Providing essential support and community resources for refugees.
Building community through donations, cultural events, and awareness for refugees and immigrants.
Explore our Refugee & Immigrant Resource Hub below:
Horizon Hub
MISSION AND PHILOSOPHY
Our Mission
Heartfelt Hands offers vital support and companionship to refugees, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Powered by the commitment of over 35 high school volunteers, we provide essential supplies, academic assistance, and a sense of belonging. From volunteering at local organizations to sending letters of encouragement, our mission is to foster resilience and create meaningful new beginnings for those in need.
Learn MoreMake a Difference with Us
How to Help
Volunteers have a crucial role in positively impacting the lives of our clients and on our ability to achieve our mission. Click here to join our volunteer network.
Upcoming Events
Find information about upcoming fundraisers and events organized by Heartfelt Hands and our partner organizations!
Donate
By purchasing our educational childrens book, your contribution will be funneled to local organizations who aim to provide necessities to refugees in the Tri-State Area, ensuring that both immigrants and refugees are able to establish roots and thrive in Connecticut.
KIDZONE EDUCATION
Our Programmes
Get to Know Our Outreach
How We Help
Through our group of dedicated high school volunteers, we aim to compile essential resources, deliver crucial supplies, educational assistance, and a sense of community, fostering resilience and new beginnings for those in need.
Heartfelt Hands is working on partnering with like-minded charity organizations, channeling donations and volunteer resources toward refugee and immigrant groups in Connecticut. We have already posted our resource hub (Horizon Hub) in 4 organization buildings, and around 5 major towns/cities in
As an extension of Heartfelt Hands, I recently launched Horizon Hub—a mobile-friendly platform designed to connect refugees and immigrants in Fairfield County with certified, town-specific resources. From healthcare and housing to ESL classes and transportation, Horizon Hub offers a centralized, accessible guide to essential services for those starting over. This next step in our mission helps bridge critical gaps with dignity, clarity, and compassion.
Heartfelt Hands Team
Meet the Founder
Hi, I’m Zahra Avdiu, welcome to Heartfelt Hands! I’m a Senior at Greenwich Academy in Greenwich, CT.
My passion for social justice and humanitarian work stems from personal experiences—my dad and family’s past as refugees gave me firsthand insight into the challenges and resilience of displaced individuals. Founding Heartfelt Hands was the perfect way for me to honor those experiences by raising awareness and providing resources for refugees around the world.
Through education, community outreach, and advocacy, I hope to inspire others to join me in building a more compassionate and understanding global community. Thank you for being part of this journey!
PARENTS LOVE US
What Parents Say
GAOver 30 volunteers from Greenwich Academy play a hands-on role in supporting refugee families and spreading awareness in the broader community. Students read The Heart Gems of Rainbow Valley to younger classes at local elementary schools, using storytelling to introduce empathy, belonging, and the refugee experience in an age-appropriate way. Beyond education, GA volunteers also organize and run donation drives, collecting essentials such as school supplies, winter coats, hygiene products, and household items that are later distributed to resettled families across Connecticut. Many volunteers also help manage outreach for Heartfelt Hands and Horizon Hub, from creating flyers and social media posts to staffing tables at school events, ensuring the work continues to grow beyond a single campus. Together, they combine advocacy, direct service, and community education to make support both personal and sustainable.
About Us
Our Roots
My inspiration to start Heartfelt Hands came from my own family's history. Many members of my father’s family were Albanian refugees who fled Kosovo during the Serbian-led genocide in Kosovo, and I grew up hearing about the challenges they faced when resettling in a new country. From struggling to find housing and jobs to overcoming language barriers, their experience taught me how overwhelming and isolating that transition can be.
Which is why I wanted to build something that not only provides trusted information, but also fosters a sense of community and support.
Heartfelt Hands Community
Get Involved Now!
Are you a highschool student interested in helping refugees and in Connecticut?
Volunteers play a crucial part in the lives of Heartfelt Hands clients and on our ability to achieve our mission.
Together, we uplift communities throughout Connecticut and make a positive impact on the lives of refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking. Volunteering can be ongoing and/or one-time opportunity.
Fill out our inquiry form below to join our volunteer network!
