2025 marks the 34th year of the Stockings With Care Program!
Working with partner agencies across New York City, this beloved program fulfills the holiday wishes of more than 3,000 children in shelters and transitional housing.
Each child makes a list of three holiday wishes. A sponsor “Santa” buys and wraps the gifts on their list.
Unlike other holiday drives, gifts are delivered directly to the parents or caregivers to give to their children—allowing them to be the heroes for older kids and preserving the magic of Santa for younger ones.
When a child unwraps exactly what they asked for, they know they are seen, valued, and loved. And their families get to create the joyful holiday memories they deserve.
For families leaving a domestic violence shelter, the moment they receive keys to an apartment is both joyful and overwhelming. After enduring economic abuse, exhaustion, and the trauma of survival, the next questions can feel impossible: Where will my children sleep? How will I cook and share meals with them? What do we need to simply live day to day?
Project Welcome Home, the newest initiative from Projects with Care, helps families who have survived domestic violence take the next step toward healing by providing the supplies they need as they transition from shelter life to a new home.
Launched as a pilot in 2024, the program began by serving families in our domestic violence shelters, with plans to expand to other residential shelters already supported by Project First Day and Stockings With Care. In 2025, we are committed to supporting more than 100 families as they move into safe, stable homes.
Through our network of volunteer “Good Neighbors,” we provide families with essential items for their kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms—helping turn an empty apartment into a true home.
Like all of PWC’s initiatives, the support is deeply personal. Our “Good Neighbors” learn the children’s first names, ages, and even favorite colors so they can choose thoughtful items that not only meet practical needs but also bring a bit of joy and comfort to a new beginning.
For thousands of children in New York City’s shelter system, basic school supplies are out of reach—putting them behind before they even set foot in the classroom.
Project First Day provides everything they need to succeed—a new backpack, a first-day outfit and shoes, grade-specific supplies, and, most importantly, the confidence that they belong and someone is cheering them on.
Each child fills out a short “Mad Libs” about themselves—their interests, favorite colors, sizes, and dreams. We match them with sponsors who adopt their “first day” and provide those essentials, along with a note of encouragement.
See Our CBS News New York Feature Story!
In our 19th year, we’ve committed to sponsoring the “first day” of 1500 children. If you and/or your organization can help, sign up below!
