Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Nicole

Nicole started volunteering with Hands4Hope in 2008 when the organization began.

When she first got started, she says she was a little nervous. "I didn't know how to react, or what to say," she said. It's a step out of your comfort zone, but "I hope to see more people in our community take the steps to make a difference," she said.

Nicole likes helping those in and around her community. "I love seeing a direct impact on our local area," she said. "I think a lot of other organizations make a difference around the country, but we help people who live around us."

Nicole says her favorite volunteer event is the Sacramento Homeless Outreach. "I love going down there because there are no other agencies, we are just directly helping people that we serve."

"I remember there was this little family, a woman and her children and all of their belongings fit into a shopping cart," she said. "They were so thankful to get basic toiletries and I remember thinking, we have a whole house, and all they have is a shopping cart."

Nicole says Hands4Hope has offered her a unique experience in her community. "I've made friends with people from other schools and made connections with people who have the same interests as me."

She says Hands4Hope has taught her a lot about life. "I've learned to appreciate everything I have and the people in my life," she said. "It's also taught me that I have the ability to make a difference if I am willing to work hard and put the time in."

Nicole has worked very hard to help create a Hands4Hope Club at St. Francis High School. So far, more than 130 students have taken an interest in seeing what the organization does! "Being a part of Hands4Hope gives me a sense of belonging and thankfulness and I think others want to feel that same way."

Thank you for all you do, Nicole!