About the Heartwarmers Project
A community-driven initiative to provide warmth, support, and resources to those experiencing homelessness.
Our Story
— April, Founder of Heartwarmers
The Heartwarmers Project was born from personal experience. Our founder, April, lived out of a vehicle for several years and survived winters by using hot water bottles as a source of warmth. This simple yet effective method became a lifeline during cold nights.
After finding stable housing and returning to school to learn coding and development, April was determined to share this knowledge with others facing similar challenges. What began as a personal survival technique has evolved into a movement to help vulnerable populations stay warm and connected to essential resources.
The Heartwarmers Project is a movement of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits working together to provide warmth, support, and resources to those who need it most.
Our Mission
The Heartwarmers Project has a three-fold mission:
- Immediate Relief: Provide practical solutions for warmth during cold weather to prevent suffering and save lives.
- Resource Connection: Connect vulnerable populations with essential services through our interactive resource map and community partnerships.
- Systemic Change: Advocate for better policies and support systems while empowering communities to take action where policy falls short.
We believe that everyone deserves access to warmth, safety, and dignity, regardless of their housing status. By combining practical solutions with technology and community engagement, we aim to create a more compassionate and supportive environment for those experiencing homelessness.
How it Works: Three Levels of Engagement
Heartwarmers is a three-prong approach to harm reduction in our communities.
Level 1: Individual
We'll show you how to create and personalize care packages for those in need, even on a budget. We'll also connect you with resources for bulk item donations.
Email PDFLevel 2: Business
Businesses and nonprofits can use our toolkit to provide essential amenities like warmth, charging stations, and food to those in need. Organizations with free public offerings can also add themselves to our interactive map.
ResourcesLevel 3: The Technology
We're creating an app to connect people experiencing homelessness with resources. Your feedback and participation are vital to make this tool truly helpful. Check out our mobile prototype and learn how you can contribute to this open source project.
PrototypeThe Vision
Our long-term goal is to develop a mobile app that connects people experiencing homelessness or poverty with essential resources, such as shelters, food pantries, and healthcare services. This app will empower individuals to find the help they need and reduce the barriers to accessing vital services.
We envision a future where:
- No one freezes to death due to lack of access to warmth
- Community resources are easily discoverable by those who need them most
- Businesses and organizations actively participate in supporting vulnerable populations
- Technology bridges gaps in service delivery and resource allocation
- Individuals experiencing homelessness have greater agency and dignity
Our Journey
The Idea is Born
April discovers the effectiveness of hot water bottles while experiencing homelessness.
Back to School
After finding stable housing, April begins studying web development with the goal of creating tools for vulnerable populations.
Project Launch
The Heartwarmers Project officially launches with a website and initial resource map.
First Distribution
First batch of Heartwarmer bottles distributed to homeless communities in partnership with local organizations.
App Development
Development begins on the Heartwarmers mobile app to connect users with resources.
Nationwide Expansion
Plans to expand the Heartwarmers network to cities across the country.
Support Our Project
By making a financial pledge towards this and other projects, you are allowing us to focus our time towards development of Heartwarmers and expand our impact.
