Donate to NYC Women’s Shelters
and Support Women & Children in Need

Every night, thousands seek refuge.
Your support provides shelter, essentials, and hope for a fresh start.

Provide Essentials to NYC Shelters

Alyssa’s Story Entering Women’s Shelter

It was late afternoon when Alyssa made up her mind.
She realized that she and her child were no longer safe where they were.

There is little time to plan, and even less time to prepare.
Most leave with only a few essentials.

The First Steps Toward Safety

In New York City, families with children enter the shelter system through a set process:

1) Call Homelessness Hotline.
2) Complete an intake at the PATH center.
3) Answer questions and provide documents.

When a mother or family first enters a NYC women’s shelter, the first 72 hours are critical.

Shelter Entry & Life Inside

In 2024, an average of 19,148 families with children stayed in New York City DHS shelters each night.

(NYC DHS, 2024)

On one 24-hour day in the U.S., hotlines received 23,348 contacts—almost 973 contacts every hour.

(NNEDV, 2024)

On a single night in 2024, 771,480 people were experiencing homelessness in the U.S.

(HUD AHAR, 2024)

Shelters offer protection, stability, and a place to breathe.

But they are designed as short-term, temporary housing—not a permanent home.

Supporting Single Mothers in NYC Shelters

Many mothers entering shelters are working hard to rebuild stability for themselves and their children. While they navigate major life transitions, access to essential items and community support can help ease some of the challenges they face.

Many of these mothers are hardworking, skilled, and determined to create a better future for their families. However, when basic necessities such as diapers, hygiene products, and everyday essentials are limited, mothers may have fewer resources to focus on finding stable housing, employment, and long-term solutions.

Through essential supplies and compassionate support, GFoundation helps single mothers in NYC shelters access the resources they need during difficult transitions.

With sustainable support, mothers can move forward with greater confidence, stability, and hope.

How We Empower Women Inside & Outside Women’s Shelters

These small supports keep families from falling into crisis again—and help mothers rebuild stability step by step.

  1. We work directly with local shelters who care families the most.
  2. Through your donations, partner shelters receive essential items like diapers, wipes, hygiene products, and clean clothing—items they run out of most often.
  3. We empower single moms by providing essentials and encouraging them with holiday events and gifts.

Our Women’s Shelter Programs

1. Initial Personal Care Kits

Initial Personal Care Kit for NYC Women’s Shelter

2. Ongoing Hygiene Kits

Ongoing Hygiene Kits for NYC Women’s Shelters

3. Seasonal, Holiday Gifts

refugee holiday 2

Seasonal & Holiday Gifts for NYC Women’s Shelters

Stories of Hope in womens’ shelter

“I felt like someone finally saw us.”
“We had nothing, and then suddenly we had what we needed to keep going.”
“These small items gave me courage to start again.”

These real moments remind us that even simple acts of care can spark real change—and that every contribution helps restore dignity, hope, and stability for another family.

Drop Off or Mail Your Menstrual Products

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Donate Period Product Help Women and Girls Access Essential Menstrual Care Your donation of unopened menstrual products helps women and girls experiencing hardship through shelters, community partners, and outreach programs…

A Look Back at Our First Half Year Supporting Women in Shelters (2026)

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Supporting Women and Families During Times of Transition In the first half of 2026, GFoundation has continued its commitment to supporting women and children entering shelters and transitional housing programs…

Whole Foods Market Bowery Helps Provide Essential Baby Care for Families in Need

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Everyday Baby Essentials Can Make a Meaningful Difference For parents caring for infants, diapers and baby wipes are everyday necessities. But for families facing financial hardship, these basic items can…

FAQ

Mothers and families newly entering women’s shelters, prioritizing households with children.

Each kit contains essential hygiene and personal care items: shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, lotion, menstrual pads and tampons, hand sanitizer, tissues, lip balm, cotton swabs, face masks, and a handwritten encouragement card.

Currently supports partner women’s shelters and transitional housing facilities across NYC and NJ. Expansion planned to additional shelters in the region.

Kits are assembled and distributed through contributions from individual donors, corporate partners, community donation drives, in-kind gifts, and volunteer events.

Contribute via a one-time donation or become a monthly donor to help fund kit preparation and distribution, providing essential hygiene and baby items to families in shelters.

Your gift helps women and children in shelters find safety, dignity, and hope.

Together, we can make every shelter a place to begin again.