Lori's Hands

Mission - Lori’s Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. Students provide practical assistance to support community members’ independence at home, and community members share their health and life experiences to support students’ learning. Vision - Lori’s Hands envisions a more equitable world in which every person can age with dignity and interconnection in their community and in which every person’s strengths are appreciated and shared. History - Lori’s Hands was founded in Newark, DE in 2009 in memory of Lori LaFave. Lori’s Hands has since connected thousands of community members and college students in meaningful service learning.

Lori’s Hands creates intergenerational partnerships between college students and community members with chronic illness. Our student volunteers support clients with their goals related to improved well-being and independence. The types of goals and activities our clients and students work on together include increasing social support, increasing physical activity, improving the home environment, improving nutrition, and improving access and coordination of care. Lori’s Hands student volunteers visit their assigned client each week. Students visit in pairs. Students help with housework, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and other household activities. Clients help students understand the experience of living with a chronic illness, navigating the healthcare system, or aging in place.