Youth Spotlight: Jack Clarke

Jack Clarke first started with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference via his on-campus Hands4Hope Club last year as a freshman, so he's only been with the organization for about a year, but he has already done a lot! Not only did he participate in his club, he also was elected Treasurer this year. Plus, he has taken on leadership roles in after-school Hands4Hope Committees, such as Glow Toys Manager for the Kids Zone Committee, and Co-Chair of Collections for the School Supply Drive Committee.

"From the moment Jack joined the Oak Ridge Hands4Hope Club, he was filled with an insatiable desire to assist and make a positive impact. His radiant smile and genuine kindness create an atmosphere of warmth and inclusivity, making everyone feel welcome and valued. This summer, witnessing his leadership skills blossom at High School Leadership Camp was truly inspiring. I am thrilled to witness him lead his club with unwavering confidence this year. He truly embodies the spirit of Hands4Hope."

Sydnie Warner, Hands4Hope Education Program Coordinator and Staff Mentor for Oak Ridge Clubs

What motivated you to begin participating with Hands4Hope?

I had a friend who was involved and told me about it. I was motivated by wanting to get involved with something. I wanted to help out the community in some way, and Hands4Hope was a perfect way to connect me with those opportunities.

How have your experiences so far with Hands4Hope shaped you?

I’ve had a few experiences that have shaped me compared to when I first joined. Leading the glow toys team in the Kids Zone committee has helped me get better at planning and following through with plans. It taught me how to lead and manage a team. A second experience was with the camp for high school leaders. It was a great way to learn some skills in leading groups and planning meetings, as well as getting comfortable with speaking in front of large-ish groups of people.

Has Hands4Hope participation helped you in school, or in life in other ways?

It has definitely helped me with public speaking. At school we have to give lots of presentations, and in club meetings I will have to talk in front of 30+ people. Hands4Hope has been a great way to help me practice public speaking, especially since it has been very nerve-racking for me in the past.

What has been a favorite moment so far with Hands4Hope?

My favorite memory with Hands4Hope was definitely High School Leadership Camp during the summer. It was a great time getting to know the other leaders and working as a team. I learned a lot of skills in terms of working with other people and leading meetings.

What would you tell someone thinking about getting involved with Hands4Hope?

If someone was considering joining Hands4Hope I would tell them that Hands4Hope is a great way to connect with the community and find ways to help out. They are super flexible in terms of timing and meetings, except for high school clubs, but they are a great group that is easy to work with.

I love working with Hands4Hope and I am so grateful for the skills they are teaching me. It has been a very nice way to learn many life skills that I do struggle with, or have struggled with in the past. All the adults are amazing to work with and super caring. Overall, Hands4Hope is a great organization and I would highly recommend joining.

What else do you enjoy doing?

I run cross-country and track for Oak Ridge, as well as spend lots of the winter skiing in Tahoe. My family loves to travel to the beach when we can, and just traveling in general to new places.