We connect unhoused people with the neighborhood through cleaning our city's parks.
What We Do
1. We meet unhoused neighbors where they are with a no-barrier opportunity to beautify city parks.
2. Through a positive community environment and growing resource fair, (or "party-in-the-park," as we call it!) we facilitate connection for a wide range of stakeholders battling the homeless crisis: unhoused people, social service providers, resource and volunteer groups, unhoused advocates, community minded corporations, transitional employers, government programs, elected officials, and more.
2. Through a positive community environment and growing resource fair, (or "party-in-the-park," as we call it!) we facilitate connection for a wide range of stakeholders battling the homeless crisis: unhoused people, social service providers, resource and volunteer groups, unhoused advocates, community minded corporations, transitional employers, government programs, elected officials, and more.
Current Pilot Program Numbers
Avg. 201 Unhoused Volunteers Per Cleaning |
Avg. 14 Community Partners at our Resource Fair |
Avg. 45 Other Volunteers and Staff (Across Partners) |
Read Our 2023 Annual Report!
(Click image below.)
Impact Since March 2020
800+ Unhoused Neighbors Empowered |
26,500+ Est. Hours Combatting Relational Poverty |
670,000+ Est. Pounds of Park Waste Cleared |
Testimonials
“Neighborhood Hands helps you discover an appetite in yourself to change by offering a means to start the process…to 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
"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 neighbor
"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 also providing a platform for the housed community to get involved is simple and brilliant. One at a time in a comfortable space, this program breaks down 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 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
"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 neighbor
"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 also providing a platform for the housed community to get involved is simple and brilliant. One at a time in a comfortable space, this program breaks down 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 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
Notable Survey Data
- 44% of participants are willing to travel one hour to attend our pilot program should we move locations.
- 58% of participants have attended our pilot program more than ten times.
- Resources/stipends, positive community, and "it feels good to beautify the park," are the top three reasons participants attend our program.
Community Partners Joining Our "Party-in-the-Park"
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Corporate Sponsors
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Vision, Goals, and Wisdom Informing our Model
