HELPING HANDS OF MIDDLE & WEST TENNESSEE
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Mission Statement
Our Mission Helping Hands of Middle & West Tennessee strives to build stronger communities and improve health outcomes for families across the region. Through innovative programming and deep community partnerships, we aim to reduce poverty, increase food security, and empower Tennesseans with the tools and resources needed to achieve long-term self-sufficiency and well-being. Whether offering job training, nutritional education, or relief from life's basic hardships - our dedicated staff acts as a supportive hand-up for those seeking economic independence and stability. With compassion at our core, Helping Hands is committed to developing healthy, thriving neighborhoods where all residents have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
About This Cause
Our Mission Helping Hands of Middle & West Tennessee strives to build stronger communities and improve health outcomes for families across the region. Through innovative programming and deep community partnerships, we aim to reduce poverty, increase food security, and empower Tennesseans with the tools and resources needed to achieve long-term self-sufficiency and well-being. Whether offering job training, nutritional education, or relief from life's basic hardships - our dedicated staff acts as a supportive hand-up for those seeking economic independence and stability. With compassion at our core, Helping Hands is committed to developing healthy, thriving neighborhoods where all residents have the opportunity to reach their full potential. In 2018, HHT opened its’ first dental clinic to serve families with household gross earnings up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Our dental assistance program includes full general dentistry services which include dental extractions, composite fillings, dental cleanings, customized dentures along with other dental treatments. Helping Hands of Tennessee is the only region’s comprehensive oral and medical healthcare provider outside of Memphis, Tennessee in the West Tennessee region. Helping Hands of Tennessee serves as a hybrid clinic which means we help insured and uninsured individuals. HHT provides dental treatments for patients aged 2 to 99 years of age regardless of their ability to pay for dental treatments. Our dental assistant program is based upon the gross household income on a three-tier system. We operate the clinic Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 70 percent of our patients are uninsured; 20 percent of our patients have dental insurance and 10 percent of our patients are self-pay patients. Our clinic is staffed with medical and dental professionals. The Helping Hands of Tennessee is a member of the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinic, Tennessee Charitable Care Network, and Rural Health Association of Tennessee. Our clinic is funded and participates in the HRSA federal student repayment program. In 2018, Helping Hands of Tennessee started an annual community outreach program. We began our program by collaborating with over thirty community nonprofit organizations and Madison County health with the Spring into Health event. The Spring into Health event provided no-cost oral screenings to over 400 patients. Then, in 2019, Helping Hands of Tennessee expanded our program to include the America’s Dental Care Foundation (ADCF) and developed our first annual Jackson Mission of Mercy event. The Jackson Mission Mercy event provides no-cost medical and dental services to underserved populations. Our first Jackson Mission of Mercy event was held in March 2019 where we had over 180 community volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, medical doctors, medical nurses, and a host of other community volunteers. The Jackson Mission of Mercy served over 1,000 patients during the two-day event and provided $250,000 of dental treatments at no cost to the patients. The Jackson Mission of Mercy events offers dental extractions, dental cleanings, oral cancer screenings, oral examinations to the public. By 2023, Helping Hands of Middle & West closed their dental clinic to collaborate with local and state organizations to address oral healthcare differently. After collaborating with our Program Committee, HHT restructured its focus to entrepreneurship support and workforce development. HHT began meeting with American Job Center, SBA Jackson Center, Bright Start, a program through the United Way of West Tennessee, Jackson State Community College, City of Jackson, Jackson Madison County School System, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Department of Human Services, Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Jackson Madison County African American Chamber, West Tennessee Workforce Partners, Greater Horizon Business Consulting Firm, and a host of other nonprofit partner agencies. Recognizing the challenges in connecting patients to workforce opportunities and resources for financial stability, HHT began piloting workforce training programs in 2010. Initial efforts focused on traditional classroom instruction for soft skills and certifications. Over time, we learned apprenticeship models provided more effective, hands-on learning aligned with local industry needs. HHT became a Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development approved apprenticeship provider in 2023. This allowed us to formally establish multi-craft apprenticeship opportunities across various in-demand fields. Today, workforce development is a core part of our mission. Our premier program is a variety of pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship offerings. These provide low-income and marginalized populations the skills, experience, and credentials to gain family-sustaining employment through several Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Current programs include apprenticeships in mechanical installation, facilities maintenance, healthcare administration, culinary arts, and more. Participants receive paid on-the-job learning while earning industry-recognized credentials. This unique approach unlocks career pathways to self-sufficiency for those we serve. HHT remains dedicated to uplifting West Tennessee communities through innovative, equity-focused solutions that empower all people to reach their full potential.