Mission Matters | July 2025 Feature
💜 East Texas Helping Hands: Showing Up with Heart in East Texas
At the core of East Texas Helping Hands is one simple belief: nobody should have to face hard days alone. What began as one woman’s response to a stranger’s pain has grown into a grassroots effort bringing dignity, kindness, and support to those who need it most. Whether it's helping someone clean their home after loss, or reminding the unseen they still matter, Crystal and her family are creating real impact — one small act at a time.
🫶 What is the mission of your organization?
Our mission is to uplift and support individuals facing homelessness, mental health challenges, and feelings of isolation by creating a compassionate, judgment-free approach. We believe that a community that grows together, stays together, longer. Through acts of kindness, personal support, and practical help like organizing and cleaning homes, we aim to remind people they are not alone, and that hope and connection are always within reach.
💡 What inspired its founding?
Honestly? A post that I saw on Facebook drove it to become a community page. Somebody was asking for help. Her husband had just passed away unexpectedly and she was sinking into a dark hole. She needed help to clean her home. I saw 12 comments on it before I ever commented. Each comment consisted of different hourly rates. I was in disbelief. While I understand that these are important jobs and people who work incredibly hard, I also know what it is like to lose somebody and sink into financial debt screaming for help. She didn't need hourly rates at that moment, she needed community to show her love and support.
This organization was born out of a personal desire to be the person I once needed in my own life. Someone who could show up during life’s hardest moments with no judgment and an open heart. My whole life, I have been told that I am too kind and that I do too much for others. If that is the worst quality that I have as a human being, then I'll keep it! 🥰 Everyday, I see people falling through the cracks, feeling unseen and overwhelmed by struggles like depression, anxiety, ADHD, life's intense moments or the weight of homelessness. I wanted to build something that reminded people they matter and that small, caring actions can spark meaningful change.
🙋♀️ Who do you serve, and how do you serve them?
Crystal and her team focus on individuals who often go unnoticed — those dealing with mental health, grief, or homelessness. But they don’t just show up — they sit side-by-side and help shoulder the weight.
We serve individuals who are homeless or those silently struggling with mental health challenges, loneliness, or the heaviness of everyday life. Our services include one-on-one home organization and cleaning sessions done side-by-side in a supportive, uplifting environment, so no one feels alone in their personal spaces. We also offer resources and simple companionship for those who need a listening ear or a helping hand.
🌱 What impact have you seen in the community so far?
Every visit is personal. Every act of kindness is intentional. And for the people Crystal serves, it’s often life-changing.
Even in a short time, we’ve witnessed powerful transformations. We’ve seen people who felt buried under clutter and hopelessness regain control of their spaces and, in turn, their sense of self-worth. We’ve had individuals share how our visits made them feel seen and valued for the first time in a long while. Each connection strengthens our belief that no act of kindness is too small and that consistent, genuine care builds lasting community bonds. We have even made some beautiful friends along the way.
🤝 How can people get involved, support, or donate?
Volunteers and donors are the backbone of this mission — and Crystal makes it easy to jump in.
We welcome volunteers who are passionate about making personal connections — whether by helping with home cleanups, offering companionship, or providing resources. We do background checks to ensure the safety of everybody involved 😊 Donations of cleaning supplies, gently used home goods, shoes, socks, underwear, clothing, food, toys, blankets, and hygiene products for all adults and children. Financial contributions are always appreciated and go directly toward supporting individuals in need. You can reach out to us through our Facebook social media page, by email, or by phone to learn more about how to get involved.
Email: EastTexasHelpingHands@gmail.com
Phone: 430-502-0772
Donations:
Cash app: $easttxhelpinghands
Venmo: @easttxhelpinghands
🎉 Do you have any events coming up you'd like to promote?
There’s something powerful about giving people the basics with dignity — and East Texas Helping Hands is already working on that.
We are looking forward to future events filled with local music and free food for everyone as well as items that are needed within our community. As of right now, our goal is to assemble hygiene bags filled with essential daily hygiene products to distribute to those in need within our community and communities that surround us. These packets will include items like soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and other basic necessities that are often hard to come by for those experiencing homelessness or financial hardship. It’s a simple but powerful way to help restore dignity and comfort to our neighbors. We’re currently collecting donations and supplies, and we welcome any contributions or volunteers who’d like to help us put these together and pass them out. 💜
👨👩👧👦 A Family-Driven Mission
At the end of the day, East Texas Helping Hands isn’t just Crystal’s calling — it’s a family affair.
I am a stay at home mom to 3 kids 9 and up. They are also every bit apart of this 💜 The next generation and those to come are so incredibly important for our communities future. We get to pave the path for so many eager and helpful minds after us by showing them a positive, empowering and loving way to do things and help others 🥰
