Up-Coming Events
Welcome to
Hands of Hope America
First and foremost, we want to thank God for allowing Hands of Hope America to assist the residents of the Four Corners of Central Florida with our programs. We also thank our community residents, businesses, partners and volunteers for making this possible.
The organization is compounded as a collective effort between community residents, local churches, businesses, and social service agencies. Our founder, directors and staff are committed to assist the community to raise your quality of life.
Our Mission
The mission of Hands of Hope America is to equip, empower and restore disenfranchised communities by providing accessible, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based services to individuals, families, and children in the Four Corners of Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange County.
Our Vision
The vision of Hands of Hope America is to create a world where disenfranchised communities in Central Florida have access to holistic, evidence-based services that promote their empowerment and restoration. We envision a future where individuals, families, and children have the tools and resources they need to thrive, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstance. Our goal is to build a community where everyone has equal opportunities to live healthy, fulfilling lives and where Hands of Hope America serves as a model of excellence in culturally-sensitive service delivery.
Who We Are
At Hands of Hope America, our identity is rooted in our core values, which serve as the foundation of our mission. These values are more than words; they are the principles that guide our actions:
- Integrity: We are committed to the highest standards of honesty, ethics, and accountability in everything we do.
- Transparency: We believe in clear and open communication to ensure our stakeholders are well-informed and have access to essential information.
- Compassion: Our work is driven by a deep dedication to providing support, care, and assistance to those facing challenges.
- Empathy: We understand the importance of empathy in fostering understanding and connection, tailoring our services to individual needs.
- Hope: We believe in the transformative power of hope, offering assistance, resources, and opportunities for growth and empowerment.
- Grace: Our approach is rooted in treating all individuals with kindness, compassion, and respect, embracing diversity and inclusion.
- Consistency: We recognize that meaningful change requires unwavering dedication and reliability in our efforts.
These values serve as the guiding principles for Hands of Hope America’s work, ensuring that we make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
Who We Serve
At Hands of Hope America, we serve the Four Corners area of Central Florida, where Lake, Osceola, Orange, and Polk Counties come together. Our mission is to identify individuals and families in our local communities who could benefit from the wide range of services we provide. We go beyond our immediate area, reaching out to those in need throughout all four counties.
We know that life can be unpredictable and challenging, and anyone can face tough times. Whether it’s due to a medical condition, job loss, or a difficult family situation, we understand that these circumstances do not define an individual’s worth or character. At Hands of Hope America, we aim to support and empower people during these trying times. Our goal is to provide a helping hand and a safe space where individuals can access the resources they need to thrive.
How We’ve Helped
In 2023, Hands of Hope America has continued its mission to equip, empower, and restore disenfranchised communities in Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange Counties. Here’s a snapshot of our impact:
- Serving Over 4,000 Families: HOHA currently supports over 4,000 families, providing essential assistance to those in need with the Four Corners Community.
- Food Pantry: Through our generous donations, community partners, and local business, HOHA food pantry has welcomed 526 new families, serving over 2,000 individuals and children with essential food support in 2023.
- Social Services: Our case management services have aided 245 individuals, helping them navigate complex challenges.
- Employment Opportunities: We are proud to have assisted 56 individuals in securing employment, empowering them towards self-sufficiency.
- Financial Literacy: Thanks to the monetary support of the United Way of Central Florida, Hands of Hope America has provided 67 individuals with Financial Literacy Classes, opening savings accounts and receiving financial counseling to manage their finances effectively.
- ESOL Classes: In our partnership with Lake Technical College. over 200 individuals are registered for ESOL classes, with 26 currently enrolled, facilitating language proficiency and integration.
- Youth Programs: Our Summer Camp Program engaged 25 students, while our after-school program, currently at capacity, has over 60 students registered.
- Community Outreach: Our monthly community outreach events have positively impacted over 1,000 families in need.
- Mental Health Services: Thanks to the Live Well Foundation of South Lake and United Way of Central Florida, Hands of Hope America has partnered with Lutheran Counseling Services to provide accessible, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based support to individuals, families, and children in Lake, Polk, Osceola, and Orange Counties. We currently support 20 individuals through HOHA Community-based mental health services, prioritizing mental well-being.
• 1 in 8 Families go hungry EVERY DAY.
• 1 in 6 Children go hungry EVERY DAY.
How We Serve
Hands of Hope America recognizes that life can be full of surprises, challenges, and uncertainty, which can lead to human perplexity. We are dedicated to providing a range of programs and services to help individuals and families overcome these obstacles and thrive.
Our emergency food assistance, clothing, and basic household goods programs help meet the immediate needs of those facing financial difficulties. In addition, we offer financial literacy classes to help individuals build the skills and knowledge necessary to manage their money effectively.
For those in need of more comprehensive support, we provide case management services to help individuals navigate complex challenges and connect them with appropriate resources. Our employment assistance and adult education programs, including English as a Second Language (ESOL) classes, assist people in obtaining the skills necessary to secure employment.
Hands of Hope America also offers notary, computer use, and fax and copy services. We can also provide assistance with Access Florida SNAP benefits and a Hope Letter for Community Health Services.
We believe in the importance of mental health and offer evidence-based community mental health services for both children and adults. We also offer resume-building workshops to help individuals prepare for and succeed in job interviews.
Our summer youth program and after-school program provide educational and recreational activities for children and teens. Additionally, our free summer feeding program ensures that children have access to healthy and nutritious meals during the summer months.
At Hands of Hope America, we are committed to helping people overcome the perplexity of life’s challenges by providing essential resources and support to those who need it most.
Financial Literacy
Participants that enroll in the program will have access to a variety of counseling referral programs. Depending on the participant’s need and goals, the participant can receive financial stability classes, family planning, parenting counseling, and mental health counseling. Depending on the programs, the individual will receive personal or group counseling by volunteers. Hands of Hope America aims to distribute basic necessities such as food, water, clothing, housing assistance, and access to mental health counseling and medical care to children, teens, and young adults in poverty, crisis, or homeless individuals and families. We aim to provide financial counseling, credit repair assistance, and budget classes. The mental health counseling will provide, anger management, life skill classes, self-sufficient training, stress relief training, alcohol and narcotics anonymous classes and assist our veterans with needs.
Stories of Hope
We’ve been so blessed to be able to help so many in our community. And we’re so happy when our neighbors share their stories of how our services have helped them improved their lives – family, health, finances – and more.
Partner With Us
At Hands of Hope America, we rely on the generous donations and volunteering of our neighbors and nearby companies to continue serving our community. Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant impact in the lives of those in need. Monthly donations are especially helpful, as they provide consistent support for ongoing programs.
We also welcome corporate donations from our partners and sponsors, as they bring tremendous help to the communities we serve. By partnering with us, companies can make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families facing difficult times. Together, we can create a stronger, more resilient community.
How Can We Help You?
Please contact us with your challenges, donations, sponsorships or questions. You can email us at Info@HandsOfHopeAmerica.org, or call us at 352-432-3824. We look forward to hear how we can help each other.
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