Neighborhood Hands

277 total neighbors participated in another *record-breaking program* for the Neighborhood Hands Community on Nov. 2! A big thanks to San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and Devcon Construction for joining our ever-growing "party-in-the-park," and cleaning Guadalupe Gardens alongside 195 neighbors experiencing homelessness and economic insecurity. We believe it takes ALL neighbors to turn the tide on this humanitarian crisis. To everyone who supports our humble efforts to mobilize the neighborhood, break down class barriers, and connect via the community beautifying activity of cleaning parks: THANK YOU. Learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/g43Tf9Qd Photo credit: Neal Waters / SOSKI photo

Thank you, PennPAC (Penn Pro bono Alumni Consulting), for your wisdom and insight on all things Neighborhood Hands!! ?? ??

This past Tuesday we helped the City of San José Housing Department and Mayor Matt Mahan launch a family reunification pilot program called Homeward Bound. This opt-in program provides short-term flexible funding for unhoused neighbors seeking to reunite with their loved ones within or outside of San José. While the humanitarian crisis?playing out on our streets is overwhelmingly due to a severe lack of affordable housing in San Jose – an issue which our community CAN’T ignore or downplay –?our unhoused neighbors face many barriers in their extremely unique journeys out of homelessness. We are grateful to the City of San Jose for providing resources to help reunite folks with their support systems through this pilot program, and we look forward to helping facilitate this work at Neighborhood Hands over the coming months. Learn more at NBC Bay Area: https://bit.ly/3EThZp8 Learn more at San José Spotlight: https://bit.ly/4h44f8h

This is a huge loss for Santa Clara County. We've been lucky to have Jake Rhodes and his team at our program on several occasions, and can attest first hand that the work they do to remove barriers to housing and employment for unhoused neighbors is simply invaluable. If we want to keep people in the cycle of homelessness, cutting programs like this is a great way to do it. https://lnkd.in/gFwVp8Ee

We’re grateful to Star One Credit Union for joining our growing list of corporate partners after they attended our “party-in-the-park” in Q4! Our mission simply wouldn’t be possible without generous private sector supporters like them. Learn more about our work: www.neighborhoodhands.org Learn more about Star One Cedit Union: https://www.starone.org/

We kicked off 2025 with another RECORD BREAKING PROGRAM for the #neighborhoodhandscommunity this past Saturday, January 11! * 326 total attendees (NEW RECORD) * 250 experiencing homelessness or economic insecurity (NEW RECORD) * NOTE: we regretfully had to turn away 50 individuals due to funding constraints * 76 other volunteers and staff from 21 community partners: * (2) Public sector: City of San Jose’s Adopt-A-Park Program; City of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services Dept.; * (10) Nonprofit sector: United Effort Organization; Good Karma Bikes; Open Doors to Future Possibilities; Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen; Project WeHope’s Dignity On Wheels and Hope Health Mobile Van; Unhoused Response Group (URG); Vibes & Smiles; Team Jesus; Guadalupe River Park Conservancy; Life Rescue Ministries; * (9) Private sector: Noah’s NY Bagels; Starbucks; Moda Salon; South Bay Grading; Bills Brush Works; Swenson; Target; Home Depot; White Cap. * Estimated 9,920 pounds of mulch spread around Guadalupe Garden’s Courtyard Gardens and 2,850 pounds of fire hazardous park debris cleared to the PRNS dump site at Seymour St. Why are SO MANY NEIGHBORS (both unhoused and housed) joining our party-in-the-park? A big reason: because we humans are social animals and NEED in-person connection to thrive. (Sadly, in tech-heavy and rat-racing 21st Century America, free opportunities for (non-religious) in-person connection and community building are increasingly rare.) Our pitch is simple: if you want to connect with neighbors who want to make a difference in our San Jose community, come on down to the park every other Saturday morning. Visit www.neighborhoodhands.org to learn more.

Listen to a year-end message from our Board of?Directors. Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make 2024 such a big year for the Neighborhood Hands Community! If you feel inspired to make a year-end donation so we can continue to grow our impact in 2025, you can do so below. https://lnkd.in/ehy7DfTV With gratitude and wishes for a Happy New Year, -Neighborhood Hands

NH Community, Kama Fletcher here, Neighborhood Hands' new part-time Director of Development.?As we close out 2024, I find?myself reflecting?on the profoundly moving experience that has been joining the Neighborhood Hands Community.?I’d love to share a bit about why. Just last Saturday, my two sons (Calvin & Elijah)?and one of their girlfriends joined me as volunteers at Neighborhood Hands’ final program of the year --?a holiday-themed "party-in-the-park"?for neighbors?experiencing homelessness. Together, we handed out gift bags (with the help of our very own Santa Claus, Mr. Richard D.) to over 200 neighbors who sleep and live in cars, tents, parks, and other unsheltered locations in Silicon Valley. Beyond the gratitude for the tangible gifts, what stood out to me were the moments of connection—the handshakes, the hugs, and the heartfelt “Bless you!” that echoed again and again. Neighborhood Hands is about so much more than providing cash stipends and essential resources?to people pushed to the margins (though that is an important part of what we do). It is?about fostering connections between the housed and unhoused in our community, recognizing our shared humanity, and planting the seeds for long-term, humane solutions to the homeless?crisis. In my short time with Neighborhood Hands,?it has become?**so obviously clear**?how this work changes hearts and minds—and I believe in it deeply. As we embrace the new year, I’m asking you to consider supporting this important mission. A gift of any size can make a real impact, not only on the individuals who attend our program, but on the broader community we hope to transform. If you’re moved to?give, you can learn more and?donate?at?www.neighborhoodhands.org. With gratitude, love, and wishes for a Happy New Year, -Kama

During this giving season, we are so grateful to many local businesses and business leaders for investing in our mission and ever-growing organization! A special shoutout to?Devcon Construction McLarney Construction, Inc., SWENSON,?South Bay Grading?The Home Depot,?White Cap, Bills Brush Works,?Target, Jones Day,?SOSKIphoto, Inc.,?Hudson Pacific Properties,?Noah's New York Bagels, Silicon Valley Specialties,?Starbucks, and San Jose Women in Business for Good for their support. We can’t do this work without you! #neighborhoodhandscommunity?#privatesector #cantdoitwithoutyou www.neighborhoodhands.org

Big thanks to Annette Hancock of Downtown Streets Team and Kama Fletcher for hosting Neighborhood Hands Board members and volunteers for the packing of 200 holiday gift bags at the Phoenix earlier this week! Containing NH beanies and other essential items, these gift bags will be distributed to unhoused neighbors at our 12/28 program. (Santa Claus has already confirmed his presence.) We'd love to see you there! https://lnkd.in/d3CYXCZx