Longtime non-profit organization that empowers local youth is turning to the community for it’s road ahead
In a time when youth leadership and community service are more needed than ever, one of Folsom’s most cherished nonprofits is hitting pause. Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference has temporarily suspended its on-campus programs at four Folsom schools as it faces financial challenges and calls on the community for support to help sustain its mission.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference, a nonprofit organization empowering youth through service-learning has made the decision to temporarily pause its on-campus service-learning programs at four Folsom schools: Sutter Middle School, Folsom Middle School, Folsom High School, and Vista Del Lago High School, which served 185 students who contributed 4,285 hours of service to the Folsom community last year alone. Now, Hands4Hope is looking to the community for the financial support it needs to resume these programs.
Hands4Hope has experienced thriving programs, strong student interest, and an array of nonprofit partners who benefit from youth service projects, demonstrating the critical need for these opportunities for Folsom youth. This decision comes after more than a decade of program impact in the Folsom community, and more than five years of dedicated efforts to build and sustain the financial support necessary to maintain the programs at their current scale.
Student alumni of the organization have lamented the pause in Folsom programs. “Hands4Hope isn’t just about volunteering; it’s about empowering young people to lead, listen, and lift up unheard voices,” says Mia George, 2024-25 Hands4Hope Youth Board President and a 2025 Folsom High graduate. “It’s about recognizing inequality and working toward something better. Now, all I want is to pass that forward. Because change doesn’t start with grand gestures—it starts with people showing up for each other, believing in each other, and never letting go of what we can build together. I hope the community will stand up and support this important organization.”
Sarah Jeon, a 2024-25 Vista Del Lago Hands4Hope Club President, Folsom Community Engagement Ambassador, and a 2025 Vista del Lago graduate, felt that Hands4Hope helped her get into college, “My involvement with Hands4Hope helped boost my college application and led me to acceptance to one of my dream programs of dentistry at University of Pacific, among many others. In college, I am continuing to serve my local community through College Corps, devoting 15 hours per week. Hands4Hope taught me the importance of using our skills to serve others, and I plan to pursue this not only in college but in my dentistry career. The next generation of Folsom students deserve the same opportunity and I hope Hands4Hope can find its footing in Folsom.”
In a letter to members, parents and supporters, Hands4Hope emphasized that what is taking place is not a shutdown, but a strategic pause to reassess community interest and explore new, sustainable ways to support the on-campus programs in the Folsom area. The organization confirmed that it remains committed to collaborating with the local schools and Folsom community and hopes to relaunch these impactful programs in a form that is both community-supported and sustainable. The organization will use this time to fundraise and develop a viable future model
“The youths’ dedication and generosity are a powerful testament to how young people are already shaping a better future through compassion and action. Their kindness lit a spark of hope that will go far beyond the money they raised,” shared Jeanne Shuman, Founder and President of Folsom-based Jake’s Journey Home, a nonprofit organization that benefited from an on-campus Hands4Hope Club service project.
“We’re at a critical juncture,” says Jennifer Bassett, Executive Director of Hands4Hope. “Our programs are thriving, we have incredible demand from youth wanting to participate, our youth are engaged, and the impact on our community and our partner agencies is undeniable, but unfortunately right now we do not have the community financial support to sustain these programs in Folsom.”
How the community can help
Financial support is critical at this time, and even a modest donation can have a profound impact on sustaining youth programming; contributions can be made securely and easily through the Hands4Hope website: hands4hopeyouth.org. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Hands4Hope relies on grants, community donations, and volunteers to implement its work. The organization is also seeking interested volunteers to help with strategy, marketing, and engagement through its Folsom Steering Committee, which meets once per month.
The Folsom community can contact the organization directly to offer support, share ideas, and learn more about involvement opportunities by contacting Hands4Hope at info@hands4hopeyouth.org.
Hands4Hope – Youth Making A Difference is a nonprofit, youth-driven organization with the mission to inspire and empower youth in leadership and service. Hands4Hope offers hands-on education and community engagement opportunities to youth from K-12th grades through on-campus and after-school programs in Sacramento and El Dorado Counties.
While Folsom’s programs are being paused, Hands4Hope’s Education Program will continue to offer its on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs at 11 middle and high schools outside of Folsom, as well as after-school Committees that are open to any youth regardless of where they attend school. The Hands4Hope Community Engagement Program also will continue offering opportunities to any youth throughout the region and will continue to serve Folsom organizations. The pause only affects the on-campus Hands4Hope Clubs at Folsom schools.
