SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Now in its 18th year, Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference (Hands4Hope), a youth-led, service-learning nonprofit, is launching its first outreach program in South Lake Tahoe. The initiative to expand into Lake Tahoe is being funded by the Pay It Forward Project and local community partners, and will be collaborating with middle school and high school students in South Lake Tahoe to create and implement service projects that support the needs of nonprofits serving those struggling most in the community. 

Hands4Hope was first established in 2008 when Jennifer Bassett, Founder and Executive Director of Hands4Hope, wanted to create service-learning opportunities for her two young sons.  

“I was trying to find an interesting way to show them what they could accomplish, and how they could bring smiles to people’s faces, whether it was just by a small act of kindness, saying something nice, or doing a big outreach project,” said Bassett. “Then it evolved from there.”

Today, Hands4Hope is a thriving, youth-driven El Dorado County nonprofit, with impactful community projects spread across the west slope, from El Dorado Hills to Placerville. 

In their most recent annual report, Hands4Hope has served 14,609 people, served or delivered 9,289 meals, and implemented 351 outreaches and projects in the 2024-25 year. 35,565 items were collected in youth-led drives, and 1,114 pounds of food were collected and distributed. Notably, 702 kindergarten through 12th grade students in need during the 2024-2025 year received $43,000 worth of backpacks and school supplies.

Through their Education Program, the organization’s staff mentors facilitate 11 middle school and high school clubs on 10 campuses from El Dorado Hills to Placerville. Additionally, six after-school committees come together at Hands4Hope youth centers to work on specific projects. Across the board, their key service-learning process is: investigate, plan, action, demonstrate, and peer leadership. 

For their Outreach Program, Hands4Hope works with over 40 nonprofit partners on the west slope to fulfill their mission while youth are given opportunities for service. 

Their expansion into South Lake Tahoe marks an exciting chapter for not only the community, but for students at South Tahoe Middle School and South Tahoe High School to develop vital skills such as project management, leadership, compassion, and philanthropy. 

Kathy Haven is Director of Grants, Programs, and Impact at El Dorado Community Foundation, and while reviewing scholarship applications, she noticed a pattern with students on the west slope of El Dorado County; There were seniors who were extremely organized in their scholarship applications with their volunteer service and leadership, even accumulating more hours than other students elsewhere. 

“I thought, ‘Why do these kids have so many more opportunities?’ and I realized after a year or two, that they were all Hands4Hope members,” said Haven. 

Haven eventually connected Bassett with John McDougall, founder of the Pay It Forward Project, an organization focused on community volunteerism in Lake Tahoe, Carson City and Douglas County. McDougall was interested in exploring more volunteer services for youth when he was introduced to Bassett.

After visiting an event led by Hands4Hope in Placerville, McDougall was amazed, and decided that the Lake Tahoe community and its youth members could really benefit from an organization like Hands4Hope.

“We were just blown away with how well those students did, how they ran this particular event, their leadership skills and how they put everything together,” said McDougall. “We’re really excited to see this organization get out and assist with nonprofits and help people in need in the community. We think it’s going to be a great addition.”

The month of May kicks off Hands4Hope’s Outreach Program in South Lake Tahoe, and some of the organizations Hands4Hope will be working with this summer include Bread and Broth, Vista Rise Collective, and Marcella Foundation. 

Adult volunteers are also being actively recruited as the Outreach Program launches. These volunteers are asked to attend the outreach and work with Hands4Hope youth to help guide and support them during service events and opportunities. Adults can decide their involvement based on their interests and availability. Opportunities to take on a more active position as an Adult Lead are also available for those interested in a consistent mentorship role.

Interested adults can attend an information session, held online, to learn more about how to get involved. Upcoming information sessions will be held Tuesday, May 26 from 12 p.m. to 12:40 p.m., and Thursday, May 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:10 p.m. Register by going to https://www.hands4hopeyouth.org/slt. 

In the coming summer months, youth leaders will begin their summer leadership training and starting in August, Hands4Hope service-learning clubs will launch at South Tahoe Middle School and High School, giving students a chance to participate in designing, funding and implementing service projects.

David Galicia-Perez, 17, is a junior at South Tahoe High School and is involved in Viking Ambassadors, a Career Technical Education initiative launched in 2025. Through the initiative, he heard about Hands4Hope. He is now on the organization’s South Tahoe Steering Committee, along with Haven and McDougall.

“I think South Lake Tahoe is going to greatly benefit from [Hands4Hope],” said Galicia-Perez. “I know this from experience – as an underclassman, finding volunteer opportunities can feel a bit out of reach, a bit hard. Hands4Hope will be able to provide those for anyone and everyone.”

Galicia-Perez, along with his fellow students now have the opportunity to experience hands-on activities that enhance human connection and help fill community needs. 

“I’m most excited about creating opportunities for South Lake Tahoe youth to not only volunteer, but to discover their voice, leadership potential, and sense of purpose through serving others,” said Bassett. “Hands4Hope is about empowering young people to become active changemakers in their community, and I think the Tahoe community is an incredible place for that kind of collaboration and growth.”

To learn more about Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference, visit hands4hopeyouth.org. 

Information on the Pay It Forward Project can be found by going to payitforwardproject.net.