Project Move-In Helps NYCHA Students Prepare for College
Moving from home to a college dorm or off-campus housing is often the first experience young people have living on their own. Project Move-In, a program from NYC Service, helps make that transition a little easier for college-bound NYCHA residents by providing them with essential items to start their college journey.
The New York Yankees, a Project Move-In sponsor for the third year in a row, hosted a distribution event on July 27 at Yankee Stadium, where 100 NYCHA residents received college essentials and free tickets to a future Yankees game.
Each student got a duffel bag filled with school necessities, including a laptop, wireless earbuds, portable Bluetooth speaker, charger, flash drive, extension cord, shower caddy, twin XL sheet set with comforter, pillow, towel, pop-up hamper, reusable water bottle, and other items. Participants were selected through an application process.
“Project Move-In is about more than providing essential dorm room items—it’s about making sure students feel supported, prepared, and confident as they take an important step toward their future,” said Nichelle Hudlin, Strategic Partnerships Manager in NYCHA’s Office of Public and Private Partnerships. “We’re proud to be part of a partnership that helps remove some of the financial barriers students and families face, while celebrating the incredible achievement of starting college.”
The Public Housing Community Fund supported the initiative again this year through its partnership with Lyft and provided students with $40 vouchers towards their rides home to transport their new belongings.
Isaacs Houses resident Aliya Toure was among this year’s participants. She will be attending Haverford College in Pennsylvania and plans to major in political science and minor in education.
“It was relieving to be one of the recipients and to know that I had a few things I could knock off my list of dorm essentials,” Ms. Toure said. “It was a very nice experience, and I was happy to be chosen. My favorite items were the portable charger and the command hooks because those are things I didn’t think about needing but I’m grateful to have.”
Mott Haven Houses resident Tionne Bartlett is also grateful to be a Project Move-In recipient. She will begin her freshman year at SUNY Oneonta, where she plans to major in film and media studies.
“This took a financial burden off of me,” Ms. Bartlett said. “I know many of the items cost a lot and because I’m not making a lot of money this summer, at least I can save more money and worry about the next things on my list. I’m grateful that my mother found this resource and signed up for me.”
Ms. Bartlett was especially excited to receive a brand-new laptop. As she prepares to leave home, she is looking forward to experiencing a new part of New York State and meeting new people.
“I’m excited to explore, get some fresh air, make new friends and more connections, and to get the college experience that my parents never had,” she said.
“We are so proud of our NYCHA residents who are taking this next step in their educational journeys,” NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt said. “Starting college is an exciting milestone, but it can also come with new challenges and expenses. We are grateful to NYC Service, the New York Yankees, the Public Housing Community Fund, and Lyft for providing young people with resources for a strong start so they can focus on learning, new experiences, and the opportunities ahead.”
NYCHA families interested in learning about the next Project Move-In opportunity can sign up for updates here: Project Move-In 2027 Interest Form.