About Us ~ History
History -- What Got Us Started...
The vision for Hands in the Community was born in the heart of community leaders of Visalia, along with input from local churches. The overall concern is that Tulare County is becoming a multicultural region with more at-risk families, growing crime, and higher gang activity. There is a window of opportunity for churches and organizations to meet some of the growing needs and challenges of the community by working together.
Visalia city leaders met with local church leaders to ask for help in creating a positive solution to the rising gang problem, along with help for at-risk families and the poor. The city leaders recognize that the church is an essential element in reaching at-risk families and children. The church has the opportunity of reaching out to, winning, and assimilating previously unreached people into the local congregation. One of the best places to focus our efforts is on young children before they become involved in gangs. There are anti-gang programs already in place; unfortunately these subsidized programs will be reduced in the coming school year because of budget cuts. Visalia Unified School District welcomes any assistance the churches can provide (Bible clubs, reading programs, etc.) because they are free and a change in student bodies has already become evident where churches are involved.
About Us ~ Now
What happens when someone contacts us...
When someone calls HNC, they will be greeted by a caring, compassionate Christian, who will convey the love of Jesus Christ.
In Tulare County the faith-based, government funded, private and public resources exist to address crisis and short term needs. The unique strategy of Hands in the Community is to join with these providers in targeting and delivering help to those in need. HNC joins the hand of the helper to the hand of the needy.
Our Mission
Mission Statement
Joining the Hand of the Helper to the Hand of the Needy
Hands in the Community is an easy-to-use, caring, professional source of guidance, advocacy, and access to a comprehensive range of services to the people of Tulare County. Our client base is low-income people, mainly families, who need help to cope with daily problems, such as their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
The unique strategy of Hands in the Community is to join with these providers in targeting and delivering help to those in need. HNC joins the hand of the helper to the hand of the needy.
Our Mission is to:
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Help the church fulfill its mission to reach out to the community. (James 2:17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.)
Build relationships and bridge the gap between church and community.
Give hope in a lost world. (Psalm 42:11, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.”)
Respond quickly with one of the most important resources these families and individuals need... the love of Jesus Christ. (Mark 12:31, "The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.")
Reach out to, win, and assimilate previously un-reached people into the local congregation (Luke 19:10, “to seek and to save those who are lost.")
Give glory to the Lord and help the church bear fruit. (Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes: its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Work together as a powerful testimony. (1 Peter 1:22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart.”)
The vision for Hands in the Community was born in the heart of community leaders of Visalia, along with input from local churches. The overall concern is that Tulare County is becoming a multicultural region with more at-risk families, growing crime, and higher gang activity. There is a window of opportunity for churches and organizations to meet some of the growing needs and challenges of the community by working together. 
When someone calls HNC, they will be greeted by a caring, compassionate Christian, who will convey the love of Jesus Christ.
