THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
Embrace Your Underdog
Confession time. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately by the size and entrenched nature of the social challenges facing Atlanta. From food insecurity to mass incarceration, it feels like we are fighting a losing battle. And every new fact I learn simply adds gasoline to the fire.
Confession time. I’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately by the size and entrenched nature of the social challenges facing Atlanta. From food insecurity to mass incarceration, it feels like we are fighting a losing battle. And every new fact I learn simply adds gasoline to the fire:
Atlanta has the highest income inequality in the nation
The average age of a homeless person in Atlanta is 9-years old
In in 4 kids live in food insecure households
1 in 3 are functionally illiterate
And more…
If these facts aren't sobering enough, I’ve also been conducting a listening tour among our nonprofit partners. The focus of our conversation has been about their volunteer needs, but I’ve also asked one simple question: “Do you see things getting better or worse?” Disappointingly (but not surprisingly), the answer has been “worse”.
How can we live in the richest country on the planet; the 10th largest city in the country; and be fighting the same problems we were fighting 29-years ago when Hands On Atlanta was founded? There I go again, feeling defeated and overwhelmed.
Perhaps I just need to flip my thinking and embrace my inner underdog!
If you are like me, you often find yourself rooting for the underdog. They are scrappy, likable, and fun to cheer for. They are movie’s most enjoyable characters. From Ralph Macchio in Karate Kid to Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, I love to see the underdog go up against all odds, stumble, only to come back stronger to win in the end. These characters represent the reality of being human while simultaneously reminding us that the impossible can come true.
One of my favorite underdog stories of all time is Star Wars. The intergalactic battle between light and dark, between a misfit group of rebels and the goliath force of the Empire. My kids, Noah (12) and Eli (8) are excited to see the next installment – Solo, a Star Wars Story, when it comes out this weekend.
It reminded me of something important. I love the underdog. It is in my DNA. Good always has to work harder, fail repeatedly, before they are able to find victory…and then, often times it is bittersweet and a fleeting victory. The hero is always on their way to the next battle.
Somehow, thinking about this today, has made me feel stronger. More like the hero and less like Charlie Brown falling for Lucy’s football gag time and time again. If I were casting myself in a movie, I would clearly be the Emilio Estevez in The Mighty Ducks (because Denzel in Remember the Titans would be too on-the nose, right?).
So, if like me, you are feeling overwhelmed by the challenges of the day, I challenge you to embrace your underdog.
I’d love to hear your ideas. How do you maintain your energy and optimism when you are up against big challenges? Tell us on Facebook or Twitter.
3 tips for creating fresh Social Media content
Hands on Atlanta is excited to partner with Be Consulting on the upcoming Instagram for Nonprofits 101 workshop happening on Wednesday, May 23. Keep reading for tips and tricks on keeping content fresh from Be Consulting co-founders, Christina Edwards and Jessi Ford Bacon.
Hands on Atlanta is excited to partner with Be Consulting on the upcoming Instagram for Nonprofits 101 workshop happening on Wednesday, May 23. Keep reading for tips and tricks on keeping content fresh from Be Consulting co-founders, Christina Edwards and Jessi Ford Bacon.
So, you’ve gotten into a rhythm of creating content for your social media strategy and you see that it’s starting to pay off. Congratulations! Now the real work begins. Keeping your community engaged and interested is the key to success, which means continuously producing fresh and unique content.
If you’ve found yourself in a content rut, you're not alone. Here are 3 ways to keep your content fresh and evolving.
1.) Relate to Current Events and Trending Topics
When in doubt, turn to the news for content ideas based on trending topics. Is there a particularly interesting article or new development that you can share your organizations opinion on? Or is there a relevant pop culture reference that could make for a fun meme? Utilizing an existing trend is a great way to keep your audience engaged.
2.) Team Spotlight
Your audience wants to get to know the people behind your organization or business. Spotlighting a team member on your digital marketing platforms is a way to give them a peek into day-to-day operations, or even the hobbies of a familiar face.
3.) Change Your Post Time
If you aren’t able to immediately create a new perspective on your content, there are other variables that can have a fresh impact. By simply switching up the time of day that you choose to post, you can have a completely different outcome on your engagement. You never know – posting content after 9:00 p.m. could attract new community members or even sell a few more tickets to your upcoming event.
About Be Consulting:
Your company has a mission to inspire change, make a positive impact and leave your community a little better than you found it. Be Consulting can help.
Jessi Ford Bacon and Christina Edwards have each been advising socially conscious organizations on how to deliver their unique messaging through digital marketing for over 10 years. As co-founders of BOFCreative, a full-service social media marketing and PR agency in Atlanta, Jessi and Christina have been working together to create digital marketing success since 2011.
Looking Back: The 2018 High Five Party
The week of April 15, 2018 will go down in the record books for our team here at Hands On Atlanta. We kicked off National Volunteer Week with a weekend of service projects for Good Deeds Day, and highlighted 5 outstanding volunteer leaders (1 per day) on The Citizen. Over the course of the week, we filled 450 volunteer opportunities through our calendar, and on Saturday, April 21, we partnered up with the Coke Scholars for a Global Youth Service Day project - mobilizing over 150 youth in service. To cap off this exciting (and exhausting) week of service, we partied with 300 civic and service leaders at our High Five Party!
Hands On Atlanta celebrates service at annual High Five Party, raising over $130,000 to help engage and mobilize volunteers, and support education and hunger programs.
The week of April 15, 2018 will go down in the record books for our team here at Hands On Atlanta. We kicked off National Volunteer Week with a weekend of service projects for Good Deeds Day, and highlighted 5 outstanding volunteer leaders (1 per day) on The Citizen. Over the course of the week, we filled 450 volunteer opportunities through our calendar, and on Saturday, April 21, we partnered up with the Coke Scholars for a Global Youth Service Day project - mobilizing over 150 youth in service. To cap off this exciting (and exhausting) week of service, we partied with 300 civic and service leaders at our High Five Party!
Attendees arrived at The Gathering Spot and got things rolling with drinks, appetizers, and on-site service projects (including packing 125 literacy kits)! There was also a chance to bid on some of our awesome silent auction items, spread throughout the venue.
The program kicked off with a little trivia from The Big Game show and really set the takeaway for the evening - FUN. Jay Cranman, Hands On Atlanta President and CEO (left) formally welcomed attendees and David Richardson, Hands On Atlanta Chairman of the Board (right), followed with a heartfelt and personal story about the impact volunteers recently made on his family.
One of the highlighted moments of the night came with the announcement of the 2018 Holly Palmer Rhodes Changemaker of the Year Award. This year's recipient, Arthur Blank, was unable to attend in person, but he requested we send a team of our best and brightest journalists to interview him on the importance of giving back to kids in Atlanta, entrepreneurship best practices, and more! Enjoy this special segment of Between Two Fans:
After dinner the guys from The Big Game Show came back for a hilarious, "Jeopardy style" game show that included a few of our friends - CARE CEO, Michelle Nunn (Hands On Atlanta co-founder/former CEO), Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Meria Carstarphen, and Executive Director of the Atlanta Speech School, Comer Yates, and a few special guests from our Discovery program.
After the game show, guests settled in for an impact story from one of our Discovery program volunteers, Priscilla "Granny" McDowell. Priscilla spoke to the importance of exposing her grandchildren to different cultures, different people, and different experiences the program provides. It was a great reminder of why we had all gathered for the evening, emphasizing why supporting Hands On Atlanta matters.
Jessica "It's All Good" Williams came out to help with our live auction and a few motivated attendees left with tickets to Hamilton, a dream vacation to Antigua, and a chance to watch a Falcons or United game from Arthur Blank's suite! It was a great start to the giving, but things were just heating up. After a brief announcement from Mr. Blank (with a match of up to $15,000) our audience blew passed our goal and gave over $20,000 in less than 10 minutes!
Attendees poured out of the ballroom and onto the dance floor where Oh No Stereo was keeping the good vibes (and guests) moving at our High Five Late Night party, hosted by our Changemakers Board. Young professionals from across metro Atlanta joined the party and 1 guest won weekend getaway to Charleston, South Carolina!
We can't thank our sponsors and supporters enough, but we're going to try. Huge thank you's and high fives to the Arthur Blank Family Foundation, Publix Charities, Chick-fil-A Foundation, Congizant, Cox, KMS Technology, UPS, Evelyn and Bernie Wedge and all of our sponsors! Our work isn't possible without you, thank you!
In total we raised over $130,000 on the evening, raised awareness around some big challenges facing our communities, shared a few moving stories and a few great dance moves, recognized and connected changemakers, mobilized volunteers in service, and had an absolute blast doing it!
Feeling inspired and want to get in on the High Five Party action? It's not too late, you can make a donation and help our efforts to engage volunteers and/or support our impact programs.
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 | Jaquan Riggins
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising volunteers in our community to shine a spotlight on. Today, to help kick-off Global Youth Service Day, we recognize Jaquan Riggins for his outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta.
Jaquan is a senior at Atlanta's Washington High School ( currently, prepping for graduation) and has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 3 years. We dropped in on him recently to talk about his work in the community.
“Volunteering gives you an opportunity to be a part of change.
Find something that is important to you and become part of that movement. ”
To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising volunteers in our community to shine a spotlight on. Today, to help kick-off Global Youth Service Day, we recognize Jaquan Riggins for his outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta.
Jaquan is a senior at Atlanta's Washington High School ( currently, prepping for graduation) and has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 3 years. We dropped in on him recently to talk about his work in the community.
Why is volunteering important to you?
Volunteering is important to me because it is my way of paying it forward. I am where I am now because volunteers took time of their personal lives to ensure I had resources, opportunities and had someone to talk to - all of which made of difference in my life. So, I want to do the same for other people.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
Accessibility to healthcare in low income communities is an issue that I care of the most, which is why I plan on opening a community care center that provides medical service to people with cardiac issues. We can put money into schools and provide food to low income communities, but if they are not receiving basic health care or necessary treatment, they cannot maintain employment, which puts them back into the vicious cycle of poverty.
If you were a superhero, who would you be and why?
I'd be Superman because he is invincible but only weak to kryptonite and my kryptonite is my community and daily environment. It looks like it’s weakening me, but once I remember my goals, I’m back in the right mind and I'm stronger than before.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The biggest surprise for me in volunteering is how many people that are out there who care about other people. People CARE and they want to help ensure other people do well.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
The best advice I would give someone is that volunteering does not have to be with a BIG organization - it can be church, schools, nursing home, or even in your own neighborhood. You can start small and by yourself. Volunteering gives you an opportunity to be a part of change.
Find something that is important to you and become part of that movement.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
When I am not volunteering or preparing for high school graduation. I am playing baseball, tennis, or spending my time with family and friends.
Service Spotlight | Pamela Basye
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.
“It is my dream that the undesirable population feel that they are important and loved.”
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 Pamela Basye for her outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Pamela has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 2 years and when she's not volunteering, she spends her days as a Special Education teacher with UAFA. We caught up with Pamela recently to talk about her work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
It is my dream that the undesirable population feel that they are important and loved.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
Education and hunger are the challenges that appeal the most to me. My mission is to close the achievement gap and decrease hunger in urban communities.
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
I saw this as an honor and opportunity to make a greater impact throughout varies communities in Atlanta.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The overwhelming number of volunteers that support Hands On Atlanta projects. On February 10, 2018 over 20 college students from Denmark served the students at the Discovery program at Heritage Elementary session by taking them on a virtual field trip to Denmark.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
I would encourage them to go to the Hands On Atlanta website where there a hundreds of opportunities and invite them to join one of the teams that I participate on.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I enjoy praise and worship at my church and dancing to my favorite playlist in the swimming pool at the YMCA.
Donate now to support Pamela and her fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.
Service Spotlight | Donnis Davis
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 appreciation you get from, not only the people you’re helping, but also from the agency personnel you volunteer alongside has been the biggest surprise for me.”
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 Donnis Davis for his outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta for more than 10 years as a Hands On Atlanta volunteer! We caught up with Donnis recently to talk about his work as a volunteer:
Why is volunteering important to you?
Volunteering gives me an opportunity to directly impact my community in the areas that I care about. It also gives me an opportunity to introduce family and friends to volunteering, while sharing our city's challenges with them.
What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?
I care mostly about youth and "at-risk youth" specifically, as well as hunger and homelessness. I love volunteer with SWEEAC because that’s who I’m having the most impact with right now thru their mission of providing services in four areas of critical need:
Anti-Hunger
Life Skills Enhancement
Children at Risk
Dress for Success
Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?
I joined because I wanted to obtain the necessary skills to impact my community through ways other than volunteering such as recruiting volunteers, fundraising and networking to meet the right people that may assist you in creating community projects.
What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?
The appreciation you get from, not only the people you’re helping, but also from the agency personnel you volunteer alongside has been the biggest surprise for me. I was also surprised to learn how the impact my efforts can have on other volunteers as well.
What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?
There are four things every new volunteer or volunteer leader should know:
Be committed and stay committed, because there are people depending on you and your time.
Be patient, because you may not see the results you initially anticipated going in.
Be positive, because not all projects go as planned.
Be grateful because your volunteers could have chosen a different project.
When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?
I enjoy spending time with my family, day excursions with my wife, and Falcons football. I also serve as a mentor at my home town high school during the school year.
Donate now to support Donnis 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.