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I am looking forward to having more opportunities to work with the youth. These young people are dynamic, creative, engaging, and act as if they’re fearless. Every time I interact with one of them I learn something new. Tell us about your background and your position on our Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference Board of Directors. Hi, I'm Dolly Wager. I joined the Hands4Hope Board in 2021 and I am also part of the Placerville Steering Committee. I have owned an accounting business for the last 40 years. I love what I do and it keeps me pretty busy but I carve out time to be a part of this organization because it is truly special to me. How did you hear about Hands4Hope-Youth Making A Difference and how long have you been involved? A little over two years ago I was introduced to Hands4Hope – Youth Making a Difference. I knew very little about the organization at the time but thought the concept was interesting. Everything is youth-driven. As I began to get involved a little more, I started to realize the true impact that Hands4Hope was making on youth and our community. The adult mentors not only encourage youth to do need-based work and give back to their community, but they empower them by giving them the tools to do so. Everything is youth-driven. The adult mentors not only encourage youth to do need-based work and give back to their community, but they empower them by giving them the tools to do so. We know you could dedicate your time to many other boards/non-profits in the community - what motivated you to get involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I had the pleasure of observing their summer leadership camp and that’s when I fell in love with Hands4Hope. These youth are amazing; they are evaluating needs, planning projects and seeing them through, all the while gaining amazing leadership skills. They elect leaders, learn how to run a meeting and engage their peers (even the ones that sit in the corner). I know that for some of them, the natural confidence they show developed with time, practice, and support from their adult mentors. Observing how the adult mentors interacted with the youth - the way they encouraged them and let them lead - made me step back and reconsider how I interacted with the youth as well. We adults could learn a lot by watching these youth in action! What are you looking forward to doing most while on the Board? I am looking forward to having more opportunities to work with the youth. These young people are dynamic, creative, engaging, and act as if they’re fearless. Every time I interact with one of them I learn something new. I am also looking forward to supporting and spreading the word about Hands4Hope’s mission to everyone who has not had the opportunity to know about them yet! I can’t express in this short paragraph how enthusiastic I am about this organization and the people (youth and adults) involved in it. Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope? I’m much better at talking than writing, so feel free to reach out to me or explore their website to learn more about this amazing organization!

For this month's Youth Spotlight, we selected siblings, Jeffrey and Anna Hash, who serve as President

This month, in recognition of “Family Volunteer Day,” we’re shining the Spotlight on one of our Adult

1. What is your school and grade? How long have you been involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I am a junior at Vista Del Lago High School. I have been involved with Hands4Hope for 5 years now! 2. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference & how did you hear about it? I attended a summer leadership camp a couple years ago, which partnered with Hands4Hope. My peers and I hosted a toiletries drive, working with Hands4Hope mentors to plan for a homeless outreach. At the event, we gave out toiletries and sandwiches to people in need in Sacramento. I was surprised at how gratifying and enjoyable community service could be, so I made the decision to join Hands4Hope later that summer! 3. How has Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference helped you in school, with your friends and family, and in life? Hands4Hope has definitely helped me learn communication and marketing skills from being on different project committees. On top of that, Hands4Hope has exposed me to different situations outside of my comfort zone, so I have been able to develop a different perspective on my everyday life, and become more grounded. Every outreach and project is different, so every experience is meaningful in its own way. Especially getting the chance to have a deep conversation with the people I serve has been so important, getting to know more than just the surface level details, and more about one's life experiences. 4. What has your experience been like since joining? My experience with Hands4Hope has been fantastic! I have met many new friends, whom I have been able to bond with through outreach events and serving the community. Hands4Hope has given me an outlet to channel my creativity and organization skills. I have gotten to know more of who I am through forming different experiences with Hands4Hope. I developed a deep sense of gratitude for everything I have, after noticing how many people struggle for resources that we often take for granted, like fresh food and clothes. 5. Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? This year, I decided to try a new Hands4Hope project- the Winter Boutique. In this project, the committee sets up a store for customers to gather winter items they are in need of, such as blankets, coats, socks, and more. My role was being the youth chair and leading the committee throughout the process. It was amazing to put together an event which positively impacted 151 families amidst COVID-19. Watching the project come together on the event day(s) meant a lot to me, as all the hard work produced such a great result in the end. It has been great to see a silver lining to a year that proved itself to be difficult on so many fronts.

In this very special Alumni Spotlight, we’ll be looking at two such individuals who met in a Haunted Alumni Spotlight | Kaitlin Violette What grade were you in and what school did you attend when you joined Alumni Spotlight | Andrew Madigan What grade were you in and what school did you attend when you joined

We feel it is vital to invest in our community; the best way to do this is to focus on our youth. Hands4Hope provides the platform on which youth can grow and make an impact. Through Hands4Hope’s programs, school-based clubs, and volunteer opportunities, the youth develop the necessary skills to become leaders, to work together as a team, to accomplish projects, and embrace the meaning of community. They see how their work makes a difference in many people’s lives. You were essential in helping bring a Hands4Hope Youth Center to Placerville in July 2021. Please share your thoughts on the new expansion of the youth center and what it means for the youth and the community. The Placerville Hands4Hope Youth Center is utilized for many functions, and the possibility of expanding the current space is exciting! Our community will benefit significantly from this expansion in many different ways. It will allow the Emergency Food Pantry to create an even more ideal “shopping” experience for the families it serves and provide additional storage for food items. The expansion will allow ASPIRE Outfitters to offer a boutique for youth in need to “shop” for clothing and shoes. There are now established Hands4Hope School Clubs on 10 school campuses in El Dorado County (or in Placerville) and the number of Hands4Hope youth is increasing. The youth collect and distribute many items during their drives, such as nonperishable food items, toiletries, clothing, and school supplies. Additional space is needed to inventory and store these items pending distribution. The expansion will also provide meeting rooms to other organizations providing youth support. What are some of the skills you see Hands4Hope youth learning that will be most valuable as they grow personally and professionally? In our involvement with Hands4Hope youth, not only in the Emergency Food Pantry but volunteering for other events, we see the “can do” attitude of the youth. They have so much energy and passion for helping out in the community. Skills they are learning that will carry over into their adult life include learning to communicate through writing and presenting speeches, writing thank you notes, listening skills, creating, planning, and following through with projects, learning budgets, learning to work as a team, and learning management skills. What are some of your favorite memories from all your experiences with Hands4Hope? Our primary volunteer responsibility is with the Hands4Hope Emergency Food Pantry. We love to see the faces light up of the children who come to the pantry with their parents and help “shop” for food. They love picking out fresh vegetables and fruit. We also love the hugs and many thanks from the parents knowing they can depend on nutritious food items at the pantry. We volunteered alongside youth on a Caldor Fire distribution. Watching them actively interact with people by helping to pick out clothing, finding the right sizes, and answering questions was wonderful. They were professional, kind, and sensitive to the situation these people were experiencing. We recently received a phone call from a Hands4Hope alumni thanking us for our volunteer efforts. In our conversation she shared with me that she is currently in medical school. Even after “graduating” from Hands4Hope and working her way through college, she still continues to come back and participate with the nonprofit. Being involved with Hands4Hope has made a huge impact on her life. Working together as volunteers affords us the unique opportunity to watch these incredible youth grow to become successful and productive members of society and allows us the opportunity to support our community at the same time.

My family and I started volunteering for Hands4Hope-Youth Making A Difference over 11 years ago. My interest in helping people started in middle school when I became a “mommy’s helper” to our family friend who had a daughter with Fukuyama Congenital Muscular Dystrophy. I spent time playing and socializing with her even though she was non-verbal and had difficulties with mobility. Through this experience, I developed a passion to work with people with special needs and began volunteering for Special Olympics in High School and throughout my college years. I then became an Occupational Therapist for a short period before I had my 3 boys. I discovered Hands4Hope-Youth MakingADifference through my boys’ elementary school and we began volunteering as a family. I started working for Hands4Hope-Youth Making A Difference 6 years ago, where I get to volunteer and pursue my love of helping those in need in our community. When my family and I started volunteering for Hands4Hope-Youth Making A Difference, my 3 boys were in preschool and elementary school. Our favorite event was the Sacramento Homeless Outreach where we made sandwiches in the back room of the El Dorado Hills Raleys, put together a bag lunch, packed up some toiletries and caravanned to a street near Loaves and Fishes. We would set up tables along the fence line and lay out all the lunches and big containers of hot chocolate or lemonade depending on the season. People who were homeless would come by and offer help to set up or just to see what we were doing. They were always so grateful for the lunches and the toiletries. My young boys’ favorite thing to do was helping the homeless people pick out the toiletries they wanted. Now my boys are in high school and college, and when they see someone on the streets, they are quick to find something in the car to offer whether it be a snack, cash, or just a “hey, how’s it going” and an acknowledgment that we see them and they are not invisible. Over the years, Hands4Hope-Youth Making a Difference has seen tremendous growth. We have clubs at 7 middle schools and 6 high schools, and have partnered with 60 different agencies and organizations throughout El Dorado and Sacramento counties. We have various year long and seasonal after-school committees, and numerous Community Engagement opportunities. We have seen 5,097 volunteers since Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference started in 2008. Our programs have groomed leaders with a genuine love to serve others. It gives me hope, especially in these trying times, to know they are out there leading by example. One of my favorite parts is getting a text message or a phone call from a Hands4Hope alumni asking if I can be a reference for a “real” adult job they are applying for. It touches my heart to know that I had a part in their life where they had meaningful experiences and growth. As the Community Engagement Coordinator at Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, I get to work closely with other staff members, board members, partner agencies, adult volunteers, and of course our youth volunteers, building friendships based on a common goal. I get to directly work alongside them to help the most vulnerable people in our community. I get to see the wonderful interactions amongst the people we serve and the volunteers. And most of all, at the end of each event, I get to say that this is my job! Thank you to all my dedicated adult volunteers and my inspiring youth volunteers. I could not do my job without your support.

1. What school do you teach at and which club do you advise? I am the staff advisor for the Hands4Hope Club at Sutter Middle School in Folsom. 2. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I am blown away by the impact that Hands4Hope has on people's lives. Just our little club at Sutter has touched so many people's lives in a positive way, that it brings me to tears sometimes. I am also so touched and proud of the students who participate in the organization. Year after year, these students are the most empathetic, kind, and loving human beings I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I love being surrounded by their energy and spirit. 3. Is there anything that you've enjoyed most/been most surprised by interacting with the club? It never ceases to amaze me how many wonderful, selfless youth are "out there" on my school campus who have so much love in their hearts and yearn to make a difference in other people's lives. I also giggle when I think about the fact that the students always want to help animals before they consider other causes. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that everyone just adores animals! Before I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to be a veterinarian! 4. Is there anything else that you would like to add? I didn't know anything about Hands4Hope before I took on the role of Staff Advisor. To be honest, I took over this role as a favor for the previous staff advisor who was transferring to another school. Little did I know what exactly I was jumping into headfirst, and wow, was I lucky to have discovered the joy I have received from this organization. I don't think I would have ever participated in some of the volunteer activities or charitable events that I have with this club if it hadn't been for Hands4Hope. Sometimes in life, we lose sight of what's important outside of our little bubble. Hands4Hope provides so much opportunity to do for others, and as a lifelong Christian, that's so deeply meaningful for me.

Which school did you attend while you were a Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference participant and how many years were you involved? I attended Folsom High School where I was a Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference participant for 4 years. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference & how did you hear about it? I began volunteering with Hands4Hope during its first year as a new club at my high school. I had heard about the club through some mutual friends, and it was suggested to me as a good way to get involved in community service, something we were aware of that would be good to have on our inevitable college applications. My involvement grew over the next four years, from simply volunteering, to taking on more roles within the clubs and greater committees within Hands4Hope, and ultimately leading the Youth Board in my final year in high school. How did Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference help you in school, post high school and now? How did your involvement help you with your friends and family, and in life? I attribute my continued commitment to the organization to the programs that had been created for us as youth leaders, as well as to the genuine passion that I saw in our other youth participants. The workshops and programs we had that taught us about our innate abilities, communication styles, conflict resolution, and how to manage groups and meetings have given me skills that I still use today. What was also incredibly impactful was working with and learning from other students. My favorite experience was working with the K-5 program, and getting to watch kids come up with creative fundraising ideas and have a voice in how we could improve our community. I think that empowering students, from Kindergarten all the way into college, is so essential in teaching them that they are capable of creating tangible change regardless of their age. What has benefitted me the most from my experience at Hands4Hope has been the experience and confidence I gained from public speaking experiences in high school. Learning how to promote myself, my team, and something I am passionate about has allowed me to succeed then in a classroom setting to now in corporate meetings. Describe your very first experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. My first experience with Hands4Hope was attending a club meeting at Folsom High. It was the first year in which Hands4Hope was an established club at our school, so the meeting was small. I still remember how inclusive the leadership was, and how organized the meeting was - aspects of the organization that never changed regardless of who I worked with or what I worked on during my time with Hands4Hope. Do you have a fun or funny story about some aspect of your work with us? My best friend to this day was someone that was in leadership at Hands4Hope with me. We had known each other since middle school, but the experiences we shared in Hands4Hope brought us closer together. It never felt like work when I was able to spend time volunteering with my great friends and I have very fond memories of us at various outreach and community activities. What value do you think Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference adds to the community? In addition to the wonderful things Hands4Hope's different programs and initiatives provide to our communities, the service learning model encourages students to be involved in creating a project from the ground up, and to take ownership in their ideas. This type of experiential learning is not readily available in most of our schools and is something that Hands4Hope uniquely gave me and the other students I saw in our programs. What are you up to now? I graduated from UC San Diego and now work at Berkeley Lights.

Which school did you attend while you were a Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference participant and how many years were you involved? I first started my involvement with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference at Marina Village Middle School in 6th grade. I really enjoyed it and thought that it was a great experience, so I continued all the way through high school. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference & how did you hear about it? I joined Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference in order to help my community. I believed in the organization's purpose and felt like it was a good fit for me. I learned about the club through my brother, who was involved with the club when I first started. How did Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference help you in school, post high school and now? How did your involvement help you with your friends and family, and in life? Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has helped me by increasing my confidence. It helped me step out of my comfort zone which resulted in me growing as a person. I believe that Hands4Hope has helped shape who I am today and I think that it has also made me a better person. I have met great people during my time in the club, and I have made great relationships with the other volunteers. Describe your very first experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. The first year I was with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, our group decided to work towards donating to the Heifer Project, which has the goal of ending poverty and hunger across the world. That year, we held a lot of fundraisers to raise money for the project and we were able to help them out. Do you have a fun or funny story about some aspect of your work with us? During our leadership camps at Coloma, I decided to do the high ropes course blindfolded. It was a very fun experience, and I was able to push my limits. What value do you think Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference adds to the community? Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference provides great services to the community. One example that I was involved with is Kids Oasis. This program allowed parents to shop in the food pantry and clothing closet at Green Valley Community Church while we watched over and played with their kids. Not only does it help the children, but I believe it also helps shape the volunteers. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference helps the community by helping others, but it also helps the community by creating a new generation that is more involved with helping others. Overall, I have always had a great time with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. Everything about it: the meetings, the fundraisers, the events, and more, are always enjoyable. One of my favorite memories with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, other than volunteering, was going to camp. I loved the team building exercises and learning about myself as a leader. Currently, I am working towards becoming a History and a Government teacher for high school. I want to keep being a part of my community and I feel like teaching is a great way to do that.

How long have you each been participating with Hands4Hope? Jacob started with Hands4Hope in 2014 at Camerado Middle School. Shortly after that Randy & Stacie started volunteering so that they could make it a family function! Why did you join Hands4Hope? We encouraged Jacob to join to get more involved in school. Which outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Which do you enjoy the most? We often do the Kids Oasis & the annual Support the Troops breakfast. We have a son that serves in the Navy therefore the breakfast is something close to our hearts! Jacob is very shy & does well with the younger kids so we all enjoy the Kids Oasis. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope youth? Hands4Hope youth are very kind, respectful & intelligent. All of these young men & women have leadership abilities within them that need to be nourished, supported & encouraged, this is why my husband & I enjoy volunteering!! Overall, what has your experience been like since joining? Our experience has been very positive, we have enjoyed watching the youth in this organization grow & flourish. What is Jacob’s school and grade? 10th grade at Ponderosa High School How has Hands4Hope helped Jacob in school, with friends and family, and in life? Jacob has been able to grow his ability to be empathetic with others, he has established relationships that continue to grow. Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope? I would like to add that the support from the staff at Hands4Hope has been exceptional. The only way we have been able to continue volunteering with Hands4Hope has been due to the open communication & support from staff with Yoko being the shining star!!

Jennifer Cole 1. What is your school and grade? How long have you been involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I go to Vista Del Lago High School, and I am currently a sophomore. I have been occasionally volunteering with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference since elementary school, but only started volunteering regularly in my freshman year of high school. 2. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference & how did you hear about it? My brothers volunteered with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, so I would often join them in elementary and middle school. I loved my experience volunteering, which led me to apply for the Ryan Christopher Hersh Scholarship Committee in high school. 3. How has Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference helped you in school, with your friends and family, and in life? Through Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, I have been able to strengthen skills, make friends, and gain knowledge about the community I live in. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has helped me work on skills such as collaboration, public speaking, and leadership. School and other volunteer organizations often don’t give youth the ability to be a leader, which is why it is so special that Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has this opportunity. I have also been able to meet incredible people through Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference that I have been able to learn from and become friends with, and who inspire me to work hard and do my best in Hands4Hope and in life. 4. What has your experience been like since joining? I have had an amazing experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, and I am so glad that I joined. One of my favorite parts of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is the supportive environment, and how passionate everyone is towards helping the community. This environment makes volunteering very enjoyable, and also means that everyone feels included and heard. The passion present in all of the youth is also very inspiring, and leads to innovative projects and impressive results. 5. Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? One of my favorite projects has been being part of the Hands4Hope Emergency Food Pantry Committee, where I was able to help build a food pantry. This project seemed daunting at first, but I loved working with the rest of the committee to slowly plan everything out and eventually see everything come together. We sometimes had problems that we hadn’t even thought of, such as how we were going to find out about recalled food, but by working together and with other organizations, we were able to overcome every challenge and create a working food pantry. Jayce KalFUNski 1. What is your school and grade? How long have you been involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I am a current sophomore at El Dorado High School and have been a part of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference since June 2020! 2. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference & how did you hear about it? I heard about Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference from my friend Lori Whittle, and joined because I found out through Key Club I love helping my community, and figured the more the merrier! 3. How has Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference helped you in school, with your friends and family, and in life? Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has helped me develop leadership skills by being the co chair for the Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference Emergency Food Pantry Committee, and has taught me secretarial duties by being the EDHS Hands4Hope Club’s secretary! 4. What has your experience been like since joining? I have loved every second of being in Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference! I love being able to help my community while also collaborating with other students and the adult mentors! 5. Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I would like to thank everyone within this amazing organization for giving me such an amazing opportunity, to everyone on the Emergency Food Pantry Committee for being such an amazing group of people to work with, and my great club members at EDHS! Thank you!!