ABOUT US
Who We Are & What We Do
Unstoppable Extended Hands is a non-profit organization founded in 2008. We dedicate our time throughout the year to gathering essential items and support for students and families in the Chicago, IL, and St. Louis, MO areas.
We have assisted over 500 low-income families with necessities and school supplies where the primary caregivers are grandmothers, aunts, uncles, foster parents, and older siblings; with some of the youth served being displaced as well.
Our Mission
Unstoppable Extended Hands is committed and dedicated to empowering underserved individuals by providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in their education to reach their full potential.
Our Vision
To be strong hands in the community equipping individuals with essentials to receive an equitable opportunity to learn and succeed.
How We Do It
Dr. King once said, true education makes individuals that can think, not just think but think intensively and think critically; you not only must have knowledge; you must have character too.
We were not made to be clones, but individual critical thinkers who see the whole picture, including facing the consequences and taking ownership of those choices.
Unstoppable Extended Hands aims to engage community members, entrepreneurs, business owners, and business decision-makers located in St. Louis and Chicago to aid in supporting these 500+ families so we (UEH) can accomplish our goal of continuing to provide ongoing support during the entire school year.
We have made it our priority to make every effort possible to empower the lives we help by applying Maslow's Hierarchy of needs to ensure these families are supported with all of their needs through our current services.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
According to Abraham Maslow, people have five categories of needs, which can be organized into a hierarchy. This hierarchy ranges from more concrete needs such as food and sleep to more abstract concepts such as self-actualization. According to Maslow, when a lower need is met, the next need on the hierarchy becomes our focus of attention. For example: In order for a child to be successful in school they need to be well fed, sleeping well, feeling safe at home, and have overall confidence in themselves.
5. Self-actualization - The desire to become the most that one can be.
4. Esteem needs - respect, self-esteem, status, recognition, strength, and freedom.
3. Social needs - love and belonging, friendship, intimacy, family, and sense of connection.
2. Safety needs - personal security, employment, resources, health, and property.
1. Physiological needs - the essentials of life - food, water, air, sleep, shelter, clothing, and reproduction.
Our Services
First Core Assistance
Providing families with preschool to 3rd graders with new items of necessity: ​
A casual outfit (pants and shirt).
Pajamas and a package of underwear.
Crew socks, gloves and hats.
A new book and toothbrush.
Toys.
Shoes/Boots or a coat, when available.
Second Core Assistance
Providing families with 4th to 8th graders with essential items:
Hygiene products.
Hats, socks, and gloves.
A new book or magazine.
Supplies for craft projects.
Pizza parties accompanied by bowling or skating.
Third Core Assistance
Supporting a transition program, in St. Louis, MO designed for displaced high school and college students with items of necessity:
Gas cards.
Gift cards.
Other necessities.
Fourth Core Assistance
Assisting high school and college students with:
funding for outstanding activity fees that are holding students from graduating.
food and snack donations.
Fifth Core Assistance
Assisting displaced mothers with:
Locating housing and providing funding for application fees.
Locating and fundraising for a vehicle.
Sixth Core Assistance
Partnering with local beauticians and barbers to raise self-esteem in youth and parents.
