OUR MISSION
Empowering our neighbors with services to alleviate seasons of poverty and other hardships. Everyone goes through different seasons of life. While we know they are temporary, some seasons may feel harder than others. We want our neighbors to know they have a place to come for help. We believe it’s important to walk with others through every season of life. Our mission is to offer our neighbors with opportunities to alleviate personal and financial hardships by providing services that foster self-worth and human dignity. Our hope is to see everyone through Jesus’ eyes with compassion and grace. “Providing Hope when our neighbors need it most.”
OUR HISTORY
At Helping Hand of Hope, we believe that love and hope are best shown through service to others. That’s where our story begins.
The Helping Hand of Hope is a product of merging two Hardin County social services agencies–Helping Hand of the Heartland and North Hardin Hope. Both agencies served the north and south parts of the county respectively and separately.
Helping Hand of the Heartland was established in 1971 by Dotty Hanson to assist people experiencing homelessness and those facing economic hardship in Elizabethtown and southern Hardin County. In 1974, the Elizabethtown Ministerial Association assumed sponsorship of the organization.
North Hardin Hope was founded in 1982 by the Radcliff/North Hardin Ministerial Association. It was established to centralize resources for those needing assistance in the northern end of Hardin County.
In 2011, the two agencies merged to become one organization: Helping Hand of Hope. The merge reduced duplication of services and enabled the organization to more effectively and efficiently use its resources to address the problems of poverty across the Hardin County area.
In 2023, Helping Hand of Hope hosted a ribbon cutting event to celebrate its new re branding efforts. Through these efforts, access to information, services and opportunities for volunteering and donating was made easier than ever. Today, Helping Hand of Hope is still dedicated to loving our neighbors in need by offering support and resources for difficult times. We are also here to educate and empower others to use their abilities in ways that promote self-sustainability. With the help of volunteers, partner support, and community engagement, we hope to continue to serve our neighbors in need for decades to come.
Meet Our Team
The Helping Hand of Hope team is comprised of caring and dedicated individuals who believe that every person is worthy of kindness, respect, and compassion.
Debbie
With over two decades of experience working with Helping Hand of Hope, Debbie is committed to helping local individuals overcome challenges and offering support for those in need. She currently serves as Office Manager for Helping Hand of Hope and has served in various capacities throughout her 21 years with the organization. Debbie is married with two children and two grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, vacationing at the beach and in the mountains and growing flowers
Kayla
Kayla serves as Assistant to the Executive Director at Helping Hand of Hope. She joined the team in July of 2020 as the front desk receptionist. A native of Louisville, Kayla moved to Elizabethtown while in middle school and went on to graduate from Central Hardin High School in 2009. She then attended Campbellsville University and went on to work as a medical assistant.
After a few years in the medical field, Kayla decided to return to school to pursue social work, and decided Helping Hand of Hope was the perfect place to foster her dream. She gradually worked her way up, and worked as a case manager before taking on her current role. Throughout her time with Helping Hand of Hope, she has thoroughly enjoyed helping people in need during their hardest seasons.
Cindy
Cindy serves as Office Assistant and Case Manager with Helping Hand of Hope. Prior to joining the team and moving to Elizabethtown, she spent over 11 years in the medical industry. In her role, Cindy relishes the chance to advocate, giving a voice to people and making a positive impact in the community. In her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and challenging her sister to essay-writing contests. She has a passion for animals and would start a small farm if she could.
John
John’s tenure with Helping Hand of Hope began through his role as a Staff Sergeant with the Kentucky National Guard. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, National Guardsmen were assigned to Helping Hand of Hope to assist with duties such as stocking, packing food boxes, bringing in donations and other everyday tasks. When John was coming off of orders to serve Helping Hand of Hope, he was asked to stay and serve as Warehouse Manager for the facility. Possessing a strong work ethic and a desire to give back, John has enjoyed his time working with Helping Hand of Hope.
John has 17 years of service with the Kentucky National Guard. He has been married to his wife Julie for 20 years and they have four children: Andrew, Eli, Sarah and Ricky.
Joyce
Joyce began working at HHH as a volunteer in October 2022. She is now the front desk receptionist.
Joyce retired from the Department of the Navy after 32 years in HR.
She loves meeting clients and hopes every day she can do at least one thing to make a better day for someone in need.
meet our board
Our Board Members provide strategic direction for our organization allowing us to help as many of our neighbors as possible.
Board Chair
CINDY NORFLEET
Cindy Norfleet is the Human Resources Director for Communicare, a non-profit community mental health center serving 8 counties in the Lincoln Trail area. Cindy and her husband moved to Elizabethtown from Somerset, KY in 2003. They are members of Valley Creek Baptist Church. Cindy has served on several boards during her time in Hardin County, including: the Elizabethtown Society of Human Resources Managers, the KY Society of Human Resources Management, and Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland. Cindy now serves as the Helping Hand of Hope Board Chair. She is passionate about Helping Hand of Hope’s mission to help people when they are in need, but also to help them to find a path where they can be self-sustaining.
Board Vice Chair
JAMES WATSON
James Watson is a Senior Vice President and Senior Commercial Lender with WesBanco in Elizabethtown, KY. He and his wife, Tia, have been married for 23 years. Originally from Grayson County, James and Tia moved to Elizabethtown in 2017. James is passionate about giving back to his community and assisting those in need.
James previously served as the Chairman of the Board for Helping Hand of Hope and currently serves as Vice Board Chair. James loves that Helping Hand of Hope assists people with their basic human needs all while teaching about Jesus Christ and showing His love through the actions of HHH staff, volunteers, and donors.
CHRIS KIGER
Chris Kiger is an Outreach Minister at First Christian Church in Elizabethtown, KY. He is married to his wife, Angie, and is the proud father of 4 sons. Chris serves as point-of-contact for First Christian Church’s many mission partners, both locally and globally. He loves teaching and leading others closer to Jesus and making people laugh.
Chris has served as a board member for Helping Hand of Hope for many years now, and he enjoys helping people in any way that he can.
CAMERON DAVIS
Cameron Davis is married to her high school sweetheart, Todd, and they have 2 children. The Davis family are active members of First Christian Church. Cameron has also served as a member of the EFC Board, President of EHMS PTSA and is the founder of Birthday Smiles, a nonprofit that assists families in need with purchasing birthday gifts for children.
Cameron loves volunteering and serving her community. She enjoys being able to assist people even further as a board member of Helping Hand of Hope.
DAN PADDACK
Dan Paddack serves as faculty at North Hardin Christian School and as a pastor at the Vine Grove United Methodist Church. Rev. Paddack also helps lead the Open Door Community Kitchen food agency in Hardin County, and serves as president of the Radcliff North Hardin Ministerial Association.
FRANK NOYES
Frank Noyes is a Channel Sales Manager at Anker Innovations. He lives in Elizabethtown, KY with his wife and 5 children. The Noyes Family are active members of First Christian Church.
Frank has served as a board member for Helping Hand of Hope since 2017. Frank is passionate about Helping Hand of Hope and loves sharing HHH’s mission with others in need or those that can help impact their community.
KENNY SALTSMAN
Kenny Saltsman is the Co-owner of Willie’s Upholstery in Radcliff and a lifelong resident of Hardin County. He has been married to his wife, Shannon, for over 20 years, and has two sons. The Saltsman Family are active members of First Christian Church, where Kenny serves as an elder and teacher. Kenny also officiates high school volleyball and was most recently elected as Hardin County Magistrate for District 2.
Kenny enjoys being on the Helping Hand of Hope board because he loves the people of Hardin County. He is honored to be able to help those in the community who may need a helping hand to find hope again.
KIRK CHADWICK
Kirk Chadwick is a General Manager for the North American Operations of Fischbach USA. Kirk has been married to his high school sweetheart, Brenda, for 37 years, and has 5 children and 4 grandchildren. Kirk has served for over 20 years in various leadership positions, including as Lead Pastor for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Elizabethtown and Louisville.
MARCUS DIXON
Pastor Marcus Dixon is an accomplished leader with over 33 years of experience. He is a retired soldier, serving the US Army for 20 years, and currently has retired through disability from Department of Defense/United States Army Recruiting Command (USAREC) and had been a Human Resource Command employee for six years. Pastor Marcus Dixon has held many positions in the Hardin County community; such as former Second Vice President of NAACP Hardin County branch, Director of Brother To Brother Academy targeted for young African American males 5-12 grade, but not limiting other ethnic groups, North Middle School Basketball Coach, Hardin County BCA Amateur Athletic Union Head Basketball Coach, Kentucky Colonel, Father of The Year Award, three –time Volunteer of The Year Award winner, 2015 Citizen of The Year Award, Substitute Teacher in Hardin County, Spokesperson for Radcliff Residence and Business Association, Chaplain and former Vice President of Phi beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.
SCOTT CLARK
Scott has over 30 years’ experience in the water industry, mostly in an executive leadership role. Retiring for Hardin County Water District No. 2 in 2018, Scott worked for an engineering firm before moving back to the utility side at his current employer, the Louisville Water Company. Scott has been a Board Member for several non-profit organizations and actively involved in the Water for People organization working to provide people with access to clean water around the globe. Scott is married to Julie and has two awesome children.
I am a newer member to the Helping Hand of Hope Board and excited to be part of this organization and the mission to help our local community.
TERRY LINSCOTT
Terry Linscott is the Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Church in Radcliff, KY and has served in ministry since 1993. Terry is a devoted, family man who has worked to establish leadership principles in every area of his life.
Terry enjoys serving on the Helping Hand of Hope board because it allows him to be at the forefront to influence people and bring lasting impact in their everyday lives.
Our partners
Our partners work with us to create a stronger community by donating, advocating, and volunteering. Thank you! We couldn’t do it without you!