RCAN Impact Highlights

Stories, program updates, and results from across the RCAN network this year.

RCAN Impact by the Numbers

361
Clients Supported in 2025: $15,325
In Gift Cards Provided: 120
Detained Juveniles Received Gifts

The highlights below show personal stories, program milestones, and practical outcomes across the network, including $15,325 in gift cards and material support for food insecurity, eviction risk, utility bills, clothing, funeral costs, car repairs, restitution, and professional fees.

Because of RCAN

Things like this happen on a regular basis:

A woman has a place to live in an emergency

Ms. RH served an unusually long prison sentence for her crime and was finally granted compassionate release after 28 years of confinement. She is in ill health and needs a walker to move around. She had no place to stay when she was released from prison and RCAN paid for a room until other arrangements could be made. RCAN also provided her with a cell phone she needed in order to start rebuilding her life.

An immigrant is able to save his possessions

Mr. HRA is a Venezuelan immigrant who was kicked out of his apartment because he was arrested and his landlord put his belongings on the street. He was unable to take 8 suitcases of personal items that belong to him to his shelter and needed someone to store his things until his life stabilized. RCAN found a volunteer to store his things in a shed until he could later reclaim them.

A man just back from prison has a way to get around in the community

Mr. CJ is a 50-year-old man who just returned home after more than 20 years in prison. He lined up a job soon after arriving back in the community, but had no easy means of transportation. RCAN volunteer Manuel Vera provided him with a refurbished bicycle and RCAN donated the helmet and lock he needed to ride the bike to work and back.

A family has furniture for their new apartment

The family of PDS client Mr. NF had been living in deplorable conditions where they endured rats, mold and lack of heat. Luckily, they found a new two-bedroom place that meets their needs, but they had no usable furniture they could take with them. RCAN asked volunteers to help collect items and furnishings were found to fill all the rooms in the apartment.

A pregnant mom has what she needs to care for her small children

A young mother, Ms. SD, who is pregnant and on home confinement was unable to work to provide for her 3 small children. RCAN provided her with gift cards to get diapers, clothes and other household necessities. RCAN volunteers also collected fans and a window unit to keep her apartment cool in the summer.

Client Stories

Mr. E. — The Most Joyful Man

RCAN provided a place to stay for this returning citizen

His time at the hotel has been invaluable. It has allowed him to experience the dignity of getting back on his feet with a hot shower, clean bed, and free coffee in the morning — something he has not had for months. For his team, it has allowed us to focus on all the collateral needs he has, which would otherwise be barriers to housing: things like getting him connected with a core services agency, obtaining copies of his birth certificate, and tracking down verification of disability benefit. He walks with a cane and despite an extraordinarily difficult life fraught with poverty, addiction, and homelessness, Mr. E is the most joyful man to be around.
— PDS Lawyer

TW — Safely With Family

A young man received clothes after all his possessions had been lost

Thank you all for your help in supporting TW and his family. All of your donations went such a long way to relieving the stress and anxiety of TW. He is safely with his grandparents that love and care for him. Their immediate burdens have been relieved thanks to the assistance of you all. I cannot express to you the joy this has brought to this family. Thank you all again so much!
— PDS Lawyer

Ms. D's Birthday

An RCAN volunteer brought birthday greetings to the family of a PDS client

This is so wonderful! Thank you, Kay! I spoke with Ms. D today, and I can tell how much your friendship and support mean to her. And that birthday cake both looked and sounded amazing!
— Florence Bryan, PDS Lawyer

Florence, it is my pleasure to be a friend of Ms. D. I enjoy my time with her. They are wonderful people. Ms. D is very grateful for what you do for her and her family.
— Kay Tatum, RCAN Member

Help shape next year's impact.

Donations meet urgent needs. Volunteers build lasting relationships. Join the network that responds when timing matters most.

Donate Get involved