Volunteer Spotlight: Katie

Katie got involved with Hands4Hope earlier this year when she heard we needed more adult help, particularly in a field she has a lot of experience with, financials. She has two kids, Aden, 8, and Lauren, 6, and another one on the way! Katie said finding H4H is just what she needed to get her kids out there. "It offers everything we need to get out and serve on a regular basis," she said. "I feel like we can live a more balanced life because of H4H."

The first event Katie took her kids to was a Team Hope meeting at the CSD. "They love it and immediately started saving money for a cause they collectively chose." Then, they put on a drive at their school, Jackson Elementary. "Now, we have gone to several outreaches which put us face to face with the homeless and those less fortunate."

Katie said her work helping with the Hands4Hope financials has really kept her balanced. "Things are off for me when I am not involved in service work. I really hope to pass that down to Aden and Lauren."

Katie's favorite outreach activity is the Homeless Outreach in Sacramento. "We see, talk with and touch the people who are truly with out. We feel that human need inside ourselves to want to help," she said. "Recently, Aden saw a woman with the toes completely worn out of her shoes. He said 'mommy, she really needs shoes, are there any left? Her toes aren't inside her shoes anymore.' Seeing that and feeling empathy for her gives him a perspective that can only come from being there and seeing it with his own eyes. There is nothing I can say that would have that kind of impact on him," she said.

Katie has a few memories that stand out in her mind, but one of them happened while we were working with another agency, WIND, down feeding the homeless in Sacramento. "The gentleman running the shelter brought teens with him to volunteer with us. He knew so many of the people on the streets and watching him call out their name, hug them, and check in on them was so genuine, loving and kind," she said. "People like him are who I want my kids to look up to."

Katie has donated much of her time recently helping with our financials, and helping in several other ways.

"My family and I need H4H as much as the youth in the area and the beneficiaries do," she said. "We have learned so much in such a short period."

Katie, thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication to Hands4Hope, you are very valuable to us!

My Experience At NTLP

NTLP (National Teen Leadership Program) is a motivating, inspiring and fun three-day camp at Sacramento State University.  We've been sending youth for years and we always enjoy sharing their great experiences.

NTLP was without a doubt the highlight of my summer.  The life lessons are definitely going to stick with me throughout my life.

I came into NTLP expecting it to be another boring camp where the speakers are all the same and speak on the same thing, but I was definitely surprised with how good of speakers NTLP provided, especially Calvin Terell. 

Listening to Calvin speak was pretty much a life changing experience, he's such a powerful speaker who really made me think and evaluate myself... my parents even said I came back home more mature, just after those three days. 

It was also really exciting getting to be a college student for a little bit.  We stayed in dorms and all had roommates and we all had to make it to the different seminars or events on time. We also did a lot of team building activities, pretty much always done in silence, which really strengthened our communication skills and brought us all closer together.  

I loved NTLP and I can't wait for the next one and to be reunited with the friends I met there and to also make new ones. I really enjoyed how everybody was themselves and I got to truly express myself.  I don't think I've ever danced like that at my own school's dance before, I really felt comfortable and at home at NTLP and can't wait for the next one!

-Writted By: Kellien