Mission/History

MISSION:  Grow the next generation of socially responsible citizens by engaging youth in community outreach.

Hands4Hope is a non-profit, youth driven, outreach organization, based in Northern California, designed to create opportunities for youth to identify areas of need in their communities where they can make a difference and have a positive impact.

Who we are  
Founded in 2008, Hands4Hope is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization comprised of youth volunteers ranging in age from Kindergarten through 12th grade.  Many youth involved reside in the El Dorado Hills area; however, the organization is quickly growing, gaining volunteers from throughout both Sacramento and El Dorado Counties and beyond. The organization currently has more than 1,100 registered youth volunteers and has service learning programs at ten public and one private school.

How we work 
Led by a Youth Board who is mentored by a Parent Advisory Council, Hands4Hope’s primary objective is to show and teach you how they can make a difference in their communities.

Because Hands4Hope’s programs include both service and service learning, it gives youth of all ages the power to decide their level of involvement. Whether they do hands-on community service, join a club or team, or lead a committee, they will have eye-opening experiences that inspire compassion and strengthen life skills.  Fun is always a part of the program as youth work together to make a positive difference for others.

Why we began  
My inspiration for creating this organization came from my children. I have two boys and I truly want for them to grow up to be compassionate, responsible individuals, who look beyond themselves and aspire to make this a better world, whether by little acts of kindness or big outreach projects.

Where we’re headed
  Hands4Hope has taken off like a freight train and has been blessed with support from parents, businesses, charitable organizations, schools, churches, and other youth organizations. It has grown to over 1,100 youth members in the last 5 years, partnering with the Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom, Wind Youth Services, Mercy Housing, Powerhouse Ministries, Food Bank of El Dorado County, New Morning Shelter, Center for Violence-free Relationships, Feeding And Inspiring the Homeless, Green Valley Community Church, Hope House, and the Vision Coalition of El Dorado Hills to carry out various programs. We work closely with many schools in the area to carry out our drives and promote our activities. These schools include Oak Meadow, William Brooks, Silva Valley, and Jackson Elementary, Rolling Hills and Marina Village Middle, and Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, Union Mine, and Jesuit High Schools.

Who we serve 
Hands4Hope’s outreach is driven by the interest and focus of the youth involved. All projects serve those in a special needs category – homeless, low income, trafficked, bullied, military, victims of a natural disaster, etc. Our focus is within El Dorado and Sacramento Counties (with the exception of natural disasters).

What we’re striving for  
As an organization, Hands4Hope aspires to give a voice to youth on issues affecting our community and give them the opportunity to take action in their own way.

Our goals are to:

-       Give youth the opportunity to explore areas of need in their communities

-       Inspire compassion and the desire to take action

-       Empower youth to create, develop, and implement project that support their chosen causes

-       Offer opportunities for leadership development

-       Encourage youth to build relationships with other community-based agencies

Jennifer Bassett
Founder & Executive Director

“We have enjoyed meeting the people we are serving, asking their names and hearing their stories.  It has sparked some really great conversations with our boys.  They love it and look forward to serving again.”
-Tracie Hilliker, mother