Healing Hearts,
Changing Lives.
Healing Hearts,
Changing Lives.
Restoring lives after trauma through safe housing, healing resources, and life skills.
Our mission is to foster healing, resilience, and independence, ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to reclaim their life and thrive in a supportive environment.
Our First Annual Community Coat Drive
“Share the Warmth Cleveland” — Healing Hearts Initiative Community Coat Drive & Giveaway
The Healing Hearts Initiative Community Coat Drive is an awareness and action campaign to ensure that no survivor, foster youth, or family in Northeast Ohio faces winter without protection.
In partnership with One Warm Coat, we are collecting new and gently used coats and distributing them during a city-wide community event filled with warmth, connection, and hope.
This year’s drive includes music, family-friendly fun, volunteer opportunities, and the joy of giving and receiving with dignity
Location:
🛼 United Skates of America
30325 Palisades Pkwy, Wickliffe, OH 44125
Event Highlights:
Free coat distribution for survivors, families, and youth in need
Community giveaway & warm-weather resource tables
Volunteer opportunities and live entertainment
Networking and sponsor recognition
💻 Register to receive, donate, volunteer, or sponsor:
👉 https://tinyurl.com/healingheartscoatdrive
🧥 Drop-Off Locations
Cleveland Office — Healing Hearts Initiative
📍 440 E 149th St, Cleveland, OH 44110
🗳️ Large collection box onsite
Powell Drop-Off Point — Liberty Township Fire Department – Station 322
📍 10150 Sawmill Pkwy, Powell, OH 43065
All donated coats must be clean, wearable, and undamaged.
A Season of Warmth: The Story of Our First Annual Coat Drive
What began as a simple call for help quickly grew into a wave of generosity that swept across our community. Neighbors, families, businesses, and partners came together with one shared belief: everyone deserves warmth, dignity, and care.
As the donations poured in, so did the stories. Parents who had been quietly struggling. Individuals rebuilding their lives after hardship. Children who walked away clutching new coats with smiles that said more than words ever could. What you gave wasn’t just clothing—it was comfort, hope, and a reminder that no one faces winter alone.
By the end of our drive, the impact was undeniable:
202 coats distributed,
countless children’s items donated,
and hundreds of community members served.
Every number represents a life touched by your kindness.
But the story doesn’t end there. The very next week, we delivered infant and children’s clothing to a shelter serving youth ages 0–12, extending your warmth to little ones who need it most. Your generosity continued to move beyond one event, reaching families who rarely experience support this personal.
Along the way, community champions stepped forward—corporations, local restaurants, nonprofits, and everyday individuals—each adding their voice to a shared mission of compassion. Their partnership didn’t just help us meet a goal; it helped us build a stronger, more connected community.
Behind the scenes, our board, grant writers, and outreach team worked tirelessly, inspired by every coat, every parent, every child, and every act of kindness. Together, they helped transform an idea into a movement.
And this is just the beginning.
Our coat drive has sparked a year of expanded outreach:
a Spring Clothing Drive in April 2026,
a year-round emergency clothing closet,
and ongoing partnerships to support families facing hardship.
If you’d like to be part of this growing story—whether by volunteering, donating, partnering, or sharing our mission—there is a place for you here. Each act of support becomes another chapter in the work we’re building together.
Because when we show up for one another, we do more than give warmth.
We strengthen families, uplift children, and remind our neighbors that healing truly is everybody’s business.
Our Mission
The Healing Hearts Initiative is a grassroots movement based in Ohio, created to support survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and young adults aging out of foster care. We provide a holistic path to healing - offering immediate crisis response, mental health care, life skills training, safe housing, and long-term support that strengthens individuals, families, and communities.
We believe healing is not just about surviving - it's about rebuilding, growing, and thriving. That’s why our work goes beyond short-term aid. We focus on stability, self-sufficiency, and personal growth, walking alongside survivors as they reclaim control over their lives and create a future rooted in dignity and possibility.
At our core, we are a grassroots force for change in Ohio, meeting people where they are and helping them move forward - one step, one story, one life at a time.
Who We Help
We serve individuals who have faced trauma, instability, and significant life challenges. These individuals often struggle with safety concerns, mental health issues, financial insecurity, and a lack of support systems
Survivors of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking survivors often escape dangerous situations with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
We provide a safe space where they can begin the healing process and regain control over their lives.
Victims of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence survivors need support in breaking free from abusive situations and rebuilding their lives. .
We connect them with safe housing, emotional support, and practical resources to ensure long-term stability.
Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care
For many young adults leaving the foster care system, the transition to independence is overwhelming.
We help them secure stable housing, find employment, and develop essential life skills so they can build a successful future.
What We Do
Three ways we help survivors move from crisis to stability and growth.
Haven of Hope Program
Transitional housing for survivors in need.
Support with long-term housing applications and financial planning.
Collaboration with housing programs to ensure safe, stable living.
Emergency assistance for individuals in immediate danger.
Safety planning to help survivors leave unsafe environments.
Referrals to essential resources, including legal aid and medical care.
Pathways to Independence
Financial literacy training (budgeting, saving, and responsible spending).
Workforce Development (resume building, interview skills, and job readiness).
Communication and self-advocacy training for personal and professional growth.
Scholarship assistance & college application support for survivors pursuing higher education.
Vocational training & certifications in high-demand industries.
Partnerships with businesses to create internships and job placement opportunities.
Pathways to Independence
Financial literacy training (budgeting, saving, and responsible spending).
Workforce Development (resume building, interview skills, and job readiness).
Communication and self-advocacy training for personal and professional growth.
Scholarship assistance & college application support for survivors pursuing higher education.
Vocational training & certifications in high-demand industries.
Partnerships with businesses to create internships and job placement opportunities.
Healing Hearts Support Network
Mental Health Counseling for individuals who experienced trauma.
Trauma recovery planning to help survivors recover.
Peer-led support groups where survivors connect and share experiences.
Mentorship programs offering long-term guidance.
Social networking opportunities to encourage healthy relationships.
What We Do
Three ways we help survivors move from crisis to stability and growth.
Haven of Hope Program
Provides safe transitional housing, financial planning, and emergency support for survivors in crisis. By helping individuals stabilize and secure long-term housing, this program strengthens public safety, reduces homelessness, and supports a healthier, more stable community.
Healing Hearts Support Network
Offers counseling, trauma-recovery planning, peer groups, and mentorship that help survivors heal and regain confidence. By reducing the long-term effects of trauma and rebuilding supportive connections, this program fosters a healthier, more resilient community.
Bridges to Freedom Initiative
Supports formerly incarcerated individuals in returning to the community with stability, purpose, and accountability. Through proven rehabilitation, job training, and peer mentorship, we reduce recidivism, strengthen public safety, and build a more reliable workforce—creating a safer, more stable community for all.
Pathways to Independence
Delivers financial literacy, job readiness, and education support to help survivors build stable careers. By increasing employment and economic independence, this program strengthens the local workforce and contributes to a more secure and productive community.
Our Impact
In just two years, Healing Hearts Initiative has expanded its grassroots work touching lives.
Creating real outcomes for survivors across our community:
Haven of Hope
Provided safe emergency housing and essential support to 30 survivors escaping domestic violence or trafficking. 100% received safety planning and help applying for long-term housing.
Pathways to Independence
Delivered financial literacy and job readiness training to 35 individuals — 80% secured employment, internships, or enrolled in college/vocational programs.
Healing Hearts Support Network
Facilitated counseling and peer-led support groups for 60 participants. 90% reported emotional healing, reduced isolation, and stronger self-advocacy.
Additional support highlights:
Over 10 foster youth received clothing, phone coverage, and daily essentials
4–5 families provided with baby supplies and critical items
25 women in shelters received personal care kits and wellness support
First-month rent covered for 5 individuals in housing crisis
Ongoing rent support of $1,400/month for a long-term client facing housing insecurity
Our Growth Plan
Year 1: Laying the Foundation
Launch initial programs and conduct outreach to survivors in need.
Establish partnerships with shelters, businesses, and service providers.
Year 2: Expansion & Evaluation
Increase capacity and expand services to reach more survivors.
Evaluate program effectiveness through surveys, interviews, and participant feedback.
Year 2: Expansion & Evaluation
Improve and refine programs based on participant needs.
Secure long-term funding sources for sustainable impact
Goals & Expected Outcomes
Goal 1
Provide safe housing for at least 50 survivors within the first year of the program.
Goal 2
Facilitate 12 counseling sessions and support groups each month, reaching at least 100 participants annually.
Goal 3
Host 6 life skills workshops per year, with 80% of participants reporting increased confidence in their independence.
How We Sustain Our Mission
Funding Sources
We rely on:
Grants from foundations supporting survivor rehabilitation.
Donations from individuals passionate about our mission.
Fundraising events to engage the community.
Sustainability Plan
We are:
Partnering with local businesses to provide job opportunities.
Collaborating with housing organizations to secure long-term support.
Engaging faith-based groups and community leaders in our efforts.
Thanks to Our Community Partners
Thanks to Our Community Partners
Our Team
Soretha Eldridge
Founder and Board Chair
Letisha Goode
Vice President
Keturah Parker
Executive Director
Kimora Pinkston
Secretary
Lewis Pinkston III
Treasurer
Lacey Vincent
Marketing Specialist
Our History
The Why
The Healing Hearts Initiative was born out of my personal experiences and a deep desire to address the gaps in support for survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and young adults aging out of the foster care system.
As someone who has witnessed firsthand the emotional, financial, and societal challenges faced by individuals in these vulnerable situations, I felt compelled to create a safe space where healing, empowerment, and independence could truly be achieved.
A Message From The Founder
I founded the Healing Hearts Initiative because I saw how often survivors are left to navigate life on their own, without the necessary resources or support systems to rebuild their lives.
Many face barriers to housing, counseling, education, and life skills training, which are crucial for long-term stability.
I wanted to create an organization that not only addressed these barriers but also provided a holistic approach to recovery—one that focuses on mental health, personal growth, and community reintegration.
Our Inspiration
The inspiration for this nonprofit stems from my belief that everyone deserves a chance to reclaim their life, regardless of their past.
I have always been passionate about advocacy and social work, and through my professional experiences, I recognized the urgent need for a comprehensive program that meets survivors where they are and helps them move forward.
Our Nonprofit as a Whole
The Healing Hearts Initiative is more than just a nonprofit—it’s a mission to restore hope, dignity, and independence to those who have endured unimaginable hardships.
My goal is to empower individuals to break the cycle of trauma, build a strong foundation for their future, and thrive in a supportive and understanding community.
We earned the 2025 Candid Gold Seal of Transparency
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Join Us
Every survivor deserves a chance to heal, grow, and succeed. Here’s how you can help:
Donate – Your support provides housing, counseling, and life-changing services.
Volunteer – Offer your time and skills to empower survivors.
Partner With Us – Businesses and organizations can collaborate to create new opportunities.
Together, we can turn pain into power and trauma into triumph.
Contact Us
Healing Hearts, Changing Lives.
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Copyright © 2025 Healing Hearts Initiative - All Rights Reserved.
Mailing Address: 40 Grace Drive, Unit# 1031, Powell, OH 43065
Cleveland Location: 440 E 149th St, Cleveland, OH 44110
Columbus Location: 5109 Chipman Dr Columbus, OH 43232
Serving Victims in the State of Ohio
