HANDS4HOPE - YOUTH MAKING A DIFFERENCE
south lake tahoe
Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is bringing its programs to South Lake Tahoe starting in Summer, 2026.
Welcome to Hands4Hope in South Lake Tahoe!
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Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is delighted to expand to South Lake Tahoe. This pivotal initiative is being supported and funded by the Pay It Forward Project, led by John McDougall, in close collaboration with South Tahoe Middle and High Schools.​
Timeline
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March 17, 2026: Information meetings will be held at South Tahoe Middle and High Schools.
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April 2026: Youth leaders for on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs at South Tahoe Middle and South Tahoe High schools will be identified and selected, preparing them to attend Hands4Hope’s empowering summer leadership training.
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May 2026: The Hands4Hope Outreach Program will officially launch in South Lake Tahoe, beginning to engage the local youth and serve needs in the community.
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June 2026: The Education Program will commence, providing foundational knowledge and skill-building opportunities for youth interested in service and leadership.
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August 2026: Hands4Hope Service-Learning Clubs will launch at South Tahoe Middle and High Schools, allowing students to actively participate in designing, funding, and implementing service projects tailored to their community.
On-Campus Hands4Hope Clubs​​
South Tahoe High
Interest Survey Coming Soon
South Tahoe Middle
Interest Survey Coming Soon
AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS
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Hands4Hope partners with local agencies for youth-led service-learning projects and outreach opportunities where youth provide direct hands-on assistance.
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If you represent a South Lake Tahoe organization and wish to explore a partnership with Hands4Hope, please reach out to jbassett@hands4hopeyouth.org.
Get Involved
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Adults & Community Supporters:
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Participate in outreach opportunities with your child or as a family, starting Summer 2026.
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Become an adult lead volunteer or mentor.
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Contribute your time and/or resources to support youth-led projects or fundraisers, or to help our South Lake Tahoe programs grow.
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Become a sponsor.
Youth:
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Explore: Participate in outreach opportunities, as many or as few as you wish.
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Act: Attend an information meeting on March 17, 2026 (details coming soon). Join an on-campus club at South Tahoe Middle or High School (starting 2026-27 school year) to engage in a year-long service-learning experience.
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Lead: Youth leaders, for on-campus clubs will be recruited starting in Spring 2026, in time for summer leadership camps.
South Tahoe Steering Committee
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The South Tahoe Steering Committee is made up of community leaders, advocates, parents, and others who work toward ensuring sustainability of Hands4Hope’s presence in the South Lake Tahoe area.
Alan Reeder, Assistant Superintendent, Lake Tahoe Union School District
Alyna Vera, Counselor, South Tahoe Middle School
Cindy Martinez, Principal, South Tahoe Middle School
David Galicia-Perez, Youth Ambassador, South Tahoe High School
Gladys Aguilar, Director of TRiO Programs, Lake Tahoe Community College
Isaiah Tannaci, Career Tech Ed Director, South Tahoe High School
Jamie Orr, Manager/Owner, Untethered/CoWork
Joe Irvin, City Manager, City of South Lake Tahoe
John McDougall, Pay It Forward Project
Justin Zunino, Principal, South Tahoe High School
Karen Goldberg, Director, South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center
Kathy Haven, EDCF/TLH/Boosters/CAPP
Kim Ilvento, Counselor, South Tahoe High School
Laura Metune, Grant Writer, Lake Tahoe Community College
Meg Tannaci, CTE Pathway Navigator, South Tahoe High School
Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director, Marcella Foundation
Mike Peron, Tahoe Daily Tribune
Mel Stearns, Human Resources Director, Sierra At Tahoe
Paula Peterson, South Tahoe Now & TASK
Rosie Fried, Youth Ambassador, South Tahoe High School
Theresa Papandrea, Executive Director, Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids TASK
South Lake Tahoe Supporters & Partners
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We are grateful to the supporters and partners who make it possible for Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference programs to be offered in the South Lake Tahoe area.
Explore opportunities to become a South Lake Tahoe supporter. Reach out to jbassett@hands4hopeyouth.org.
