Our Mission is to Help People
The mission of AHHDC is to offer non-believers a way to help people in need in their communities without having to align with or endorse a religion or spiritual worldview.
- We were established in 2021 in Maryland by a local atheist who saw a need for a secular charity, and we have been working to provide one ever since
- Our main charity work involves distributing portable and durable goods (e.g., hygiene items, backpacks, flashlights, and gently used clothes) directly to people gathering at homeless shelters in the area
- We operate strictly on a volunteer basis, with almost no overhead – all donations we receive will go straight toward purchasing items to be handed out at our events
- Though our group is explicitly non-religious, and a guiding principle is welcoming, supporting, and promoting acceptance of secularism among our community, we do not discuss our beliefs with clients at our events unless they ask – when we are working, our only goal is to help
Objectives for 2025
AHHDC currently has a grant to purchase socks, backpacks, gloves, and flashlights.
In addition, we have private donations through which we purchase other goods, such as toiletries and non-perishable food, and we are also frequently gifted items for distribution such as clothes and blankets.
Our goals for 2025 are:
- Continue holding monthly distribution events, and hand out as many supplies as possible
- Further understand the needs of our clientele and community through direct communication with people at our events
- Search for additional funding opportunities
- Increase outreach to the secular community in the Washington, DC region, through meetups, social media, and updating our website
You can join us in working towards our mission!
You can help us by coming to a distribution event, or contributing funds to purchase items through the Donate page.
Alternatively, if you have any extra things to give, items we find useful and valuable include: antiperspirants, backpacks, bar soap, bedding, deodorant, face masks, flashlights, gloves, lip balm, nail clippers, toothbrushes, underwear, and non-perishable food.
Write to us to see how else you can help, at atheistshelping@gmail.com.
Statement of Non-discrimination
We do not, by policy or practice, discriminate against any person or group based on race/ethnicity, religion/creed, color, national origin/ancestry, sex/gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital/parental status, pregnancy/childbirth or related conditions, age, disability, genetic information, military service/veteran status, past criminal history, mental illness, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.