In Harlem, too many of our neighbors quietly carry their pain. Some cannot afford therapy or lack adequate insurance, and others struggle to find a provider who understands their cultural experience. Stigma, mistrust, and the pressures of daily life can make asking for help feel out of reach. At the HOPE Center Harlem, we provide free, culturally responsive mental health care, delivered by people rooted in this community, because Harlem residents deserve quality care close to home.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, we will gather at 490 Riverside Drive for our fifth Annual Sneaker Ball, where fashion and art come together for mental health awareness and charity. This year’s theme, “Behind the Velvet Rope,” celebrates the glamor and joy of a disco-inspired evening while asking a deeper question: Who gets access to support and care? Mental wellness should never be a privilege reserved for those with access, money, or connections. We believe it is a right for all human beings to receive quality care in their own communities.
This year’s honorees include former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin, Dr. Antonia New, Dr. Rihanna Anderson, and Dr. Paul Rosenfield. Beyond the celebration, this is an opportunity to highlight the role of community-based care in reducing stigma and helping individuals and families get access to support.
Proceeds from the event will help us to sustain free services to the community, which include individual therapy, medication management, wellness workshops, youth mental health programming, and crisis prevention. Every contribution turns one night of celebration into lasting opportunities for healing and wholeness.
To anyone who may be struggling: You do not have to wait for a crisis to reach out. If stress, sadness, anxiety, grief, or feeling overwhelmed is affecting you that is reason enough to seek support. If you or a family member needs support, call HOPE Center Harlem at 347-778-7610, visit hopecenterharlem.org to complete our service inquiry form. Our team will talk with you about your needs, explain our services, and help you find the right next step.
Ways to give
- Attend: Purchase tickets to Sneaker Ball V at sneakerballnyc.org.
- Donate: Give any amount at hopecenterharlem.org; every dollar supports free care.
- Sponsor: Businesses and organizations can partner with us through event sponsorship.
- Share: Tell your networks about our free services and the Sneaker Ball.
Together, we can lift the rope and make healing accessible to all of Harlem.
Dr. Lena Green, DSW, LCSW, executive director of HOPE Center Harlem, is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
