Hand Up Project on receiving end

Robert Smiley’s Hand Up Project is at work in Monroe, performing homeless community outreach in partnership with the Monroe Police Department and local nonprofits. Now, Smiley needs a hand up of his own, to get his broken-down truck back on the road.

The Hand Up Project is a nonprofit dedicated to serving individuals who struggle with drug and alcohol addictions and other destructive behaviors, particularly once they end up homeless. He provides rides to assessments, helps clients get identifications and guides them toward detox and other rehabilitation services.

Transportation is a key component of Smiley’s outreach, as he uses vehicles to distribute goods and drive clients to needed appointments. He spent half the day with Monroe Police Sgt. Ryan Irving on Wednesday, Nov. 16, canvassing the city and providing outreach to several homeless individuals.

Smiley’s vehicle was packed full of food, toiletries, clothing, first aid kits, single-use cellphone chargers and other supplies that he handed out to members of the homeless community. 

Smiley returned to Monroe on Thursday with a box truck, to pick up food donations from the Monroe Gospel Women’s Mission for distribution to numerous organizations around the county. Additionally, he intended to pick up a homeless man who was found on Wednesday living in ramshackle tent north of U.S. 2, on the east side of Monroe near Woods Creek.

Smiley became concerned for the 65-year-old, who said he was extremely sick and unable to move. Smiley had plans to get him out of the weather and to a safer location, but his truck broke down and ended up at the Monroe Les Schwab.

The Monroe Police Department stepped in on Smiley’s behalf, advocating for the Hand Up Project and the need to get that truck back on the road. As a result, Les Schwab offered $2,800 worth of service for $1,200. Smiley is seeking donations to pay for the needed repairs.

So far, the Monroe Police Officers Association has donated $250, Christ Church Monroe gave $100, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community donated $250 and other private donations have come in.

Smiley said the community support in Monroe has been an absolute blessing and he can’t thank the Monroe Police Department enough for its advocacy.

“I’m not used to law enforcement stepping up like that,” Smiley said. “It’s a huge blessing.”

Smiley recruited a team of volunteers to get all the food off the box truck and distributed to 11 organizations around the county, in support of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. The beauty of the Hand Up project is that once a person is working a program of recovery, they give back through volunteerism and assisting others. The person with one week of sobriety can make a life-changing difference to the person with one day, Smiley said.

He also picked up the homeless man from where he lay alongside U.S. 2, landing him on a couch in a clean and sober living environment. He will stay with Smiley until he is able to get the medical care and supportive living arrangement he needs.

Smiley said he looks forward to continuing his work in the Monroe area.

To learn more about the Hand Up Project, visit thehandupproject.org, or the Facebook page at facebook.com/thehandupproject. The Hand Up Project is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are fully tax-deductible.