About Us
Our Founder & CEO
Lisa Fields-Linnen born and raised in Harlem, NY has worked with children for over thirty-six years, from coaching to mentoring and giving them a safe place to grow. She has put a strong emphasis on implementing and providing programs for the youth through sports and other enrichment programs.
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Mrs. Lisa Fields- Linnen’s love for children began in 1988 when she worked as a childcare supervisor for an agency where she supervised hard-to-place boys ages 13-21 years old in a group home setting. The children has been an integral part of her existence, and she strives to be an essential part of their growth and development.
Lisa’s tireless efforts and commitment to meeting her goals of providing, developing, and implementing programs for the youth will become the forefront of her mission.
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OUR MISSION AND VISION
Hands That Make A Difference was founded in 2011, by Lisa Fields-Linnen. Her goal was to provide a safe-haven for at risk youth fostering change through sports.
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In 2016, HTMAD was licensed by Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to operate a school-aged program for youth ages 5-12 years old. We provide an array of services including but not limited to an After-School Program, a Saturday Program and a Summer Camp for youth ages of 5-12 years old. These programs provide youth development and educational services through homework help, tutoring, computer technology, STEM education, music, sports and a violence prevention program. We also have a mentoring program for middle schoolers age 11-14 where we provide internships and career development skills.​
Our Young Adult Program offers work-force information and re-entry back into school service as well as our anti-violence prevention program. In our Teen Parents Program for teens 21 and younger we provide free support and services to teenage parents and expectant youth. We assist teen parents with finishing school, finding child-care services, employment assistance, referrals for parent skills training and housing assistance. Beyond that we offer services to senior citizens (55 and older) computer training, job placement and other services spearheaded by our youth and Generation X.
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