What We Do

Our Programs

Lend A Hand pursues the simple and effective mission of helping people in need with basic life necessities in a timely and dignified manner. Lend A Hand makes grants in Greater Boston in three areas:

  • Emergency Financial Assistance
  • Camperships
  • Book Mission

Emergency Financial Assistance

Needy families and individuals receive small grants through non-profit agencies. Our goal is to help meet client needs before they spiral downwards.

LAH works in partnership with advocates and case managers at greater Boston area non-profit community organizations, hospitals, legal aid groups, religious organizations and government human service agencies.

LAH responds to requests from case managers who write on behalf of clients for financial assistance for rent, utilities, medical supplies and equipment, eyeglasses and other necessities. LAH grants support:

Housing

  • Rental assistance to prevent homelessness
  • Security deposit to help secure and move into an apartment often from a homeless shelter

Utilities

  • Gas, oil, and electric bill assistance to prevent utility shut off
  • Payment of overdue utility bills to have service restored

Medical Equipment

  • Prostheses for patients leaving hospitals after surgery
  • Wheel chair repair for elderly or disabled individuals
  • Walkers for elderly or disabled people
  • Shower chairs and other medical equipment to allow people to stay in their own homes
  • Eye glasses for elderly or others in need

Education and Job Training

  • ID cards for people in job training programs seeking jobs

Camperships

Grants to non-profit camping agencies provide scholarships for children and teenagers. Most camperships are for inner city youth who benefit tremendously from the opportunity to attend creative, educational, recreational and nurturing camps outside the city.

Book Mission

Grants are made to non-profit organizations, schools and colleges for the purchase of books for their lending libraries and educational programs for children and adults to promote literacy and the love of books.

Some Recent LAH Grants Helped

A family of 4 in Dorchester referred by Dimock Community Health Center, pay their rent and avoid eviction. The children could stay in school and their mother was able to continue working

An elderly woman on a fixed income working with Mystic Valley Elder Services, pay her oil bill and keep heat on in her home

A mother of 3 children referred by Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, pay tuition for her nurses-aid training program so she can become certified and begin working

A working couple with 2 children working with Tri-CAP, struggled to pay their utility bill and lost power in their apartment. The LAH helped restore their electricity so the kids were able to do homework and the family could cook their meals.