needs for basic hygiene and household items—essentials that can quickly become financial burdens for young mothers. In response, Gfoundation plans to assemble and deliver care kits on a more consistent basis, containing items such as:
- Soaps, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Feminine and menstrual products
- Household cleaning supplies
For more than three decades, Siena House has demonstrated the profound impact of compassionate, steady support on families experiencing homelessness. Gfoundation looks forward to deepening this partnership and contributing to Siena House’s mission of helping mothers and their children move toward a future that is stable, hopeful, and full of possibility.
