Help Me Help You began operating as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2005, offering a food distribution program and a financial literacy class. We quickly realized that many of our clients were not moving to long-term self-sufficiency due to barriers (perceived and real) in accessing public benefits. In response, we grew our programs to also provide enrollment assistance for public programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal and Social Security benefits.
We also provide an array of resources — ... Read More
Help Me Help You began operating as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2005, offering a food distribution program and a financial literacy class. We quickly realized that many of our clients were not moving to long-term self-sufficiency due to barriers (perceived and real) in accessing public benefits. In response, we grew our programs to also provide enrollment assistance for public programs such as CalFresh, Medi-Cal and Social Security benefits.
We also provide an array of resources — case management, community outreach and linkages to social services — that help individuals and families to supplement and maximize the impact of public benefits, in achieving long-term stability.
Current programming: Our approach combines the provision of essential safety-net services to meet immediate needs and expert help in accessing public benefits. Our programs are:
Food pantry: Since 2004, HMHY has operated a successful food pantry program, providing nutritious food to homeless and low-income individuals and families in our community. We reduce food insecurity through these pantry services to 21,000 clients each year. During the COVID-19 health crisis, we continue to provide much-needed nutritional support, using a drive-through/walk-up model.
CalFresh and other benefits enrollment: We enhance long-term food security and nutrition, by helping 3,000 clients to enroll for CalFresh support each year. We also enhance individual and family stability by helping 5,000 clients to obtain SSI, Medi-Cal and/or other government benefits each year.
Linkages: Our participation in the Continuum of Care and the Coordinated Entry System and our location within the City of Long Beach’s MSC strengthen our ability to connect clients with a broad range of local medical and social service agencies to support wellness. HMHY provides linkages to 4,800 low-income and homeless people each year.
Impact on the population served: We serve individuals and families who reside in Service Planning Area (SPA) 8 with an emphasis on the City of Long Beach. The majority of our clients are homeless or on the verge of homelessness. More than 92 percent of those we serve have incomes below the poverty level and more than 87 percent are racial/ethnic minorities.
These are vital safety-net services for low-income individuals and families in the communities we serve. Annually, across all our programs, we help more than 32,000 low-income, homeless and underserved residents in our region greater access to public benefits, food, and other supports to help them lead healthier lives.
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