Youth Spotlight: Jacob and Kalen Wylie

If you've been paying attention to Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference social media posts and stories over the last few years, you've certainly seen Jacob and Kalen Wylie. These two current juniors at Ponderosa High School have spent a lot of their time participating with Hands4Hope in numerous ways, from their on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs to after-school Committees, and plenty of Outreach opportunities as well. Jacob, who has been participating for 6 years, has more than 370 service hours logged; and Kalen, who has been participating for 4 years, has more than 200 service hours under his belt!

They both have also taken on leadership responsibilities. Jacob has served as both the Secretary and President of the Hands4Hope Clubs at Camerado Springs Middle School and Ponderosa High School. Kalen has held the positions of Treasurer and Vice President of the Ponderosa High School Club. Currently, Jacob serves as the President of the Ponderosa club, while Kalen holds the position of Vice President. Additionally, Jacob served as the Middle School Representative on the Youth Board Committee for the 2022-23 school year.

"These two young leaders consistently model integrity, compassion, and service, inspiring their peers to make a positive impact in the community. I have seen them grow in their own individual leadership strengths and encourage others to do the same," said Nicole Craine, Hands4Hope Deputy/Program Director.

How did you first get involved with Hands4Hope?

Jacob: In sixth grade, Hands4Hope was brought up at my school. Even though I wasn't sure I wanted to join, I did because I wanted to get more involved in my school, and now Hands4Hope plays a significant role in my life.

Kalen: I first heard about Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference back in 8th grade through my brother, who was already part of the Camerado Club at the time. He really encouraged me to join, and after hearing about all the projects and events he was involved in, I decided to give it a try. I thought it would be a fun experience and a great way to get more involved in helping the community.

How have your experiences with Hands4Hope shaped you?

Jacob:  My life has been greatly impacted by Hands4Hope! When I started in sixth grade, I had much less self-assurance than I do now. Over the summer breaks of 2021, 2022, and 2024, I attended the Hands4Hope leadership camp, where I gained confidence and enhanced my communication skills. In sixth grade, there is no way I could have had the confidence to give presentations and assume such significant leadership roles. Now that I'm a junior in high school, and have had more experience, I can give presentations with ease and enjoy doing so!

Kalen:  Since joining Hands4Hope, I’ve grown a lot as a person and developed many important skills. When I first joined, I was a lot more shy and unsure about speaking in front of people, but being involved in meetings, projects, and events really helped me overcome that fear. I’ve learned how to take initiative, lead groups, and communicate more confidently. Hands4Hope has also given me professional skills like teamwork, organization, and planning, which I know will help me in the future. Overall, it’s helped me become a stronger leader and a more confident person.

Has Hands4Hope helped you in other ways?

Kalen:  Hands4Hope has helped me in so many ways beyond just volunteering. In school, it’s made me more organized, responsible, and confident when working on group projects or speaking in front of the class. With my friends and family, I’ve become a better communicator and more understanding of different perspectives. Overall, Hands4Hope has taught me leadership, teamwork, and compassion skills that have helped me grow not just as a student, but as a person in everyday life.

What is one favorite Hands4Hope memory?

Jacob:  My favorite memory with Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference has been at the Camerado Springs Middle School club in the 2022-2023 school year. At that time I was in eighth grade, and had been elected president. That entire school year was so fun because we were able to do many new things that we had never done in the previous years. We actually held two fundraisers! We did a school wide coin drive and it was so fun to go and collect money from each classroom and see everyone so excited! We also held a dine-out night at the Cameron Park Kiki’s Chicken and raised the most amount of money we had ever made for Images of Hope!

Kalen:  One of my favorite memories with Hands4Hope is helping out at the Hands4Hope Fall Festival at Town Center. It’s always such a fun experience working with my team to set everything up, run the booths, and see families from the community enjoying themselves. Each year, I feel more confident and involved, and it’s great to see how much effort everyone puts in to make it a success. Those events really remind me why I joined Hands4Hope, they bring people together and make a positive difference while still being a lot of fun.

What would you tell someone who is considering getting involved?

Jacob:  If someone were thinking about joining Hands4Hope, I'd encourage them to give it a shot! It's quite difficult to put Hands4Hope into words. There aren't enough descriptive words to describe what they do. When you're there to assist the community, it feels so good to see veterans, kids, the elderly, and anyone have a good time when you’re there helping them!

Kalen: I would tell someone who’s thinking about joining Hands4Hope to definitely go for it. It’s such a great way to get involved in the community, meet new people, and build leadership and teamwork skills that will help you in all parts of life. You get to have fun while also making a difference. I see myself continuing next school year as the Vice President of the Ponderosa High School club, and I’m currently part of the Empty Bowls Committee. I really enjoy being involved and helping lead projects that bring people together to support others in need.