March Volunteer Spotlight: Jacob Bassett

Jacob Bassett has spent the last five years as a big helper in Hands4Hope.  Tagging along with his mom, Jennifer Basset (our Founder and Executive Director), Jacob has seen how everything works behind the scenes.  “Not many people get to see what I see,” he said.  “I see where things happen not just in H4H, but everywhere.” 

He’s definitely not complaining about his involvement.  “I am proud of this organization and very proud that my brother and I have helped build it and I feel a lot of pride in that,” said Jacob.  He has also gotten several of his friends involved.  “I had a friend come along with me to the Blitz for the first time and I helped him with being able to talk to adults and shoppers.”  He says the skill of being able to talk comfortably with others is one of the many he has learned in H4H.  “One year I wanted to speak at the Youth Recognition Dinner and I just decided to do it, and it went well,” he said.  He said this confidence has greatly improved his “people skills” over the years.

Jacob said his favorite outreach event is the Homeless Outreaches.  He’s done dozens of them and each time is a new experience.  “I remember on my 6^th Homeless Outreach I started recognizing the same woman and I couldn’t believe how grateful she was that we were there,” he said.  “I really enjoy helping others as much as I can, I love the warm feeling I have after I am done.”

Jacob is an 8^thgrader at Rolling Hills Middle School.  He is the President of the Hands4Hope Club.  He has two big passions, writing and art.  He is currently working on writing his second book, which is a sequel to his first fiction book.  His favorite class in school is art and he hopes to one day design his own book covers.

March Sponsor Spotlight: Datwyler Orthodontics

Hi, my name is Dr. David Datwyler.  I am an Orthodontist here in El Dorado Hills and have been practicing for more than 10 years.  My Team and I love working with our patients, bringing positive change to their lives by creating beautiful smiles.   My practice offers the highest quality orthodontics for children and adults in an environment that is fun and family oriented as well as being progressive and state of the art.  We offer a full range of Orthodontic services including braces and Invisalign.

 

My wife and I moved to El Dorado HIlls 11 years ago.  At that time, we were looking for an ideal place to raise our family and start my orthodontic practice.  We chose El Dorado Hills because it has that "small town" atmosphere and such a strong sense of community.  We love being a part of this community and all that it has to offer.  Hands4Hope is one of the many examples of remarkable people that make this community so great.  The leaders of Hands4Hope have done such an amazing job with their organization, but when I see the involvement of the kids, and the changes they make in the lives of others, it is truly inspiring.  I am proud to be a sponsor for Hands4Hope, to support and give-back to this great community that has supported me and my business over the past 11 years.

February Volunteer Spotlight: Brianna Lauren

The following is an application from Brianna Lauren for the Violet Richardson Scholarship.  At Hands4Hope, we loved it so much that we chose it to be our Volunteer Spotlight for February.  

By way of an anxious freshman, I attended my first Hands4Hope meeting. I felt an immediate embrace of acceptance, patience, and opportunity from this youth-driven volunteer organization. I was inspired by their compassion and impact on the community. Hands4Hope is special in that it encourages its volunteers to establish personal relationships with the people they are helping. Rather than just passively doing fundraisers to gain community service hours for some outside requirement, most Hands4Hope volunteers are passionate about making a difference in people’s lives. They can witness the results of their work...see the excitement on a little girl’s face when getting a new pair of pajamas, accept the numerous heart-warming “thank you’s” and “God bless you’s” from homeless people receiving a sandwich for lunch, celebrate with a mom taking the next step in her recovery from drug addictions by moving into her own home. In my mind, Hands4Hope is succeeding at its goal to empower youth. With each event or project in which I participate, I rediscover my power to bring light to people’s lives and achieve something incredible. I have also grown immensely as a leader.

            

At the first Hands4Hope meeting I attended, I was drawn to the anti-bullying committee. Too often I witness students humiliating peers in order to be “funny” or feel accepted by their “friends.” I never knew what to do other than stare at the bully in disgust. But to see the victim’s face surrendering in pain, I knew I had to do something. I took on the leadership role of the committee. Three years later, we have a powerful presentation that focuses on the power of bystanders. Our presentation consists of two videos (one about the realities of bullying and the other an inspiring call to action), a Prezi explaining the effects of bullying and the options in a bullying situation, and organized interactive group discussions. We are beginning to work with local middle schools to plan presentations.

            

Currently, my favorite Hands4Hope event is mentoring children at Hope House, a transitional home for mothers overcoming drug addictions and poverty.  I can’t wait to get a hug from nine-year-old Sofia. It’s as if each hug transfers some of the strength and stability in my life to her. She melted my heart recently when she told me that I was her favorite Hands4Hope volunteer (which could be because I let her cheat in Monopoly, but I like to think otherwise).  She will become an intelligent, impactful, and kind person if she has a strong and stable support system. It makes me happy to be part of a program that provides positive role models and a stable support system for her.

            

This year, I have taken on a new challenge of being the president of the 45-member Hands4Hope club at my school. Two years ago, I could have never imagined myself in this position.  I used to think that leaders were those who talked the most and the loudest.  They were the center of the “in-crowd,” wore the latest fashions, and had the most friends.  It wasn’t me.  Hands4Hope helped me re-define my perception of a leader. I learned that I could fill that role because I’m passionate and work to inspire others.  I envision the goal, organize tasks, delegate, and follow up. So far this year, our club collected $250 for the Mother Teresa Maternity Home in Placerville, and 95 bags filled with food for the Twin Lakes Food Bank in Folsom. I feel a unique sense of accomplishment when overcoming challenges, especially when I help others in the process. By being the president, my goal is to share with other anxious freshmen the life-changing experience Hands4Hope has provided me.

            

It’s so important to pause in our busy lives and take the time to really care about others. When offered kindness, compassion, and support, people seem to thrive. We all tend to live within our own worlds, but growth and connection result when we step inside someone else’s. The world would be a better place if people took the time to do this more often. Hands4Hope inspires this mentality in youth who will be able to carry it throughout the rest of their lives.

January Volunteer Spotlight: Noopur Khachane

Noopur in the front right of the picture

Noopur Khachane has only been volunteering with Hands4Hope for a little more than a year, but has already made a big impact on those in the organization.  Noopur joined the Hands4Hope leadership team in 2012 and 2013 at Leadership Camp where she developed great relationships with new people and learned skills about how to successfully run a Hands4Hope Club at her high school.

The adult leads that work with Noopur at outreaches describe her as a very hard and dedicated worker.  They say she has a great heart!

Noopur found Hands4Hope through a friend who shared with her that she was trying to get a Club started at their school, Mira Loma High School.  Since then, Noopur has become involved in the H4H Youth Board, helped with homeless outreaches, and volunteered at Green Valley Community Church (GVCC) and Twin Lakes Food Bank, to name a few.

"My favorite Hands4Hope volunteer activity is Kid's Cafe. I do it whenever I get the opportunity. It's a lot of fun to do arts and crafts with the kids," she said.

When asked what motivates her to take such an active role at Hands4Hope, Noopur said that having a younger brother has always made her interested in bettering the treatment of young children from lower income homes. 

"I hope through continued involvement in H4H that I will become better at being open-minded to other situations and having more life experience," she said. Noopur is most passionate about her family, service, and reading.  One day, she would like to make an impact on the world by helping to provide public health care.  

A heartfelt perspective from one of our youth...

 Education and serving my community are two of my biggest passions. My freshman year I joined a community service club at my school called Hands4Hope. Little did I know the complexity (I will try to not be too confusing) and value of this organization that has made a huge impact on my life. This organization is unique in that it is completely youth driven and provides the highest level of service learning where youth work and communicate directly with adults to start projects, drives, and outreach opportunities. Since joining Hands4Hope around three years ago, I have put in over 350 hours, and have learned so many valuable skills.

Starting out, I was very shy and uncomfortable, but nevertheless, I signed up for my first outreach, which was a daycare for kids while their homeless or low-income parents shopped around for warm clothes and food in a churches’ warehouse. It is so easily forgotten how much we take for granted, and I was, and still am, constantly reminded how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and food to come home to. Since this experience, I have become so passionate about helping others, especially children, because some of us were not as lucky as others in the “birth lottery.”

Hopefully it is okay for me to not focus on just one experience or one project, because I have truly been humbled by the variety of opportunities, and each one I find equally important. Each outreach and meeting slowly raised my confidence in myself and brought out skills I never knew I had. The first time I had to engage a large group of children in Project Birthday, where we throw birthday parties for children who cannot afford one, I found that I have the ability to lead. For a year, I have been mentoring kids in a shelter for single mothers who have had drug and alcohol problems. Here I found my ability to empathize. 

The way I can find time with four AP classes, a job, and leadership positions in school clubs, to cook a meal once a month for the homeless and mentally disabled women at the Sister Nora’s House, has showed me time management and organization. Visiting and entertaining the elderly at a local home has taught me patience. By leading monthly meetings with about 20 elementary school kids to brainstorm ways to raise money for the community, I learn from their innocence and honesty. 

The homeless teen I had the honor meeting and serving at a youth shelter; the one that has pretty much raised herself and her siblings for years. She has taught me what it means to be independent and strong. My pen pal, Birungi, from Uganda reminds me everyday how lucky I am to go to school and her passion to become a doctor inspires me. Now you know what I mean by the humbling opportunities I have had with Hands4Hope, and the list does not stop there. 

A few years ago I would have never dreamed I would be secretary of the high school Hands4Hope club, service hour coordinator for the National Honor Society, treasurer of the Hands4Hope Youth Board, or president of the Team Hope elementary school Hands4Hope club, but here I am. I am always encouraged to step out of my comfort zone and I feel that I have grown so much as a person because of it.  When asked why I volunteer so often, I say that by volunteering I receive more than I can ever give. It may sound selfish, but it is true. I am forever in debt for the priceless things these people have taught me and I will continue volunteer for the rest of my life. 

-Haley Lehtola

December Volunteer Spotlight: Jacob Kim

Jacob Kim's favorite volunteer activity with Hands4Hope is working at the Kids Café at Green Valley Community Church.  The first time he volunteered at Green Valley, he was made aware that there are a lot of people in need of help.  So, Jacob wanted to keep helping them as much as possible.

Jacob got his start volunteering with Hands4Hope when he started middle school and became interested in the school clubs. One of his friends suggested that he join H4H, and now Jacob has been very involved for over a year.

In addition to helping at the Green Valley Community Church Kids Club, Jacob also enjoys volunteering for the Sacramento homeless outreach.  With his school H4H Club, he helped raise money at school selling bracelets and with a bake sale in front of Raley's grocery store for soldier care packages and the Heifer Project. The Club raised over $1300.

When Jacob is not volunteering his time with Hands4Hope or attending 7^th grade at Rolling Hills Middle School, he is very passionate about spending time with family and friends and getting good grades. 

Jacob's father has served as an inspiration for him to continue to help those in need.

H4H Youth Make More Than 70 Blankets For Homeless

More than 90 volunteer youth with Hands4Hope helped make warm and cozy blankets for the Hands4Hope Winter Boutique and winter outreaches in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties.  Hands4Hope youth listened to music and ate pizza in a fun atmosphere while making 70 blankets to keep our homeless warm this winter.