Community Engagement Program
Community Engagement Opportunities are the platform from which youth in Hands4Hope learn about and engage with their community. Both youth and community centered, Hands4Hope gives youth, kindergarten through 12th grade, rich learning experiences that help them develop leadership skills while providing exposure to populations they may not encounter during their day-to-day life.
Participants in Hands4Hope community engagement events are involved in activities that address human and community needs together, learning first hand about social issues and the power they have to make a positive difference.
Through these experiences, Hands4Hope youth find their passion and their voice, often recruiting fellow students and friends to join in their efforts. Once they understand the power they have and the impact they can make on another’s life, they want to do more and it shows in the numbers that follow.
WE HAVE MULTIPLE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES! Many of the events our youth work are designed based on community needs, therefore new events are being created based on our youth participants' exploration and desire to take action. You can see opportunities available for sign up now on our "volunteer" link; and below, you will find a descriptions of events that are most commonly on our outreach calendar.
For more information on these outreaches and other outreaches not listed here, please contact yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org.
community engagement events
GVCC Common Ground
(2nd and 4th Saturday of month 8:30-11am)
Volunteers help distribute food and run carts to over 200 people in need at Green Valley Community Church. There will be occasions where volunteers will help bag clothes in the coat closet or serve meals in the cafe. All ages welcome. However, elementary students require parents or guardians to volunteer alongside them. Middle School students are recommended to have a parent or guardian volunteer with them.
On Hiatus: EDH Senior Center Crafts and Games
(2nd Monday of the month 3-4pm)
Volunteers spend time with seniors with various levels of dementia, at Ramona "Moni" Gilmore Senior Center in El Dorado Hills. They lead a small group of seniors in arts and crafts, games, and simple physical activities. Open to students 8th grade and up.
Creekview Mercy Senior Dinner and food donation
(3rd Wednesday of the month 3:30-5:30pm)
Creekview Manor is an affordable housing complex for seniors, run by Mercy Housing. Volunteers play games, help with craft activities and prepare and serve dinner. Elementary students require a parent or a guardian to volunteer alongside them. We are also always looking for performers to entertain at these dinners with card/magic tricks, musical acts, or whatever you think Seniors might enjoy!
White Rock Village children's activities
(Select weekdays 3-5:30pm)
Through the "Kidzone" after school program at White Rock Village, a Mercy affordable housing community, Hands4Hope participants help elementary aged students with homework while building friendships with the children. Through "Camp Mercy" during the Summer, Hands4Hope participants assist with STEM-themed games and activities. Open to participants in 8th grade and up, as well as Adult Leads. Hours and days may vary.
Sister Nora’s Place
(4th Friday of the month 4-7pm)
Provides long-term shelter and case management for women with a history of homelessness, trauma, and serious mental and physical illness. Volunteers carpool to this event and bring a prepared or ready to cook dinner for the female residents. Once dinner is ready, everyone sits down for a family style dinner. Volunteers are encouraged to engage the residents in conversation and help bring a bright spot to their day. Please contact Hands4Hope if interested in this event. Volunteers must be female high school students.
upper room dining hall
Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has partnered with Upper Room Dining Hall in Placerville to help serve meals to 200 people who are food insecure in our community. Hands4Hope youth participants volunteer every 4th Saturday of the month to not only distribute to-go dinners, but to also offer conversation, a smile, and unconditional love and acceptance.
Participants are required to be at least 13 years old to sign up for this event.
Annual
Drives
Warm and Fuzzy Drive and Winter Boutique
(October - December)
Local elementary schools, businesses, and organizations collect new and gently used clothing to help keep less fortunate families in our community stay warm throughout the winter. The donated clothes are then sorted, washed, and displayed for the Hands4Hope’s Winter Boutique events, where local families in need and foster families are invited to shop for free! The Boutique is open for holiday "shopping" during the month of December.
Toiletries Drive & Toiletries Scavenger Hunt
(February)
Local elementary schools and businesses collect toiletries to be distributed throughout the year during homeless outreaches and other Hands4Hope outreach events. After the collection, youth work together to organize and sort all products. There is also a neighborhood toiletries scavenger hunt which is always a blast for the young volunteers!
Food Blitz (April)
Hands4Hope volunteers help collect non-perishable food items to be distributed to local food banks as well as to local colleges where food insecurity is on the rise.
Empty Bowls Event in Placerville
Volunteers serve soup, bread, and drinks to over 1000 people as a fundraiser to fight hunger in our community. Some of the proceeds from the event also get donated to international organizations. Open to High School students.
Blanket Making Party (October/November)
Volunteers make no-sew fleece blankets. These blankets are distributed to the homeless and people in need in our community. Volunteers also make cards for deployed soldiers and make toiletries packets for the homeless. Pizza and snacks are served and it is a fun “party” for everyone. All ages welcome, elementary students require a parent or a guardian to volunteer alongside them.