Wayne Demeester: Mamma’s Hands, A Nonprofit With a Goal

Operating from a base in Bellevue, Washington, the mission of the charity organization Mamma’s Hands is not only to feed and house people who are homeless, but also to help them regain hope and dignity. Mamma’s Hands began in 1990 as the result of an encounter between businessman Denny Hancock and two street people, a father and son. Spurred to action, Hancock began distributing clothing, blankets, and food to an expanding group.

Hancock found other, unique ways to serve, starting the Phone Home program, in which volunteers carrying cell phones encourage the homeless to call their families and possibly reunite with them. This effort has helped hundreds of people renew family ties.

Mamma’s Hands also operates the House of Hope in western Washington. The facility provides a secure shelter for women and children, where they can learn principles of independent living. The House of Hope uses a tough love approach to improve life skills and provide educational opportunities.

About Wayne Demeester: A supporter of Mamma’s Hands, Wayne Demeester is a registered investment adviser, working in Seattle; St. George, Utah; and Tempe, Arizona.

How to Get Involved with Mamma’s Hands by Wayne Demeester

Mamma’s Hands is a Seattle-based charity organization that provides services to the homeless community in the city. The organization delivers clothes, food, and other supplies; provides shelter to women and children at House of Hope; and allows those in need to reach out to family members through the Phone Home Program. If you’re interested in getting involved, there are two primary ways you can help:

1. Volunteer: The organization is always looking for new volunteers. Volunteers can be of great assistance with the Phone Home Program, where they will ride the Mamma’s Hand bus to find groups of homeless people and allow them usage of phones to call home. Volunteers can also lend time at the House of Hope by gardening, painting, building, babysitting, and more. Additionally, volunteers can organize and coordinate clothing and food drives, volunteer as job search counselors, and provide assistance with special events.

2. Contribute: If you want to help but do not have a lot of spare time, you can always give a financial contribution at a fundraising event or simply over the Internet or via the mail.

Visit www.mammashands.org today to learn more.

About the author: Wayne Demeester is an investment banker who works in Seattle, Tempe, and St. George, Washington. He is the cofounder of Definitive Advisors, LLC and a principal in Blue Sky inc.