We connect unhoused residents with the neighborhood through cleaning our city's parks.
Join us.
Join us.
What We Do
1. We meet unhoused neighbors where they are with an empowering, no-barrier opportunity to earn stipends to beautify unmaintained city parks.
2. After park cleanings, we convene the social capital of the neighborhood and build community. In a positive environment and through a growing resource fair (or "party-in-the-park," as we call it!), we provide comfortable and efficient connection for a wide range of stakeholders battling the homeless crisis: service providers, resource groups, unhoused advocates, corporations, elected officials, volunteer groups, and of course, unhoused neighbors.
2. After park cleanings, we convene the social capital of the neighborhood and build community. In a positive environment and through a growing resource fair (or "party-in-the-park," as we call it!), we provide comfortable and efficient connection for a wide range of stakeholders battling the homeless crisis: service providers, resource groups, unhoused advocates, corporations, elected officials, volunteer groups, and of course, unhoused neighbors.
Current Pilot Program Numbers
Avg. 122 Unhoused Neighbors Per Cleaning |
Avg. 8 Community Partners at our Resource Fair |
Avg. 27 Volunteers and Staff (Across Partners) |
Impact Since March 2020
700+ Unhoused Neighbors Empowered |
620,000+ lbs Park Waste Cleared |
2,900+ Volunteer Hours |
Testimonials
“Neighborhood Hands helps you discover an appetite in yourself to change by offering a means to start the process…to earn it and get some dignity, self-respect, and self-esteem. For many people, small steps are big steps, and they need to move forward gradually…Neighborhood Hands allows for that.” – Earl "London" Foreman, 40 years lived experience
"Neighborhood Hands is the highlight of my week, every week. The community makes me feel a part of something and the cleaning opportunity gives me hope. I just wish it would happen more often." - Jon, unhoused resident
"I like Neighborhood Hands because it brings people together. It is not just about the stipend. People are lonely, but here they can talk to each other. If the program was expanded it would allow me to make needed car repairs that I am not able to do now." - Joe, unhoused resident
"Of the many reasons why Neighborhood Hands is a great place for us to do outreach, the main one is they have built consistent and lasting relationships with the people they serve. So when there's an ask to provide information about something, it's clear to me that a lot of folks trust that Neighborhood Hands would not be putting anyone in harm's way or wasting their time. You can't find that everywhere. It's truly special what Neighborhood Hands is doing." - Derrick Sanderlin, Senior Community Organizer, Sacred Heart Community Service
"I started volunteering with Neighborhood Hands during the pandemic and was immediately hooked by the contagious energy that is the Neighborhood Hands 'cleaning party-in-the-park.' The vision to empower unhoused neighbors through dignified, no-barrier park cleaning opportunities while simultaneously providing a platform for housed neighbors to get involved via a consistent community resource fair is simple and brilliant. One at a time in a comfortable space for all, this program breaks down class barriers and reconnects unhoused neighbors to the society that has given up on them and that in turn, many have also given up on. The inspiration I get from working with and getting to know my unhoused neighbors, some of the most vulnerable in our society, has changed my life and outlook on the world." - Laurie Stewart, Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator, Neighborhood Hands
"Neighborhood Hands is the highlight of my week, every week. The community makes me feel a part of something and the cleaning opportunity gives me hope. I just wish it would happen more often." - Jon, unhoused resident
"I like Neighborhood Hands because it brings people together. It is not just about the stipend. People are lonely, but here they can talk to each other. If the program was expanded it would allow me to make needed car repairs that I am not able to do now." - Joe, unhoused resident
"Of the many reasons why Neighborhood Hands is a great place for us to do outreach, the main one is they have built consistent and lasting relationships with the people they serve. So when there's an ask to provide information about something, it's clear to me that a lot of folks trust that Neighborhood Hands would not be putting anyone in harm's way or wasting their time. You can't find that everywhere. It's truly special what Neighborhood Hands is doing." - Derrick Sanderlin, Senior Community Organizer, Sacred Heart Community Service
"I started volunteering with Neighborhood Hands during the pandemic and was immediately hooked by the contagious energy that is the Neighborhood Hands 'cleaning party-in-the-park.' The vision to empower unhoused neighbors through dignified, no-barrier park cleaning opportunities while simultaneously providing a platform for housed neighbors to get involved via a consistent community resource fair is simple and brilliant. One at a time in a comfortable space for all, this program breaks down class barriers and reconnects unhoused neighbors to the society that has given up on them and that in turn, many have also given up on. The inspiration I get from working with and getting to know my unhoused neighbors, some of the most vulnerable in our society, has changed my life and outlook on the world." - Laurie Stewart, Board Member and Volunteer Coordinator, Neighborhood Hands
Key Survey Data
- 39% of participants are willing to travel over one hour to attend our pilot program should we move locations.
- 77% of participants have attended our pilot program more than ten times.
- Stipends, "it feels good to clean the park," and positive community are the top three reasons unhoused participants attend our program.
Community Partners Joining our Resource Fair ("Party-in-the-Park"!)
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Corporate Sponsors
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Vision, Goals, and Wisdom Informing our Model
