Introducing Our Youth Development Coordinator and Communications Coordiantor

The Hands4Hope Administration team has added two new employees and we are pleased to say, we are fully staffed!  We recently hired a new Youth Developement Coordiator, Nicole Craine, and Communications Coordinator, Samantha DeLeon, to our staff.  

Nicole oversees the development and implementation of service learning and leadership programs for Hands4Hope in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties. She has more than 16 years experience in the fields of education and youth development, and has worked in direct service, program coordination and administration. Prior to her work with Hands4Hope she worked as a district level administrator with San Juan Unified School District overseeing multiple state and federally funded programs.  Nicole was also an active leader/ trainer in the after-school program field, as well as a member of the California After-School Network Leadership Team. She studied psychology and sociology at Sacramento State University.  

​Nicole resides in El Dorado Hills with her husband Rick and two children Liv (10) and Jack (7), who attend Jackson Elementary School.  Nicole is also a personal chef and caterer. 

Samantha oversees the coordination of all organization communication including the newsletter, social media posts, ​​for fundraisers and projects, as well as other promotional material.  Samantha has more than 10 years experience in communications and marketing.  With a degree in Communications and an eye for design, Samantha will help promote Hands4Hope and the wonderful work our youth are doing to the greater community. Samantha and her family moved up north from Southern California almost ​four years ago. She, her husband and two daughters, Jordan (6) and Anniston (4) reside in El Dorado Hills.  Samantha is also a family and child photographer.

Shan Harkleroad remains as the Office Manager and Mikan G​osuico as our Outreach Coordinator.

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​We are thrilled to have gathered this incredible team, with such an array of talent, to take Hands4Hope to the next level.​

Adult Volunteers Needed!

Dear Volunteers & Supporters,

Have you seen the #HashtagLunchbag commercial by Well's Fargo (one of our main sponsors)?  If not, click on the above video to watch it.  

Did you know we do something VERY similar to that commercial?  Our Sacramento Homeless Outreach is one of our on-going monthly outreaches.  Each month, our youth and up to four adult volunteers make sack lunches and go out to designated streets of Sacramento to bring lunch and much need personal items to the homeless.  A couple volunteer hours and a kind gesture makes a lasting impression to those unfortunate in Sacramento.  

This very outreach has been canceled in past months and could continue to be canceled in upcoming months.  And it's not the only outreach that is in danger of being canceled.  Why?  Lack of adult volunteers.  We have many youth, ready and willing to lend a helping hand and reach out to our community, however, we desperately need the adults to lead them.  

What exactly is an Adult Lead?

The Adult Lead volunteer role varies, but for the most part they are in charge coordinating the necessary items at the outreach, and most importantly overseeing our youth volunteers to make sure they are safe and helpful.  Carpooling is sometimes involved, especially in outreaches outside of El Dorado Hills, like in the Placerville and Sacramento areas.    For most outreaches, like the Sacramento Homeless outreach, there are two experienced adult volunteers co-leading  the event.

Who is this adult lead a good fit for?

Ideally for adult volunteers with middle or high school age youth or adult volunteers who enjoy working with youth.  We welcome adults over 18, college students, retired persons, and everyone in between. A Live Scan clearance (finger printing) is required.

Do I have to commit to volunteering every month?

No, we do ask that you volunteer at least once every other month for a commitment of three to six months.  However, if our pool of adult leads increases, we can spread out the commitment.

Do you train adult leads before they lead their own group?

Yes! We will never send you out to lead any outreach unless you are experienced and confident. Our Outreach Coordinator will give you all of the information and support you need. Some of our seasoned adult leads are available to mentor and guide you as you learn. We also host Adult Lead training sessions at our Youth Center periodically.  The best training is experience so please get started now by signing up to attend an outreach.

For more information on becoming an adult lead volunteer, questions or concerns, please contact Mikan Gosuico at 916.548.4499 or email mikan@hands4hopeyouth.org.

Want to join an outreach and check it out for yourself, click here to view a list of current outreaches.

June Volunteer Spotlight: Claire Snyder

In 7th grade Claire Snyder's friend asked her to join the Hands4Hope Club at Rolling Hills Middle School. She quickly realized exactly what a good choice she had made and served as the Club's Secretary. "My favorite part about being involved with Hands4Hope is how everyone is really connected and is part of something bigger," explains Claire.

Claire has just completed her sophomore year as Oak Ridge High School. She has been involved with Hands4Hope for more than three years. During this time she is pleased to say, "I have learned better leadership and communication skills, and to appreciate everything that I have."  One of her most meaningful experiences with H4H was when she did her first homeless outreach. Claire said that "just seeing the smiles on the people's faces and how a simple act of kindness can really brighten someone's day was a great feeling." 

When not volunteering with Hands4Hope, Claire, like most teens, enjoys spending time with her friends and running. Claire looks forward to continuing to participating in her school H4H Club and volunteering for outreaches, and summer internship. While doing this she hopes to continue to gain valuable and meaningful experience.

 Thank you Claire, for all you do with Hands4Hope!

Letter From Jennifer

Dear Volunteers & Supporters,

June is here and with it brings the end of school, summer fun, vacations, hot temperatures, and more outreach opportunities (see below). As we wrap up this school year, I want to send a huge shout out to all of our amazing young volunteers who were part of our School Club Program that just wrapped up, for the incredible amount of work they did this past school year.

CHECK THIS OUT . . . Through the H4H Clubs and elementary school programs alone, our young philanthropists collected 5,000 pounds of food to donate to local food banks, over 5,000 pieces of winter and spring clothing to donate to local foster children and families in need, 550 items of men's clothing to donate to Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, 1,200 pairs of socks for homeless and others, 1,200 pounds of toiletries that are being distributed to local agencies and directly to those in need on the streets, purchased and decorated 100 notebooks for clients of The Center to use as journals, created and implemented a reading program for the children of St. John's Shelter, and raised $5,625 for causes and agencies close to their heart (all but $800 of this was donated locally).

Herbert Green Middle School Club host a carnival for kids, benefiting local foster children.

Union Mine High School Club working as a team

ORHS H4H Club Women's Committee project benefitting clients at The Center for Violence-Free Relationships.

Marina Village Middle School Club raising funds for the Heifer Project.

Team Hope prepping for the Toiletries drive.

Jesuit High School Club donating to the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services

Can I get a WOOP WOOP?!  . . . because our youth sure deserve one!!

Congratulations on an incredible year and best wishes to our 2014 graduates!! We are sure going to miss you (but know you will come back to visit)!

Gratefully, 

Jennifer

Spring 2014 Food Blitz is a Success!!

On May 17th, we hosted our semi-annual “FOOD BLITZ FOR THE HUNGRY” to fill the shelves of the Food Bank of El Dorado County and Twin Lakes Food Bank of Folsom.  Youth and adult volunteers manned the tables in front of select grocery stores, from Folsom up to Placerville, including Sam’s Club Folsom, Walmart Folsom, and Safeway Cameron Park & Placerville. 


Volunteers collected donations of canned and nonperishable food, along with cash and gift cards.  In one day, members of this community donated a total of 1,655 pounds of food and $2,966.18 in monetary donations. 

Collected cash and gift cards are split 50/50 between the food banks and Hands4Hope. Cards and cash are used by the food banks to purchase perishable items and specialty items for those with dietary restrictions (such as senior citizens and diabetes patients) who may not be able to take advantage of standard food donations.  

Hands4Hope’s portion of the funds is used to purchase food and other needed supplies for the organization’s food-based outreach activities (lunches for the homeless, monthly dinner for low-income seniors, monthly dinner for women staying at Sister Nora’s home for mentally challenged homeless women, etc.).

May Volunteer Spotlight: Page Phelan

After reading about Hands4Hope in a local magazine, Page Phelan felt she had found the organization she had been looking for. She had been searching for years to find a place where her family could get involved and help others. "I envision a future for my kids that include serving others with the realization that they are part of a community bigger than their own immediate space. What better way of instilling that value than by working together as a family, helping others as part of our lifestyle," explains Page.

Page has volunteered with Hands4Hope for the past four years. She serves on the Parent Advisory Council, as the adult lead for the Marina Village H4H Club, and participates in several outreaches. She is the mother two sons, Sam (16) and Max (13), who are both active in their school H4H Clubs and outreaches. She says,"Hands4Hope is a place where my kids have thrived. There are so many different ways for them to participate that fits their personality. My older son enjoyed, leading the Cash for Cats drive when he was in middle school, interned with H4H in the summer and now participates in the H4H Club at Oakridge HS. My younger son has the opportunity to be the "older" kid at Green Valley Community Church Kid's Oasis, giving him the opportunity to develop his maturity as a mentor. He enjoys the camaraderie of the Marina H4H Club during Hot Chocolate Friday's, a Club fundraiser. It is so rewarding to watch their character grow stronger in these activities".

Page notes that her family have not only given of their time but have also gained a lot through their experiences with Hands4Hope. She encourages other adults and families to get involved in a variety of much needed roles within H4H. "I am blessed to have a long standing career in a large corporation. However, as an adult lead in H4H, I've been able to feel like I'm contributing to the greater good. Jennifer and the H4H staff are there to support you and show you what to do. These programs are well established so you can step into the role with literally a checklist in hand and a mentor next to you. Watching other kids find their confidence, or witness the sparkle of a child showing their parent the craft they created, is food for the soul," says Page. 

 

Page, thank you for your hard work with Hands4Hope!  

May Sponsor Highlight: The Gift of Kids

The Gift of Kids is a locally owned preschool daycare through private kindergarten that has been in El Dorado Hills since 2004.  The Gift of Kids offers monthly themes including Letters of the Week, Phonics, Math, and Science.  The typical day starts with circle time and ends with yoga, music, or Spanish.

The Gift of Kids is open Monday though Friday from 6:30am-6pm, excluding all major holidays. Parents are welcome to bring their children in for a free trial class by coming in and taking a tour of one of our warm, loving and educational facility.

Serving as a Platinum Sponsor for Hands4Hope, The Gift of Kids is excited to be supporting an organization that is youth-driven and provides charity for those in need in our community. 

For more information, please contact Jennifer Kelly at 916-521-1835.