Let’s Open the Door, New York City
Pop-up doors in NYC
Everyone deserves a decent place to call home. For 50 years, Habitat has been turning that mission into reality by helping millions of people around the world build, improve or finance their homes.
Today, we’re building on that momentum.
We’re popping up in 10 cities worldwide with an art installation of 10 doors, each featuring work from local artists and real homeowner stories. Together, they represent what’s possible with a safe, decent foundation.
Visit the pop-up live on March 23 and 24, 2026,
in Washington Square Park, Garibaldi Plaza!
Islenia Mil | Featured artist
Islenia Mil (she/her) is an Afro-Latina editorial and book illustrator based in NYC. This is a teaser image of her door artwork.
Home to me looks like comfort, safety, a space where one can be vulnerable. Home is where your nervous system can soften, where you are not performing or bracing yourself for what might happen next. Home is not just a structure of walls and a roof, but an ecosystem of trust, dignity and belonging.
Those attributes serve as the foundation that can then enable significant improvement in an individual’s life. Whether in health, education, wealth or sustainability – it starts here, knowing that first and foremost you are safe and provided for. From that assurance, confidence grows. From confidence, individuals and communities alike can build fuller, freer and more expansive lives.
I approached my piece for Habitat for Humanity with this in mind. The result is the piece you see here. A woman sleeps soundly – within her comforter, we see the everyday quiet moments that make up a life filled with joy, wonder, growth and community.
Find Islenia on Instagram at @isleniamil or
visit her website.
Whirlpool Corporation | Featured partner
Whirlpool Corporation is our featured sponsor and partner at our New York City stop with their own door, representing what’s possible when families achieve housing stability.
Since 1999, Whirlpool Corporation has supported Habitat with donated home appliances, financial support, employee volunteers, disaster response, advocacy, support of Habitat’s Carter Work Project and a sustainable home program, BuildBetter with Whirlpool. Through their efforts, Whirlpool has helped improve the lives of more than 1.1 million people in more than 50 countries. Learn more about our Habitat legacy partner.
Uncover more pop-up locations and artists
We’re popping up in 10 cities with a 10-door art installation showcasing local artists and real homeowner stories.
Explore Let’s Open the Door
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Over the past fifty years, we have helped more than 65 million people around the world build, improve or finance places to call home. Now, we’re building on that momentum.
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Behind every open door is a story. As we build on fifty years of making home possible, we’re highlighting some of the people and innovations at the heart of our mission.
See Habitat’s impact in New York.
Get involved
Give, volunteer, speak up, get involved.
Let’s open the door to brighter futures.
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Volunteer with Habitat in your community and around the world. With our help, families can achieve the strength, stability and independence they need to build a better life.
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Learn more about what advocacy is, why advocacy is important and the ways you can join Habitat for Humanity in advocating for safe, affordable housing.
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Learn about ways you can support Habitat’s work — make a one-time donation, donate monthly, donate stock, donate a car, donate stuff and more.