You Are Invited To: A Night In the Vineyard
Hands4Hope 8th Annual Benefit Dinner & Auction
Saturday, 7 October
5:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M.
Lakehills Church
7000 Rossmore Lane
El Dorado Hills
We Need Backpacks!
The School Supply Drive will soon be wrapping up, and we need backpacks and other school supplies to reach our goal of providing enough for 400+ youth in need in El Dorado County!
Introducing Our Newest Hands4Hope Staff Members: JoAnne Reinking and Lindsay Moffett
Hands4Hope is excited to introduce its newest staff members, JoAnne Reinking, Development Coordinator, and Lindsay Moffett, Bookkeeper and Office Manager! Read on to learn more about how they came to be involved with Hands4Hope and their goals for the organization.
JoAnne
Where are you from originally?
I was born Wisconsin, raised in Illinois, but as of this year, I've lived in California longer than the midwest.
What were you involved with before starting with Hands4Hope?
I've been very involved with non-profit groups affiliated with the FCUSD school district. I am also serving my ninth year as a FCUSD School Board Trustee. My current term runs through 2020.
What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any particular hobbies or interests?
I enjoy spending time with my family. I like reading and keeping up with current issues. I like to start my day using my treadmill while watching a good TV show.
What goals do you have for your work with Hands4Hope?
I want to create community awareness, interest and support for all the good work Hands4Hope does.
What are you most looking forward to in working with Hands4Hope?
I'm looking forward to following the work and service projects of the students and student groups. I'm very impressed with what I've already seen and by the great organization Jennifer and her staff have created. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the El Dorado County Community.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I love the mission and concept behind Hands4Hope, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the organization's growth and success.
Lindsay
Where are you from originally?
Placerville :) Born at Marshall Hospital, attended Schnell, Sierra, Markham and graduated from El Dorado High School in 2000.
What were you involved with before starting with Hands4Hope?
Most of my professional career was spent at Raley's Corporate Offices (15 years). Wanting to be closer to home and spend more time with my girls led me to changing my career path in 2015. Most recently I worked for El Dorado County Health & Human Services Agency.
What goals do you have for your work with Hands4Hope?
To gain a better understanding of what Hands4Hope is doing for our community and to become a part of that movement. To make a difference in the lives of El Dorado County's youth and give back to our community.
What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any particular hobbies or interests?
I like to spend time with my family. I have two young daughters, Raygen (9) and Stella (4). We spend a lot of time on our property tending to all the animals.....ready for this?? We have a golden retriever, Bentley, a cat, a bunny, a mini pony, 2 goats, 2 turkeys, 4 guinea hens, and I can't even count how many chickens.
What are you most looking forward to in working with Hands4Hope?
I'm most looking forward to expanding the program, specifically in Placerville. I truly believe my family and friends in the Placerville area would love to be part of this program and I hope to be able to assist in that expansion.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I am so excited to be part of this team. I love what Hands4Hope is doing for today's youth and can't wait to learn more about it.
Kids Zone Event Exceeds Financial Goals!
On July 3rd, Hands4Hope hosted the Kids’ Zone area at Town Center’s annual Freedom Concert and Fireworks Show, and is happy to report that it exceeded its financial goals for the event! According to the Kids’ Zone Committee Lead, Madeline Simko, the event surpassed the committee’s original goal and raised $7,548.08!
The Kids’ Zone was held in the Target parking lot, and offered bounce houses and slides, cotton candy, drinks, light-up fidget spinners, AND strawberry shortcake. Participants who visited the Kids’ Zone were welcome to purchase a wristband for the bounce structures, or just enjoy food and refreshments (with excellent views of the fireworks show!).
This event is the second largest youth-led fundraiser for Hands4Hope, and helps to fundraise for the organization on a large scale, including the upcoming 2017-2018 program year. This project also allows youth a greater opportunity to hone their project planning skills and work in direct contact with the community in organizing marketing, programming, licenses, communications with Town Center and other vendors, collaborate with sponsors, and organize shifts for other Hands4Hope volunteers. Madeline furthered the experience of leading this project in stating, “The Kids Zone was such a great project to lead! I learned a lot about event planning, and had fun while doing so.”
Hands4Hope is very excited for the work that Madeline and the Kids Zone Committee put into this event, and cannot wait to see how the youth leads will continue to participate in similar projects throughout their service.
Outreach Highlights - Saturday Cafe
Green Valley Community Church (GVCC) is one of the largest food distribution points in El Dorado County. Every Saturday, the church serves between 150-300 people, preparing and serving a warm meal while they wait to go through the grocery food line and clothing closet. All of these services are free, and provide individuals and families the opportunity to interact with others for a greater sense of community, as well as receive needed supplies, find help and resources from the church staff and volunteers, and just have the chance to sit down and have a meal with others in a welcoming and safe setting.
In preparing and hosting these events, GVCC collaborates with Hands4Hope for volunteers that help Saturday Cafe attendees “shop” for groceries and clothing at the church. Volunteers may also help bag clothes, run shopping carts, serve the meal, clear tables, or bag up animal food, if the church staff requires help with those as well. Hands4Hope participants work at the Saturday Cafe every 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, and all aged youth are welcome to participate in this outreach.
This is a great opportunity to interact with others and hear their stories; learn more about the food and homelessness services available in El Dorado County; and just help others prepare for the next week, recharge their batteries, and gain support from the community. To learn more, please visit our website or contact Yoko Kono at yoko@hands4hopeyouth.org.
Hands4Hope’s Middle and High School Leadership Camps are in Full Swing!
With the start of school just around the corner, Hands4Hope is kicking off the 2017-2018 program year with its annual Middle and High School Leadership Camps! These camps, hosted July 25th to 26th and August 1st to 3rd, introduce all school club and afterschool committee leadership to the roles and responsibilities of their positions.
Through a series of games, activities, trainings, and mini projects that include the low and high ropes course; team building exercises; night hikes; and sessions on intercultural competency, service learning, and strengths-based skill building, Hands4Hope creates a comprehensive training that addresses what it means to be a Hands4Hope and community youth leader.
Not only do these middle and high school camps provide a crash course in Hands4Hope leadership though, but they also act as a summit for all of the youth to come together and team build as Hands4Hope volunteers. Camp provides the opportunity for everyone to interact and learn more about each other, their backgrounds and experiences, their schools, and the skills that each individual brings to their leadership teams. It also gives 47 middle- and high-school-aged youth, from Folsom to Placerville, the chance to build bonds and come together under the common goal of effecting change for those in need in El Dorado and Sacramento Counties.
Hands4Hope is grateful for the chance to begin to learn more about its youth leadership and the change they plan to enact in the next school year!
Program Successes: A Summer of Volunteering
While school may be out, the volunteering still continues! Hands4Hope youth and adult volunteers have been busy this summer! Check out the following list of projects, events, and outreaches that our volunteers have participated in from June 1st to August 7th (the first day of school).
Outreaches
40 Pen Pal Letters to Ugandan Youth
8 Kidszone Days at White Rock Housing
8 Science Camp Days at White Rock Housing
5 Art Days at White Rock Housing
4 GVCC Saturday Cafes
4 GVCC Kids’ Oasis
4 Soccer Clinics at White Rock Housing
2 Explorability Days at the Sacramento Children’s Museum
2 Mercy Creekview Manor Senior Dinners
2 El Dorado Hills Senior Center Crafts & Games Nights
2 Dinners at Sister Nora’s
3 Hope House Visits
2 Hope House Birthday Parties
2 Homeless Outreaches at the Sacramento Loaves & Fishes
Youth-Led Committees
10 Fall Festival Committee Meetings
7 Summer Camp Scholarships awarded through the Ryan Christopher Hersh Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee
5 School Supply Drive Committee Meetings
5 Homeless Committee Meetings
2 Kids’ Oasis Committee Meetings
2 Kids Zone Committee Meetings
Hands4Hope Events
Hosted the Kids’ Zone at the Town Center Fireworks & Freedom Concert on July 3rd
Marched in the Sacramento Pride Parade on June 3rd
Hosted the Hands4Hope Annual Youth Recognition Dinner on June 23rd
Hosted a booth at the EDfair in Folsom on July 21st
Hosted the Hands4Hope Annual Middle School Leadership Camp for incoming club leadership from July 25th to 26th
Hosted the Hands4Hope Annual High School Leadership Camp for incoming club leadership from August 1st to 3rd
Outreach and Service Learning Opportunities
Please note: To register for an event, you must activate your annual registration, if you haven't already.
Beary Special Playdate at
Sacramento Children's Museum
Just 15 Minutes from EDH
Wednesday, August 9th
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
NEW! The museumis closed to the public and only open to children with autism and their caretaker. This event occurs on the 2nd Wednesdays of every month from 5-7pm. Looking for 4 high school volunteers to reset exhibits, assist at different stations/exhibits and interact with children and their families.
**High School Students Welcome**
Explorability at Sacramento
Children's Museum
Just 15 Minutes from EDH!
Sunday, August 6th and 20th
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
NEW! This is a program for children with special needs and their family and friends. This event occurs on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 10-11am. Volunteers will help lead various stations, help set and reset exhibits, and interact with the children and their caretakers.
**High School Students Welcome**
Kidszone at White Rock Village
Every Friday, August 11, 18 & 25th
3:30 p.m. - 5: p.m.
Come join the young residents of White Rock Village playing ping pong, video games, board games, foosball, as well as various outdoor play. Volunteers will assist with supervision, encourage teamwork and cooperation, gain leadership and communication skills, and have fun!
**8th Grade and Older Welcome**
EDH Senior Center Crafts & Games
Monday, August 14th
3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Volunteers will spend time socializing, helping with arts and craft activities, and playing games with seniors with various levels of dementia, at Ramona "Moni" Gilmore Senior Center in El Dorado Hills.
**All Ages Welcome**
FOOD DONATIONS for
Mercy Senior Dinner
Food Drop Off - Tuesday, August 15th
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Donate food items to feed low income seniors at Mercy Creekview Housing.
You will receive volunteer credit for your items.
**All Ages Welcome**
Mercy Creekview Manor Senior Dinner
Wednesday, August 16th
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Come prepare and serve dinner for seniors. The volunteers will also help with crafts before dinner.
**All Ages Welcome**
GVCC Saturday Cafe
Saturday, August 12th and 26th
8:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hands4Hope volunteers work the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month helping distribute food and run carts.
**All Ages Welcome**
GVCC Kids Oasis
Saturday, August 12th and 26th
8:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hands4Hope volunteers work the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, reading books, playing games and doing craft projects with the young children in the Kids’ Oasis. The Kids' Oasis provides a safe and fun place for the children to wait while their families shop for free groceries and clothing at the Saturday Cafe.
**Middle School and Up Welcome**
Hope House
Monday, August 7th
3:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Hope House is a transitional home for women, dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness through empowerment, encouragement, and love. Hands4Hope volunteers mentor the children at Hope House while their moms are in meetings and education sessions.
**High School Students Welcome**
NEW! School Supply Drive Sorting
Friday, August 4th
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
With all the supplies we received this summer, we need help sorting them! Come join us at the youth center as we sort the various supplies into categories as we prepare them to be given away!
**8th grade and up are welcome**
NEW! Art Days at White Rock Housing
Thursday, August 3rd
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Youth volunteers will work with White Rock Village Youth as they create artistic masterpieces. This event is the last day in a series of Art Days from July.
**8th grade and up are welcome**
NEW! Back-to-School Supply Distribution
Friday, August 4th
8:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Help the Twin Lakes Food Bank distribute back-to-school supplies to the local community at Twin Lakes’ center.
**8th grade and up are welcome**
*Please note: Elementary aged participants must be accompanied by a registered parent or at all Hands4Hope outreach events.