Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you just clean parks? Or do you beautify other public spaces as well?
A: Past iterations of Neighborhood Hands programming have cleaned everything from off-ramps to intersections to street corners. As our organization has matured, however, we’ve come to realize the differentiated potential of our park-focused, community-based outreach model, and the wonderful work Downtown Streets Team is already doing related to homeless street cleaning. Because nonprofits should be complementing each others’ work, our vision is to expand our outreach programming at parks and utilize the expertise of strategic partners to provide holistic support (including assistance in finding interim and affordable housing) which meets our clients' many needs.
Q: You mention social connection and community as notable elements of your homeless outreach model. Why are these important?
A: People experiencing homelessness often suffer from extreme social isolation, loneliness, and stigma. This is partially due to our society's 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' ethos. Unfortunately, this adds to the common misconception that homelessness is largely a personal failure as opposed to a societal failure. (To be clear, the growing homeless crisis in Silicon Valley and other entrepreneurial hubs across the U.S. is a societal failure.). To cope with feelings of loneliness (which psychologists increasingly understand to be deadly), it’s not uncommon for unhoused people to abuse substances to numb their pain. Unfortunately, this often leads to or furthers addiction, which can significantly prolong homelessness.
New research in addiction science is clear that one of the best ways to combat substance use disorder—regardless of housing status—is connection; for humans are social creatures by nature. Without connection, we lose both purpose and meaning in our lives.
Unfortunately, opportunities for genuine in-person connection are in shorter supply in our post-COVID world. While we’re more connected than ever online, the downside of our tech-heavy, post-pandemic way of living includes the erosion of empathy and the sobering prediction that loneliness will likely become the predominant human condition of the 21st Century. In our own small way, Neighborhood Hands humbly aims to address these macro trends by providing an opportunity for everyone in the neighborhood to connect with those who need it most at a convenient time every week in a made-for-fun space.
Q: I love what your organization is doing! How can I help?
A: Make a recurring monthly donation so we can expand our program and come volunteer with us!
A: Past iterations of Neighborhood Hands programming have cleaned everything from off-ramps to intersections to street corners. As our organization has matured, however, we’ve come to realize the differentiated potential of our park-focused, community-based outreach model, and the wonderful work Downtown Streets Team is already doing related to homeless street cleaning. Because nonprofits should be complementing each others’ work, our vision is to expand our outreach programming at parks and utilize the expertise of strategic partners to provide holistic support (including assistance in finding interim and affordable housing) which meets our clients' many needs.
Q: You mention social connection and community as notable elements of your homeless outreach model. Why are these important?
A: People experiencing homelessness often suffer from extreme social isolation, loneliness, and stigma. This is partially due to our society's 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' ethos. Unfortunately, this adds to the common misconception that homelessness is largely a personal failure as opposed to a societal failure. (To be clear, the growing homeless crisis in Silicon Valley and other entrepreneurial hubs across the U.S. is a societal failure.). To cope with feelings of loneliness (which psychologists increasingly understand to be deadly), it’s not uncommon for unhoused people to abuse substances to numb their pain. Unfortunately, this often leads to or furthers addiction, which can significantly prolong homelessness.
New research in addiction science is clear that one of the best ways to combat substance use disorder—regardless of housing status—is connection; for humans are social creatures by nature. Without connection, we lose both purpose and meaning in our lives.
Unfortunately, opportunities for genuine in-person connection are in shorter supply in our post-COVID world. While we’re more connected than ever online, the downside of our tech-heavy, post-pandemic way of living includes the erosion of empathy and the sobering prediction that loneliness will likely become the predominant human condition of the 21st Century. In our own small way, Neighborhood Hands humbly aims to address these macro trends by providing an opportunity for everyone in the neighborhood to connect with those who need it most at a convenient time every week in a made-for-fun space.
Q: I love what your organization is doing! How can I help?
A: Make a recurring monthly donation so we can expand our program and come volunteer with us!