Nissa started volunteering in 2023 when her daughter Avery (also featured as the February 2025 Youth Spotlight) joined her school's Hands4Hope Club... And now, she's tallied 85 service hours herself!
She says, "Being involved with Hands4Hope alongside my daughter, Avery, has made the experience even more special. I love seeing her grow as a leader in school and her community. I'm so grateful she joined her club in her first year of middle school, even though she was new to the school and didn't know anyone. That courageous step changed both our lives."
"We are beyond blessed to have Nissa as one of our adult leads and mentors! Not only is she supportive of her daughter's involvement with Hands4Hope, driving Avery to all the different outreaches and meetings, but she has also taken on the role of the adult mentor for the Empty Bowls Committee. She has been working with youths to contact local schools and artists for donations of ceramic bowls for the event. She is an amazing role model for the youth she works with and we appreciate Nissa and her dedication to Hands4Hope!" says Yoko Kono, Hands4Hope Community Engagement Manager.
We are so grateful to Nissa for sharing her passion for compassion and engaging with Hands4Hope youth as an Adult Lead!
What drew you to give your time and talent to Hands4Hope?Â
I really love how the Hand4Hope organization as a whole teaches our youth how to become strong, positive leaders that contribute to the community. We are teaching them to become the leaders of our future. The vision of Hands4Hope aligns with my core values as a school counselor.
What is a memorable experience or interaction during your time with Hands4Hope?
I have so many memorable experiences from the past two and a half years, but my most memorable is working the cotton candy booth at Kids Zone in 2023 with both of my children. This was our first event serving the community through Hands4Hope. I loved seeing the joy in all the little kids' faces when we handed them some cotton candy. My favorite was the joy in the faces of the Hands4Hope youth as they interacted with young kids and put smiles on their faces. We also had a laugh at the end of the night as we got in the car and realized the whole car smelled of cotton candy!
What personal skills or experience do you get to flex as you volunteer with Hands4Hope?
I am an optimistic and patient person; always looking for the positive in anyone that I meet. As I volunteer with Hands4Hope, I get the opportunity to look for people's strengths and learn how to foster their individual growth as a leader. I love helping people figure out how to collaborate with others who have different strengths than their own.
How do you feel that your volunteer work with Hands4Hope has made a difference, either to the organization, to youth, or even to yourself?
I enjoy giving back to the community through service; it is such an important part of who I am. Hands4Hope has given me the opportunity to serve my community in so many different ways. As an educator, I have the opportunity to work with our youth at school, but being involved with Hands4Hope has given me a chance to work with them outside of the school setting. It has given me the chance to see our youth work side by side with peers and adults alike.
What do you want other adults to know about getting involved with Hands4Hope?Â
As an adult volunteer or mentor, you get the chance to meet new people that also love to serve the community. The best part about being involved is watching the youth grow as individual leaders, as well as working as a team. You get to see them learn to trust their peers and adult mentors. When our youth (and adult mentors) trust each other, they are willing to take risks, which leads to personal growth. Hands4Hope truly teaches our youth how to make a difference.
What other activities do you enjoy?
I enjoy spending time with my family, whether that's staying home or going on summer vacations. One of my passions is photography. Spending time with my family gives me the chance to take pictures of our memories or express the more artistic side of photography.