Mission: To provide support that affirms personal dignity, welcomes newcomers to our community, and encourages all students’ educational success.

Hawthorne Helps is a partnership between Rochester Public School’s Hawthorne Education Center and First Unitarian Universalist Church, with support from local faith, service, and business groups.

Hawthorne Education Center provides classes for 500 learners, ages 17 and older, 85% live at or below the poverty level and many are immigrants. All are struggling to make a better life. Programs include English as a Second Language, literacy, GED high school diploma, college prep, job training, and citizenship.

Services: UU Volunteers staff a distribution twice monthly offering essential items that cannot be purchased with SNAP. We are a welcoming UU presence cheering on the students.

Sign Up: ask to be added to HH Sign Up Genius for access to HH dates, sign up for a distribution shift & receive ongoing program updates.

Ways you can help:

  • Shop for essential items or staff bag distribution on site at HEC
  • Donate to HH’s Blue Barrel located in church entry
  • Share in season plants, herbs and produce
  • Invite HH speakers to your business or service group
  • Sort, tally & pack Blue Barrel items on Sunday (families welcome)
  • Contribute to annual Shared Plate, a financial collection for HH
  • Attend our annual fund raiser, The UU Handcrafted Bazaar, where volunteers staff a booth selling donated hand made arts and crafts
  • Knit hats, scarves, and mittens for our pre-winter distribution
  • Join with other UUs quarterly to pack Grab-N-Go bags

Items Needed: Check the eNews or Blue Barrel for a current list.

  • Personal care:
    • bar soap
    • deodorant
    • pump soap
    • lotion
    • shampoo
    • floss
    • toothpaste
  • Cleaning Supplies
    • baking soda
    • laundry powder
    • cleanser
    • cleaning spray
    • cleaning wipes
    • dish soap
  • Paper Products
    • paper towel
    • toilet paper
    • tissue
  • School Supplies
    • spiral notebook
    • wide ruled paper
    • 3 prong folders
    • eraser
    • pens
    • pencils
    • pencil sharpener
    • highlighter
  • Seasonal Items
    • fresh produce
    • sun screen
    • cough drops
    • hand sanitizer
    • lip balm
    • winter hats
    • scarves
    • mittens
  • Check the eNews or Blue Barrel for a current list.
  • Gift cards – Aldi’s, Dollar Tree, Menards & Walgreens
  • UU Handcrafted Bazaar items

Questions? More Information? To Volunteer? Contact: Sandy MacLaughlin
sandy.j.mac@hotmail.com (507) 282-8496 (715)580-0691