Fostering Change Podcast | Episode 114 | Deborah Koenigsberger

Hearts of Gold, a nonprofit organization with a mission and purpose of supporting and
empowering homeless single mothers in the New York area and mostly from a domestic
violence background to reclaim their lives. Homeless mothers struggle every day to overcome
the key elements that define poverty – limited access to education, social discrimination, and
lack of participation in the decision-making processes that govern their lives.

Deborah started her career as a fashion model, then worked extensively as a stylist before
opening her upscale women’s French boutique, Noir et Blanc in Manhattan in 1989. She
graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts, and is a wife and the mother of two
sons.

Since its first day of operation the mission of Hearts of Gold has been to transform the lives of
marginalized single mothers—primarily women of color and immigrants. A large percentage of
the mothers are victims of domestic violence who have been neglected by family and society,
rendering them alone and frightened with shatteringly low self-esteem. With focused emotional
and physical support, education and occupational training, these mothers can and will become
economically self-sufficient and lead happy, healthy and productive lives.

So far, Hearts of Gold has positively impacted the lives of over 34,475 homeless and very
low-income single mothers and their children and counting.

Over the years Deborah has assembled a broad and a diverse, motivated group of supporters.
Friends, volunteers and business associates from the New York Metropolitan area and around
the globe have stepped up and joined forces with Deborah to make Hearts of Gold the vehicle
of change that it is today.