The Visiting Nurse Service of New York has always relied on contributions from generous individuals and partners to support our mission. In 1893, Lillian Wald turned to banker Jacob Schiff, who became one of the first philanthropists to support the vital care our budding organization provided to the poor and sick on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. In 1954, the estate of Florence Lamont donated a five-story brownstone on the Upper East Side. This beautiful building has served as an office and meeting space in the years since.

These and other notable philanthropists established a legacy of community support VNSNY has enjoyed, and throughout the decades, tens of thousands of New Yorkers have made invaluable gifts in support of VNSNY’s work. Their contributions have changed the lives of our patients, and have allowed our organization to evolve and grow to match the needs of New York City.

Our supporters come from all walks of life—some are former patients or family members of those who received care, others are New Yorkers who believe that no one should go without the care they need, and still others are employees, who work tirelessly to provide the care our patients need and make financial contributions. Despite their differences, they are united in sharing Lillian Wald’s vision, that at-risk neighbors of every background deserve access to expert, compassionate care.

Meet Joan: Supporting Real Change

Joan, an artist and former preschool teacher, makes a difference in young children’s lives as a staunch supporter of VNSNY’s Nurse-Family Partnership.
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Meet Elizabeth: An Eye on the Future

Elizabeth, a nurse and VNSNY employee, supports educating the next generation of nurses because she knows how valuable education is to a nurse’s future—and how valuable nurses are to health care’s future.
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Meet Allison: Personal Mission Meets Organizational Mission

Allison, a physical therapist and VNSNY employee, credits her family and her Caribbean heritage with instilling values that are similar to VNSNY’s mission.
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Meet Phyllis: Receiving and Giving Hope

Phyllis, whose husband received care from many VNSNY clinicians throughout his illness, generously supports several VNSNY programs. She made her first donation after a nurse lifted her spirits and gave her hope.
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Meet Lisa: Hospice Spells Love

Lisa, a professional photographer, dreaded the thought of hospice. But the care her partner received from VNSNY’s Hospice and Palliative Care program changed her mind, and Lisa’s generosity is motivated by her desire to help more people understand this special and important care.
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Meet Drew: Extending Lillian Wald’s Mission

Drew, a physician and the great-great-grandson of Jacob Schiff, has made invaluable contributions to VNSNY that both honor his ancestor’s legacy and prepare our organization for the demands of the twenty-first century.
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