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Floating Hospital
  • Get Involved

    For 160 years, compassionate individuals have found camaraderie and shared purpose in empowering New York City’s most vulnerable families through donations, volunteering, gifts in kind, board service, and more. Knowing you made a difference in a family’s life is its own priceless gift.

    Ways to Join Us
    • Become a Volunteer
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  • Programs

    Our medical and relief programs provide immediate care for families fleeing domestic violence or facing homelessness, helping them heal and find stability in times of crisis. Our health education programs teach self-care, wellness, and life skills that empower families to move forward and break cycles of poverty and abuse.

    Relief Programs
    • Clothing, Food & NecessitiesEssentials for those who have lost everything
    • Candy Cane LaneWhere holiday dreams come true
    • Good Health ShuttleA driving force in healthcare
    • Literacy InitiativesReading is fundamental
    Education Programs
    • Health EducationWhen the question is health, we have the answer
    • The Health Education ClassroomsThe heart of our waiting room
    • Teaching KitchenLearning that tastes good
    • Our Summer ExperiencesAn adventure in self-discovery
    • Internship ProgramA first step on a productive path
    Healthcare Programs
    • Family MedicinePrimary care to keep families healthy
    • Behavioral HealthA safe space for healing
    • DentistryBuilding confidence in every smile
    • PodiatryHappy feet for a better life
    • OptometryClear sight is the focus
    • Women's WellnessWhere relief partners with healthcare
  • 21,296
    Patients Served

    Impact

    The Floating Hospital meets families where they are: in safe houses, shelters, or doubled up with family and friends. We provide door-to-door transportation to compassionate healthcare, relief, and educational support for children and caregivers.

    Impact at a Glance
    Featured Patient Story
    Moving forward: Ashley’s Story

    Moving forward: Ashley’s Story

    After fleeing violence in another state, Ashley made a new life for her family back home in the city

    READ STORY
    Featured Patient Story
    Back on track: Crystal’s Story

    Back on track: Crystal’s Story

    She was looking for doctors, and found guidance for her sons

    READ STORY
    Patient StoriesRead their stories
  • Who We Are

    Since 1866, The Floating Hospital has welcomed New York City families in need aboard our ships and into our clinics. We provide food, relief supplies, health education, and life skills to help families overcome homelessness, while providing compassionate, high-quality healthcare regardless of ability to pay.

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    Featured Story
    Teen camp experience

    Teen camp experience

    At Camp Rise Up, teens build confidence while learning about their emotional and physical development and gaining practical skills designed to keep them in school and achieve employment. Keemoko said the health education classes helped him deal with peer pressure. “I’ve learned a lot of things there that make me feel different and more grown up.”

    READ STORY
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Our Latest Newsletters

Meet This Year’s Waverunners For a third year, the Floating Hospital is an official charity partner of the TCS New York City Marathon. This… Read Story News + Events/September 15, 2026 Camp Rise Up: Wet weather didn’t dampen spirits | Embracing financial literacy and retirement | Women’s Wellness: Self-care for sweater… Read Story

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In a Grand Tradition: Benefits of the Past

November 19, 2025

Written By Jennifer Presby

For more than a century, The Floating Hospital has relied on the generosity of neighbors, longtime supporters, and first-time guests who come together each year to help sustain our mission. Our annual benefit is one of the clearest expressions of that tradition — an evening where the community gathers not just to celebrate, but to reaffirm a shared commitment to the patients and families who depend on us.

A tradition rooted in community

Long before galas had a name, our founders understood that lasting care requires lasting support. What began as informal gatherings among supporters has grown into a signature annual event, but the spirit behind it hasn’t changed: bringing people together in service of a mission bigger than any one of us.

Every benefit, in every era, has shared a few things in common:

  • A room full of people who believe in accessible healthcare
  • Stories from patients and staff that put the mission into focus
  • A reminder that this work is sustained by community, not just by clinics
  • An invitation to everyone in the room to stay involved beyond one night

As we look back on this history, we’re reminded that the tradition isn’t really about any single event — it’s about the ongoing relationship between The Floating Hospital and the community that keeps showing up for it, year after year.

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21-01 41st Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101

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718-784-2240

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© 2026 The Floating Hospital

The Floating Hospital and The Floating Hospital Foundation are tax-exempt 501(c)3 not-for-profit organizations. All donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

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