Our Story - Where it All Began
Helping the Homeless
Tammy, our founder, started several years ago collecting coats and blankets to help the homeless facing brutal cold. She spent a lot of time worrying about them and how they were facing the weather. She felt like she wasn’t doing enough.
In December 2016 she teamed up with a good friend, Robin ,and together they began a drive to make each of the homeless a Christmas box. Each homeless person received a box from “Santa”. The contents included, clothes, socks, gloves, hats and toiletries.
In March 2017 Homeless Hands of Zanesville, LLC became a 501c3 nonprofit. Tammy began gathering board members, all of which are strictly volunteers. This ensures that every penny raised is used to help the homeless. You will see raffles and fundraisers throughout the year, this is how we keep afloat, as we do not receive any government funding.
They had their very first fundraiser with the help of the American Legion and local businesses who donated items. The fundraiser was a huge success and since then, Homeless Hands has gone on to do several more fundraisers and helped hundreds of people, including 73 children, and 9 veterans leave the streets (as of this publishing). Homeless Hands doesn't just take the homeless off the street, they give them the tools to succeed on their own, with no government assistance.
Everyone has different needs, and Homeless Hands takes the time to learn what those needs are, whether it be identifications, employment, housing, restoring driving privileges or transportation. Homeless Hands also makes sure that medical, as well as mental healthcare is at the top of priorities, including helping those who need it find rehabilitation facilities to deal with any addiction issues. Our homeless community are taught life skills, and budgeting of finances, so that they can rebuild their lives. Our goal is not just to help them survive, but to succeed and grow!
Tammy and her team have spent long hours gaining the trust of the homeless and know all of them by name, as well as taking time to know their stories.
In January 2019, a good friend and the owner of American Pride Power Equipment, Ryan Dodson, offered to purchase a transitional house, now called "The Stepping Stone" (522 Woodlawn Ave) for Homeless Hands of Zanesville. This home is a private residence where up to 3 residents can stay at a time, while they work on rebuilding their lives. Each resident has an individualized case plan that is reviewed each week. We have transitioned many homeless into employment and housing since taking ownership of this home. We do allow showers and laundry services at this location for anyone experiencing homelessness, as well as having water in the refrigerator at all times on the back porch.
In February of 2023, we purchased a building located at 1351 Greenwood Ave, Zanesville, Ohio,43701. This building will be used for a community outreach center. Not only will we be able to assist the homeless with needed survival items, but they will be able to take showers at this location, as well as getting help with job applications and resumes. We have found that the online job applications can be very intimidating, so with this media center (Sponsored by Spectrum), we will be able to help anyone with this issue. There will always be cold and hot drinks, snacks, and something to eat. There will also be a discount store to help alleviate the rising costs of living that we are all facing. This Community Outreach Center will be open to all of our community members. While the building is under construction at the moment, we are hoping to be open very soon!
The things we have accomplished with the help of the community since November 2016 is nothing short of amazing! This community is the backbone of our organization, and we can never express our gratitude to each and every one of you enough! Thank you for helping us help them! Thank you all for having faith in the less fortunate. Thank you for believing in us, and everything our volunteers stand for!
Tammy, our founder, started several years ago collecting coats and blankets to help the homeless facing brutal cold. She spent a lot of time worrying about them and how they were facing the weather. She felt like she wasn’t doing enough.
In December 2016 she teamed up with a good friend, Robin ,and together they began a drive to make each of the homeless a Christmas box. Each homeless person received a box from “Santa”. The contents included, clothes, socks, gloves, hats and toiletries.
In March 2017 Homeless Hands of Zanesville, LLC became a 501c3 nonprofit. Tammy began gathering board members, all of which are strictly volunteers. This ensures that every penny raised is used to help the homeless. You will see raffles and fundraisers throughout the year, this is how we keep afloat, as we do not receive any government funding.
They had their very first fundraiser with the help of the American Legion and local businesses who donated items. The fundraiser was a huge success and since then, Homeless Hands has gone on to do several more fundraisers and helped hundreds of people, including 73 children, and 9 veterans leave the streets (as of this publishing). Homeless Hands doesn't just take the homeless off the street, they give them the tools to succeed on their own, with no government assistance.
Everyone has different needs, and Homeless Hands takes the time to learn what those needs are, whether it be identifications, employment, housing, restoring driving privileges or transportation. Homeless Hands also makes sure that medical, as well as mental healthcare is at the top of priorities, including helping those who need it find rehabilitation facilities to deal with any addiction issues. Our homeless community are taught life skills, and budgeting of finances, so that they can rebuild their lives. Our goal is not just to help them survive, but to succeed and grow!
Tammy and her team have spent long hours gaining the trust of the homeless and know all of them by name, as well as taking time to know their stories.
In January 2019, a good friend and the owner of American Pride Power Equipment, Ryan Dodson, offered to purchase a transitional house, now called "The Stepping Stone" (522 Woodlawn Ave) for Homeless Hands of Zanesville. This home is a private residence where up to 3 residents can stay at a time, while they work on rebuilding their lives. Each resident has an individualized case plan that is reviewed each week. We have transitioned many homeless into employment and housing since taking ownership of this home. We do allow showers and laundry services at this location for anyone experiencing homelessness, as well as having water in the refrigerator at all times on the back porch.
In February of 2023, we purchased a building located at 1351 Greenwood Ave, Zanesville, Ohio,43701. This building will be used for a community outreach center. Not only will we be able to assist the homeless with needed survival items, but they will be able to take showers at this location, as well as getting help with job applications and resumes. We have found that the online job applications can be very intimidating, so with this media center (Sponsored by Spectrum), we will be able to help anyone with this issue. There will always be cold and hot drinks, snacks, and something to eat. There will also be a discount store to help alleviate the rising costs of living that we are all facing. This Community Outreach Center will be open to all of our community members. While the building is under construction at the moment, we are hoping to be open very soon!
The things we have accomplished with the help of the community since November 2016 is nothing short of amazing! This community is the backbone of our organization, and we can never express our gratitude to each and every one of you enough! Thank you for helping us help them! Thank you all for having faith in the less fortunate. Thank you for believing in us, and everything our volunteers stand for!