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.

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. A long-term community of U.S. volunteers helps with the administration and management of the Haiti projects.

The organization maintains offices in Springfield, MA, Princeton, NJ, Port-au-Prince and Gonaives, Haiti.

Individual donations, proceeds from Catholic Mission Appeals, private foundations, and several fund raising events provide Hands Together with the bulk of its revenue each year.

Recognizing that we are not in this work alone, Hands Together collaborates with other organizations whose mission closely mirrors our own. Partnerships and collaboration on projects 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 the establishment of effective and solid relationships. 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.