For the past decade Living Well’s commitment to volunteers and community has been supported by HandsOn Twin Cities, whose mission is to create a thriving, equitable community through purposeful engagement. For over 100 years they have helped to inspire, equip, and mobilize people to make a positive difference through community engagement and service.
Impact data for 2025 is still being completed, but to showcase the reach and success of their mission, in 2024, HandsOn Twin Cities continued to show what’s possible when volunteers, nonprofits, and businesses come together with purpose. Their work touches every corner of the community, creating connections and opportunities that strengthen hundreds of organizations like Living Well Disability Services.
HandsOn coordinated this event during CVC-TC Volunteer Day. 12 Volunteers from 3 corporate orgs made freezer meals during a Meal Makers project.
In 2024 HandsOn Twin Cities celebrated 105 years of volunteer leadership and engaged more than 50,000 volunteers across the region. Their skills-based programs alone coordinated 908 professionals, who contributed 29,071 pro bono hours—a value of more than $5.7 million—supporting 233 nonprofits and BIPOC-led small businesses. HandsOn supported 850+ nonprofit partners like us, helping recruit, retain, and celebrate volunteers through training, networking events, and regular affiliate meet-ups that fostered learning and connection.
Corporate engagement was another standout area. In 2024, 12,880 corporate volunteers participated in 213 hands-on projects, benefiting more than 150 nonprofits. Many companies also relied on them for customized on-site projects or referrals to additional opportunities across the community.
High School senior Elise responded to our “Wellness Ally – Arts & Crafts” posting on HandsOn. She spent many hours with people at Diane Rd doing a variety of craft projects.
Throughout 2025 they continue to spark meaningful matches between volunteers and causes through Volunteer Fairs, Find Your Cause events, and their Get Connected platform—making it easier for anyone to discover where their time and talents can make a difference. With their help thousands of moments were created for volunteers to step up, organizations were able to get the support they need, and communities grew stronger because of their guidance.
Kathy Anderson, Living Well Volunteer Program Manager, says, “I can’t imagine doing my work as a volunteer manager without HandsOn Twin Cities. They are a community hub and much more! Living Well’s services are better because of their expertise and navigation tools. HandsOn advocates by championing that volunteers aren’t nice to have, they are essential. I am grateful to everyone at HandsOn Twin Cities, the other members that share resources, and of course the truly wonderful community volunteers who partner with us in so many ways to truly make a difference in the lives of people impacted by disabilities.”
Katie Walsh, Program Director, HandsOn Twin Cities, says, “HandsOn Twin Cities is deeply grateful for our partnership with Living Well and the heart they bring to our shared mission. We’re continually inspired by their unwavering commitment to inclusion and community well-being—values that truly embody what HandsOn is all about: connecting people through purpose.”
She adds, “As a volunteer center dedicated to helping volunteers find meaningful ways to give back, we love how Living Well’s profile on our volunteer opportunity database brings that mission to life. Their opportunities range from sharing your time and talents with people with disabilities, to providing holiday gifts, to assembling festive New Year’s Eve party kits for residents. Whether you’re an individual, a work team, or a family looking to make a difference, volunteers are sure to find a great fit with Living Well.
Pemberton Homes found our Valentine’s Day Party kit project on HandsOn and donated 20 baskets.
Through Living Well’s decade-long membership with HandsOn Twin Cities, we’ve also partnered on initiatives that meet real community needs—like assembling snack packs through our corporate volunteer programs.
Partnerships like this remind us of what’s possible when organizations come together to lift each other up and make the Twin Cities a better place for everyone.”
When two long standing community-based organizations partner, the sky is the limit. We meet our mission of transforming the lives of people impacted by disabilities through the delivery of exceptional services with support from them. And they meet their mission of making a positive impact in community and creating purposeful engagement by matching volunteers with us.
Thank you, HandsOn Twin Cities.
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