The Value of RHS’s Helping Hands Club

Rosemead High School’s Helping Hands Club, which is composed of teachers, aides, and students, is a group of individuals whose aim is to support our campus's special education population. The club beams with positivity and unity, and helps our campus value and accept the unique needs and nature of the students it serves. However, the club’s main objective is to encourage people to not see special education students any differently. 

The Helping Hands Club, founded in 2015, has sustained longevity due to its inherent admiration and respect for students with special needs. Ms. Elizabeth Bolanos, head of the Helping Hands Club, had long-time aspired to do more for special education students in order to make them feel more involved with our campus and to highlight and appreciate its students for their contributions as Panthers. From 2015 to 2017, it had reached a somewhat sustainable peak, participating in Buddy Walks, which were held by the National Down Syndrome Society, and it staffed fundraisers, like the All Foods Sale, which again helped cover and ensure that its members had memorable and worthwhile social experiences. 

Helping Hands Club also serves as a community service club, though it doesn’t see it that way. It's thought of as an assembly of people looking to serve others.

Now in its 10th year, Helping Hands Club continues to flourish, hosting both in-cabinet meetings and all club member meetings. Meetings are all held throughout the calendar year and are posted on its Google Classroom page; information regarding meetings on the club can also be found at @helpinghandsrhs via Instagram. Those students interested in taking part in the Helping Hands Club please email club president, Dulcemaria Soto [dulcemaria.soto317@stu.emuhsd.org], for further information regarding the process of becoming a member, or applying for a cabinet position.

During my time in the Helping Hands cabinet, not only did I further learn that our special education students are no different than us, I also got the opportunity to make unerasable memories with every single one of them and was able to fully appreciate them all. Though this year is my last year in the Helping Hands Club, it has inspired me to open new doors and take on opportunities that truly changed my life for the better, and to [daily] have grace for others. Not only that, being in this club has taught me about the importance of advocacy for people with special needs, especially those Panthers here on our campus.