About Us
Established in 2004, Help Me Help You is a 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit organization dedicated to uplifting homeless and low-income individuals/families by increasing access to food, public benefits, and economic security as well as providing Social Security Benefits enrollment assistance to the public.
Every week, Help Me Help You improves the lives of more than 1,200 residents in need.
Help Me Help You appreciates your support to continue to provide these life-changing services to our community.
Jerome Washington, Founder of Help Me Help You
Seventeen years ago, one man’s desire to feed and transform the lives of the homeless in California led to the establishment of the nonprofit Help Me Help You. Jerome Washington, a retired UAW member, and Boeing Aircraft airplane mechanic, maintains his commitment to ending hunger; reducing homelessness; and improving the overall health and well-being of our community through the services provided by Help Me Help You.
Located in Long Beach, CA, Help Me Help You started with a mission to feed, motivate, and transition homeless individuals from poverty to self-sufficiency. Initially, the nonprofit offered weekly food pantry services and financial literacy classes. As a result of its successful hands-on approach, dedication to making a difference, and increasing community needs, Help Me Help You has grown to forge integral community partnerships and expand its services to provide targeted solutions with a nationwide reach. Fast forward to today, Help Me Help You now serves more than 60,000 residents annually through the following programs:
Grocery Grab-N-Go: provides free fresh and packaged groceries via 11 food pantries (7 school and community locations) to more than 48,500 residents in need.
Long Beach Food Pantry Delivery: We deliver free nutritious weekly groceries home-delivered with recipes to seniors and people with disabilities in need. Our free and packaged groceries offer diabetes-friendly, heart-healthy, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
CalFresh: free enrollment assistance to access benefits to purchase groceries from participating stores, farmer's markets, and restaurants.
Medi-Cal: free enrollment assistance for free or reduced-fee health insurance.
General Relief: free enrollment assistance for emergency cash payments.
Wellness Education & Resources – provides financial literacy and nutrition education classes and resources.
Nutrition Knights Healthy Habits Annual Event: held at 7 Long Beach elementary schools to increase children's awareness of healthy eating and living habits as well as receive free groceries and services for their families and neighbors. More than 16,500 children receive our free nutritious groceries.
Unite Us: partnership with a national leading care coordination platform connecting healthcare and social service providers to measure the impact of services to improve health outcomes for individuals and the community.
Board Members
Moussa Bocoume, PhD
USC Professor
Jeanette Ayala, EdD
HR Director
Jevita Haley
Clinical Supervisor, Davita
Trisha Mann
Journalist/Motivational Speaker/Actress
Yulandria Pearson
Credit Union CEO, RET
George Roberts
President, United Properties & Holding
Jerome Washington
Boeing Aircraft, RET
(ex-officio)
Zina Washington
Executive Director(ex-officio)
(Not related to Jerome Washington)
Partners
Help Me Help You relies on a large community of valuable partners to meet our mission and collectively service client's needs. We are co-located at the City of Long Beach's Multi-Service Center (MSC).
The Multi-Service Center (MSC) - Operated by the City of Long Beach Homeless Services Division, is designed to provide one-stop access to resources for individuals and families experiencing homelessness within the City of Long Beach. The MSC serves as the centralized point of entry for homeless services city-wide. The center houses a mixture of co-located public and private social service agencies that provide critical resources and housing linkages to Long Beach residents experiencing homelessness.
Our Partners Include:
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California Association of Food Banks
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Catholic Charities
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City of Long Beach
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Goodwill of Southern LA County
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Harbor Interfaith
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Long Beach Rescue Mission
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MHA-LA, The Village
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South Bay Coalition to End Homelessness
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The Children's Clinic
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US Vets and more
Certifications and Memberships:
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HIPPA Compliant
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Food Handler Safety Certified
We are members of:
Values, Ethics, and Guidelines for Behavior
Help Me Help You, as a public charitable organization, is responsible to society as stewards of such.
Help Me Help You is committed to the ethical use of information and funds.
Help Me Help You will use absolute discretion and confidentiality regarding sensitive information.
Help Me Help You will develop strong links with other educational institutions, agencies, and community groups.
Help Me Help You is intent on building a reputation based on honesty, integrity, and reliability. Our business practices reflect the importance we attach to these principles. We strive to maintain high standards of ethical behavior when interacting with the community, sponsorship partners, funders, business partners, and suppliers. Help Me Help You also expect these high standards from the organization's representatives.
Help Me Help You is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
