Lotsa Helping Hands offers both Private and Open Communities. Which one is best for you?
- Private — Private Communities are typically created to organize help for one family in need, where everyone knows the family being helped. They are not searchable using the Lotsa Helping Hands location-based search form.
- Open — Open Communities help more than one family, and the members of the Community may or may not all know the people being helped. Open Communities are searchable using the Lotsa Helping Hands location-based search form and allow those interested in volunteer work to lend a hand and caregivers to request help. Often schools, community groups and religious organizations use the Open Community type.
- Compare — Private and Open Communities have many of the same features, but some important differences. Read more to learn which option is best for you.
Check out our Open Communities tip sheet on getting started.
Get Started or Search for an Open Community near you.
Let us help you decide which Community option is best for you:
| What’s the Difference? | Private | Open |
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| All Community and personal information is private |  |
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| The service is free to use for everyone | |
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| Everyone in your Community knows the family being helped | |
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| Your Community is primarily set up to help one specific family | |
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| Your Community is primarily set up to help multiple families | |
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| People can search for your Community using the Lotsa Helping Hands location-based search form | |
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| Community Leaders and Coordinators may choose to make certain sections of your Community viewable to the Public | |
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| Lotsa Helping Hands provides Member Support to Community Leaders, Coordinators and Members | |
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| You can access your Community from your mobile device | |
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