Outreach Highlights: Beary Special Playdate

For several months, Hands4Hope has offered a new outreach opportunity that is both a unique and rewarding opportunity for anyone interested in working with youth. Beary Special Playdate is a monthly event hosted at Sacramento Children’s Museum that allows young children with Autism to come together, interact, participate in games and activities, and spend time with their caretakers in a fun and safe environment.

Hands4Hope was invited to participate in this outreach so that the attending children would be able to experience peer-to-peer mentorship with other H4H’s youth. This is also a great opportunity for the Hands4Hope volunteers to learn more about the attendees’ experiences and perspectives, while gaining skills on working with children who have special needs as well as mentorship.

Ciara Colgan, an H4H youth volunteer who has participated in Beary Special Playdate, described her experiences with the outreach:

"I have only been to one session of Beary Special Playdate, but loved it right away. I was able to help the children with activities throughout the museum and helped to reset exhibits. Going in, I wasn't expecting the event to be as fun as it was. Once the event started I knew that most of it would be interacting with the kids and having fun with them, which I loved. 

There were around five volunteers there to help, which allowed them to interact more with the kids, but I definitely encourage more people to volunteer so the event can be even more fun for the kids. I loved this outreach because of how much fun it was to spend time with all the kids, it definitely did not feel like work and by the time it was over I didn't want to leave. The museum supplies so many fun and creative things for the kids to do that not only are super fun, but also help the kids to learn. I love being able to see how much fun the kids have and being able to enhance that fun for them."

Beary Special Playdate is hosted the second Wednesday of every month from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Sacramento Children’s Museum in Rancho Cordova. The museum is closed to the public at this time to allow plenty of hands-on experience at all exhibits.  Volunteers help lead and reset activities for youth and spend time with the children during the different activities available.

This outreach event is open to high-school-aged Hands4Hope participants, and is a great chance to hone skills in mentoring, youth development, and interacting with children ages two to eight. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/beary-special-playdate.html, or contact Yoko Kono at yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org.

**Scheduling conflict, busy Wednesday nights, or other commitments during the week? Hands4Hope also offers Explorability at the Children’s Museum in Rancho Cordova on the first and third Sundays of each month from 10:00am to 12:00pm. This event is very similar to Beary Special Playdates in which children with special needs engage with the exhibits with their family and friends. Volunteers will help lead various stations, set and reset exhibits, and interact with the children. For more information, visit http://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/explorability.html or contact Yoko Kono.**

Adult Lead Spotlight: Patty Conroy

Hands4Hope has chosen Patty Conroy for this month’s Adult Lead Spotlight! Patty regularly volunteers her time to bake and provide all kinds of food donations for Hands4Hope’s outreach events, and Hands4Hope is extremely grateful for her participation and contributions. Read on to learn more about how Patty got involved with Hands4Hope and her experiences since joining.

1. How long have you been participating with Hands4Hope?

I joined the H4H team in Jan '17 by contributing to the food drives for the homeless lunches and Mercy Senior Dinners.

2. Why did you join Hands4Hope as an adult contributor? 

The H4H office is right in my neighborhood and I had been wanting to contribute something to the community and this location proved to be perfect for me. I am able to deliver freshly baked and/or purchased food items in a timely manner.

3. What outreaches do you usually volunteer with? Which do you enjoy the most?

I am always on the lookout for local fundraisers that are in need of baked goods for their events. I am a retired pastry chef and I have enjoyed baking cakes, cupcakes, scones and cookies for our churches and schools also. It provides an opportunity for me to keep my baking skills sharp and give back to the community.

4. What is your impression/experience with Hands4Hope youth?

The H4H Youth who I have encountered so far have been very mature, organized and appreciative. I am so impressed with the time they spend giving back to our community in such a selfless way.

5. Overall, what has your experience been like since joining?

I am very pleased to have found an organization that I can give hands-on help to and meet face-to-face with members of the organization. It gives me great pleasure to be able to help these hard-working youth in meeting their goals.