Our History

Mamma’s Hands was founded in 1990 when Seattle businessman Denny Hancock had a life-changing encounter with a homeless father and his blind son at a local café. After witnessing the son's epileptic seizure and hearing the father's story of love and hardship, Denny was moved by the struggles faced by the homeless and the profound impact of unconditional love. This moment sparked his resolve to make a difference.

Joined by family and friends, Denny began delivering food, clothing, and blankets from an old potato chip truck to people living on the streets of Seattle. On their first night, they served 50 individuals, and by the second night, that number had doubled. However, it soon became clear that those they served needed more than a meal—they needed lasting support and a path to stability.

Mamma’s Hands quickly expanded to address these deeper needs. In 1994, the first House of Hope was established, providing a safe, nurturing shelter for mothers and children fleeing domestic violence, poverty, and trafficking. With this expansion, Mamma’s Hands also introduced the Phone Home Program, allowing individuals to reconnect with their loved ones through free phone calls.

At the heart of Mamma’s Hands is the mission to provide a family-centered environment where at-risk mothers and children in crisis can regain stability and work towards self-sufficiency. With personalized care, life skills programs, and access to essential services, families are empowered to heal, rebuild, and thrive.

Today, Mamma’s Hands has grown into a lifeline for thousands of families, supported by the generosity of sponsors and the dedication of volunteers. The House of Hope remains a central part of this mission, offering a safe space and transformative resources to help families break the cycles of homelessness, poverty, domestic violence, and trafficking. With a remarkable 94% success rate, the majority of mothers graduate from the program empowered to create a better future for themselves and their children.