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What is your school grade? How long have you been involved at Hands4Hope? I am a Junior at St. Francis Catholic High School. I have been involved with Hands4Hope for about 6 months now, and have loved every second of it! 2. Why did you join Hands4Hope and how did you hear about it? I joined Hands4Hope because I was looking for ways in which I could give back to my community and practice servant leadership. I heard about Hands4Hope through a friend who has been volunteering at Hands4Hope for a few years. 3. How has Hands4Hope helped you in school, your family, and life? Where do I even begin! Hands4Hope has been such an influential part of my life. Participating in outreach and various committees has helped me gain confidence in my abilities as a leader and as a servant. In school, I am a part of the Student Government, so my leadership skills need constant improvement as we work through these unpredictable times. Hands4Hope has given me every resource to improve my leadership skills and help me succeed. I have learned things about myself by doing leadership training with Hands4Hope that has helped me to better understand myself and those around me. Hands4Hope has also fueled my passion for service. I find myself more eager to look for ways to serve my family, friends, and community the more I participate in Hands4Hope. 4. What has your experience been like since joining? When I first began, I was admittedly nervous as I did not know anyone yet. However, as soon as I began my first outreach I felt immediately welcome and appreciated. I also feel important and valued, as the Hands4Hope staff has always had a genuine interest in my well-being and growth. I have learned much about leadership and service through the mentorship of the Hands4Hope staff and by working with my peers on projects that we are passionate about. 5. Is there anything else you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope? I am so grateful to be a part of an organization that values youth education and leadership development. The more I work with other Hands4Hope members I am amazed to see how local youth leaders use their talents for the good of the community, and I am inspired by them each time we meet. I can’t wait to continue my service with Hands4Hope and to see the impact that youth can have on their communities. Top Left: McKenna and her sister, they love driving around together. Right: Mckenna and her sister in Tahoe Bottom Left: McKenna and her mom

I have been involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference since 2018. I had heard of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference but initially thought it was just an afterschool program for youth in El Dorado County. Boy was I surprised to learn how extraordinary this organization is! Steve Backers, whom I had worked with in the past and Andrea Howard, a good friend, both introduced me to Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. I knew if they were involved it would most likely be something I would be interested in as well. I was right! I chose to be a part of the Hands4Hope Board because of my lifelong interest in working with youth. I have been in the field of education for over 40 years, primarily working with elementary students, and this was an opportunity to work with middle and high school youth. It was of special interest to me to see that Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference was cultivating leadership skills and opportunities for students to get involved in their communities. It is so refreshing to see these young people take personal responsibility for making a difference in the lives of others. They continue to amaze me with their ability to recognize a need in the community and then orchestrate a plan to fill that need and they do it with purpose, enthusiasm and teamwork. I have lived in the El Dorado and Folsom communities since 1987 and have been able to witness an incredible amount of growth and change in our region. One thing though that has remained constant, is the incredible youth that we have in our El Dorado County and Folsom communities. We need to thank the parents, our educators and our local business leaders for the ongoing support they provide to our youth and our community. We are truly blessed to live here.

1. Tell us about your company/organization. Safeway has been proudly serving Northern California since 1926 and strongly believes in giving back to the communities it serves. Safeway opened its newest El Dorado Hills store and fuel station last month in the Sienna Ridge Shopping Center. This is the second Safeway location in El Dorado Hills. The new store is led by Store Director Kari Smith and is open 24 hours a day. Customers will enjoy hundreds of organic, natural, and healthier-for-you choices, including fresh-cut fruit and vegetables. The store also has a pharmacy and Drive-Up and Go services for curbside pick-up. 2. What is the reason(s) for donating to Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? In celebration of the grand opening, Store Director Kari Smith chose Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference as one of the local non-profits to receive a $2,500 donation from the Safeway Foundation. The El Dorado Hills Firefighters Foundation also received a donation. “I’ve been doing some volunteer work with Hands4Hope and it’s been a very rewarding experience. We have helped set up and worked a holiday boutique for low income families and also participated in carriage rides, where the proceeds went to providing hygiene articles to people without homes. It’s been amazing to work with the youth during these projects to see their drive to make a difference,” said Kari Smith. 3. Is there anything else that you would like to add? The Safeway Foundation focuses on giving locally to help strengthen neighborhoods and change lives. Our Foundation supports non-profit organizations in the following areas: health and human services, hunger relief, youth and education (K-12), veterans and supporting diversity and inclusion of all abilities. In 2019, the Safeway Northern California Division donated over $25 million in food and financial support to charitable organizations in the communities it serves.

What is your reason(s) for sponsoring Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference?

1. How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? Hmmm, well I've been involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference for about four years, and they've been very rewarding and interesting years working with all the wonderful volunteers and youth. 2. Why did you choose to volunteer with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? LOL! Like I had a choice; I was actually drafted into indentured servitude by my granddaughter, my daughter and my wife! Against those odds, I didn't have a chance, not that I would have changed anything! 3. Which outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Which do you enjoy the most and why? I pretty much support any/all the outreach programs. Because I'm retired, have a truck, and can build things, I'm usually in demand and available to help wherever I can. Throughout my four years as a volunteer I'm continually amazed at the dedication of the Hands4Hope leadership and volunteers, I've found this is not an easy job, it requires a lot of time commitment and patience on everyone's part. 4. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth? The Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth are great. I don't directly interact with them a great deal, but when I do I observe and listen; and what I see and hear is impressive... These are some great kids, who have (most of the time) clear goals, and strong commitment to serve their community. They seem to realize "they are the future leaders" of our community/country, and the skills they learn from Hands4Hope leadership, volunteers and the various programs will serve them well throughout their lives. Mike's daughter, granddaughters and wife who "drafted" Mike into volunteering with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference.

In addition to this month's Youth Spotlight, we would like to introduce the new executive leaders, all

How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference - Youth Making A Difference? I believe I’ve been volunteering with you since 2013….sad that I can’t remember! Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference - Youth Making A Difference? I was looking for an opportunity to give back to the community on my own and not just volunteering for organizations that my son was involved in. As his interests changed I would find myself volunteering for a different cause – and sometimes still volunteering for the things my son was no longer interested in because I couldn’t let go. It’s ironic that I chose a youth-led organization to volunteer with as a separate activity from my son although he and my husband have helped with events over the years. I discovered Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference back in the days we did the Haunted House. It was so much work but I still miss seeing the youth all dressed up and the community's reaction to the event. What outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Which do you enjoy the most? I have been the adult lead with Winter Boutique for the last 2 years and also for Sister Nora’s Place for 6 years. I enjoy both of these outreaches for different reasons. The Winter Boutique is an amazing experience. To start with an empty storefront and transform it into a delightful boutique where people can “shop” for needed clothing items is a very heart-warming experience. I have had the chance to talk with the shoppers as they wait in line and truly understand how grateful they are to have this opportunity to get warm clothes for their family at no cost. The youth I work with are so talented and energetic and always have creative ideas. It’s inspiring to see it all come together. I also co-lead the Sister Nora’s outreach with fellow adult volunteer Gen Walk. Sister Nora’s is a long-term shelter for women with a history of homelessness, trauma and mental illness. In non-COVID times Gen & I, along with our amazing youth volunteers, cook a fabulous dinner and deliver it and share it with the ladies who live there. Some women come and go but there are several who have been in residence since before I began volunteering there. I have had the humbling experience to get to know these ladies and am in awe of their strength and resolve. Unfortunately with COVID, the youth has been unable to attend with me but I still cook a meal every month and deliver it. I cant stay and eat with them but most times one or two of the ladies will meet me outside and we can have a quick chat. The youth have been making amazing and incredibly creative desserts and crafts for the ladies which are very much appreciated. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth? The youth that volunteer for Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference give me hope and pride for the next generation. In my different outreaches I have had the opportunity to work with youth on their very first outreach all the way to youth who have so many hours they have lost count! I have seen shy, quiet youth who would barely speak a word, turn into leaders and advocates for all that Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference stands for. Many have gone on to prestigious colleges. The first youths I started working with have gone on to amazing careers and continue to do good work for our community. I hope I have played a small part in their passion for service. Overall, what has your experience been like since joining? I am blessed to be part of such an amazing organization. I do a lot for this organization but it does even more for me. It is very important for me to be making a difference and I experience great joy, volunteering for Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. What makes volunteering for Hands4Hope even better is not only do I get to impact my community but I can mentor youth as well who will then go out and serve their communities for their lifetimes as well. As Walt Disney would say, “It’s the circle of life..” Lastly, we know you've done a TON of work with the Winter Boutique and Sister Nora's. Can you tell us what you've been doing and what it means to continue to serve during the pandemic? Being able to volunteer during the pandemic with both Winter Boutique and Sister Nora’s is one of the only things that keeps me sane – that and a lot of yoga! I don’t get out a lot but when I do, it's to meet my family’s basic necessities (grocery, etc.) or to volunteer with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. I have it pretty good in that I have kept my job, am able to work from home and still have the ability to serve my community.

How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I started June 2019, with my first outreach- Sacramento Homeless Outreach. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I was looking for community service opportunities that I could participate in with my kids but were limited by the age minimum for many organizations (my youngest son was 8 at the time). I was thrilled to discover that Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference allowed younger children to participate with their parents. What outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Sacramento Homeless Outreach, GVCC - Food Distribution. Which do you enjoy the most? I recently became the adult lead for GVCC and it has been motivating to get to know the clients and staff and to learn more about how GVCC serves the local community. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth? I have been impressed with the organization’s focus on youth-led community service projects and I'm inspired when reading about the new projects they have started or continue to build on. Overall, what has your experience been like since joining? It has been both fun and rewarding, especially for my youngest son, who really enjoys the time he serves at GVCC and other outreaches (no complaints when having to wake up at 5:30am on Saturday).

How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference? We became adult leaders in early 2020 when we learned Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference was exploring the opportunity to open an Emergency Food Pantry. Robyn has been a member of the Placerville Steering Committee since July 2018. Why did you join Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference? Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has been one of the local nonprofits we have supported for several years. The work that the youth perform for our community is impressive, and the leadership skills they learn along the way will stay with them throughout their life. What outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Which do you enjoy the most? Since we are new to actively participating with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference, our outreaches are limited. Robyn volunteered at the Winter Boutique in December. It was an incredible experience knowing how much work the youth put into the Boutique before, during, and after the two-weekend event. The smiles on the faces of those who came to shop and their gratitude for having the opportunity to obtain the clothing were special to see. Our primary outreach is with the Placerville Youth Center and the Emergency Food Pantry. Being involved in the formation of both is very rewarding. Our Placerville community stepped up to ensure that the Placerville Youth Center became a reality. Although the youth center's remodeling and opening were delayed due to the pandemic, the remodeling is now back on track, and the youth center will be opening soon. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth are charting new territory in creating and running the Emergency Food Pantry. Their enthusiasm and heartfelt desire to serve those who are food insecure in our community is very cool! What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth? It’s been some time since we have been around teenagers! Each time we meet with the youth, we come away with such a wonderful feeling. Watching the youth talk together, create together, listen to each other’s comments, and work together is heartwarming. They are respectful of each other and welcome new ideas. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference provides such a safe, comfortable place for our youth to share their talents and teach the leadership skills needed to move into adulthood. Overall, what has your experience been like since joining? We have had a great experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. Volunteering with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has provided us one way to give back to our community. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference staff are enthusiastic individuals who love working with the youth. Lastly, we know you’ve been doing a ton of work to help us get our Placerville Youth Center up and running. Can you tell us what you’ve been doing and what it means to have the new youth center and Emergency Food Pantry in Placerville? Although Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is based in El Dorado Hills, youth have been performing many volunteer work hours in the Placerville community for several years. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has had school clubs in Herbert C. Green Middle School and Union Mine High School. School clubs are now active at Markham Middle School and El Dorado High School. It was time for the Placerville community to learn about all the wonderful things the youth have been doing locally. The Placerville Youth Center's creation will allow youth from our surrounding middle and high schools to come together after school to work on the projects that our community has benefitted from for so long. A considerable benefit of the youth center's location is that youth from Markham and El Dorado can walk to it. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference was the recipient of a Home Depot grant that included Home Depot employees performing remodeling volunteer work at the youth center. The remodel project was put on hold because of the pandemic. When the Placerville Youth Center began the remodeling project, Home Depot employees could not go out into the public to perform volunteer work. Jennifer Bassett, Executive Director, worked hard to locate volunteers to perform certain aspects of the remodel. Many individuals stepped up to help. We have been working on removing a portion of the old carpet, scraping and sanding the floor, and filling in where necessary to level the floor in preparation for laying the new flooring. One thing leads to another, and Chris and a good friend, Rick Willson, will be laying the new flooring when the painting is completed. Until a person becomes involved in something like the Emergency Food Pantry, you don’t understand the needs of those in the community in which we live. For whatever reason, any one of us might find ourselves in need of additional food items at any time. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth have come together to establish the Emergency Food Pantry Committee and the Homeless Committee. They held a Fall Food Roundup last fall and obtained 3000+ pounds of canned food and dry goods such as pasta and rice. The youth stocked the shelves with the food and are learning how to run a food pantry. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth have partnered with the El Dorado County Office of Education and the Placerville School District to designate families in our schools who are currently food insecure. The Emergency Food Pantry Committee’s plan is to provide twenty-five families per month with additional food items. The youth were also able to partner with Blue Shield of California and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department to distribute food baskets during the holidays. The Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference Emergency Food Pantry and the Placerville Youth Center provide our youth an opportunity to support and give back to the community in which they live.

1. How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope? I’ve had the pleasure of working with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference since its inception. 2. How did you hear about Hands4Hope? As an Assistant Principal at Oak Ridge High School I was responsible for engaging in community outreach. I learned of the great work that young people and Jennifer were doing in the community and chose to participate as a professional responsibility and a personal passion. 3. We know you could dedicate your time to many other boards/non profits in the community. What is your position on our Board and why did you choose Hands4Hope? I am a Director with the Board of Directors for Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. I have served as Vice-Chair in the past and have enjoyed working with a diverse group of directors over time. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference combines my passions: service to others and youth development. My life work is aligned with the mission and vision of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference and I am honored to be a part of an organization that remains true to its goals. 4. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope youth? The youth involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference are from diverse backgrounds and have myriad aspirations and goals for their work with the organization. Whether students are involved through school or not, volunteers are inspired and empowered to make a difference. Some youth volunteers have been involved with leadership activities from a very young age while others are seeking involvement for the first time. I appreciate the inclusion that Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference promotes, ensuring that young people can find their place and pursue opportunities for involvement. Jennifer has worked tirelessly to build a program where anyone and everyone can find a place to belong. 5. Overall, what has your experience been like since being involved with Hands4Hope? I have grown as a human through my involvement with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. I enjoy the opportunity to network as a professional and community member. I appreciate my growth regarding the organizational aspects of non-profits and I have developed increased knowledge and skills regarding youth development. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has provided opportunities for community engagement with personal and professional growth. It’s a fun and welcoming organization where people support each other while working toward the goals of the organization. 6. Anything else you'd like to share? Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is a unique organization. Through a service learning model, young people and adult volunteers provide service to the community while developing skills and relationships. While “community service” is an important piece of what we do, it is not all that we do. Combining youth development with service creates an amazing growth model for those involved. Talking with the young people involved over time, I realize the impact that involvement in Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has on their lives. I don’t think that I am overstating when I say that Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is transformative for those involved and I look forward to what the future holds for the organization.

How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I have been a member of the Board of Directors since January 2019. How did you hear about Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I was first introduced to Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference by fellow Board member Pam Bartlett. We know you could dedicate your time to many other boards/nonprofits in the community. What is your position on our Board and why did you choose Hands4Hope - - Youth Making A Difference? Beginning in 2020, I have served as the Secretary of the Board and Chair of the Governance Committee, which provides the tools and structure to promote the Board’s effectiveness and continuing development. As an attorney, I’m often able to contribute my legal expertise to help Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference advance its mission. I've chosen to dedicate my time to Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference because I feel strongly that the time and energy we are putting into shaping our youth today is resulting in young adults who leave this program not only being civic-minded, but also with confidence, vision, compassion and leadership skills they may not have otherwise had. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference youth? Technology like social media and cell phones has created a generation that is better connected than ever before, awakening in them a new sense of power and potential. Young people provide energy, creative ideas and determination to drive reform, and demand institutions that are more responsive to their needs and aspirations. But young people also face real challenges that must be overcome before they are able to fully exercise their potential. Hands4Hope youth have all different backgrounds and experiences. Inclusion is a key value of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference to create a welcoming, engaging, and safe environment for all. Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference provides opportunities for youth to discover their passion and purpose. They learn hard work ethic and gain the confidence needed to become leaders among their peers. Overall, what has your experience been like since being involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? My experience with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference has been very rewarding. It’s been a pleasure to connect with others in the community and discover opportunities for youth to be involved right in our own town. Anything else you'd like to share? Maybe something about your favorite experience/memory since being involved with the organization? Perhaps share something that will convey your passion to the reader? One memory that sticks out in my mind was during a recent Board retreat, we heard from a panel of Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference alumni who shared their experiences. One of the alumni described how as soon as she arrived in her new community where she was attending college, she researched how to get connected with local volunteer opportunities. I was so impressed and inspired! It was at that moment I realized that Hands4Hope has a short window of time before passing the torch of giving back to tomorrow’s leaders – and they will be ready.

1. What is your school and grade? Also, how long have you been involved with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference? I am a junior at El Dorado High School. I have been a part of Hands4Hope for a little over a year. 2. Why did you join Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference & how did you hear about it? I joined Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference because while growing-up I was raised by a single mom. My mom taught me from a young age that “we can always help people”. I also joined because sometimes my mom couldn’t provide us with everything we needed without help. When we needed help, people in the community helped us which is why I choose to volunteer and give back to my community. 3. How has Hands4Hope helped you in school, with your friends and family, and in life? Hands4Hope has helped me further help the world. That matters to me because I live by these quotes “ there’s always something you can change for the better” and “Be the one who makes the change.” 4. What has your experience been like since joining? I have loved all the time I have spent with Hands4Hope. I have enjoyed planning events, the camp, and raising money for the Upper Room Dining Hall. 5. Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experiences with Hands4Hope? My favorite events have been the School Supply Drive, Empty Bowls, and Green Valley food distribution. The School Supply Drive is one of my favorite Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference events because growing-up, whenever it became time for back-to-school, it was hard because we would have to try to choose between either new school clothes or new school supplies. However, the School Supply Drive allowed my family to not have to choose. I know how important these supplies are to the families that receive them which makes it much more important and meaningful to me. The Empty Bowls fundraiser is another favorite because it’s a wonderful event which benefits the Upper Room. The Upper Room is close to my heart because they helped my family when we needed it. I also enjoy Empty Bowls because I have volunteered at it for four years. Lastly, I enjoy working at Green Valley Community Church Common Ground which is a food distribution in Placerville. This was one of my first outreach opportunities for which I volunteered. I fell in love with working at food giveaways at House of Prayer in Garden Valley at the church my grandma goes to. I remember my first food giveaway, I was 11 or 12, I was super nervous but everyone was so kind and I got to help so many people that day. Something I was able to do during COVID was help the El Dorado High School Hands4Hope Club with a fundraiser. The club was at a standstill on how to fundraise to provide water to the Upper Room. I posted on my Facebook page to get the word out and the next thing I knew $420 was raised!