2023 Annual Report

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

A Letter From The Executive Director

Dear Hands and Feet Friends,

In 2023, Hands and Feet served an incredible 2825 children, ensuring they felt the support and love of a caring community during challenging times This accomplishment would not have been possible without supporters like you who believe in our cause and contribute to making it a reality.

Throughout the year, we embarked on several initiatives that brought hope and joy to the families we serve. Our first fundraiser stands out as a testament to the power of community Together, we raised over $17,000, providing vital resources to support our mission and directly benefit the children in foster care

With the generous support of the Children's Services Council of Palm Beach County, we expanded our team by hiring a new staff member. This addition has enhanced our capacity to support vulnerable children and families, ensuring we can meet their needs with compassion and efficiency.

During the holiday season, we brought comfort and joy to over 150 children in Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast through our Shopping with Santa event Your generosity allowed us to create magical moments for these children, ensuring they experienced the warmth and spirit of the season

Our first Open House in Palm Beach, made possible with the support of Leadership Palm Beach County, provided an opportunity for our community to learn more about our mission and the families we serve. It was a heartwarming experience to see our supporters come together to celebrate our achievements and reaffirm their commitment to our cause.

Above all, I am humbled by the countless families and children whose lives we have touched with your support Together, we have brought joy, love, and a sense of selfworth to their homes, creating lasting positive change in our community.

As we embark on another year filled with hope and opportunity, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued partnership and belief in our mission. Your generosity is the driving force behind every success story we share, and we are immensely grateful for your steadfast support.

Thank you once again for your incredible generosity and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve Together, we are truly making a meaningful impact.

With Love, Bailey Hughes

OUR PURPOSE

OUR MISSION

We provide essential items to children and families with an open child welfare case so that they can know the support of a caring, loving community.

OUR VISION

We are the hands and feet that deliver resources to all children and families impacted by the child welfare system

OUR

VALUES

Dignity - We provide quality items to the families we serve so they know they are worthy.

Community – We create a community of support for families who feel undeserving.

Unconditional Love – We believe that every person should know they are loved and supported despite their circumstances.

Child-Focused – We believe that children should be given a voice in their story.

Service – Our team are the hands and feet that serve the most vulnerable children and families in our community.

“ I c a n n o t a p p r o p r i a t e l y e x p r e s s m y

g r a t i t u d e f o r H a n d s & F e e t . W e

a s k e d f o r o n e o r t w o i t e m s , a n d

t h e s e a n g e l s b r o u g h t o v e r t h e

c a v a l r y . T h e n e b u l i z e r h a s d o n e

w o n d e r s f o r t h e b o y s ' s i n u s & a l l e r g y

c h a l l e n g e s , a n d M e r r i c k w a s

a b s o l u t e l y s p o i l e d o n h i s b i r t h d a y .

T h e b o y s l o v e t h e i r g i a n t s t u f f e d

a n i m a l s a n d a l l t h e c l o t h e s , t o y s a n d

g o o d i e s b r o u g h t t o u s . ” - L i n d s e y

K i n s h i p C a r e g i v e r T e s t i m o n i a l

Supporting Hands Children Served

Treasure Coast

Palm Beach

Broward

1522

C H I L D R E N S E R V E D I N

P A L M B E A C H C O U N T Y

516

C H I L D R E N S E R V E D I N B R O W A R D C O U N T Y

787

CHILDREN SERVED IN THE TREASURE COAST

22

A G E D O U T Y O U T H S E R V E D

2825

2 0 2 3 C O M M U N I T Y S U P P O R T

T h a n k y o u t o a l l t h a t h o s t e d d r i v e s , r a i s e d m o n e y f o r t h e f a m i l i e s w e s e r v e , a n d b r o u g h t a w a r e n e s s t o t h e s

c h i l d r e n i n n e e d r i g h t h e r e i n S o u t h F l o r i d a .

I love volunteering with Hands and Feet because I know what it’s like to receive a placement and need the support of your community to wrap around you to help you feel like you can do it. Fostering is the hardest thing I have ever done and knowing that there is a community of people that has been where you are and wants to reach out and help in any way they can makes me want to pay it forward to others involved in the foster community. I also have a relationship with my adopted children’s biological parents and know how much they have struggled and want to help other biological families in crisis to show the love of the community to them when they are hurting or need help.

-- Allison, Hands and Feet volunteer

Our Programs

S u p p o r t i n g H a n d s

Delivering Essential Items to Children Impacted by the Child Welfare System

Our main program delivers items to foster, kinship, and biological families with an open child welfare case right to their door within 48 hours after a referral is made.

G u i d i n g H a n d s

Delivering Support to Aged Out Youth

This program strives to bridge the gap between youth that have aged out as well as youth in group homes and individuals who want to support them. Many times these youth move into new apartments or homes with nothing. With no family to support them in becoming an adult, we pair these youth with a volunteer who takes them shopping and teaches them life skills such as how to budget and plan accordingly for their needs. Through shopping we encourage our volunteers to get to know these youth and form a bond and connection with them that will not just last that one day but a lifetime

Guiding Hands Success Stories

“It really showed that there's nice genuine people who will help regardless of your situation and my volunteer was so incredibly nice!”

-Paul

“I was in shock because I’ve never had anything like that happen to me I was so thankful for the helping hands and their kindness and care of me.”

-Sofia

“The Guiding Hands impacted my life because I finally feel like other people care about me and I am not alone. I also was able to feel there is help out there and there are genuine people that really care about kids in our situation.”

-Julian

Y o u r G i f t s , Y o u r I m p a c t AMAZON WISHLISTS BOUGHT OUT 75 $290 A V E R A G E C O S T O F R E Q U E S T P E R C H I L D

$48,307

H O U R S V O L U N T E E R E D

995 Y o u r G i f t s , Y

R E G I S T E R E D

V O L U N T E E R S

D E L I V E R I E S M A D E

Foster Family Testimonial

“We were able to focus on the new little baby placed in our home rather than running around town gathering supplies for her. It eased the burden of those first hectic days, which we were so thankful for!”

Financials 2023

Operating Expenses

EVENTS& RECOGNITION

In 2023 we were able to host and attend so many amazing events. From our very first fundraiser in October, to hosting an Open House with Engage Palm Beach County, to hosting our Shopping with Santa event for the holidays it truly was such a magical year!

In 2023 we received grants from so many incredible organizations that allowed us to continue our mission!

Last, but certainly not least, Co-Founder Bailey Hughes, was recognized as the Palm Beach Atlantic University Alumna of the Year for her work in co-founding The Hands and Feet.

Helping children in foster care has always been something that I wanted to be involved in. I feel that every child needs to feel loved and wanted. When I found your organization, I couldn't wait to get involved in some way. The Hands and Feet is such a wonderful organization filled with so many kind and hard working people.

Lynn, Hands and Feet volunteer

Get Involved Today!

Deliveritemstofamilies

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O U R V I S I O N :

W e a r e t h e h a n d s a n d f e e t t h a t d e l i v e r r e s o u r c e s t o

a l l c h i l d r e n a n d f a m i l i e s i m p a c t e d b y t h e c h i l d w e l f a r e s y s t e m .

O U R M I S S I O N :

W e p r o v i d e e s s e n t i a l i t e m s t o c h i l d r e n a n d f a m i l i e s

w i t h a n o p e n c h i l d w e l f a r e c a s e s o t h a t t h e y c a n

k n o w t h e s u p p o r t o f a c a r i n g , l o v i n g c o m m u n i t y .

4 3 7 1 L a k e L u c e r n e C i r c l e | W e s t P a l m B e a c h , F L 3 3 4 0 9 | 5 6 1 8 7 9 0 7 9 2 w w w . t h e h a n d s a n d f e e t . o r g

The Hands and Feet

Delivering Help and Hope @thehandsandfeetfl