A note from Charlie
I'm in sixth grade, I live in The Oaks of Calabasas, and I started The Block because families here kept needing a hand and kids here kept wanting to work. The site connects the two.
But the part I care about most is what happens after. A family meets the kid three streets over. A kid learns which neighbors to wave to. People who've lived near each other for years finally know each other's names. The Block isn't just a way to get help — it's a way a neighborhood gets closer.
— Charlie Hochman, founder
What we stand for
Neighborhood Helpers from the community
Every Neighborhood Helper on The Block lives in Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Tarzana — a trusted neighbor, not a stranger from an app. These are the kids you see at the park, at the pool, and in your carpool, working in the community they call home.
Parent-supported
The Block was built by a sixth grader, for families with kids. Parents of Neighborhood Helpers are involved, informed, and proud. We believe young people ages 11–26 thrive when their families back them, and families thrive when they can lean on the trustworthy kids next door.
Easy request process
Tell us what your family needs and we handle the matching. No scrolling through profiles or haggling on rates — just submit a request and we connect you with the right local kid for the job.
Great for busy families
Whether you need a last-minute babysitter, a dog walker while you're at work, or a tutor for tomorrow's test, The Block is designed to move fast. Our Neighborhood Helpers are kids and young adults ages 11–26 who live close by — shorter response times, real flexibility.
Local, friendly & flexible
Our Neighborhood Helpers are kids and young adults who live minutes away, not across town. That means they can show up on short notice, adapt to your family's schedule, and build a genuine ongoing relationship with your kids and household.
Good news only
Our Stories page carries local news on one condition: it has to leave you feeling better about the neighborhood. Student wins, neighbors helping neighbors, milestones worth celebrating — crime reports, court cases and politics stay off it. There is no shortage of places to read what went wrong nearby; a community gets stronger partly by noticing the good in it.
Safety-first approach
Every Neighborhood Helper ages 11–26 is someone we know, or someone vouched for by a helper or family we know — neighbors and their kids, not strangers. Because we're a small, local operation, accountability is real — not just a checkbox.
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Together, we build a stronger, more supportive community.
The Block isn't just a service — it's a neighborhood network for Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, and Tarzana. Every job booked is a connection made, a young person who earns real experience, and a family that gets back a little more time.