IMPACT NEWSLETTER
Winter 2025
March 5, 2025
STEPPING INTO OUR 20TH YEAR
All Hands and Hearts (AHAH)’s journey in disaster relief began 20 years ago, born from the hope found in disaster and evolving into the forward-thinking model of disaster relief we proudly uphold today. Over the years, we’ve created a uniquely impactful community of volunteers, donors and staff around the world, united by the shared drive to take action in moments of crisis. This year, we look back on events that have changed the course of history, reflecting with compassion and stronger than-ever determination to continue to ripple change and create a stronger, more resilient world for generations to come.
Join us as we look back on the first quarter of our 20th year, where we’re proud to present the impact that we have created together.
INTRODUCING AHAH’S NEW CEO
It is with great excitement that we introduce AHAH’s new CEO, Nate Mook! Nate joins us with an incredible breadth of experience in disaster response and promises to bring invaluable leadership to our mission. As the first CEO of World Central Kitchen, his leadership helped grow WCK into one of the largest privately funded humanitarian organizations in the world. Join us in welcoming Nate and expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Jess Thompson for her dedication and impact as she steps away from this role.
Read more about our new CEO and this leadership transition.
RESPONDING TO THE LA WILDFIRES
January 2025 began with devastating winter wildfires that decimated entire communities in Los Angeles County, among the most destructive in California’s history. As climate change fuels increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and extreme drought conditions — even in the heart of winter — wildfire season has become a year-round reality. Despite these growing challenges, AHAH is more committed than ever to respond to these types of disasters as soon as they strike.
Now over six weeks since the fires began, AHAH remains on the ground with a committed presence until at least January 2026, supporting underserved and vulnerable communities in LA County. We have built strong partnerships with local organizations such as the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), providing varied support and services where the local capacity has been overwhelmed.
Click here to learn more.
ENDURING COMMITMENT AFTER HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON: SIX MONTHS LATER
This winter, we will have been on the ground for six months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton made landfall in the eastern U.S. in October 2024. As the focus shifts from immediate response to long-term recovery, AHAH is fully prepared to adapt to the evolving needs of homeowners, businesses and community leaders in their recovery journey. We drive our responses based on the community’s needs, with our dedicated volunteer base playing a crucial role in meeting those needs every step of the way.
Click here to learn more.
BUILDING STRENGTH IN NORTH CAROLINA
Our efforts have been steadily helping homes and businesses in and around Asheville, North Carolina, find a new sense of normal after Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented flooding that ravaged these mountain communities. AHAH volunteer teams have continued debris removal, muck and guts and sanitations at over 136 sites, restoring healthy and clean living spaces that were once submerged by the flooding. We have established strong local partnerships with organizations such as Silverado’s, Sylvia’s Distribution, Savage Ops Freedom, Cheryl’s Thrift Store and CORE, where AHAH volunteers contribute daily to various scopes of relief efforts. To date, we’ve impacted over 200 individuals affected by the floods.
BACK-TO-BACK DISASTERS IN FLORIDA
AHAH’s sustained presence in Florida is reaching into its third consecutive year, supporting communities impacted by the relentless destruction of hurricanes on the Gulf Coast. As we concluded our two-year Hurricane Ian Relief program in September 2024, we immediately returned to the area to launch a new response to Hurricane Milton’s landfall. Since October 2024, our teams have been working alongside local volunteers completing 22 debris removals, 31 mold sanitations and 62 muck and guts at homes damaged by floodwaters reaching up to five feet. These efforts are crucial for individuals like MaryLou, who was forced to sleep in her car due to severe mold allergies in her home. These vital first steps help homeowners begin the process of rebuilding disaster-resilient homes, and we remain committed to supporting the recovery journey in the long term.
ONGOING SUPPORT IN HAWAII
Over a year and a half after the devastating Maui wildfires, AHAH is still on the ground supporting local organizations with community-driven solutions, primarily focusing on debris removal, the most pressing ongoing need. We hosted three Clean-Up Kōkua events in partnership with The Ho’ōla iā Mauiakama Long-Term Recovery Group, bringing together local volunteers to help clear fire-related debris and give back to their community. To ensure lasting recovery, we have also launched community capacity-building trainings on debris removal assessments, safety and volunteer management, aiming to equip a local Maui organization to continue supporting property owners long after our departure.
KENTUCKY FLOODING RAPID RESPONSE
Floyd County, Kentucky, has faced its third catastrophic flood in five years, with entire communities submerged under two to six feet of water. Hundreds have been displaced, many remain without power or heat and road access to critical areas is severely limited. Having previously supported the region after the 2022 floods, AHAH is on the ground, reconnecting with our local partners to provide much-needed, urgent relief in the form of muck and guts and home sanitations. As resident and team member Sherry shares, “I have worked many disasters in Eastern Kentucky and know the community and people well and I can tell you now that when I talk to them, I hear the desperation and the exhaustion in their voices.”
REMEMBERING 10 YEARS SINCE THE 2015 NEPAL EARTHQUAKES
AHAH launched the newest phase of our Nepal Earthquake Relief program in December 2024, beginning the rebuild of our 30th school in the country. This milestone is especially significant as this year, we commemorate the tenth anniversary of the two devastating earthquakes that shook Nepal, causing immense loss of lives and damaging or destroying over 8,000 schools. Over the past decade, we’ve been honored to support nearly 11,000 students directly, helping each return to safe schools and contribute to stronger, more resilient communities. We are grateful to continue our long-term support of the Nepali people and witness the lasting impact of our work in this incredible country.
EMPOWERING FEMALE MASONS
Ramila, our newly recruited Female Mason Trainee, commutes two hours on foot each day to attend the program. The Female Mason Training Program has been a cornerstone of Nepal Earthquake Relief and continues to be a key part of our legacy, where we train local women in sustainable masonry and construction techniques. Ramila warmly invited the entire AHAH team to her home, where she gave us a tour and shared a delicious dinner. This year, we’ve been thrilled to introduce a new chapter of our Female Mason Training Program, which has been running in Nepal since 2017, to two new countries: the Philippines and Mexico.
RESTORING EDUCATION IN MEXICO
AHAH completed its tenth disaster-resilient earthquake-affected school rebuilds in Puebla, Mexico, working on San Bartolo’s CONAFE kindergarten and Quetzalcoatl primary school. The school infrastructure was constructed using innovative, sustainable techniques in partnership with Bamboo Architecture Company. We installed two new rainwater harvesting systems and built new playgrounds while securing access to clean drinking water, benefiting 372 students, parents and teachers in San Bartolo Teontepec. We additionally introduced a phase of our Female Mason Training Program to Mexico, where we trained three local mothers in masonry and sustainable building.
We also responded to destruction from Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, Mexico, which affected over 369 schools in October 2023. Working with local contractors, we restored six new, safe and updated school facilities to the community in Coyuca de Benitez.
CELEBRATING SCHOOL COMPLETIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
With one month left, our program in Southern Leyte, Philippines, is coming to a bittersweet end. With our local partner Base Bahay, the team successfully constructed a sustainable, disaster-resilient building with four classrooms at Mahayag Elementary School, impacting 87 students and staff, and is completing a new building with four classrooms at Santo Nino High School to benefit 100 students and 14 staff. Mahayag Elementary School received a new playground and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, including accessible toilets and handwashing stations. We partnered with local organization Streetlight, as well as the Red Cross, to offer Child Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction training, and also trained four female masons for the first time in the Philippines to improve economic opportunities for local women.
Click here to learn more.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Builders are a passionate group of givers supporting our work financially every month. By becoming a Builder, you bring assistance and hope to disaster-affected communities by ensuring we can arrive early and stay late.
Help us to continue making an impact in the world.
One of the most effective ways to support our efforts is by joining us on a program! Volunteering provides valuable skill-building opportunities and contributes directly to disaster recovery, positively impacting everyone involved.
Together we can collaborate to support communities most efficiently.
The Pitching Change Program allows cardholders to enroll their Visa or Mastercard and round up their purchases to the nearest dollar in support of All Hands and Hearts. The accumulated change is donated to help communities recover from disasters.
