2025 UHF Gala Journal - Flipbook - Page 13
Stories of how these simple offerings of support changed families’ lives have become
a driving force for Harboring Hearts—and Michelle and Yuki as founders. They both
still remember the first family they served in 2009: a single mother from Trinidad who
received temporary housing, so her twin 4-year-old boys didn’t have to recover from
their heart transplants in the homeless shelter where they’d been living.
Similar examples abound: There’s Kevin, a New Jersey teacher and father of five whose
wife was provided meals and a hotel room during his hospitalization in 2023. Or Jackson,
a 3-year-old boy with a congenital heart condition whose mom received a hotel, food, gas,
and parking assistance in 2024 when she was unable to work. And then there’s Sadio, a
young girl whose father needed help with rent and groceries when he lost his job during
Sadio’s treatment for post-transplant complications.
Over the years, Harboring Hearts has also found new ways to help families. These include
a bedside food delivery program for caregivers, a Hope 4 Hearts initiative that gifts
patients with an experience of their choosing, and a variety of community events.
The “Heart Party” events—which can include crafts and entertainment for pediatric
patients, support groups for caregivers, and more—are meant to offer the same sense
of belonging that Michelle and Yuki found when meeting each other all those years ago.
More than 8,000 have participated.
“When they’re going through this, they feel so isolated and feel alone—so this is really a
way to bring community together,” Michelle said.
Michelle and Yuki’s philanthropic spirit extends far beyond Harboring Hearts.
Michelle, who works for her family’s real estate and development business, has also been
a heart advocate and volunteer at the American Heart Association. To further honor her
father—who passed away from his heart disease in 2008—she also served as a board
member of the New Leaders at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
Yuki, whose early career included founding a tech start-up, is currently director of
strategic partnerships and alliances at the nonprofit Child Mind Institute. She has also
served as chair of the American Heart Association’s New York City advocacy committee.
Backed by the inspiration from their own families and the thousands they’ve served,
Michelle and Yuki say Harboring Hearts is only just getting started.
“We’ve already expanded from just cardiac to other types of organ transplant and would
love to continue to expand there and from a geographic standpoint,” Yuki said. “The
North Star is always to help as many families as possible.”
For founding Harboring Hearts to provide emergency housing, transportation, food, and
emotional support to adult and pediatric cardiac and transplant patients and their families
in critical need, United Hospital Fund is proud to present Michelle Javian and Yuki Kotani
with the 2025 Distinguished Community Service Award.
