Dear Friends and Supporters,
Reflecting on 2024, I am grateful for Lori’s Hands’ remarkable growth and impact. With programs thriving in Newark, DE; Baltimore, MD; and Metro Detroit, MI, we deepened our mission and expanded our reach, fostering more meaningful connections between college students and community members than ever before.
A significant highlight of the year was serving more students and clients in one year than ever in our organization’s history. Students from 23 colleges and universities participated in our program—up from 17 last year—demonstrating the growing recognition of Lori’s Hands as a leading model for experiential learning and community health. We also launched our first Registered Student Organization (RSO) in Baltimore at Notre Dame of Maryland University, joining our established RSOs at Eastern Michigan University (est. 2023) and the University of Delaware (est. 2009)—where Lori’s Hands began before evolving into a multi-state nonprofit.
We made positive strides in enhancing the student volunteer experience this year. With professional help and funding from the Crestlea Foundation, we completely overhauled the Lori’s Hands app, providing students with better tools to track and enhance their service. We also refreshed and updated our volunteer training, ensuring we stay current and at the forefront as leaders in our field and that our students are even better equipped to support our clients and learn from these experiences.
Beyond our core work, we engaged students and supporters through group service events, including spring and fall yard cleanups, holiday-themed gatherings like pumpkin painting and card writing, and other special initiatives designed to bring joy and connection to our clients.
In February, we gathered members of our national Board of Directors and all our staff for an in-person retreat in Baltimore. This event promoted collaboration, learning, and alignment across our three chapters. It enhanced our collective vision and prepared us to tackle the challenges ahead.
We also saw incredible generosity from our community. Our Summer Benefit Series brought together hundreds of supporters to raise critical funds for our programs. The Foxwynd Foundation matched every dollar raised and provided additional financial support for all three chapters.
As stewards of the resources entrusted to us, we remained committed to financial responsibility and sustainability. Thanks to careful planning and the generosity of our supporters, we ended the year with a modest surplus, reinforcing our ability to continue serving our communities while ensuring long-term stability. We are committed to being responsible stewards of our donors’ contributions. Our most recent financials are available on our Annual Report & Finances webpage for full transparency.
None of this would be possible without our students, clients, staff, Board members, funders, and supporters like you. Whether you volunteered, donated, attended an event, or shared our mission with others, you helped make 2024 a year of impact, connection, and progress.
Thank you for being part of this journey. We look forward to the future and to continuing this vital work together.
With gratitude,
Zach Barton
Executive Director, Lori’s Hands
