A Unique Youth Partnership

On a chilly December afternoon, local youth from the Hands4Hope youth outreach organization congregated in front of the WIND shelter in Sacramento. Equipped with layers of fleece, the youth entered the shelter, eyeing the place with admiration.

There were teenagers everywhere, playing their instruments, talking amongst themselves, and ultimately having a good time. The walls were decorated with art and inspirational quotes made in graffiti lettering.

The Hands4Hope youth started making blankets for the youth at the WIND shelter, and the WIND kids began to help. Although awkward at first, soon the youth from both organizations worked together and started enjoying themselves, engaging in small talk and starting to form acquaintances.

Events like these benefit the youth at WIND many of whom were and some that still are subjected to life on the streets. Hands4Hope helps the organization frequently, making blankets and providing meals for the WIND youth. On Friday, March 2, 2012, you can help too.

Hands4Hope youth will be holding Spaghetti Feed Fundraiser at Lakehills Church in El Dorado Hills to benefit the underprivileged teens at the WIND shelter in Sacramento. The event will be from 5:30 to 8:30pm and will cater to kids and adults alike. Tickets $12 per adult and children 6 and under are Free. Spaghetti will be served along with salad, garlic bread and lemonade. There will be a dessert auction and raffle and two youth bands will provide entertainment, one from Oak Ridge High School and one from Wind Youth Center. Seventy percent of the proceeds will benefit youth at the WIND shelter in Sacramento. Thirty percent will benefit Hands4Hope’s Team Inspire (high school group) and their local outreach projects.

Attending the event is a great way to learn more about and help Wind Youth Center, www.windyouth.org. Wind is an organization that houses and serves homeless teens. According to the organization’s website, their mission “is to engage youth experiencing homelessness who need safety from the streets and access to resources to help them move from crisis to healthy functioning and independence.” In the past year at WIND, over 100 youth were provided a safe place to sleep, 19,754 meals have were served, 237 youth were engaged in life skills classes, and 179 youth have received advocacy services. The center in Sacramento has classrooms, computers, a music room, showers, and a kitchen to house the WIND kids and ensure a successful life for them. Each youth who stays at the shelter even gets a youth advocate to help them get plan goals and provide assistance. The proceeds from the spaghetti feed event will help sustain the organization and cater to their needs.

-Written By: Samita