The Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference Youth Board is the youth advisory board for Hands4Hope. They ensure youth voice leads the way when making decisions related to new volunteer and outreach opportunities.
In addition, the Youth Board provides the platform for youth leaders across schools to network and share information. They also work collaboratively to lead Youth Board meetings and events, plan and facilitate leadership camps, retreats and other leadership workshops, and represent Hands4Hope in the community through public speaking engagements.
The Youth Board is comprised of all presidents, vice presidents, chairs and vice chairs from each on-campus Hands4Hope Club and after-school Hands4Hope Committee in the Hands4Hope Education Program.
The Youth Board is led by the Youth Board Executive Committee. These outstanding young leaders are nominated by Hands4Hope staff.
Schedule & Info
Grade Levels:
9th-12th grade, plus one appointed Middle School representative
Meeting Locations:
El Dorado Hills Youth Center, Placerville Youth Center, and via Zoom
Meeting Schedule:
Monthly, plus additional leadership development
Season:
June to May
Meet the Youth Board Executive Committee
Avanti Ramamoorthy
Hands4Hope Youth Board President
Hi, I am Avanti Ramamoorthy and I am a junior at Oak Ridge High School. I started Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference in 6th grade, and since then I’ve been more involved in leadership and community service opportunities. I am currently serving as President of the Youth Board Executive Council and Secretary of my school’s Hands4Hope club, and Futuristic is one of my Top 5 Gallup Strengths. This is one of my strengths because I can think ahead and be goal oriented, and imagine all the exciting ways that projects and ideas can grow to make a long term impact. It’s helped me in leadership to encourage others to think outside the box and work towards meaningful change in our community.
Something that inspires me to help address the needs of my community that aren’t met is knowing that even small actions can make a lasting difference when people work together.
Some of my other hobbies and interests, outside of Hands4Hope, are reading (mystery novels especially) and playing golf. My goal for serving on the Youth Board this year is to help lead projects that have a positive impact in our community, while also building stronger relationships between students, and inspiring more youth to get involved in service and leadership. I also look forward to growing my leadership and communication skills through these experiences!
Jillian Wolford
Hands4Hope Youth Board Vice President
My name is Jillian Wolford and I am a senior at Union Mine High School. I have been involved in Hands4Hope for 3 years and I am currently the Youth Board Vice President.
One of my Top 5 Gallup Strengths that I’ve discovered through Hands4Hope leadership is developer. As a developer I recognize and work to explore the potential I see in others. I watch for small or big improvements and support people through every step of the way and this allows me to create positive and personal connections with those around me.
Outside of Hands4Hope I enjoy Hiking, Camping, and shopping with my friends.
My inspiration to fill unmet needs in my community comes from my desire to meet new people who I can work with to support the needs we see in our community. My goal as Vice President of the Youth Board Executive Committee is to help guide other leaders and develop their leadership skills, confidence, and friendships.
Ashna Vaikunthan
Hands4Hope Youth Board Secretary
Hi! My name is Ashna Vaikunthan and I am a junior at Vista Del Lago High School. I joined Hands4Hope in my freshman year and my current leadership position is Secretary of the Youth Board Executive Committee.
One of my top 5 Gallup Strengths is Strategic, which always makes me think outside the box and be curious about anything and everything.
In my free time, some of my hobbies include making art, dancing, and going on runs. In my community, I’ve always had a passion to find ways to spread positivity and smiles because not only are smiles contagious, they are what bring us together, as a supportive and positive community.
On the Youth Board this year, I hope to help give other youth more confidence in leadership and in being themselves, and also I want to engage with new youth to make a great impact on our community. I am so excited to be on the YBEC this year and I look forward to meeting new people!
Jack Clarke
Hands4Hope Youth Board Treasurer
Hi I’m Jack Clarke and I’m a junior at Oak Ridge High School. I started Hands4Hope when I was a freshman with a little volunteering here and there in middle school. My current leadership positions are YBEC Treasurer, President of one of the Oak Ridge High School clubs, and Glow Toys chair for the Kids Zone committee.
One of my top 5 Gallup Strengths that I’ve definitely started to use more with Hands4Hope was being Strategic, and specifically for me strategic problem solving. It helps me lead peers because I can give ideas or new ways to help our groups and clubs move forward over a possible issue or difficulty that may have come up we were stuck on.
My main hobby is running which I compete in for Oak Ridge. It is definitely a nice way to escape and just relax from everything that is going on around me.
Something that really inspires me to be involved in my community is the amount of disadvantages that I see others facing that I do not face myself. I really want everyone to have the same chances and opportunities no matter their financial, living, or whatever condition that might be limiting them. My hope this year for Youth Board is to grow my understanding of how I can help out Hands4Hope as much as possible, and help myself grow into a more extroverted person.
Adi Laufer
Hands4Hope Youth Board Public Relations Coordinator
Hi I am Adi Laufer and I’m a junior at Folsom High School. I started Hands4Hope in 6th grade, so it’s been five years now that I’ve been involved. My current leadership position is the Youth Board Public Relations Coordinator.
One of my Top 5 Gallup Strengths that I’ve discovered throughout Hands4Hope leadership is Individualization. This strength allows me to understand my peers in a way that will motivate them and appoint people to a task that would best suit their strengths and attitudes.
Outside of Hands4Hope, you can find me exercising, participating in leadership with my religious group, working or reading.
For me, my inspiration to help fill an unmet need in my community is the warm feeling I get when seeing people being helped. When I help people I feel fulfilled and proud of myself. I feel I have become more aware, responsible and giving. My hope is that by serving on the Hands4Hope Youth Board Executive Committee I can help teach future leaders, create a better understanding for people who want to learn more about hands4hope as the PRC, learn valuable professional skills that I will need in my future and grow as a person while helping my community become a better place.
Sophia Thomas
Hands4Hope Youth Board Community Engagement Ambassador
Hi my name is Sophia Thomas and I am a junior at El Dorado High School. I joined Hands4Hope during my 7th grade year and have been involved ever since. My current leadership position is Vice President of the El Dorado High School club and the Youth Community Outreach Ambassador.
One of my Gallup strengths is Empathy, this strength allows me to connect with club and committee members on a deep level and I am cautious around making friends and sense the good qualities in others.
Some of my interests outside of Hands4Hope are swimming, reading and traveling.
My passion for Hands4Hope started with my enthusiasm for helping others in my community who don’t have a voice. My hope is that by being a member on the Hands4Hope Youth Board Executive Committee is that I can help build connections with my peers and others in the community while being able to give back to the community that has given so much to me and to others.
Youth Board News
Join us in congratulating and supporting the elected leadership of Hands4Hope On-Campus Middle and High
While many students were taking a break from school, nearly 50 Hands4Hope – Youth Making
Although Avanti Ramamoorthy is only wrapping up her sophomore year at Oak Ridge High School,
Youth Board Projects
Every year, the Youth Board fundraises for its own projects and goals. Below are a sampling of past projects.