OUR STORY
Hand2Paw began in 2009. Rachel Cohen, then a 19 year old Penn student, started volunteering at the PAWS animal shelter in Gray’s Ferry. As she walked across the University Avenue Bridge from campus, she saw many teens taking shelter there and noticed that they often clung to a dog as a source of comfort. She was shocked and saddened by what she saw but thought about that bond and the fact that the shelter was always short of help to care for the animals and decided to put together something that would bring these two marginalized groups together to help both. She came up with the idea to take an activity teens seemed to love – caring for animals – and develop a program to support young adults experiencing homelessness or foster care by creating an environment that would allow them to develop their potential while experiencing compassion for all beings. Hand2Paw was born with a volunteer program in 2009 and we have been providing paid internships to disadvantaged youth since 2011.
In the beginning, we were all volunteer-led. We have since built capacity so that now we have a skilled staff supervising paid interns. The program has grown and changed over the years. Together, our staff has developed a specialized, evidence-based curriculum to ensure that our interns spend their time with us developing a skill set that will serve them well not only in their personal lives and future employment but also as members of their community. We strive to send our interns into the world as ambassadors of humane treatment of animals and compassion for their fellow citizens.
Our approach is to create a safe and supportive work environment where our young adults can intentionally embark on a journey of healing and growth while also earning a wage that enables them to build the life they want for themselves. We currently run three programs: Unleashing Opportunities (our flagship four to six month internship program), Pawspurr (a weekly program for those not yet ready for a full internship) and WorkReady, a summer job skills program operated by Philadelphia Youth Network.
At first, just the paycheck. But later I cared about finding a home for each animal that was adopted. Hand2Paw has been more consistent than other programs. We made realistic goals and you didn’t waste our time. The program showed me that I can be committed to coming to work every day. It was a great atmosphere – there wasn’t too much stress. The internship showed me the positive results of me improving on my work skills.
I view this program as different because I could feel the compassion and the genuine care for my success.
I feel I have more confidence because I have maintained two jobs since being with Hand2Paw.
I do believe that this program made an impact on me, a positive one, I will forever be changed because I went to this program. If you’re reading this and you work with Hand2Paw, Thank You.
I thought that it helped that I was never quit on, I was always pushed to do more and that mentality that I always have to do more helped me in life.
I feel my favorite thing about Hand2Paw so far is that it is a meeting space of healing & aiding the transitional periods of animals and those of humans, particularly youth. Hand2Paw provides an alternative to stressful shelters where animals & adopters aren’t moved by pity but rather compassion!