Youth Spotlight: David Galicia-Perez

When Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference began exploring its expansion into South Lake Tahoe, David Galicia-Perez didn't hesitate to get involved. As a high school junior, he stepped into the role of youth representative on the South Tahoe Steering Committee, sharing his voice alongside community leaders, school administrators, and adult volunteers as they worked together to bring Hands4Hope to the region.

In just a few months, David has become one of the young leaders helping shape Hands4Hope's future in South Lake Tahoe. He has participated in Outreach Opportunities, represented the organization at community events and speaking engagements, and will serve as the first President of the South Tahoe High School Hands4Hope Club when school begins this fall. Before his senior year even starts, David will have logged more than 70 hours of service—and, as you'll read below, he's already discovered that the impact of volunteering extends far beyond those hours. "David has been instrumental in helping bring Hands4Hope to the Tahoe community. While much of his work has happened behind the scenes, his passion for serving others and creating meaningful opportunities for his peers has helped lay the foundation for what will become our first Tahoe High School Club. As our Tahoe Youth Ambassador and the club's inaugural president, David embodies what it means to lead through service. He sees the potential in his community and is committed to creating opportunities for students to make a difference while discovering their own purpose and leadership along the way," said Nicole Craine, Hands4Hope Deputy/Program Director.

Hands4Hope recently expanded into South Lake Tahoe. What was it like hearing that you had the opportunity to help launch something new? What made you decide to be one of the first students to get involved? Hearing about Hands4Hope was really exciting because I have experienced first hand how difficult and overwhelming it can be for students to find accessible ways to get involved and give back to our community. As a younger student, I struggled to find volunteer opportunities and build up the courage to participate. I limited myself and didn’t realize how powerful giving back could be. I decided to join the South Tahoe Steering Committee right away because I wanted to help build something that makes service easy, approachable, and meaningful for other South Tahoe students who might feel unsure about where to start, just like I once did. You've already participated in Outreach Opportunities, speaking opportunities, and attended your first Leadership Camp. Have there been any surprises along the way? What has surprised me the most was how quickly getting involved improved my confidence and broadened my perspective on service. Going into public speaking opportunities and camp I was definitely going out of my comfort zone and was pretty nervous. I expected to just complete tasks and learn basic logistics, but I was amazed at how much hands-on leadership development happened naturally along the way. Do you have a favorite moment from your time thus far with Hands4Hope? The moment that hit me the hardest was while helping set up The Longest Dinner Table outreach. There, I saw multiple students that I had never met before sign up and participate. Seeing everyone show up and work so well together made me realize that I was part of something bigger and felt very rewarding.

What is one thing you've learned about yourself that you didn't know before?

I've learned that even if I'm quiet and shy I am capable of being a confident speaker and leader when working towards a purpose I care about. In the past, I wasn't as involved and felt disconnected, but stepping into these public speaking and leadership roles showed me that I can connect with people and motivate my peers far better than I could have ever imagined.

Since Hands4Hope is just getting started in South Lake Tahoe, what are you most excited to see happen over the next few years?

I'm most excited to see how Hands4Hope grows across our community and the opportunities it will provide for every student in South Lake Tahoe. I also want every student in South Lake Tahoe to know that there is a welcoming space for them to volunteer. Over the next few years, I hope that numerous students gain the same confidence, purpose, and strong community connections that volunteering has provided me.

You've already worked alongside other youth and adult volunteers. What has stood out to you about everyone working together toward a common goal?

What stands out to me the most is the lack of ego and the common energy that everyone brings together. Regardless of whether you are an adult volunteer or a youth volunteer, we all treat each other with respect as equal partners. Everyone at the table has their own perspective but together we remain focused on making a positive impact in our community.

What would you say to another student in your school or community who is thinking about joining Hands4Hope?

I'd tell them to definitely make the effort to get involved and that its okay to be nervous, because all nerves do in reality is prove that something matters and is worth the effort. I used to hesitate and feel unsure about where or how to get involved, but joining Hands4Hope completely changed my volunteering experience. It's not just about getting service hours, it's about gaining confidence, building life skills, and finding a supportive community where everyone belongs and feels great to be a part of.

What activities do you enjoy outside Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference?

Sports, spending time with my family and dog, working on my car.

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