You might recognize Mia from her articulate explanation of her involvement with Hands4Hope at the inaugural Nashville Songwriters Live event in November, 2023, where she took the stage at the Harris Center in Folsom in front of nearly 600 guests with exquisite poise. This junior at Folsom High School has only been involved with Hands4Hope since she was a sophomore, but she has jumped in to many different roles, including serving on the 2023-24 Youth Board Executive Committee as Treasurer.
Hands4Hope Program Director Nicole Craine said, "Mia George is a poised, witty, and willing to learn youth leader. Mia has the ability to lead her peers and work alongside adult partners. She excels at working in and leading group projects and is an excellent public speaker and representative of Hands4Hope. She is a joy to work with!"
Hands4Hope Education Program Coordinator Lara Davis said, "At the end of last year, Mia expressed to me how much she loves Hands4Hope and wanted to know how she can become more involved. She is now Vice President at the Folsom High School Hands4Hope Club. When talking to groups of people about Hands4Hope, she does so with great enthusiasm and energy."
Tell us about your involvement with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference.
I am on the Empty Bowls Committee as the Marketing/Finance Youth Lead, I am on the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee, Vice President of the Folsom High Club, the Treasurer of the Youth Board Executive Committee, I volunteer at MAPS, and have done quite a bit of public speaking events for Hands4Hope.
How have your experiences with Hands4Hope shaped you into the person you are today compared to when you first joined?
From the years that I’ve been with Hands4Hope I can most definitely say that it’s truly shaped who I am today and one thing that I’ll take with me wherever I go is the ability to see a need in my community and take action to make that change. From working with Guide Dogs for the Blind, Koinonia, and Powerhouse Ministries I’ve seen a variety of different areas within our community that need help. Most often times than not, it’s very clear which areas need help, but it’s a lot harder to really know how to help and that’s what Hands4Hope taught me. I know how to address any need in the best way possible and how there are so many ways that we can help and Hands4Hope showed me that. For that, I’m forever grateful. Wherever I go I’ll always take that civic mindedness and want to serve through the rest of my life.
What has been your favorite memory so far with Hands4Hope?
My favorite memory so far with Hands4Hope was most definitely the High School Leadership Camp where we got to bunk in cabins, do the rope courses, and just meet so many new people!
What else do you want to share?
Hands4Hope is an organization that has made me feel seen and heard, I found a community that accepted me with open arms and it's taught me so much more than just volunteering for the hours but volunteering to making an impact and change in my community - which is something | will take with me wherever I go.
What other activities do you enjoy?
I love playing both indoor and outdoor volleyball, I love to read - I am reading Grapes of Wrath right now and East of Eden is next on my reading list, I love to dress up everyday, and my favorite food is some good pizza, my favorite colors are green and purple, and my favorite movie is How To Train Your Dragon!