Who we are
Hearts for the Homeless Philadelphia (H4H Philly) is a chapter of Hearts for the Homeless International dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness throughout Philadelphia.
In partnership with Bethesda Project, we bring together volunteers, students, healthcare advocates, and community organizations to provide health education, compassionate outreach, and meaningful human connections.
Volunteer Connect is our digital community hub, designed to help volunteers stay informed, access resources, coordinate events, and turn their commitment to service into lasting impact.
Our mission
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness through accessible heart health education, compassionate community engagement, and sustainable volunteer service.
We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, regardless of their circumstances.
By connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities to serve, we strive to build a stronger, healthier, and more connected Philadelphia.
What we do
Our outreach brings together health education and everyday community support.
Heart health education and preventive care, delivered with respect at the places people already are.
Areas of focus
Shared time, practical support, and the everyday connections that help people feel seen.
Areas of focus
These are the areas our work focuses on. Which activities run at a given time depends on volunteers, training and partner sites — the Events page shows what's actually scheduled.
Our goals
Grow alongside shelters, schools and organizations that already serve Philadelphians experiencing homelessness.
Prepare every volunteer with the training they need to serve safely, confidently and respectfully.
Make heart health information approachable, practical and available where people are.
Treat every interaction as a chance to listen, connect and build trust.
Track our work honestly so we can learn, improve and keep showing up.
Our roadmap
These are planned milestones for the year ahead, not completed achievements. Dates may shift as the chapter grows.
Phase 1
PlannedPhase 2
PlannedPhase 3
PlannedPhase 4
PlannedOur leadership
H4H Philly is run by students and community members. The Executive Board, committee members and volunteers work together to coordinate events, wellness education, outreach, recruitment and partnerships.
Sets direction, schedules and leads events, and keeps the chapter accountable to its mission.
Help plan and co-lead events, support partner sites and bring new volunteers into the work.
Show up for outreach, education and community events — the heart of everything H4H Philly does.
Our partners
Parent organization
H4H Philly is one chapter in the Hearts for the Homeless International network, which supports chapters working to improve health care access for people experiencing homelessness.
Visit h4hinternational.org(opens in a new tab)Philadelphia outreach partner
A Philadelphia organization serving people experiencing homelessness. H4H Philly partners with Bethesda Project to bring health education and outreach to the people it serves.
Visit bethesdaproject.org(opens in a new tab)FAQ
Anyone who wants to help is welcome — students, healthcare advocates and community members alike. New volunteers join through our signup process, and an administrator approves each account before it becomes active.
No. Many of our activities — community meals, outreach, recreation and career readiness — need no medical background. Some specialized roles, such as health screening stations, require completing specific training or certification first, which we provide information about once you join.
Sign in to Volunteer Connect and open Events. You can see what's scheduled and RSVP to events you're eligible for. If an event requires a certification you don't have yet, the event page will tell you what's needed.
We're always glad to hear from shelters, schools and organizations that share our goals. A dedicated partnership contact isn't listed on this page yet; in the meantime, Hearts for the Homeless International's website is a good starting point, or speak with an H4H Philly member at one of our events.
You don't need to change the entire world to make a difference. Sometimes, changing someone's day is where it begins.
