Volunteer
Donate

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.

Executive Director

Hope

Originally from the south, Hope moved to New York City to take on the Big Apple. She worked as a Nurse in orthopedics and hospice care for years. 

Hope’s testimony from seasons of her life including her NYC story to this day has moved hundreds. Through grief and loss, Hope was able to overcome those struggles and came out brighter on the other side. 

Hope’s passion for animals led her to work at a nonprofit animal shelter in Pennsylvania, where she met one of her beloved pets, Bailey. Subsequently, she found the rest of her furry companions that she adores. Later, Hope met her soulmate and decided to move once again, this time to a small town in Kentucky. Together with her son Kingston, she moved to Elizabethtown for a fresh start.

After searching for a new career, Hope was directed to Helping Hand of Hope as they were hiring for someone to lead marketing efforts. Although she was not familiar with the field, she was not afraid to roll up her sleeves and put in the effort to learn. She quickly became the face of Helping Hand of Hope. In 2019, she was appointed as Executive Director, and she immediately got to work.
 
Hope has brought Helping Hand of Hope into the 21st century with her innovative ideas regarding social media. She has expanded the Emergency Assistance Program to include personal hygiene items and established the first and only pet food pantry in Hardin County. During the pandemic, she moved mountains by ensuring Helping Hand of Hope remained open and able to serve those in need in Hardin County. Because of her efforts, Helping Hand of Hope is still able to provide support to those in need. She truly gives hope to everyone.

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. 

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! 

United Way of Central Kentucky

All Nations Worship Ministries

Berean Baptist Church

Calvary Assembly of God

College Heights United Methodist Church

Connections Church

Elizabethtown Baptist Church

Fellowship Community Full Gospel Church

First Baptist Church

First Christian Church

First Presbyterian Church

Full Gospel Kentucky Church

Glendale Christian Church

Grace Church of Elizabethtown

Grace Fellowship Church

Grace Heartland Church

Greater Dimensions Community Fellowship

Hardin County Ministerial Association

Heritage International Church

House of Manna, Bread of Life Church

Immanuel Baptist Church

Life Line Assembly of God

Memorial United Methodist Church

Mill Creek Baptist Church

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

New Hope Community Church

New Life Baptist Church

Northside Baptist Church

Radcliff First Assembly of God

Radcliff Presbyterian Church

Radcliff United Methodist Church

Red Hill Baptist Church

Rineyville Baptist Church

Severns Valley Baptist Church

Sonora Baptist Church

Sonora United Methodist Church

Stithton Baptist Church

St. Brigid Catholic Church

St. James Catholic Church

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

The Journey Church

The R.O.C.K. Church

Tunnel Hill Baptist Church

Valley Creek Baptist Church

Valley View Baptist Church

Vine Grove Christian Church

Youngers Creek Baptist Church