Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference is a youth-driven organization with Education and Community Engagement Programs that use the service-learning strategy to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service that has served Sacramento and El Dorado Counties since 2008. Working alongside adult mentors, we equip youth with the knowledge and skills to be civic minded and socially responsible. Participants, ages 8-18, collaborate to create community service projects, and collectively improve their social acuity in the process.
WHY IS HANDS4HOPE'S SERVICE LEARNING MODEL IMPORTANT FOR OUR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY TODAY?
1. "Explore-Act-Lead" | Unique Youth Leadership Model
Hands4Hope-Youth Making a Difference youth participants explore social issues surrounding them, take action by choosing and designing service projects, then lead these projects from start to finish - everything from food and clothing drives to anti-bullying campaigns. They create and plan their own service-learning projects to support local charities and address unmet community needs. Along the way, they gain experience and skills in creative leadership, financial literacy, planning & organization, problem solving, creativity, communication, and collaboration - 21st century skills essential to success in college, the workforce and in life.
2. We're breaking the barriers on volunteerism
Working alongside adult mentors, these youth are building relationships with people and organizations to solve real issues in their community in real-time. Age limitations and liability issues often restrict youth from volunteering directly at some nonprofits. Hands4Hope's network of 45 nonprofit partners allows youth volunteers the opportunity to serve the hungry, veterans, foster children, mentally challenged adults and children, and so many others in need.
Our proven model has not only served thousands of TODAY's less fortunate - we are cultivating a community of civic-minded and socially responsible citizens for generations to come!