The Doe Fund
Breaking the cycles of homelessness, incarceration, and substance abuse.
16/08/2024
William Glenn, Program Director at The Doe Fund's Harlem Center for Opportunity, attended a resource fair at the Metropolitan Detention Center yesterday, where he shared the opportunities The Doe Fund offers to those preparing for reentry.
“I, for one, know the value of information that can be useful to people who are soon to be released from prison," he shared.
15/08/2024
Exciting career opportunities await at The Doe Fund! Help us empower lives and create lasting change. Explore our open positions and apply today: bit.ly/TDF_Careers
13/08/2024
Check out the Ready, Willing & Able crew and Hudson River Park working together. It’s all about teamwork—making a difference in their community and in their own lives.
12/08/2024
We caught up with Melvin, a program participant, at a milestone moment: the day he received the keys to his very own apartment! He's beyond grateful for this next chapter, and we couldn't be prouder of his journey.
09/08/2024
Discover opportunities in NYC! The Housing Lottery of the week is for 18-26 Redfern Avenue Apartments. Visit https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/details/4873 to learn more.
07/08/2024
The Men in Blue are committed to working with Columbus Avenue BID while also improving their lives. This transitional work experience teaches essential workplace skills like goal-setting, teamwork, communication, and time management.
06/08/2024
Check out these photos from The Doe Fund’s Annual Walk/Run! Last week, our staff members enjoyed a fun day filled with camaraderie and determination.
05/08/2024
One of the most important ways Ready, Willing & Able provides pathways to employment is through our workforce development classes, which set trainees up for success in the modern workplace. Michelle Hilliard, our Associate Director of Workforce Development, played a special role in this year's Graduation. Read about it here:
Michelle Guides Trainees & Graduates to Success - The Doe Fund It has been a busy couple months for Michelle Hilliard, The Doe Fund’s Associate Director of Workforce Development. After representing The Doe Fund at an event with actors Bill Murray and Taylor Schilling, she stepped into a new responsibility very different from any she’s done before in her pas...
02/08/2024
Looking for in NYC? Check out this week's featured Housing Lottery for 83-61 116th Street Apartments! Visit https://housingconnect.nyc.gov/PublicWeb/details/5067 to learn more.
01/08/2024
Check out these photos of the Ready, Willing & Able crew at Hudson River Park. This transitional work experience not only keeps the community safe and clean but also leads to full-time employment, permanent housing, and lasting sobriety for participants.
31/07/2024
We’re thrilled to be featured in New York Amsterdam News! The 2024 Ready, Willing & Able graduation ceremony celebrated nearly 100 men who have transformed their lives through hard work and dedication.
Learn more about it here:
A lifeline through work: Ready, Willing, and Able graduation Can a job save a life? For nearly 100 men graduating from the Ready, Willing, and Able (RWA) program, the answer is a resounding yes.
26/07/2024
The Men in Blue are keeping Downtown Brooklyn vibrant! Check out these photos of the team pressure washing and watering tree beds. Their dedication not only transforms their own lives but also enhances the vitality of the communities we serve.
25/07/2024
Thank you for making The Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing & Able 2024 graduation a huge success! Special guests, including Dr. Yusef Salaam and Fab 5 Freddy, made it an unforgettable event. Your support means the world to our graduates who have overcome homelessness and incarceration.
If you couldn't attend, you can still show your support by : give.doe.org/RWA2024
25/07/2024
Today is ! 🎉 We are incredibly grateful for our interns who have brought dedication, positive energy, and fresh perspectives to The Doe Fund. We thank them for being an essential part of our team.
22/07/2024
Tomorrow over 100 program participants who have overcome homelessness will graduate from Ready, Willing & Able! Show your support by and writing a message of support at bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
19/07/2024
In just four days, we will celebrate this year’s Ready, Willing & Able graduates! Join us in congratulating our 2024 graduates who have overcome homelessness and incarceration and achieved full-time employment, permanent housing, and lasting stability:
Donate to 2024 Ready, Willing & Able Graduation Show your support for the Ready, Willing & Able Class of 2024 and Give for a Grad!
18/07/2024
Thomas is incredibly grateful for the opportunities Ready, Willing & Able provided him. He has maintained sobriety, secured stable employment, and even teaches Tai Chi part-time. He enjoys a healthy life in his own apartment and has found his purpose in spreading positivity. Celebrate Thomas by : bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
16/07/2024
Robert looks forward to graduating in just a week! Through determination and the gift of opportunity, he was able to transform his life, achieve stability, and now helps others. Celebrate this year's graduates by : bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
15/07/2024
LAST CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS!
It’s your last chance to say “Congratulations to the Ready, Willing & Able Class of 2024!” Send your video message by THIS WEDNESDAY, July 17. We’ll put your words of encouragement into a special video presentation for all our 100+ grads to see.
It’s easy to participate: Record your video on a phone and email it to [email protected] with the subject line “Congrats Grads!”
You can also show your support by Giving for a Grad and writing a message of support at bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
10/07/2024
09/07/2024
When Genaro joined Ready, Willing & Able, he was determined to overcome addiction and homelessness. During his time in the program, he obtained his driver's license, High School Equivalency Diploma, and AWS welding certification. Today, he has his own place, lasting sobriety, and a stable job! Celebrate this year's graduates by : bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
08/07/2024
Just over a week left to submit your video message of congratulations to the Ready, Willing & Able Class of 2024! Record a brief video on your phone and email it to [email protected] with the subject line “Congrats Grads!” by July 17.
You can also show your support by and writing a message of support at bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
05/07/2024
Tenants and staff gathered at The Doe Fund’s Muller Residences to celebrate the Fourth of July. The day was filled with delicious food, lively dancing, and a strong sense of community!
04/07/2024
The Doe Fund wishes you and your loved ones a happy and safe ! The promise of America is that it's the land of opportunity. For 30+ years, we've made sure that this promise is available to those who have for too long been denied it. Partner with us to ensure that everyone has access to the gift of opportunity and can achieve independence: doe.org/donate
02/07/2024
Jerome has achieved many of his goals, including securing housing, obtaining a job, and staying on track. "I can’t wait to throw my cap at graduation!" he shared. Celebrate Jerome by : bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
01/07/2024
Have you submitted your video yet? Send a message of congratulations to our Ready, Willing & Able Class of 2024! It’s easy: email your video to [email protected] with the subject line “Congrats Grads!”
Send your video by July 17 to be a part of our inspiring compilation, which we’ll present on graduation day. Your kind words will be sure to bring a smile to the face of every graduate and family member in attendance!
You can also show your support by Giving for a Grad and writing a message of support at bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
28/06/2024
The first financial literacy class hosted by Valley Bank was a great success! Tenants of The Doe Fund’s Peter Jay Sharp Residence were engaged and grateful to learn valuable skills. Together, we're committed to providing opportunities for financial growth and independence.
27/06/2024
Last week, we gathered for our annual staff barbecue! It was a day filled with live music and delicious food prepared by our culinary arts team. We celebrated our ongoing work providing the gift of opportunity for New York's most vulnerable, honored staff who went above and beyond the call of duty, and presented employee tenure awards.
26/06/2024
Stephen is grateful for the opportunities Ready, Willing & Able provided him. Having overcome substance abuse, incarceration, and homelessness, he now has full-time employment, housing, and lasting sobriety. He's living his best life and looks forward to graduating on 7/23! Celebrate Stephen and this year's graduating class by : bit.ly/GivingforaGrad
25/06/2024
The Doe Fund was featured on PIX11 last night! Watch the segment to learn how Ready, Willing & Able empowers men to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of homelessness and incarceration. We're excited to celebrate the accomplishments of this year's graduates on July 23rd.
The Doe Fund’s program empowers homeless men to break the cycle BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) — For many graduates, a cap and gown signify the culmination of years of academic achievement but for a special group of men, graduation represents something far more p…
Our Story
What began as one man’s commitment to helping New York City’s homeless now serves as the model for solving some of our nation’s greatest challenges–poverty, homelessness, mass incarceration, and recidivism.
The Doe Fund’s innovations in social services have transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people with histories of homelessness, incarceration, poverty, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS. The seeds of the organization were sown more than thirty years ago in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. In the early- to mid-1980s, homelessness in New York City had reached a crisis point. People sleeping on the street were often mistaken for garbage, crushed to death by traffic and in the backs of sanitation trucks. They were denied fundamental rights and dignity while the city as a whole was overrun with trash, crime, and drugs. George T. McDonald, then a garment industry executive, was determined to help in some way. He spent 700 nights in Grand Central Terminal, handing out sandwiches and clothing to the hundreds of homeless who slept there. One was a woman known only as “Mama.”
Although the men and women George helped were grateful for the meal, they expressed their desire for a job so that they could afford a room of their own and support themselves. It was becoming increasingly clear that food and clothing were not enough to bring about real change. On Christmas Day 1985, Mama died of pneumonia after being evicted by transit police into freezing temperatures early that morning. It was a turning point for George. He founded The Doe Fund that year in Mama’s memory to finally tackle the root causes of homelessness: lack of opportunity, skills, and support. Three years later, New York City’s rampant homelessness claimed another victim. April Savino had lived in Grand Central Terminal for several years before committing su***de at the age of 19. George delivered the eulogy at April’s funeral, which was also attended by screenwriter Harriet Karr. Harriet had been working on a screenplay about April when she received news of her tragic death. George and Harriet met that day and married six months later. Ever since, they have worked unceasingly to provide those in need with a path towards independence and prosperity.
In 1990 the McDonalds launched Ready, Willing & Able, a ground-breaking transitional work program and the nation’s first large-scale social enterprise. Designed to provide economic opportunity to homeless men, the program quickly proved equally effective in transitioning formerly incarcerated men into mainstream society. Ready, Willing & Able has since helped more than 22,000 men transform their lives. More than 30 years after Mama’s death, The Doe Fund has grown into a $61 million nonprofit that serves thousands each day through its programs. Mama’s memory is honored each Christmas Day with a candlelight vigil in Grand Central Terminal.
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