We build hope and provide healing to people around the world as a way to continually “Pay It Forward” for the humanity, kindness, and volunteer spirit New Yorkers – and all Americans – experienced on 9/12
September 11 and the following period demonstrated that bravery, generosity, and resourcefulness are keys to the human spirit. Through our unique service model, we empower disaster survivors as volunteers to “pay forward” this spirit of hope and healing to communities whose hardships may not benefit from the level of resources focused on New York City.
Through more than a decade of responsiveness, bootstrapping, and grass-roots efforts, New York Says Thank You has assisted thousands of disaster survivors, empowered tens of thousands of volunteers, and inspired hundreds of thousands of students with programs encouraging service, hope, and community.
In response to tragedies such as mass violence and natural disasters, we use art-making in the form of a star to give hope, show compassion, and promote healing. Through Stars of HOPE, communities devastated by disaster paint hopeful messages, inspirational words, and colorful designs on wooden stars as part of their personal and community’s collective healing process.
