Our Story
Helping Hands Coffee is a small business that serves coffee to the community of Lynwood in Los Angeles, California. Originally, Helping Hands started as a nonprofit organization helping underserved communities within Lynwood during the COVID-19 pandemic through food distributions and volunteer work.
Eventually, Nestor would turn Helping Hands Coffee into a small coffee business. Nonetheless, they still give back to the community by donating 10% of their earnings to local nonprofits and collaborating with local roasters like Picaresca and Patria. Moreover, they continue to strengthen their community by hosting events such as a Día de los Muertos celebration and a Cumbia Crafts Club event. Additionally, he hosts resource events such as a food drive every Thursday.
Unlike big coffee chains, Helping Hands Coffee feels like a community-based coffee stop that makes you feel part of a bigger story with every sip.
About Nestor
While in college, Nestor Enciso worked at Tierra Mia Coffee, not just as a part-time job, but as a hobby that would grow into a true passion. Through that experience, he discovered his love for making coffee and building meaningful connections with customers and the community around him.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nestor founded Helping Hands Coffee as a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping underserved residents in Lynwood. He began organizing food distributions and volunteer efforts for those in need, a mission inspired by his own hardships. During that time, his parents were hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. Despite these challenges, Nestor was driven to extend support to others facing similar struggles.
With the endorsement of the City of Lynwood and the help of dedicated volunteers, Nestor eventually transitioned Helping Hands Coffee into a small business. However, even as a business, the heart of Helping Hands remains the same, giving back to the community. The café donates 10% of its profits to nonprofits and continues to host local events that provide resources, build connections, and bring people together.
For Nestor, Helping Hands Coffee isn’t just a place to grab a cup of coffee; it’s a symbol of generosity and unity. His business continues to serve as a “helping hand” for the Lynwood community, one cup and one act of kindness at a time.