What is A Hand Up?

A Hand Up is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working with a number of social agencies in the Greater Hartford area to identify clients in need of our services.

A Hand Up assists people transitioning to independent living.

A Hand Up receives donated furniture and household good to help our neighbors establish their new homes.

A Hand Up raises funds to help offset expenses an is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Why are we helping?

The Greater Hartford Area has a problem:

Many homeless people who are able to find an apartment return to a shelter or transitional housing environment after a short time.

Simply finding a home is not enough. They lack the support structure vital to survival and successful independent living.

Food is somewhat available through food pantries and soup kitchens but it is difficult for clients to afford the basic household items that make an apartment livable.

A Hand Up seeks to provide the needed items that turn a bare apartment into a home.

How does A Hand Up help?

Here's how:

A Hand Up, Inc. works with social workers and case managers at a number of social agencies in the Greater Hartford area to identify people who fit our criteria of being homeless and in need of our support as they move into their first independent living apartment.

The social worker works with the client to develop a list of items needed to help make the transition successful. The social worker then sends the list to A Hand Up.

A Hand Up reviews its inventory to determine what items we already have.  We then ask volunteers to complete the list by searching for the remaining items.

Once a large portion of the items on a family's list are collected, A Hand Up makes an appointment with the client to deliver the items.

A Hand Up puts together a team of volunteers to help with the pick-up and delivery of the items.

Who is A Hand Up?

Board of Directors

Rosemary S. Cleaves, President
Retired, CIGNA, Hartford, CT.
Founding board member.

Christine Pina, Vice President
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
Appointed to the board 2006.

Diane Mack, Treasurer
Retired, MassMutual Financial Group, Enfield, CT
Founding board member.

Samantha Dynowski, Secretary
Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, Hartford, CT
Appointed to the board 2006.

Robin Gilmartin, Director
Veterans Administration, Newington, CT
Founding board member.

Samuel Paul, Director
UPS Capital Business Credit, Windsor, CT
Appointed to board 2009.

How can you help?

You can help A Hand Up in three different ways:

Donate Items

We are always seeking items as mentioned on our wish list. If you would like to donate your new or gently used goods to A Hand Up, call us at 860-454-2980 or email us at ahandup2005@sbcglobal.net to arrange a drop-off or a pick-up of your donation.

For larger items we ask that you store them for us until we get a request for the particular type of item, and we will pick it up on theday we plan to make a delivery to the client.

Donate Time

Able-bodied individuals may be able to provide us with assistance in delivering goods to clients throughout the Greater Hartford area. Contact us at 860-454-2980 or email us to find out how you can get involved with our delivery team.

Make a financial gift

A Hand Up relies on the financial donations to provide furniture and household goods to families in the Greater Hartford area throughout the year.  Your gift helps A Hand Up meet obligations for everyday needs such as:

  • New pillows for clients
  • Life changing grants
  • Transportation to and from client home sites
  • Storage


Please consider making a gift to A Hand Up in honor of:

  • A birthday
  • The birth of a child
  • An earned degree
  • A graduation
  • A wedding
  • An anniversary
  • In memory of a loved one


To make a gift by check:

  • Please make checks payable to A Hand Up, Inc. and mail it to:
    A Hand Up, Inc.
    P.O. Box 270323
    West Hartford, CT 06127-0323


To make a gift of stock:

  • Donating gifts of appreciated securities that have been held for more than one year enables a donor to:

  • Avoid all capital gains tax on the appreciated portion of the stock
    Qualify for a tax deduction equal to the stock's full fair market value
    Make a larger gift than might otherwise be possible

  • To make a gift of stock to A Hand Up:
    Transfer securities directly to A Hand Up's broker - contact us for our broker's name
    OR
    Send or deliver the stock certificate(s) and a signed stock power in separate envelopes. For security purposes do not mail them together.


A Hand up relies on the generosity of its donors to make a real impact in the lives of those who are working to help themselves. Our donors are the force behind these accomplishments.

Suggested donor levels:

$25 $250
$50 $500
$100 $1000


For more information about including A Hand Up in your estate plans please contact us directly at
(860) 424-2980.

Gifts to A Hand Up are tax deductible to the fullest extend of the law.