Organization
Hands Together was founded in 1986 by Fr. Tom Hagan, O.S.F.S. as an outreach program to help the poor in Haiti and the local community of Easton, PA. The driving force behind all of Hands Together's efforts is the Catholic Social teaching which challenges us to care for the least of our brothers and sisters.
Structure
Hands Together is incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania and governed by a board of trustees who receive no compensation for service. An executive director and support staff of two run the organization in the U.S., and Fr. Tom Hagan anchors the activities in Haiti where he resides. All of Hands together's outreach programs are Haitian-run, providing employment for hundreds of people in Poart-au-Prince and Gonaives. Peroidically, U.S. volunteers contribute training and guidance for educational, medical and suatainable development projects.
The organization maintains offices in Springfield, MA, Princeton, NJ, Port-au-Prince and Gonaives, Haiti.
Support
Individual donations, proceeds from Catholic Mission Appeals, private foundations, funding from partner organizations, and several fund raising events provide Hands Together with the bulk of its revenue each year.
Collaboration
Hands Together collaborates with other organizations whose mission closely mirrors our own. Partnerships with local Haiti diocesan Caritas, the Missionary Sisters and Brothers of Charity, local peasant groups, and many other organizations allow for the sharing of resources and establishment of effective relationships. Our more recent partners include: Mary's Meals, who help us with our school feedings; BND, a Haitian NGO dedicated to nutrition and development; and the Canadian Agency for International Development who funds our large-scale efforts in enviromental projects. We use our water-drilling equipment to assist many local NGO's and relief organizations in need of wells, including drilling dozens of wells for Food for the Poor. In the United States we join with hundreds of diocesan mission offices who support our work through prayer and financial contributions. We share our faith and mission work with U.S. parishes, schools and youth groups to educate, inspire and increase missionary involvement among U.S. Catholics and others.
