In October 2016, Doris Martinez Navarro traveled to Fort Worth with her daughter to help one of her friends hand out food to the homeless. After seeing so many individuals come out to the courtyard looking for help, she felt inspired to do more.
She eventually built a nonprofit from the ground up called Helping Hands 4 The Homeless – Tarrant County to collect donations that would benefit this homeless community. Once a month, she travels west with her volunteers to hand out essentials like food, water, suitcases and clothing.
Doris says she makes an effort to see those looking for a helping hand as respectable individuals, and she wants those she benefits to feel seen and cared for.
“We are so quick to judge others without knowing their stories. I love talking to each of them when I am sitting with them,” Doris says. “When we are there to serve them, we treat them with respect and importance, because we all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”
What started out as a group of two or three individuals has grown into a powerful initiative that drew 60 volunteers during the holidays. Doris says the volunteers not only make the work easier but also benefit more than those who receive donations.
“It’s fulfilling to bless others. I can’t explain it,” Doris says. “Not only does it bring hope and happiness to people, but it also leads to spiritual and emotional growth.”