Healing Hands Outreach Center started in a closet at City Church in 2009, helping maybe 50 fifty people that year. Today Healing Hands has its own storefront on the south side of Bloomington, and last year they helped nearly 50,000. Their focus is on basic needs assistance – things like food, clothing, and household items. Healing Hands is open to anyone, and director Heidi Brown says they mostly see people struggling with poverty and housing insecurity. Along the way Brown has witnessed some incredible stories of impact, including a family of refugees from Afghanistan. Brown relies on donors and volunteers to keep this essential community service going.

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing getconnected@bloomington.in.gov.

This episode of Activate! was produced by Jack Muniz
through WFHB’s partnership with The Media School at Indiana University