named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Adulting with AI Assists
Digital education series co-produced with youth participants to teach strategic use of AI and life skills during the transition to adulthood, featuring media production training and thought leadership opportunities
NYC Comfort Shop
A retail-style wellness space providing free high-quality essentials, comfort items, trauma-informed workshops, and special events to children within their first 24-48 hours in foster care
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 2 activities
- Distributing comfort bags to youth in foster care and homeless sheltersProvides signature comfort bags containing age-appropriate, new items such as pajamas, plush companions, blankets, pillows, journals, books, fidget tools, and receiving blankets to newborns, teen moms, and children in foster care and homeless shelters. These are distributed through contactless delivery when necessary, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Operating the NYC Comfort Shop for youth in foster careRuns a retail-style wellness space in New York City that provides free, high-quality comfort items—including pajamas, stuffed animals, journals, books, blankets, and soothing products—to children entering foster care within their first 24–48 hours. The shop also hosts trauma-informed workshops, motivational speakers, and uplifting events to support healing and emotional well-being.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 2 activities
- Offering wellness and mentorship programming for youthProvides free access to yoga, meditation, journaling workshops, mentorship programs, and accountability partners to youth in foster care and homeless shelters to support emotional wellness and resilience.
- Operating the Comfort Drop program for trauma-impacted youthDelivers trauma-informed interventions and comfort-focused activities—such as pillowcase-decorating events—for youth impacted by trauma or living in unstable conditions, including transitional housing. The program supports emotional regulation and comfort during periods of transition.
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
- Expanding services nationally through multi-city chaptersOperates eleven chapters across the United States, extending programs beyond New York City to serve communities in states with high homelessness rates, in partnership with foster homes and shelters in at least nine cities.
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Youth & Emerging Filmmaker Training 1 activity
- Producing the "Adulting with AI Assists" digital education seriesCo-produces a digital education series with youth participants, particularly from the Dream Equity Cohort, that teaches strategic use of AI, media production, storytelling, and thought leadership to support young people transitioning to adulthood.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Providing financial assistance through the Humble Dreams AllianceOffers direct financial aid for essential needs such as tuition, phone bills, and gas expenses to support youth in transition.
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Foster Youth Transition Support 1 activity
- Providing wrap-around transition support through the Dream Equity CohortOffers a comprehensive support program for young people ages 17–24 transitioning out of foster care or homeless shelters, including over $2,000 in unrestricted financial assistance per participant, career and workforce readiness workshops, financial literacy training, mental health support, education resources, job skill development, and internship opportunities.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$327K
Contributions & grants$327K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$466K
Program expenses48%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising34%
Salaries & benefits$219K
Grants paid out$11K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$165K
Cash$105K
Investments$0
Liabilities$19K
Net assets$146K
Liquid reserves2.7 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -31.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NICOLE RUSSELL | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $105K |
board members · 6
- AR BERNARD — BOARD MEMBER
- EUNICE KINDRED — BOARD MEMBER
- JUDY YAVITZ — BOARD MEMBER
- KENNETH HALPERN — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVEN CARTER — BOARD MEMBER
- YULIANA BRAVO — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- ACS Partner — Partnership with ACS to provide comforting items and services to children entering foster care through the Comfort Shop.
- Axinn Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Belluck Law Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Bombas Partner — Provided comfort items for distribution through the Comfort Shop.
- Bronx family shelter Partner — Host site for Comfort Drop events serving children in transitional housing.
- Brooklyn Community Foundation Partner — Contributor of $5,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Chase Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Christian Cultural Center Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Color of Change Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Darger Errante Yavitz Blau Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- DecisionCFO Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Diageo Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Dream Equity Cohort participants Partner — Co-produce the "Adulting with AI Assists" digital series, gaining experience in media production and storytelling.
- Humble Philanthropy Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- JD Foundation Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- JD Sports Finish Line Partner — Donated more than 250 pairs of sneakers for distribution through the Comfort Shop.
- Jurish Yavitz Family Fund Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Kith Partner — Provided comfort items for distribution through the Comfort Shop.
- LIV Golf Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Mt. Ararat Baptist Church Partner — Contributor of $5,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- NYC ACS Partner — Collaborates with NYC ACS to launch and operate the NYC Comfort Shop for foster youth.
- NYC Administration for Children’s Services Partner — Collaborates with Precious Dreams Foundation to launch and operate the Comfort Shop for youth in foster care at the Nicholas Scoppetta Children’s Center.
- New York City Administration for Children's Services (NYC ACS) Partner — Collaborates with NYC ACS to launch and operate the 'Comfort Shop' program for foster youth.
- Ntwrk Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Peak6 Partner — Contributor of $25,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Pitch House Productions Partner — Founder-owned social impact consultancy that collaborates on community initiatives.
- Precious Dreams Champion Partner — Individuals who partner with the foundation to lead fundraising campaigns for children in homeless shelters or foster care.
- Precious Dreams Foundation local chapter volunteers Partner — Volunteers coordinate donation drives and host comfort bag assembly events to support distribution efforts.
- Purple Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
- Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC Partner — Contributor of $50,000+ in funding and/or in-kind donations to support youth in foster care and youth experiencing homelessness
+ 10 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Client Choice in Sanctuary Environmentmethodology: client_choice_modelBy offering youth choice in selecting comfort items and resources within a safe, dignified space, the organization enhances emotional well-being and autonomy because perceived control in chaotic life circumstances restores dignity and reinforces self-worth.
- Dream-Centered Empowerment and Future Orientationmethodology: dream_empowermentBy encouraging youth to envision positive futures and align coping strategies with personal goals, the organization protects hope and self-determination because future-oriented thinking combined with goal-aligned decision-making strengthens motivation, reduces despair, and promotes long-term resilience.
- Holistic Resilience-Building Through Creative and Mindful Expressionmethodology: holistic_healing_expressionBy integrating art therapy, therapeutic journaling, mindfulness, yoga, and creative expression into programming, the organization supports emotional processing and healthy coping because these modalities provide accessible, non-verbal pathways for trauma healing and self-regulation in unstable environments.
- Trauma-Informed Comfort Caremethodology: trauma_informed_comfort_careBy delivering emotional and psychological support through comfort items, calming routines, and sanctuary-like environments during critical transition periods (e.g., first 24-48 hours in foster care), the organization improves emotional regulation and psychological safety because these interventions reduce shock, build immediate belonging, and mitigate re-traumatization during moments of high vulnerability.
- Youth Co-Production and Lived Experience Mentorshipmethodology: co_production_with_youthBy involving youth as co-producers in media and leadership initiatives and engaging mentors with lived experience, the organization builds self-efficacy, agency, and resilience because peer modeling and hands-on participation foster identity development, ownership, and belief in future possibilities among youth facing systemic barriers.