Hope on Wheels

Affordable housing and homelessness

South LA City of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a citywide benefit)

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

The overall issue we seek to address is the persistent and multifaceted challenge of homelessness and extreme poverty affecting many individuals in underserved communities. People experiencing homelessness often lack access to basic necessities such as; nutritious food, hygiene products, healthcare, and safe, stable housing. Barriers including limited transportation, mistrust of formal systems, and lack of access to technology isolate this vulnerable population, worsening health and social outcomes. Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, frequently go untreated due to lack of education and resources. Our program aims to break down these barriers by delivering meals, hygiene kits, health screenings, diabetes education, and resource navigation directly to those in need. Through building trust and consistent outreach, we connect individuals to essential services that promote dignity, health, and long-term stability, helping them overcome systemic obstacles and improve their quality of life.

This grant will support Hope on Wheels, a mobile outreach initiative by Holiday Helping Hands that delivers critical services directly to unhoused individuals in underserved communities; which includes but not limited to homlessness, eledrly, and children. Operating a retrofitted delivery van, the program annually distributes over 25,000 hot meals and 18,000 hygiene kits to people living in encampments and resource-scarce neighborhoods. Beyond food and supplies, Hope on Wheels offers basic health screenings, including blood pressure and glucose checks, and provides diabetes education to address prevalent chronic health conditions.
Equipped with Wi-Fi-enabled tablets, the mobile unit helps clients apply for benefits, connect with family, and seek employment, addressing barriers related to technology access and handheld devices. Two part-time drivers provide consistent outreach, while community volunteers assist with coordination and client engagement, supported by stipends.
Grant funds will cover the purchase and retrofitting of the vans, driver salaries, volunteer stipends, program supplies, fuel, maintenance, insurance, & technology costs. By overcoming obstacles such as transportation limitations, mistrust of formal systems, and lack of digital access, Hope on Wheels builds trust and lasting relationships that promote dignity, health, and long-term stability. This program empowers individuals to improve their quality of life and transition toward safer, more secure futures.

If our work is successful, Los Angeles County will experience meaningful improvements in the lives of unhoused individuals by reducing barriers to essential services and support. Hope on Wheels will deliver nutritious meals, technology tables, mobile phones, hygiene supplies, health screenings, diabetes education, and resource navigation directly to underserved communities, improving health outcomes and quality of life. By consistently reaching people where they are, the program will build trust and foster stronger connections between vulnerable populations and social service systems. This will lead to greater housing stability, increased access to healthcare, mindfulness, mental health stability and employment opportunities, and a reduction in social isolation. Ultimately, Los Angeles County will become a more compassionate, inclusive community where individuals experiencing homelessness are supported in their journey toward joy, empowerment, dignity, safety, and long-term well-being.