October 2025 Newsletter

Volunteer Spotlight

This month, WeEMBRACE is proud to spotlight the incredible Gupta siblings, Amish and Shanaya, whose dedication and compassion have made a lasting impact on our community.

Amish Gupta is a junior at Vista del Lago High School in Folsom. Outside of school, his passions include computer science, data science, and basketball. Amish first got involved with WeEMBRACE through his family when he was looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities. The mission of creating an inclusive and supportive space for all kids resonated deeply with him, and he quickly found ways to contribute.

Today, he volunteers in the Buddy Match program, plays adaptive basketball with kids, helps at community events, and even supports WeEMBRACE behind the scenes by managing parts of the website. Amish says the most rewarding part of his experience has been watching kids light up with joy as they build confidence and grow new skills.

Shanaya Gupta, a 6th grader, decided to follow in her brother’s footsteps and join WeEMBRACE as a volunteer.

She jumped in with enthusiasm, bringing her energy and patience to every activity. Whether she’s teaching basketball, leading arts and crafts, or helping out in dance, Shanaya loves creating opportunities for kids to try new things. She says volunteering has taught her that everyone deserves the chance to be included and that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. For her, the most memorable moments are the smiles she sees when kids learn something new.

We are grateful for the Gupta siblings and proud to honor their contributions this month. Thank you, Amish and Shanaya, for inspiring all of us at WeEMBRACE!

Family Spotlight

This month, WeEMBRACE proudly features Shailendra and Ankita along with their two sons, Ansh and Shom. After moving from the Bay Area to Folsom in 2023, the family discovered WeEMBRACE through another member and instantly felt at home during their first parents’ get-together. 

Ansh, a talented and determined teen with cerebral palsy, actively participates in basketball, bowling, dance, and online classes, while the whole family enjoys volunteering at WeEMBRACE events.

Through WeEMBRACE, the family havediscovered new programs and local resources that have strengthened their confidence and expanded the opportunities available for Ansh.

The family values not only the activities but also the emotional connection and encouragement they receive from others walking similar paths.

They believe every child has special talents waiting to shine and encourage other families to join the many programs WeEMBRACE offers, from music and dance to art, Zumba, and bowling. 

We celebrate the Shailendra and Ankita family for their positivity, compassion, and dedication to helping WeEMBRACE flourish.