Youth Volunteer Spotlight: Jamin

{Jamin climbing the rock wall at leadership camp}

Jamin joined Hands4Hope in 2010 while fulfilling volunteer obligations for school. Since getting involved, he is the founder of a Hands4Hope Club at Jesuit High School, where he is a junior.

When asked to describe his experience of being involved, he used the words “content” and “humbled”. “I am humbled because I have so much and yet could not see how fortunate I was until I started serving others,” he said. “I am content because there is so much joy derived from helping others.”

To help him with becoming the President and Founder of the Hands4Hope Jesuit Club, Jamin attended Leadership Retreat for 2 years with other H4H leaders. “It was a great way to further bond with the other youth leaders,” he said. “We shared ideas about what is working at different schools.”

Jamin also said joining H4H and becoming the leader he is has pushed him out of his comfort zone. “Before I joined H4H, I felt as if I was on the sidelines watching things happen,” he said. But now being a part of it, “I feel that we (the youth) are actually making a difference. Every time I volunteer for an activity, I am sure to meet different youth volunteers and as a teen, it makes me feel empowered that we are driving this,” he said.

Starting a club at Jesuit meant pushing Jamin beyond his limits. “It meant getting up in front of teen boys that knew nothing about me and sharing H4H’s vision,” he said. “Initially, it was hard as a sophomore to get up and starting talking to guys I didn’t know about joining the club. My mother encouraged me and it has gotten easier.” In just these two years, the club has grown to 19 members and it has become a recognized organization for members in their school to volunteer for. “It is rewarding to know that my hard work is paying off,” he said.

Thank you for all you do, Jamin!!

{helping register guests at the Youth Board Spaghetti Fundraiser}

{walking the tight rope at leadership camp}

Volunteer Spotlight: Alisa & Kristin

Kristin and Alisa have dedicated hundreds of hours since our first Haunted House kicked off in 2010. They are in charge of the inside design of the Haunted House, bringing the theme to life with decorations and props.  "We couldn't do it alone," said Alisa. "It's a team effort!" They are part of the Haunted House Creative & Build Team, a team of seven who combine their creativity and work to their strengths, making the Haunted House the huge success it has been each year.

When asked why they enjoy helping out, both ladies said that supporting the mission of H4H is very important to them. "Jennifer has created something really important in teaching and leading children to offer their time, talents, and treasures to those less fortunate. By empowering our kids with this attitude, they can truly make a difference in the lives of others," said Kristin. Alisa agreed and said she was "impressed by one person's idea becoming so many people's passion."

Both ladies are bursting at the seams with creativity. Alisa has always loved Halloween and says she enjoys making new things from scratch. Kristin grew up in a family surrounded by creativity and says her experience in interior design has been an asset and decorating is in her blood.

"I believe everyone is given a gift and my gift is a worker bee," said Alisa. "This is how I contribute to our community. It feels so good to see it all come together."

Kristin said she feels blessed to be a part of the organization and her favorite part of working on the Haunted House is working with her dear friend Alisa. It is obvious they have a lot of fun and we are so grateful for the time, efforts, and creativity they lend to Hands4Hope in bringing our Haunted House to life!