THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
Creating Healthy Choices with Omar King!
We’re excited to introduce you to Omar King, a member of our Civic Leadership Program leading the charge against food insecurity and preserving greenspaces! He describes himself as warm hearted, inquisitive, and genuine person, and these attributes ring true throughout his service in our city. In addition to volunteering, Omar is young professional working as the Finance & Accounting Systems Supervisor at UPS. We’re excited to watch him continue doing good in Atlanta, and inspiring others to join in the fun!
We’re excited to introduce you to Omar King, a member of our Civic Leadership Program leading the charge against food insecurity and preserving greenspaces! He describes himself as warm hearted, inquisitive, and genuine person, and these attributes ring true throughout his service in our city. In addition to volunteering, Omar is young professional working as the Finance & Accounting Systems Supervisor at UPS. We’re excited to watch him continue doing good in Atlanta, and inspiring others to join in the fun!
Read more about Omar in our interview below!
Which Nonprofit Organization(s) do you volunteer with?
Over the last eight months I’ve exclusively volunteered with The Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully, Inc. (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.) but I also enjoy volunteering at the Truly living Well and Wylde Center community gardens whenever possible.
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?
Food insecurity is a cause close to my heart. The sobering fact that 30% of black children in America lack reliable access to food drives me to seek ways to make a positive impact. Consequently, much of my volunteer work has revolved around food distribution and community gardens. I believe that food distribution efforts are crucial for addressing immediate hunger needs exacerbated by systemic barriers to economic progress, which perpetuate poverty levels in our communities. Community gardens, on the other hand, offer a path forward by empowering former food desert communities with education on food cultivation and nutrition, enabling them to become self-sufficient. Unfortunately, our communities face significant health challenges like diabetes and high blood pressure, directly linked to limited access to healthy foods and education about nutritious food options. Moreover, inadequate access to food hampers children's ability to learn in school. These are the reasons why my involvement with The Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully, Inc. (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.). has been profoundly meaningful to me.
What do you love most about an organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?
For the past eight months, I've been fortunate to volunteer monthly with The Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully, Inc. (C.H.O.I.C.E.S.). Under the guidance of the remarkable leader, Chef Ashley, I've observed firsthand how she harnesses the talents of all volunteers to serve the community effectively. Whether orchestrating large or small food distribution drives or soliciting donations at events like MLK Sunday Supper, Chef Ashley demonstrates dynamic and innovative problem-solving methods that are truly inspiring. Witnessing these approaches has been the highlight of my volunteering experience.
How has volunteering impacted your personal/professional life?
Volunteering has provided me with an additional avenue to connect with people in both my personal and professional spheres. Each April, during Global Volunteer Month discussions, I eagerly step forward to take on coordination responsibilities. On one occasion, I spearheaded a corporate UPS Marketing team event at the Truly Living Well Urban Farm in Atlanta, GA. Here, twenty-five dedicated colleagues joined forces, dedicating three hours to tasks such as compost processing, flower bed cultivation, landscaping, and seedling planting and watering. Our collective efforts aligned with TLW's overarching goal of ensuring communities have reliable access to fresh produce, particularly for those facing financial constraints. Through these experiences, I've come to appreciate the significance of integrating volunteering into my personal and professional identity. I believe it enhances the perception of being a collaborative individual, willing to roll up my sleeves—both literally and figuratively—to accomplish tasks effectively.
What skills have you honed or what have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?
Throughout my professional career, I've mainly held analytical roles that required intense focus and solitary work to complete tasks. While there were opportunities to present my work, my role as an individual contributor limited my interactions with others and hindered the development of my interpersonal skills. That's why I decided to start volunteering—to seek out leadership opportunities and improve my public speaking abilities. During our annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution event at Atlanta Tech, we had the opportunity to provide meals for 2500 families. In these volunteer roles, I took on responsibilities such as directing other volunteers. One memorable occasion during the Thanksgiving event highlighted the need for quick thinking and coordination. While we had enough food for families in our standard line, we faced delays in staging meals and lacked volunteers to assist with the Door Dash line, which served families unable to attend in person. Coordinating incoming volunteers and orchestrating the logistics to redistribute food and manpower to the lagging part of the operation was challenging, but we successfully resolved the situation within the hour. Managing the event operations and navigating the diverse personalities of the volunteers tested my problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.
Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?
They passed me the aux cord!!! I got to play DJ and control the vibe of the volunteer atmosphere as we packed and prepared the food for the morning’s distribution. That morning we had a bus load of volunteers from Morgan State in Baltimore who were on a men’s retreat in Atlanta and decided to volunteer with C.H.O.I.C.E.S while in the city. The first song I played was Kirk Franklin’s Stomp. You could feel the spirit lift in the room. Everyone was dancing and smiling and packing with purpose. As the afternoon went on, I tested the young men music knowledge by playing songs like Optimistic by Sounds of Blackness or Encore by Cheryl Lynn and they danced right along with everybody else. Form me, small moments like this build community and foster connection. Any small contribution you make at a volunteer event can help other people feel comfortable to be themselves as well!
“The thing I love most about Atlanta is its green spaces! Atlanta is affectionately known as a “city in the forest.” My absolute favorite thing to do during the spring and summer months is to visit Piedmont Park. Whether it’s attending the annual Jazz Festival or weekly food truck crawl I know I can always count on having a great time in nature at the Piedmont Park/Atlanta Botanical Garden. I’m an annual cardholder at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and have volunteered to clean Piedmont Park so I feel invested in their success. Preservation of these green spaces is very important to me. ”
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting involved with volunteering?
Approach volunteering with an open mind. If you tend to be organized and proactive, you might find yourself at a volunteer event that seems less structured, and you might feel tempted to take charge and improve efficiency. While there's certainly a time and place for such contributions, it's also important to recognize that volunteering is about more than just completing tasks. It's an opportunity for everyone involved to connect and learn from one another. So, in the downtime between your first task and when you are given your next time, ask a fellow volunteer what inspired them to be here today. You may make a new connection that makes your life better and our community stronger.
Volunteering in April? Share where, when and if others can join you or how they can get involved.
You can find me at the C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Mobile Food Pantry on April 11th and 12th at the Rosel Fann Recreation Center, 365 Cleveland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30354. We host this event on the 2nd Friday of each month. We are in need of volunteers to serve as Bag Packers to prepare food for distribution. As always, the vibe is to “Serve the community while having fun!” Generally, volunteers can sign up through Hands on Atlanta.
Please list anything else you think our community should know about you, your volunteer service, or your commitment to Do Something Good!
ATLytics Data for Hope: I am an Instructor in The ATLytiCS Data for Hope Education Program. The program is a twelve-week training program committed to empowering ATL residents to pursue work in the data analytics field, subsequently providing new pathways to economic opportunity. I leveraged my industry experience, to provide students with hands-on demonstrations and instruction in a variety of Analytics technologies (Excel, Tableau, SQL), skills, and best practices through lessons, code-along, and interactive exercises. I was there to provide students in-class project support while coaching them through code debugging and technical problem-solving. In addition to the lessons, we also provided them real world interview case study examples and coached them on their resume and presentation skills.Audio Content Creator for GARRs: I’m a weekly contributor to The Georgia Radio Reading Service, Georgia’s premier provider of information for individuals who are visually impaired or otherwise print-impaired. I produce and edit audio recordings; the topics read aresourced from articles in the news, opinion, sports, business, living, and calendar sections of USA Today. I am also building my voice acting portfolio.
Service Spotlight | Fleming Slone
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
“The projects I work with bring people together from all different walks of life, and I’ve made all sorts of friends that I never would’ve even met if it weren’t for this work.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
Today we recognize Fleming Slone for his outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Fleming has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for about a year and a half, and recently was awarded the President's Volunteer Service Award. When he's not volunteering, he spends his days as a Software Engineer at FLIR Systems. We caught up with Fleming recently to talk about his work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
Volunteering is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to better my community while also imbuing me with a sense that I really can make a difference in the world, even as an individual. My time spent volunteering has also broadened and changed my perspective on the world, and that’s something I’m extremely grateful for.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
I focus my efforts on hunger and addiction issues in Atlanta, problems that are unfortunately very widespread in our community. Having seen how these issues have affected the people in my life over the years, I take a very personal interest in making resources available to those in need, and hope to ensure that no one has to go it alone as they face the terrible challenges these problems create.
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
After volunteering with various organizations over the years I came to realize that I could make a greater difference if I had better organizing and fundraising skills. I saw the Civic Leadership Program as a place to work on those skills with an organization that has had a very successful track record creating leaders and making a large impact in the Atlanta community.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The friendships that I’ve built have been the biggest and best surprise about volunteering so far. The projects I work with bring people together from all different walks of life, and I’ve made all sorts of friends that I never would’ve even met if it weren’t for this work.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
For anyone considering volunteering, I say just go for it. It can be challenging at first, but after the first project or two I see volunteers come alive as they discover a new sense of purpose. Once you find the projects and the issues that speak to you personally, you really get hooked on making a difference. I know I did.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I spend the majority of my spare time either reading or playing music, which has surprisingly carried over into my volunteer work. After finding a piano at one of my projects I’ve been spending my spare time learning songs to teach the kids there.
Donate now to support Fleming and his fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.
Service Spotlight | Keona Maye
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
“I love it when volunteers show up early, ask questions about the organization and its mission, and leave smiling and feeling great about themselves. Hopefully it means they’ll come back.”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.
Today we recognize Keona Maye for her outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Keona has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 2 years and when she's not volunteering, she spends her days as a Senior Property Manager at Goal Property Services. We caught up with Keona recently to talk about her work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
I believe that our lives are not complete if we live them selfishly. It wasn’t until I began volunteering that I felt the most fulfilled and found purpose. It’s important for me to help others and serve especially because people have helped me. We’re responsible for one another.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
I care strongly about homelessness, which of course, relates to my career field of real estate. Atlanta has been named “One of the Neediest Cities in America” ranking high among cities like Detroit and Memphis due to a growing homeless population. It is my goal to partner with a nonprofit, such as, The Atlanta Children’s Shelter or Our House, that works to combat this issue.
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
I was considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management when I learned about Hands On Atlanta’s Civic Leadership Program. I opted to interview for the program instead of obtaining another degree because CLP offered training along with real world experience. I was also familiar with Hands On Atlanta and the amazing work that the organization was doing for local communities. I truly wanted to be a part of its impact.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The biggest surprise about volunteering has been the people! You meet every day people with every day lives that decided to dedicate their most valuable asset - their time, and are actually excited about it. I love it when volunteers show up early, ask questions about the organization and its mission, and leave smiling and feeling great about themselves. Hopefully it means they’ll come back.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
I would advise that person to find their “why” and a volunteer opportunity that they really enjoy. If they want to be consistent, it’ll be easier to participate when they understand the reason they actually want to volunteer and the difference they’re making. It also helps if they’re having fun and their interests are being met.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I spend lots of time with family and friends. They keep me pretty busy and it’s important that I foster those relationships despite my professional life. However, I’ve also started a vacant home cleaning business that is beginning to grow and thrive and definitely takes up more of my time.
Donate now to support Keona and her fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.