Kind Strangers Lend a Hand in Philly

One good deed by Carter Karpinski, BA ’25, created a domino effect culminating in Kind Strangers, a Hawk-run passion project helping people across Philadelphia. 

Karpinski was assisting a local elderly woman when he realized that there were people all around who could use a helping hand but didn’t know who to ask. 

“My neighbor opened up to me about how odd it felt to need someone to help you do something you were once able to do for yourself, and how embarrassing it could feel at times,” Karpinski says. “I have the luxury of friends and family in my life right now, but there are people out there who don’t have people to turn to for help, and I don’t want anyone to feel alone.” 

Karpinski quickly enlisted the help of three fellow Hawks (and some of his closest friends), Gavin Kuebler, BS '25, Alex Andahazy, BA '25, and Dennis Coyne, BS '25, and Kind Strangers was born. 

The group’s services are wide-ranging; a significant portion of the work is physical tasks, like assembling and moving furniture, for those who can’t do it themselves. They’ve done everything from yard work to window washing to cat sitting to picking up groceries, all with a pay-what-you-can model to be able to serve people regardless of their financial situations. 

“By our last year at St. Joe’s, we had a huge, wide network, and that community is something that we missed after graduation,” Andahazy says. “This is another way to build back a community. My favorite part is just getting to know so many people I wouldn’t otherwise meet.” 

The group took inspiration from members of the St. Joe’s community whom they saw giving back despite their jam-packed schedules. 

“One idea I think about often is cura personalis, or care for the whole person,” Karpinski says. “There are so many ways to help people, and if caring for somebody is as simple as organizing their living room, then of course I’m going to do that.” 

They now run Kind Strangers in addition to working full time, fitting in service whenever they can. 

“The more you do, the more time you find,” Kuebler says. “Even when there are long days, I wouldn’t give it up.” 

The group has been on the job for just a few months, but is looking forward to organically growing the operation. 

“Community breeds community,” Kuebler says. “We want this to become something that can sustain itself. We know that means getting more hands on deck, and we’re weighing what measures are appropriate to handle that with the respect it deserves. It’s a slow process, but one that we’re really excited for in the months and years to come.” 

In addition to spreading the word about their project, Karpinski says, the best way to support their mission is to help people in your own neighborhood. 

“Anyone can do what we do and help people out on your own,” he adds. “We’d love to have everyone come out and join us, but until we can do that, check on your friends and neighbors and offer what you can.”