New Staff Spotlight: Irene Johnson

Please welcome Irene Johnson, who has joined the Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference staff team as our new Outreach Program Coordinator. In this role, Irene will oversee the Outreach Program, where youth are provided with hands-on opportunities to directly serve those in need through partner agency relationships. Irene will build and maintain partner agency relationships, recruit & support youth and adult participants, and empower youth to grow as leaders and civic minded citizens.

Welcome! Please tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hailing from Sonoma County, I’ve lived in the area for the last 15 years with my husband, where we raise our two daughters. I have always felt a calling to participate as an active member of my community – both on local and global levels. Once upon a time, I graduated at the top of my class from U.C. Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Global Studies. These days, I am an active member of my daughters’ school community as class “room parent,” “team parent” for my younger daughter’s Prospector soccer team, and primary leader for two Girl Scout troops. I firmly believe in setting an example of citizenship and volunteerism for my daughters – to show them how to effect positive and compassionate change – with the hope of instilling these values in them as well. Life is busy, but we have a lot of fun!

What were you involved with before starting with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference?

Seasonally, I enjoy working as the editor of an annual niche music magazine, the Blues Festival Guide. This magazine provides readers with the latest news in the blues industry, editorials on blues history and culture, and everything they need to plan their festival calendar. The blues is not just a music genre, it is its own special community. We do our best to support it and keep the blues alive!

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love spending time with my family, and we always seem to have something fun going on with extracurricular activities, Girl Scouts, or hanging with family and friends. I am an avid reader, and love nature hikes, craft projects, and musicals (something shared by our entire family, which is fun!). Our family trips are always a highlight – we’re big Disneyland fans, and have also had a blast taking a train trip across Colorado and Utah, relaxing in Hawaii, roadtripping in the Pacific Northwest, and more. In 2026, we’re looking forward to visiting Puerto Rico! When we’re not out and about, I cherish quiet down-time at home with our cat Penny.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know or are surprised to learn?

In school, I studied French for five or six years, and even studied abroad in Paris. There’s nothing like a true croissant from a French boulangerie! Please don’t try to engage me in a full French conversation now – as they say, use it or lose it!

What are you most looking forward to in working with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference?

I resonate deeply with the Hands4Hope mission to widen youth awareness of the vulnerabilities and needs within their communities, and enable them to take action through leadership and service opportunities. I’m excited to be a part of this wonderful Hands4Hope team, and expand outreach opportunities!