Teacher Spotlight: Cathie Conforti

Hands4Hope selected Cathie Conforti as this month’s Teacher Spotlight for the continued guidance that she gives the Rolling Hills Hands4Hope Club. Cathie has graciously offered her classroom as a club meeting place for seven years, and has worked closely with the club leaders and participants to help them develop skills in communication and teamwork.

 What school do you teach at and which club do you advise?

I teach at Rolling Hills Middle School, and have been the Hands4Hope Sponsoring Teacher for the past seven years.

What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope youth?

I am always impressed by the commitment I see from the middle school students. They are so sincere in their willingness to be of help to others in the community, and they work hard to make good things happen.

3.Is there anything that you've enjoyed most/been most surprised by in interacting with the club?

I’ve seen many groups over the years plan and execute activities. It is always fun to hear their initial ideas, and better yet, to witness them making those ideas a reality.  Another aspect I really enjoy about this group is watching the personal growth of the members. It amazes me to see those quiet, shy, sixth graders transform into self-confident club leaders as eighth graders.

4. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

I feel privileged to have been involved with this group over these past years. The students who participate are really remarkable young people! The things they accomplish never cease to amaze. As adults when planning, we tend to overthink and always look for the reasons why something might not work. What I see from this group is an optimism that they can make it work, and even when the timing is tight, and unforeseen glitches happen, they persevere and move ahead. In one fashion or another, they always pull off what they have planned and they always make it work.  They are a great reminder to others that what you put your mind to doing really can happen. And, they always do it with a smile.

The Annual Hands4Hope Toiletries Drive is Right Around the Corner!

Hands4Hope will be hosting a Toiletries Drive the first two weeks in February! This important event supports Hands4Hope’s quarterly Homeless Outreaches at Sacramento Loaves & Fishes, and allows volunteers to provide deodorant, shampoo, soap, and other, much-needed essentials to individuals in need.

The Toiletries Drive will take place at multiple locations. Silva Valley and William Brooks Elementaries will be hosting school-wide drives in which students and their families will be able to drop donated toiletries at designated Hands4Hope bins. The Hands4Hope Main Office will also be collecting toiletries during this time, and will be open from 11:00am - 3:00pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for anyone seeking to drop off donations.

Suggested donations* for the Toiletries Drive include: bar soap, body wash, shaving razors, lotion, chapstick, shampoo, conditioner, hand sanitizer, sanitary pads, tampons, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, baby wipes, deodorant, face wash, moisturizer, Kleenex, and sunscreen.

This is a great opportunity to donate those extra soaps, mini hand sanitizers, or hand lotions that you received over the holidays! Every donation makes a difference, no matter the size!

For more information, please contact Yoko Kono at yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org.

*Travel-sized versions of these items are best

Marco Sanchez

by Jennifer Bassett, Hands4Hope Founder & Executive Director

Hands4Hope has a gift for recognizing the leadership potential in youth who are often overlooked. Many of these youth are shy, quiet, or insecure, or may not have the same financial or educational advantages as others. They do, however, have something special that shines through, like passion and drive.

We met one such young man, who has become a standout in our program, when our teens were running Project Birthday and a Summer Lunch Program at his housing development six years ago. Marco would come to the activities and he bonded with some of the Hands4Hope youth who were part of the program. One day he stepped up and asked if he could help…and that started our wonderfully beneficial relationship with Marco. He became the liaison between Hands4Hope and the residents in his community, making sure everyone was aware of the programs we were running there. He loved Project Birthday, and would identify the children whose birthdays were due to be celebrated so that they had an opportunity to invite friends to their party. 

Marco continued his proactive volunteerism and joined the Hands4Hope Club at his school, working on other outreaches and joining project committees. He would often walk or ride his bike to meetings, and called me to arrange rides when the location was too far. His limited transportation resources and intermittent internet access forced some limitations on his participation, but he often persevered and was a frequent presence in a variety of activities.

  

Admiring his work ethic and enthusiasm, I asked him if he would like to attend a Hands4Hope leadership camp. We are able to offer scholarships through generous donations, and he eagerly filled out an application. Little did we know that his biggest hurdle to overcome was that he had never before been away from home.  I brought along my teenage son Andrew to help me convince the family, and our stories of the opportunities and growth available to him quickly dampened their fears. 

Marco thrived at the leadership camp, and came back inspired and wanting to do more. He continued to participate in Hands4Hope outreaches and got involved in helping with the Haunted House, which he loves. Marco continued to attend leadership camp for another two years. Inspired by his continued work as the liaison and as a teen mentor for Hands4Hope events at his housing development, Marco set out to start a program of his own. Combining his love of soccer and his passion for working with the kids in the community, he rallied the residence coordinator for Mercy Housing and our Hands4Hope outreach coordinator to organize a Soccer Clinic for elementary age children. It was a rousing success, and he plans to offer it to youth in his community again in the fall. Read more about it here.

Marco’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning him coverage in local press. One day I mentioned to him how proud I was of his accomplishments, and he replied, “you and the people in Hands4Hope have helped fuel me and made me who I am…sending me to leadership camp made me a strong leader, so thanks to you.”  

Really, it’s thanks to all of us for helping Marco and youth within our own communities become confident leaders who have the ability to impact those around us. Following Marco’s story – to where he is now at American River College and still a frequent Hands4Hope volunteer – helps us visualize how opportunities and thoughtful donations can help change the future.

Kirsti Buckendorf

Hands4Hope staff interviewed Kirsti about her experience with Hands4Hope, here's what she had to say...

What were the reasons you joined Hands4Hope?

I joined Hands4Hope in middle school because my older sister was a volunteer. It sounds terrible, but I was kind of “forced” into it. However, it wasn’t that I did not enjoy or want to help others, but the events like the homeless outreach were way out of my comfort zone.  Later, the organization’s vice president position opened up and Jennifer Bassett apparently saw something in me. Initially, I did not think that I wanted to take on such a responsibility, but after some convincing from my parents, I hesitantly took the position.


Through my experiences with Hands4Hope, I can show other youth that sometimes a person might not know what they want or what is best for them. All it took was the guidance of my parents and another individual (Jennifer Bassett) for me to acknowledge my strengths and to show me what I am capable of accomplishing. They deserve the credit for my achievements during my time with Hands4Hope.

What was your impression of Hands4Hope after volunteering for a couple of events?
I have been with H4H almost since it was founded. Back then, there were only a few youth volunteers and therefore only a few events. However, as our volunteer base grew, so did the number of events offered. I definitely had my favorites (homeless outreach and Creekview senior outreach). I liked the flexibility and actually seeing the people I helped. I appreciate this even more now after being involved in other non-profit organizations. My comfort zone was absolutely broadened, and I became more comfortable as I built relationships with the individuals we were serving, as well as my fellow volunteers. Coming from a big high school, Hands4Hope allowed me to make friends with people who shared my goals and values. I remain in contact with some of these people over 5 years later.

What made you want to do more with the organization?
Originally, I did not try and establish new events and stuck with volunteering for the pre-established events. I volunteered at these events and worked on the leadership team. It wasn’t until I felt like I had the leadership qualities and support of my peers necessary to reach out and determine how we could further serve the needs of our community. Jennifer Bassett was a huge part of my growth. She was the first adult, outside of my family and coaches, to have faith in me. I believe this support from adults (other Hands4Hope adult mentors and employees) is huge for building confidence in youth and a major reason why Hands4Hope is so successful.
I was the captain of my soccer, competitive volleyball, and lacrosse teams elementary school through high school. Yet, I didn’t know then what it actually meant to be a leader. I believe volunteering with Hands4Hope expanded my comfort zone and helped me build social skills with people I would not have normally had a chance to interact with in El Dorado Hills. It showed me that I was part of the minority lucky enough to have a well supported life, both emotionally and financially, and with this position comes the responsibility to help others to the best of my ability.

What part of Hands4Hope do you remember the most?
When I founded the Creekview Senior Outreach I was proud that I identified a need in our community. We had never had an event to solely benefit the underserved elderly. These particular individuals run out of money before the end of the month and end up unable to buy food. Establishing the outreach was rewarding in itself, but the most memorable part was a woman I met there. Unlike other residents, she had not attended a single event at Creekview prior to our monthly dinners. Over time we developed a special relationship, and she now attends our dinner regularly. Once I went to college, she made me headbands, wrote me a card, and asks the H4H volunteers about me specifically. Knowing I could make that much of an impression on a stranger really solidified the idea that I need to keep pushing myself to impact others in a positive way. I look forward to coming home during breaks and volunteering, knowing I will be greeted with her smile and a big hug.
There are many programs here in San Jose to help the less fortunate whether it is getting kids to have fun exercising, feeding the homeless in San Francisco, or picking trash up at the beach. However, none of these outreach programs come close to having the same impact on me as Hands4Hope did and still does. I am so thankful for my experiences with Hands4Hope and how huge of a part it played in my development during my high school years. This organization helped me to utilize and further develop my strengths to better work with others and serve those in need.

There are no limits on the positive impact H4H can have on youth especially as they are trying to find out where they fit in and if they are heard and respected by others in the community. I have so much adoration for this organization, and I can honestly say I have not found another one like it. I know that everyone feels the same way when I say that after seeing what H4H is about, it is impossible not to feel great and want to be involved even more.
I will continue to let everyone know how passionately I feel about this organization, so even if people don’t personally volunteer, they will be able to appreciate the huge difference Hands4Hope is making in the community and in the lives of the youth volunteers.

From there, I volunteered each month, attended officers’ meetings, and discovered that the things we youth were doing actually made a difference in our community. It was so powerful to see the change and to realize that I had the power to make a difference, even at a young age when others did not take me seriously. I believe this was the thing that sparked the fire in my heart to give myself over to this organization. After being vice president, I became president, the youngest member on the board of directors, started a Hands4Hope Club at my high school, a summer intern, and now I continue to volunteer as an adult lead when I am home from college. I will forever be grateful for the chance Hands4Hope took on me.   

Great things come from stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, and good decisions are not always easy ones. It is difficult for me to be honest about my feelings about the homeless outreaches because it sounds like I didn’t have compassion.  However, I realized I was uncomfortable because it was new and I had limited experience to this kind of suffering. I was uncomfortable because I could feel their pain and suffering and knew I couldn't do much to stop it.  I guess it is just easier for people to victimize them and say they are in the situation because they made mistakes, but in reality I think people just tell themselves that so they don't feel guilty for not extending a helping hand.

I couldn’t stop homelessness, but I could give a helping hand.  Hands4Hope, gave me that opportunity.

How have these opportunities and skills helped you in college?  In life?

My parents saw an increase in my level of compassion and self-confidence throughout my journey. I am more outspoken; standing up for others taught me how to stand up for myself, whether it be with peers or to professors. In college, I use these skills to benefit my sorority whose philanthropy is Women’s Heart Health, as well as in my position as the president of the Pre-Health Club. I also used my varied experiences from my time as a volunteer with Hands4Hope to obtain over a dozen scholarships to help pay for my higher education and to become a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu, the Honor Society of Jesuit Institutions, which recognizes those who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty, and service. I know what I learned will continue to not only benefit me but also those I will continue to serve as a medical professional.

Is there anything else you want to add about your experience with Hands4Hope?  

I am so fortunate that when I come home for my breaks I am allowed to participate as a fingerprinted adult lead and share with the younger volunteers what makes H4H so special. It warms my heart to see the clubs flourishing at multiple schools and impacting even more people than when I was in a leadership position with the organization. To know that I made a difference in the community in just a few years provided me with greater confidence and leadership skills that I was able to bring to my university, my sorority, and use as the president of the Pre-Health Club at my university.

I can’t imagine growing up without Hands4Hope adult leads acting as positive mentors or without an organization that cares enough to let the youth be so actively involved in exploring the needs of those in the community and identifying which causes they should act on. It is astounding to see how many youth are involved now and how their leadership and social skills have developed since when I left the year before. For example, I saw a shy but very capable young woman take over as president at one of the H4H school clubs, and when I came back the following year, I was amazed by how well she assumed responsibility and came out of her shell. I know it is the amazing adult leads, supportive H4H peer volunteers, and unique organization that is responsible for the positive change.