HandUp provides a way to donate directly to homeless people and neighbors in need, with 100% of donations going towards basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter. This guest post — written by Meghan Murphy, Marketing & Community Lead at HandUp — shares the impact KeenCon attendees helped make in the San Francisco community.
At KeenCon this year, HandUp CEO and founder Rose Broome spoke on data-informed product design — the power that data holds and the dangers it can present. Rose’s main point was this: While data should definitely inform product design, data doesn’t know what matters — you do.
That is what we hope to achieve at HandUp, something that truly matters. But it takes a community to make a real difference, and that’s where KeenCon attendees stepped up. Keen IO provided HandUp vouchers for all KeenCon attendees, giving them the opportunity to donate to a local San Francisco neighbor in need. We wanted to update you on the impact that you had in our members’ lives, right here in our own city:
With KeenCon gift card donations, the Pacheco family met their goal to purchase a plane ticket for Peru, so that mother Silvia can complete the final step in earning her US citizenship. Now, the entire family will have citizenship as they continue to build their lives in San Francisco.
The Heart family recently moved into stable housing after 4 months of homelessness; now, with your contributions, the family have met their fundraising goal for a new sofa. This was the first item of furniture they wanted to purchase, giving them a place to gather together every day when they get home from work and school.
Mark loves music; a part of Singers of the Streets, he also sings with his church every week. Once Mark pays his rent and bills, he is left with just $200 to last the month. His ongoing goal is for support towards his basic needs like food and hygiene items — thanks to KeenCon donors, he can cover these needs.
Carmen and her family recently moved into subsidized housing from transitional short-term housing. Raising donations on HandUp, she was able to purchase new clothing for her teenage son and daughter, giving them confidence as they start a new school year.
Thank you, KeenCon attendees, for making a difference in San Francisco, and Keen IO, for giving our neighbors a hand up when it was needed most. Remember: Any action, no matter how small or large, can be the thing that changes everything for someone else.
Learn more, or get involved yourself, at HandUp.us.
Questions about HandUp? Contact Meghan at murphy[at]handup[dot]us or @megmurph.
