The Heart’s Desire Awards

The Heart’s Desire Fund (HDF) supports clients in achieving self-sufficiency by alleviating financial barriers to furthering their education or returning to the workforce through scholarships for laptops, books, tuition, and travel. Friends reviews essays from interested mothers and letters of recommendation from their nurses. 

Friends helps families create sustainable futures by providing direct financial support enabling first-time mothers to achieve their heart’s desire, whether by starting their own business or returning to school.

In response to the pandemic, we created an emergency fund to fill gaps and address unmet service needs for clients. We also offer emergency funds for critical needs in response to the pandemic and natural disasters. We also aim to ensure clients can move out of shelters, provide baby necessities, and pay for medical conditions.

The below video from a Heart’s Desire awardee Berlinda, outlines how support from Friends allowed her to continue taking remote classes amidst the pandemic:

Since our founding, Friends has awarded more than $600,000 to over 600 families.  We look forward to continuing this vital service for years to come.