Welcome to Hands4Hope in South Lake Tahoe!
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is delighted to expand to South Lake Tahoe. This pivotal initiative is being supported and funded by the Pay It Forward Project, led by John McDougall, in close collaboration with South Tahoe Middle and High Schools.
Timeline
March 17, 2026: Information meetings were held at South Tahoe Middle and High Schools.
April 2026: Youth leaders for on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs at South Tahoe Middle and South Tahoe High schools were identified and selected, preparing them to attend Hands4Hope’s empowering summer leadership training.
May 2026: The Hands4Hope Outreach Program officially launched in South Lake Tahoe, beginning to engage the local youth and serve needs in the community.
June 2026: The Education Program commenced, providing foundational knowledge and skill-building opportunities for youth interested in service and leadership.
August 2026: Hands4Hope Service-Learning Clubs will launch at South Tahoe Middle and High Schools, allowing students to actively participate in designing, funding, and implementing service projects tailored to their community.
On-Campus Hands4Hope Clubs
The following local schools have on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs. Click to learn more about each Hands4Hope Club.
Agency Partnerships
Hands4Hope partners with local agencies for youth-led service-learning projects and outreach opportunities where youth provide direct hands-on assistance.
If you represent a South Lake Tahoe organization and wish to explore a partnership with Hands4Hope, please reach out to jbassett@hands4hopeyouth.org.
Get Involved
Adults & Community Supporters
- Participate in outreach opportunities with your child or as a family, starting Summer 2026.
- Become an adult lead volunteer or mentor.
- Contribute your time and/or resources to support youth-led projects or fundraisers, or to help our South Lake Tahoe programs grow.
- Become a sponsor.
Youth
- Explore: Participate in outreach opportunities, as many or as few as you wish.
- Act: Join an on-campus club at South Tahoe Middle or High School (starting 2026-27 school year) to engage in a year-long service-learning experience.
- Lead: Youth leaders, for on-campus clubs were recruited in Spring 2026, in time for summer leadership camps. Stay involved for more leadership opportunities!
South Tahoe Steering Committee
The South Tahoe Steering Committee is made up of community leaders, advocates, parents, and others who work toward ensuring sustainability of Hands4Hope’s presence in the South Lake Tahoe area.
- Alan Reeder, Assistant Superintendent, Lake Tahoe Union School District
- Alyna Vera, Counselor, South Tahoe Middle School
- Cindy Martinez, Principal, South Tahoe Middle School
- David Galicia-Perez, Youth Ambassador, South Tahoe High School
- Gladys Aguilar, Director of TRiO Programs, Lake Tahoe Community College
- Isaiah Tannaci, Career Tech Ed Director, South Tahoe High School
- Jamie Orr, Manager/Owner, Untethered/CoWork
- Joe Irvin, City Manager, City of South Lake Tahoe
- John McDougall, Pay It Forward Project
- Justin Zunino, Principal, South Tahoe High School
- Karen Goldberg, Director, South Lake Tahoe Family Resource Center
- Kathy Haven, EDCF/TLH/Boosters/CAPP
- Kim Ilvento, Counselor, South Tahoe High School
- Laura Metune, Grant Writer, Lake Tahoe Community College
- Meg Tannaci, CTE Pathway Navigator, South Tahoe High School
- Melissa Uppendahl, Executive Director, Marcella Foundation
- Mike Peron, Tahoe Daily Tribune
- Mel Stearns, Human Resources Director, Sierra At Tahoe
- Paula Peterson, South Tahoe Now & TASK
- Rosie Fried, Youth Ambassador, South Tahoe High School
- Theresa Papandrea, Executive Director, Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids TASK
South Lake Tahoe Supporters & Partners
We are grateful to the supporters and partners who make it possible for Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference programs to be offered in the South Lake Tahoe area.
Explore opportunities to become a South Lake Tahoe supporter. Reach out to jbassett@hands4hopeyouth.org.
South Lake Tahoe & Related Happenings
See the main Hands4Hope events page and the youth calendar for all upcoming events and opportunities.
With the start of a new school year comes the season for students from El Dorado Hills to South Lake..
South Lake Tahoe News & Spotlights
We are so excited to welcome and train all our High School-age leaders at this