What they call their work
What they do
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Arts-Based Dementia Engagement Programs 3 activities
- Delivers music therapy programs for patients in long-term careSupplies instruments and funds music therapists to provide music creation, singing, movement, and listening sessions for patients, with targeted programming in dementia units to support cognitive and emotional well-being.
- Operates therapeutic craft and cooking programs for dementia patientsRuns a crochet program enabling creative expression and social connection, and conducts cooking demonstrations and lessons for dementia patients who then enjoy the prepared meals, promoting engagement and quality of life.
- Supports sensory and environmental enrichment in dementia unitsProvides sensory stimulation materials and equipment, purchases flat screen TVs for multiple dementia units, and installs large fish tanks in common areas to promote relaxation and engagement among dementia patients.
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Gun Violence Prevention & Intervention 1 activity
- Conducts community outreach and violence prevention educationEngages in outreach in NYC neighborhoods to educate youth about the consequences of gun violence and promote positive leadership, supporting survivors in sharing stories of loss and resilience to foster safer, more just communities.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Enhances quality-of-life programs through targeted initiatives and fundraisingLaunched the Angelica Strive and Thrive Challenge to expand quality-of-life programming for patients at Coler and Carter Hospitals and raised $250,000 to support programs, special events, and equipment purchases at hospitals.
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Art Integration in Healthcare Settings 1 activity
- Funds and supports the OPEN DOORS program for patient engagement and career developmentOperates the OPEN DOORS program that supports patient participation in artistic and cultural activities, funds workshops, training, transportation, and education costs, and provides career development tools including public performance opportunities and publication of creative work such as the poetry anthology 'Wheeling & Healing'.
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ESL and Citizenship Instruction 1 activity
- Operates English Language Learners program for hospital patientsRuns an English Language Learners program at Coler Hospital focused on speaking, reading, and writing skills, with emphasis on health-related vocabulary to improve patient communication with medical staff.
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Inclusive Social & Recreational Events 1 activity
- Organizes cultural and educational outings and events for patientsPlans and executes trips for patients to attend sporting events in the New York City area and organizes group engagement activities such as storytelling, hip-hop, and spoken word performances in collaboration with established artists.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Organizes recreational and social events for hospital residentsHosts regular events including karaoke, movie nights with popcorn, weekly variety nights with food and games, and annual themed events such as the Sweetheart Ball, Carnival, Harvest Ball, and Christmas caroling party to enhance social engagement and quality of life.
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Mobile and Fixed Hygiene Services 1 activity
- Provides beauty, wellness, and hygiene support servicesHosts Beauty and Wellness Days and spa day events where licensed professionals deliver haircuts, grooming, hand massages, and personal care services; also assembles and distributes hygiene kits containing toiletries and handmade greeting cards to patients.
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Digital Literacy Training and Technology Access 1 activity
- Provides technology access and adaptive equipment for patient recreation and therapySupplies iPads, computers, and adaptive equipment to patients at Coler-Goldwater Hospital for bedside use, supporting recreational, educational, and therapeutic activities, and funds computer training programs pairing volunteers with patients to teach basic and customized software skills.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Supports art therapy and creative expression programs for long-term care patientsProvides funding and operational support for art studios at Coler Hospital and Carter Hospital, including weekly art classes, professional-grade materials, visiting artists, and museum and gallery trips to support self-expression and cognitive functioning among residents. Also presents annual art exhibitions showcasing resident artwork.
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Who runs it
- ALEXIS MADDEN — BOARD MEMBER
- ANDREW LUU — BOARD MEMBER
- DENISE KAZMIER — BOARD MEMBER
- GLORIA SWABY — BOARD MEMBER
- GRACE SOTOMAYOR — BOARD MEMBER
- JILL ALCOTT — BOARD MEMBER
- PAMELA DENT — BOARD MEMBER
Who they work with
- Alex Davis Partner — Youth organizer who collaborated with OPEN DOORS in 2017.
- Amazon Smile Partner — Corporate supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- American Express Charitable Fund Partner — Foundation supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- American Express Foundation Partner — Foundation supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- American Tap Dance Foundation Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- BNP Paribas Partner — Corporate supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Board Serve NYC Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Brooklyn High School of the Arts Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- CV Skinlabs Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Carsten Aveda Institute of Cosmetology Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Carter Hospital Partner — Hosts Angelica-supported art studios and programs.
- Carter Hospital Partner — Partner hospital where quality-of-life programs are implemented for patients and residents.
- Carter Hospital Partner — Partnered with Angelica to deliver the Art for Healing program to long-term care patients.
- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Funder — Awarded a Quality of Life Grant in 2014 to support the Art for Healing program for long-term care patients.
- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Funder — Grant funder supporting the organization's programs.
- Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Partner — Foundation supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Coler Hospital Partner — Hosts Angelica-supported art studios and programs.
- Coler Hospital Partner — Hosts the ELL program for patients who do not speak English.
- Coler Hospital Partner — Partner hospital where quality-of-life programs are implemented for patients and residents.
- Coler Hospital Partner — Partnered with Angelica to deliver art and technology programs to long-term care patients.
- Coler Hospital Auxiliary Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- Coler Rehabilitation & Nursing Care Center Partner — Hosts the OPEN DOORS initiative where members live and work.
- Coler-Goldwater Hospital Partner — Partnered with Angelica to provide technology access and recreational outings for patients.
- Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Funder — Grant funder supporting the organization's programs.
- Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Funder — Provided a grant in 2018 to fund workshops, training, transportation, and education costs for OPEN DOORS members.
- Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Partner — Foundation supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- David Tomas Martinez Partner — Poet who collaborated with OPEN DOORS in 2016.
- Duval & Stachenfeld LLP Partner — Corporate supporter of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
- E Harcourts Fragrances Partner — Community partner of Angelica Patient Assistance Program
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.
- Arts-Based Community Healing and Violence Preventionmethodology: arts_and_justiceBy using arts, storytelling, and survivor-led education to confront systemic injustice and gun violence, we build safer communities and support healing because expressive, lived-experience narratives shift cultural norms and empower youth-led change.
- Health-Integrated Skill Buildingmethodology: health-integrated_educationBy teaching practical skills like health-focused English and computer literacy in personalized formats, we improve patient self-efficacy and healthcare access because functional education directly enables communication and participation in care.
- Patient-Centered Creative Therapeuticsmethodology: creative-therapeuticsBy integrating professional art, music, and sensory-based creative expression into clinical settings, we improve patient engagement and well-being because structured creative outlets restore agency, reduce isolation, and support emotional and cognitive healing.
- Patient-Led Program Design and Storytellingmethodology: patient-centered_programmingBy involving patients in program design and enabling them to lead storytelling and media production, we increase engagement and therapeutic impact because autonomy and voice reinforce dignity and foster deeper connection to care.