HANDS ON ATLANTA WEEK TO BRING UNITY AND IMPACT TO METRO ATLANTA

Metro Atlanta’s largest week of service will share over 200 volunteer projects and social good events from Oct. 2-9, 2021

Hands On Atlanta Week, presented by The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, will engage 5,000 people to support 50 nonprofits and schools with more than 200 unique and meaningful volunteer projects and events from Oct. 2-9, 2021. Participants can expect traditional in-person volunteer projects, engaging virtual projects and more during metro Atlanta’s largest week of service. 

Hands On Atlanta Week will focus on the ongoing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. With a series of safe, small group in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities, the top priorities will focus on fighting food insecurity and education. In addition, with more than a third of Americans experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression throughout the pandemic, Hands On Atlanta will also focus on the benefits of volunteering as a proven way individuals can regain their feeling of self-worth, purpose and to find human and social connection.

“2021 has been another challenging year for everyone in Atlanta, but the overwhelming feedback from our volunteers has been how helping others has renewed their sense of purpose and connection to their community. Our hope is that Hands On Atlanta Week will give anyone and everyone a way to discover new, safe, and unifying ways to do something good,” said Jay Cranman, Hands On Atlanta President and CEO. 

Hands On Atlanta Week will kick-off with 48in48’s global hack-a-thon for good, where skills based volunteers will build 48 websites for 48 nonprofits in 48 hours. Other marquee projects include a Learning in Color STEM mural for M. Agnes Jones Elementary School by volunteers from LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a meal pack for students and families at Love T. Nolan Elementary School by volunteers from Coca-Cola USA, and a technology boost and beautification at Hollis Academy by volunteers from NCR.

“Hands on Atlanta has a long history of addressing the city’s most urgent needs, and The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is pleased to support their efforts to provide Atlantans with safe, meaningful opportunities to volunteer in our community. Many of our own associates will be volunteering, and we’re looking forward to gathering together and giving back,” said Fay Twersky, president, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

Hands On Atlanta Week will take place from Saturday, Oct. 2 through Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. To get your company or organization involved, or to serve with your family and friends, visit www.handsonatlanta.org/week 

Georgia Serves Announces $4.5 Million in AmeriCorps Funding for Georgia

In a recent press release, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Serves) announced that Georgia received $4,531,101 in AmeriCorps funding from AmeriCorps, a federal agency. The grants will put 565 AmeriCorps Members on the ground to serve with 21 organizations across the state. AmeriCorps Members will tackle some of the toughest problems in Georgia including education, economic opportunities, healthy futures, homelessness, people living with disabilities, financial literacy, and environmental issues.

Hands On Atlanta was awarded $1,062,668 to deploy and manage 60 AmeriCorps Members with our partner schools.

“We are thrilled and honored to be an AmeriCorps grant recipient for the state of Georgia, realizing the impact we can have for students, families, and communities across metro Atlanta. Our members currently provide academic, social-emotional, and holistic support for K-8 students, and we would not be able to serve in that manner without funding from AmeriCorps and the dedication of community members,” said Dr. Chanika Perry, Director of Education Programs at Hands On Atlanta.

In addition, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) will provide close to $3 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps Members funded by these grants. After completing a full term of service, full-time AmeriCorps Members may receive an award of approximately $6,345 that they can use to pay for college or to pay off student loans.

The following organizations were awarded grants for 2021-2022 to implement AmeriCorps programs in Georgia.

• Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps $1,062,668

• AmeriCorps Covenant House Georgia $162,700

• AmeriCorps Georgia Relay Teaching Residency $64,000

• Breakthrough Collaborative AmeriCorps Program $180,494

• Central Georgia Council, Boy Scouts of America $137,733

• Clayton State University AmeriCorps Program $97,878

• Communities in Schools of Georgia – AmeriCorps Reading Tutorial Program $191,995

• Extra Special People AmeriCorps Program $239,030

• Georgia State University Research Foundation T.E.E.M.S. AmeriCorps $198,896

• Girls Scouts of Historic Georgia-AmeriCorps Planning Grant $40,178

• Goodwill Industries of the Southern Rivers AmeriCorps Program $119,658

• Greater Valdosta United Way AmeriCorps Planning Grant $63,377

• Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter Planning Grant $26,422

• Jekyll Island State Park Authority dba Georgia Sea Turtle Center AmeriCorps $358,433

• New American Pathways – AmeriCorps Project RISE $274,830

• One World Link AmeriCorps Project $259,940

• Teach For America – Metro Atlanta $140,000

• The Christian City AmeriCorps Planning Grant $75,000

• The Scholarship Academy, Inc. – AmeriCorps Financial Aid Awareness Program $178,596

• The University of Georgia – Georgia 4-H AmeriCorps Project $423,800

• Youth Villages-Inner Harbour Campus AmeriCorps Program $235,473

Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members serve through 21,000+ schools, nonprofits, and community and faith-based organizations across the country. These citizens have played a critical role in the recovery of communities affected by disasters and helped thousands of first-generation college students access higher education. They also tutor and mentor young people, connect veterans to jobs, care for seniors, reduce crime and revive cities, fight the opioid epidemic, and meet other critical needs.

Hands On Atlanta is still actively recruiting AmeriCorps members as math and ELA tutors as well as social-emotional learning coaches for this school year. Join this incredible team, take advantage of all the benefits of serving and make this your chance to do something good!

HANDS ON ATLANTA LAUNCHES STEAM ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COX ENTERPRISES

Partnership introduces new volunteer portal designed to engage nonprofits focused on STEAM education

Hands On Atlanta is excited to announce a partnership with Cox Enterprises to advance Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) engagement among Atlanta changemakers.

The new STEAM Volunteer Portal powered by Cox Enterprises is available on the Hands On Atlanta website, www.handsonatlanta.org/steam. Through the portal, service projects are more accessible and metro Atlantans can explore nonprofits focused on STEAM.

“STEAM fosters ingenuity, builds resilience, inspires creativity, encourages teamwork, teaches problem-solving and enhances critical-thinking – all of which are vital skills driving our workforce and shaping our future,” said Maury Wolfe, assistant vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Public Affairs at Cox Enterprises. “Our partnership with Hands On Atlanta allows us to share in their efforts to promote a more equitable and civically engaged community.”

The new portal addresses the critical, ongoing need for volunteers to help execute STEAM programing. Hands On Atlanta and Cox Enterprises hope to increase volunteer engagement in these types of service opportunities while also building STEAM volunteer capacity for the entire Atlanta community.

The portal features an easy-to-navigate map, list of partners and available opportunities. Cox Enterprises will also continue to engage its employees at group volunteer projects across the Hands On Atlanta network of partners.

“This partnership will enable Atlanta to stay at the forefront of STEAM-focused initiatives, positioning our community to thrive as a leader in equity and civic engagement across the country,” said Jay Cranman, Hands On Atlanta president and CEO. “We couldn’t be more excited about this win-win-win opportunity for students, our nonprofit partners and volunteers across metro Atlanta.”

Atlanta unites around virtual projects and social justice for the 2021 MLK Days of Service

From Jan. 14-18, 2021, 1,500 people from Atlanta to India (yes, India) engaged in our MLK Days of Service, presented by The Home Depot. More than 30 nonprofits and 30 companies joined the action, hosting or supporting volunteers at 150 in-person and virtual projects and events. Taking the day (and their computers) ON, volunteers rallied behind a unifying message of helping to build Dr. King’s Beloved Community.

Explore some of the highlighted projects, events and impact below.

Featured Virtual Events

7th Annual MLK Sunday Supper

On Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, close to 300 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta joined our virtual MLK Sunday Supper, presented by Coca-Cola. Hosted by 11Alive’s Cheryl Preheim, the evening addressed the Fierce Urgency of Now. With appearances by DeRay McKesson, Stacey Abrams and conversations around racial equity, solutions to systemic problems and moving performances from award-winning poet Alysia Nicole Harris and students in the Atlanta Music Project, it was an evening to remember.

“This is Atlanta.”

— Jenn Graham, Founder of Civic Dinners

“CHILLS, That was incredible and this as a truly inspirational event and beautiful way to start the year.”

— Myra Sky, On-Air Personality and Cause Marketing Manager at 11Alive

Food Equity Lunch & Learn

40 attendees from The Home Depot spent about an hour and a half with Hands On Atlanta to learn more about food inequities in our country. Jon West, VP of Partner Relations led an educational presentation that was followed by curated discussions in small groups, sharing how to build a more equitable future for the next generation.

Hands On Atlanta DISCO

Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps members and Civic Fellows handed out books, snack bags, building kits, blankets and gloves, stuffed animals and arts & crafts kits to 50 students in our DISCO program.

Letter writing to metro Atlanta Healthcare workers

Volunteers from Coca-Cola, NCR, ADP and Kia rallied together to write over 600 letters of thanks and encouragement to our healthcare heroes!

Advice Mob with Career Villageworkers

Close to 100 volunteers from NCR and CNA answered 150 questions on college and career readiness on CareerVillage.org.

“Use Your Voice Art Project”

This program was designed to give young scholars a chance to share their thoughts and feelings about the protests and violence from this passed summer through art.  Additionally, the process gave students an opportunity, empowering them to talk about ways to make their voices heard through non-violent actions, using Dr. King’s philosophy. Alston and Bird created this unique project in partnership with Andrew P. Stewart Center, Southern Center for Human Rights and UPS. 

Featured In-person Projects

Meal Pack and Drive Through Distribution at Ebenezer Baptist Church

Volunteers from OneDigital, Chick-Fil-A, The Home Depot and the community bundled up and braved the cold to pack over 1200 bags of food, make 57 fleece blankets and distribute the items to 400 families in need! Volunteers were joined by Assistant Pastor of Outreach & Young Adult Ministries, Reverend Bronson Elliott Woods and Georgia’s 58th District Rep., Park Cannon for the full-day of service.

Learning in Color Mural

Volunteers from Coca-Cola and the Atlanta community came out to help Learning in Color paint a mural capturing the memories of Atlanta Public High School's graduating class of 2020.

Chastain Park Beautification

Over 40 volunteers from Target came together to plant 2000 daffodils, clear tons of debris and open vistas for all to enjoy!

Even more impact

• 900+ hours of civic engagement around racial equity in America

• 700+ letters of appreciation were written to metro Atlanta healthcare workers

• 300+ letters of encouragement were written to seniors at A.G. Rhodes

• 550 letters of encouragement were written to students across metro Atlanta

• 35 stories were recorded and virtually played for kids in the Pajama Program

• 20 wellness calls were placed to seniors living in NPU-S neighborhoods

• 7 parks and urban gardens were beautified and improved

celebrate the king holiday

If you didn’t get a chance to join us for our MLK Days of Service, don’t worry, you still have time to join these meaningful projects and events from our community partners throughout January!

We Share The Dream: King's Beloved Community

Join The National Center for Civil and Human Rights for a conversation examining King’s Beloved Community and how the concept of our collective responsibility to the struggles of others is informing modern social justice movements.

REGISTER NOW

Where Do We Go From Here? Facing 2021 and Beyond.

Join Morehouse College for a webinar where panelists will discuss systemic racism, poverty, militarism, and other forms of injustice in our times.

REGISTER NOW

MOREHOUSE COLLEGE HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL VIRTUAL SCREENING

Join a live screening of “Lillian Smith: Breaking the Silence” and a post-film conversation with filmmaker Hal Jacobs, Charles Black and Dr. Vicki Crawford.

Learn more

Do Something Good

Pitch in at Piedmont Park, have fun on Truly Living Well’s urban farm, write thank you letters to our healthcare heroes - there are all kinds of in-person and virtual ways you can help build the Beloved Community throughout January.

BUILDING THE “BELOVED COMMUNITY” FOR THE 2021 MLK DAY OF SERVICE

Local and international social justice institutions partner to unite Atlanta for the King holiday

Atlanta, GA: From January 14-18, 2021, Hands On Atlanta, with support from presenting sponsors The Coca-Cola Company and The Home Depot, will host 5 days of service and promote a month of social justice and civic engagement projects and events.

 “I’m excited to invite and welcome the Atlanta community to unite in service to help bring to life Dr. King’s vision of the ‘Beloved Community’. Thanks to our incredible partnerships with The King Center, The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Morehouse College, The Carter Center, Points of Light and more than 30 local nonprofits and 25 companies, there will be hundreds of in-person and virtual opportunities for Atlantans to do something good throughout January,” said Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta.   

 MLK Day projects and events will range from the traditional to new and innovative ways to make Atlanta a more civically engaged and equitable community. Projects include:

•  Packing and distributing meals to 800 families with Ebenezer Baptist Church

• Painting a mural honoring the graduating class of 2020 at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy with Learning in Color

• Delivering meals with Open Hand Atlanta

• Wellness checks for seniors living in the NPU-S community

• Virtually answering college and career readiness questions for students through CareerVillage.org

• Attending and host meaningful conversations through Civic Dinners & Equitable Dinners

• Virtual reading party with Pajama Program

The Home Depot will be hosting a series of virtual projects for their employees including an Issue Education Seminar on Food Insecurity in Atlanta.

"Serving our hometown and local communities across the nation is inherent to our values at The Home Depot,” expressed Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “We are honored to work alongside Hands On Atlanta, Dr. King’s Beloved Community and the many other forces driving sustainable change across this great city. We stand hopeful that our shared efforts will bring about a meaningful impact."

The Coca-Cola Company will engage employees in Atlanta to help paint a mural, deliver meals and is the presenting sponsor of the important conversation at the Hands On Atlanta MLK Sunday Supper. Employees will virtually join 400 community leaders for an evening of dialogue around building Rev. Dr. King’s “Beloved Community,” and will feature a keynote by educator, author, co-founder of Campaign Zero and one of the leading voices in the Black Lives Matter movement, DeRay McKesson.

“The Coca-Cola Company has long recognized the critical importance of advancing civil rights and rallying the strength of our employees, families and friends in service to our hometown of Atlanta, Ga.,” said Valerie Love, Human Resources, The Coca-Cola Company, North America. “We are proud to continue our support for Hands On Atlanta so that together we can help build a better future for all in our ‘Beloved Community.’”

Visit www.mlkatl.org for more information and to explore all of the MLK Day projects and events happening throughout January.

Hands On Atlanta Week Hopes to Inspire Unity Across Metro Atlanta

Hands On Atlanta will deliver seven days of in-person and virtual service opportunities for people in metro Atlanta to unite in support of Covid-19 relief efforts, food assistance, racial equity, voter access and more.

ATLANTA, GA – Hands On Atlanta Week will feature over 200 unique and meaningful ways Atlantans can unite in service from Oct. 3-10, 2020. Participants can expect traditional in-person volunteer projects, engaging virtual projects and more during Atlanta’s largest week of service. 

Atlantans will be encouraged to host and attend virtual “Bridging the Racial Divide” Civic Dinner conversations, attend the virtual Atlanta Black Theater Festival and participate in The Race: A virtual & digital half marathon that supports black-owned businesses, neighborhoods, and charities. In an effort to increase voter accessibility and turnout, Hands On Atlanta has partnered with the ACLU of Georgia, Vote Early Day, and other nonpartisan organizations to recruit poll workers and raise awareness for early voting options. Technologists and creatives can join 48in48’s global hack-a-thon for good to build over 48 websites for 48+ nonprofits in 48 hours! These are just a few of the ways Atlantans can participate in Hands On Atlanta Week.  

“2020 has been a challenging year for everyone in Atlanta, but the shining light across our community has been the thousands of changemakers stepping up to help their neighbors in need. Hands On Atlanta Week will give anyone and everyone a way to discover new, safe, and unifying ways to do something good,” said Jay Cranman, Hands On Atlanta President and CEO. 

Hands On Atlanta Week will also focus on Covid-19 relief and food insecurity – from in-person food distributions and meal packing with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to letter-writing campaigns for healthcare workers. Sponsor, Coca-Cola USA, will join the fight against food insecurity and support several virtual projects throughout the week.

“Throughout our 134-year history, Coca-Cola has always been there to make a difference in local communities,” said Alba Baylin, Vice President of Community and Stakeholder Relations, Coca-Cola North America. “Serving communities in need has never been more important than right now. That's why we're pleased to support Hands On Atlanta Week, which will truly make a difference for so many people throughout Atlanta.”

Hands On Atlanta Week will take place from Saturday, Oct. 3 through Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. To get your company or organization involved, or to serve with your family and friends, visit www.handsonatlanta.org/week 

ACLU of Georgia, Hands On Atlanta Join Forces to Recruit Poll Workers for Georgia Elections

ATLANTA – The ACLU of Georgia and Hands On Atlanta are joining forces to recruit volunteers, so that our state has enough poll workers to run effective elections. The ACLU of Georgia created a poll worker recruitment program to prevent the State from a repeat of the massive failure experienced during the June 9th primary election, in which countless Georgians were deprived of their constitutional right to vote.

During the primary, many poll workers dropped out due to the risk of contracting COVID-19, poll worker recruitment efforts and/or websites failed to be clear how one becomes a poll worker and were hard to find, and some Georgians who asked to serve as poll workers never received any response. Many of the poll workers were also insufficiently trained, which led to the chaos of long lines, inoperable voting machines, and misinformation regarding provisional and absentee ballots.

Given the particular circumstances of our time and the fact that 72 is the average age of poll workers throughout the state, the ACLU of Georgia’s program seeks to recruit younger citizens who are at lower risk of COVID-19 complications, lawyers committed to understanding the ins and outs of election law and administration, and/or tech-savvy individuals who can help keep the electronic voter machines up and running. 

“We are thrilled that Hands On Atlanta is partnering with us to answer the call to be involved to help recruit poll workers,” said Christopher Bruce, political director of the ACLU of Georgia. “Civic-minded citizens are key to protecting our sacred right to vote.”    

“As the late representative John Lewis said, ‘The vote is precious. It’s almost sacred.’ Increasing access and rights to voting is at the core of our vision to make Atlanta the most civically engaged and equitable community in the world. We couldn’t be more excited to support the ACLU of Georgia’s efforts to recruit poll workers – supporting Rep. Lewis’s life’s work and ensuring everyone in Atlanta has the opportunity to vote.” said Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta.

Ready to learn more and get involved? We’re hosting a free, informational webinar (on Sept. 1 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm) on why poll workers are needed and how you can sign up.

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For more information on the ACLU of Georgia’s Poll Worker Recruitment Program, visit acluga.org/pollworkers.

Hands On Atlanta and Sock Fancy Partner to Giveaway 50,000 Masks

In an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19, Sock Fancy and Hands On Atlanta will donate 50,000 non-surgical, protective masks to metro Atlanta community organizations.

Atlanta, GA -- Sock Fancy and Hands On Atlanta will distribute at least 50,000 non-surgical protective masks to metro Atlanta nonprofits, schools, and community organizations in need. The partnership was sparked through Sock Fancy’s timely pivot from making custom socks to making protective masks to meet the urgent demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) due to the global Covid-19 pandemic. Through their pivot, Sock Fancy launched a “One-for-One” campaign, promising to donate 1 mask for every mask purchased. With the state of Georgia reopening, the need for every member of our community to be able to protect themselves (and each other) has never been higher.

“We recognized our ability to help our [Atlanta] community as soon as we heard of the urgent demand for PPE from healthcare and nonprofit organizations across the country. We knew our staff and manufacturers would rise to the occasion to get the masks produced. Partnering with Hands On Atlanta to distribute the masks to our communities’ most vulnerable has made it possible for us to fulfill our “One for One” commitment” said Stefan Lewinger, Co-founder and CEO of Sock Fancy.

During the initial phase of their Covid-19 relief efforts, Hands On Atlanta focused on fighting food insecurity with Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. They also created a resource where Atlantans could find opportunities to serve in-person (utilizing social distancing) or virtually from home. As relief turns into recovery, they’ll continue to provide volunteer opportunities while shifting to meet the growing needs of the community. Food assistance, workforce development, voting, and access to PPE are among the core focus points of the next phase in their efforts.

“We’ve heard from our nonprofit and community partners that staff and client safety is their top priority. So, when the team from Sock Fancy called us to see if we could help with their distribution efforts, we dove in head first,” said Jay Cranman, President and CEO of Hands On Atlanta.  

The partnership is already off to a great start. Over 4,000  masks have been donated to the Atlanta Police Department for distribution to those experiencing homelessness in downtown Atlanta.

“As has been said many times throughout the course of this pandemic, we are truly in this together and are grateful for your partnership, particularly in service to those who are most vulnerable among us,” said Tammy Hughes, Social Impact Director for Atlanta Downtown Improvement District/Central Atlanta Progress.

For more information on this partnership and to apply to get masks for your nonprofit, community organization, or school visit the Hands On Atlanta website at https://www.handsonatlanta.org/masks.