“We make a living by what we get,
but we make a life by what we give.”
-Winston Churchill
The mission of Home of Guiding Hands (HGH) is to improve the lives of those they serve. Home of Guiding Hands goes beyond simply providing services; HGH is a family dedicated to empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives. With over 55 years of unwavering commitment, Home of Guiding Hands creates supportive, vibrant communities where every client is seen, valued, and celebrated. Sam McGovern is the Vice Chair, Board of Directors for Home of Guiding Hands.
#1 I grew up in San Diego (in the San Carlos area).
#2 Before becoming an attorney, I was a police officer and eventually became a certified police mountain bike instructor. I never got over the fact that I was getting paid to teach police officers to ride bicycles.
#3 Favorite travel destinations – International: Santorini, Greece; Domestic: Montana. I would like to visit Cheyenne, Wyoming (I would love to attend Cheyenne Frontier Days).
#4 Best way to decompress: Going for a drive. We are fortunate in San Diego to have so many interesting places within driving distance like the beach, the mountains, and even the desert.
#5 Book recommendations: “A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States” by Joseph Story (Probably a strange recommendation, but it is incredibly enlightening on why our country and Constitution were structured the way they are).
#6 My wife Valinda and I have two rescued racing greyhounds from Mexico named Nora and Daisy.
#7 My wife and parents of course have impacted my life but so did one of my police academy instructors who always told our class, “You don’t get paid enough to fight with people.” I have learned that that advice applies to much more than just police work.
#8 Giving back is how we build a legacy. It reframes our perspective and priorities in a world where it is so easy to get overwhelmed by our day-to-day lives.
#9 I first met some of the team at Home of Guiding Hands through my local Chamber of Commerce. When I learned about the organization and the clients HGH serves, I knew it was a cause I wanted to be involved with. It is my honor to be a small part of helping families of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities find support for their loved ones.
#10 We have an upcoming fundraiser where every dollar raised goes directly into essential services that empower our clients – whether it is community integration, personalized support, or specialized programs that enhance their quality of life. Your generosity fuels meaningful impact in their daily lives.
Home of Guiding Hands
15th Annual Randy Jones Run, Walk and Roll for Independence
February 8, 2025
8:00am
DeAnza Cover, Mission Bay
www.guidinghands.org
