THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
The Georgia Commission of Service and Volunteerism Awards Hands On Atlanta $460,000 AmeriCorps Grant
2018/19 AmeriCorps members pack meals for students during the winter break.
Earlier this month, Gov. Brian Kemp announced that Georgia has received $3,341,944 in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency responsible for AmeriCorps and other national service programs. Of that, Hands On Atlanta will receive $462,767.00 (the second largest grant awarded in Georgia) to support our school-based AmeriCorps program!
The Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program is an engaging 10-month commitment in which AmeriCorps members impact Atlanta’s most vulnerable youth. Members serve on a diverse, task-oriented team to provide math and literacy tutoring, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and college readiness coaching, curriculum enrichment, and community engagement to over 1,000 K-12th grade students attending low performing schools across metro Atlanta.
“Building on a strong tradition of neighbor helping neighbor, AmeriCorps members will change lives, improve communities, and build a safer, stronger, and more united Georgia,” said Chester Spellman, director of AmeriCorps. “For 25 years, the AmeriCorps members who pledge to ‘get things done’ have represented the best of America while demonstrating the great promise and ideals of our country. I salute all the AmeriCorps members who will join them, and thank those who help make their service possible.”
These grants will put more than 500 AmeriCorps members on the ground to serve with nineteen (19) organizations to tackle some of the toughest problems in Georgia including education, economic opportunities, healthy futures, veterans and military families, homelessness, people living with disabilities, financial literacy, and environmental issues. Hands On Atlanta will deploy 40 AmeriCorps members directly into the community through our school and nonprofit partners.
“Hands On Atlanta is thrilled to receive nearly half a million dollars from the Georgia State Commission of Volunteerism and CNCS to support our 19/20 AmeriCorps program. We are excited to place AmeriCorps members at schools and nonprofits across the greater Atlanta community. Hands On Atlanta has received a record breaking 500+ applications for 40 positions and is energized by the caliber and commitment to service our incoming cohort brings,“ said Lindsey Baker, Hands On Atlanta Director of Programs.
AmeriCorps’ unique model means that the grants announced will leverage an additional $3 million from the private sector, foundations, and other sources – further increasing the return on the federal investment.
In addition, CNCS will provide over $2 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for the AmeriCorps members funded by these grants. After successfully completing their service term, full-time AmeriCorps members receive an Education Award of approximately $6,000 that they can use to pay for college or graduate school or to pay off student loans.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of AmeriCorps. Since the program’s inception in 1994, more than 1 million Americans have served, providing more than 1.5 billion hours of service and earned more than $3.6 billion in education scholarships, more than $1 billion of which has been used to pay back student debt. Those interested in joining AmeriCorps can learn more at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.
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.
If you’re interested in learning more about joining the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program visit https://www.handsonatlanta.org/americorps. For companies, organizations, and foundations looking to sponsor or match funding, please reach out to our team at americorps@handsonatlanta.org for more info.
Hot Projects: Week of July 29
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with Margie’s House, Piedmont Park Conservancy, Open Hand, and more!
Green Market - Connecting Communities & Supporting Local Farmers!
Saturday, August 3, 2019 From 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Piedmont Park)
Have fun volunteering while enjoying the fresh air, learning about locally grown produce and listening to live music! Green Market volunteers play an important role in supporting healthy lifestyles and encouraging sustainable communities. The Green Market encourages sustainable communities in the most basic way – by providing shoppers with direct access to local farmers and merchants. Volunteers will primarily assist vendors with unloading their vehicles, general clean-up; market set-up and market break down. Volunteers may also lend a hand at the Green Market Information booth and our Education Garden.
Buckhead Charm Day
Saturday, August 3, 2019 From 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (Buckhead)
Live Thrive Atlanta empowers people, organizations, communities and businesses to make positive, healthy and sustainable changes to the environment. This is a monthly CHaRM drop off day for Buckhead residents. They are located at Peachtree Presbyterian Church Magnolia Parking Lot (across the street from the church on the corner of Lakeland and Roswell Rd). The event is 8am-12pm. Volunteers will assist attendees with their recyclables and direct traffic.
Client Meal Packing Opportunity
Sunday, August 4, 2019 From 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Armour)
Open Hand helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life. Packing involves portioning food into individual containers and snack bags on a packing assembly line. With over 5,000 meals to package every day, your help is essential. This is a great project for individuals and families, and a great team-building exercise for school, business and church groups. Volunteers are expected to stay for the entirety of their scheduled shift.
Food Pantry Volunteer - Chamblee Location
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Chamblee)
Through respecting the dignity of each person, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia brings hope and help to those in need so they may achieve stability and move toward self-sufficiency. The thrift store associate assists in the retail operation of the thrift store. Thrift store associates help process donations and assist customers. Primary responsibilities: assist customers by accepting donations and issuing receipts, sorting and pricing/tagging donations to be placed on the sales floor, maintain the cleanliness and organization of the sales floor, create merchandise displays that attract customers and entice them to purchase items from the store, answer customers questions in regard to purchasing merchandise and donating
Margie’s House Monthly Giveaway
Saturday, August 10, 2019 From 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Fairburn)
Margie’s House mission is to bring food and assistance to the communities around South Fulton. Join their monthly food distribution! Food sorters will be responsible for removing food off trucks as well as organizing, sorting, and packing food in bags. Volunteers will ensure the quality of the food, provide the quantity of food to each client as instructed and break down the boxes in which the food was delivered. Other jobs that may be required include taking out trash, assist clients with carrying food to their transportation, set up, break down and clean up.
Hot Projects: Week of July 22
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with Out Teach, The King Center, Open Hand, SafeRide, and more!
Client Meal Packing Opportunity
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Armour)
Open Hands helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life. Packing involves portioning food into individual containers and snack bags on a packing assembly line. With over 5,000 meals to package every day, your help is essential. This is a great project for individuals and families, and a great team-building exercise for school, business and church groups. Volunteers are expected to stay for the entirety of their scheduled shift.
Mt. Zion Community Garden Big Dig
Thursday, July 25, 2019 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Jonesboro)
Out Teach equips teachers with the power of experiential learning outdoors to unlock student performance. Out Teach in partnership with Kaiser Permanente has committed to erecting a school-based community garden on both school sites and provide three years of professional training/technical assistance and related resources for classroom teachers of Mt. Zion elementary and primary school. Volunteer tasks include spreading mulch, painting tables and weeding. Court ordered volunteers are permitted to serve.
Buckhead Charm Day
Saturday, July 27, 2019 From 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Buckhead)
Live Thrive Atlanta empowers people, organizations, communities and businesses to make positive, healthy and sustainable changes to the environment. This is a monthly CHaRM drop off day for Buckhead residents. We are located at Peachtree Presbyterian Church Magnolia Parking Lot (across the street from the church on the corner of Lakeland and Roswell Rd). The event is 8am-12pm. Volunteers will assist attendees with their recyclables and direct traffic.
Volunteer Chase Driver
Sunday, July 28, 2019 From 6:00 PM - 11:30 PM (Various)
As a chase driver, you will play a key role in providing lifesaving SafeRide Service. Volunteer chase drivers help to prevent 1000’s of preventable DUI arrests, 100’s of accidents and injuries, and just maybe save someone’s life. When you come in, you will be partnered with a professional driver and you will shuttle that driver around for the night. You will be assigned to an area like Buckhead, Sandy Springs or Roswell. When a request for SafeRide service is made, your partner will direct you where to go. Once you get there, your partner SafeRide driver will get into the other person's car with them, drive them home, while you follow behind as the chase car. When completed you will go to the next one or back to your assigned area.
Beloved International Community Expo: Facilities & Maintenance Volunteer
Saturday, August 19, 2019 From 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Downtown)
The King Center prepares global citizens to utilize Dr. King’s Philosophy and Methodology of Nonviolence (Nonviolence 365) to create a more just, humane and peaceful world. Our mission will be enhanced by ensuring the safety and well-being of all in attendance and providing a clean and safe environment for all visiting the center. Volunteers will help The King Center staff by serving as utility worker and electrician in various tasks in support of the Expo and other administrative tasks as needed.
Hot Projects: Week of July 15
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with InCommunity, North Buckhead Civic Association, Open Hand, Out Teach, and more!
InCommunity Field Day and Gardens
Thursday, July 18, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Briarcliff)
At InCommunity they partner to enrich and sustain the lives of individuals who have developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities. This volunteer opportunity helps the InCommunity Organization carry out its mission by bringing awareness within the community of the mentally disabled and bringing a sense of normalcy for our individuals that are treated differently. Volunteers will partner with an individual from InCommunity to assist with field day activities, such as helping hold a spoon in a Lemon-Spoon race.
Truly Living Well Center For Natural Urban Agriculture- Collegetown Farm
Saturday, July 20, 2019 From 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (East Point)
Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture is committed to bringing good food, good health and well-being to Atlanta’s urban community by feeding people where they live. They aim to serve economically disadvantaged and traditionally underserved communities in Atlanta by showing and educating people of all ages how to grow their own food and by creating a welcoming space for people to gather. Volunteers will be cleaning, beautifying, and preparing the school garden at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School for the start of the new school year. Truly Living Well helps students at this STEM-certified school, learn about gardening with their school garden— across the street from Truly Living Well’s Collegetown Farm. Tasks will include a variety of garden and farming work such as beautifying the garden, watering plants, mulching, planting and organizing.
Loridans Park - Day in the Dirt!
Saturday, July 20, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Buckhead)
Join the North Buckhead Civic Association and Livable Buckhead for a volunteer day at Loridans Park! This Day in the Dirt volunteer event provides an extraordinary opportunity for the North Buckhead Civic Association to promote community involvement, encourage environmental Stewardship, while making an immediate and tangible impact on one of Buckhead’s newest parks. These volunteer events will include pruning, rooting our invasive species, cleaning up the park by collecting trash, etc. No previous experience is necessary, just a willingness to pitch in, get a little dirty and have some fun making a tangible difference in the park. Tools will be provided for by Livable Buckhead and the Atlanta Toolbank.
Client Meal Packing Opportunity
Monday, July 22, 2019 From 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Armour)
Open Hands helps people prevent or better manage chronic disease through Comprehensive Nutrition Care, which combines home-delivered meals and nutrition education as a means to reinforce the connection between informed food choices and improved quality of life. Packing involves portioning food into individual containers and snack bags on a packing assembly line. With over 5,000 meals to package every day, your help is essential. This is a great project for individuals and families, and a great team-building exercise for school, business and church groups. Volunteers are expected to stay for the entirety of their scheduled shift.
Mt. Zion Community Garden Big Dig
Thursday, July 25, 2019 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Jonesboro)
Out Teach equips teachers with the power of experiential learning outdoors to unlock student performance. Out Teach in partnership with Kaiser Permanente has committed to erecting a school-based community garden on both school sites and provide three years of professional training/technical assistance and related resources for classroom teachers of Mt. Zion elementary and primary school. Volunteer tasks include spreading mulch, painting tables and weeding. Court ordered volunteers are permitted to serve.
Hot Projects: Week of July 8
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with C3 Ministries, The Beltline, Blue Heron Nature Preserve and more!
Atlanta Beltline Westside 5K/8K
Saturday, July 13, 2019 From 6:00 AM - 9:30 AM (West End)
Now in its 9th year, the 2019 Atlanta BeltLine Run.Walk.Go! Race Series is the ideal way to explore different trail segments while enjoying some fresh air and exercise. Volunteers are needed to help with set up, encourage runners, staff water stations, and assist with break down. This year’s Westside 5k/8k/13k starts and ends at the Lee + White Development and makes extensive use of the Westside Trail. Hundreds of participants — from avid runners to families with pets and strollers — will travel through the historic neighborhoods of West End and Westview, with 8k participants continuing on the trail to Washington Park and back.
C3 Ministries’ Food Pantry Distribution
Thursday July 11, 2019 From 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM (Marietta)
The missions at C3 Ministries is to provide resources of four various ministries in order that families can become whole, independence and ultimately able to return to serve others. Serving over 250 families every Thursday and over 471,508 pounds of food this year, they are greatly impacting our communities and with your help, they can continue to be more successful in making an impact in our community. Volunteers will have fun by re-stocking food shelves, loading boxing with food items and assisting in expediting boxes to attendees vehicles.
Wetlands Restoration at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Saturday, July 13, 2019 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Buckhead)
Come out to the Blue Heron Nature Preserve to help with wetland habitat restoration by removing invasive plants. This work is crucial as it helps establish a biodiverse native habitat that can support many different species of animals and insects. This is part of a larger wetlands restoration project where we will be hosting monthly volunteer work days. Please come prepared to get wet and muddy, and please bring a reusable water bottle. A water cooler, snacks, gloves, and tools will all be provided.
Mt. Zion Community Garden Big Dig
Thursday, July 25, 2019 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Jonesboro)
Out Teach equips teachers with the power of experiential learning outdoors to unlock student performance. Out Teach in partnership with Kaiser Permanente has committed to erecting a school-based community garden on both school sites and provide three years of professional training/technical assistance and related resources for classroom teachers of Mt. Zion elementary and primary school. Volunteer tasks include spreading mulch, painting tables and weeding. Court ordered volunteers are permitted to serve.
Volunteer Wednesday: Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill
Wednesday, July 17, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Lakewood)
The Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill team is a member of the AgLanta Grows-A-Lot program. This site will become Atlanta's first Community Urban Food Forest, as well as a new model for a City of Atlanta park. The food forest will produce a wide variety of fresh, flavorful, and healthy nuts, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms, which will become available for public consumption. Located in an area identified as a food desert, the site was a working farm as recently as 2000. Volunteers will help with building the soil, weeding, planting, watering, harvesting and site beautification projects. Tools will be provided
Hot Projects: Week of July 1
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with AIDS Atlanta, Out Teach, Books for Africa, and more!
Mt. Zion Community Garden Big Dig
Thursday, July 25, 2019 From 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Jonesboro)
Out Teach equips teachers with the power of experiential learning outdoors to unlock student performance. Out Teach in partnership with Kaiser Permanente has committed to erecting a school-based community garden on both school sites and provide three years of professional training/technical assistance and related resources for classroom teachers of Mt. Zion elementary and primary school. Volunteer tasks include spreading mulch, painting tables and weeding. Court ordered volunteers are permitted to serve.
Books for Africa
Friday, July 5, 2019 From 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (NW Atlanta)
Most African children who attend school have never owned a book of their own. For many children in Africa, the gift of books truly is a gift of hope. Since 1998, Books for Africa has sent over 20 million books to the children of Africa. They rely on volunteers like you to sort and pack the books for shipments. No heavy lifting is involved, and this is a fun and satisfying volunteer experience.
Phone Banking
Tuesday, July 9, 2019 From 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Ansley Park
Phone Banking for AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run. We meet on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5-8PM. Making calls to our past participants to register for this year’s event (Not cold-calling). These calls are very important to our event. Our participants are expecting these calls leading up to the day of event on September 29th. 2019. AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run is the largest AIDS-related fundraising event in the Southeastern United States. They continue to raise much needed funds for AIDS Service Organizations throughout the metro-Atlanta area.
Patchwork City Farm Volunteer Sundays!
Sunday, July 7, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Oakland City)
Patchwork City Farms (PCF) is a 1.2 acre independently-owned urban farm located in Atlanta. Its original inception began in the Historic West End neighborhood of Atlanta and has now moved to its permanent location of Oakland City. PCF continues to be at the leading edge of Farm to Table, Slow Food, and Sustainable Agricultural movements to name a few. Volunteers will help with building the soil, weeding, planting, watering, harvesting and site beautification projects.
Thrift Store Associate
Saturday, July 6, 2019 From 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Morrow)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Georgia operates 12 Thrift Stores throughout the state. Each store offers a wide variety of merchandise including clothing, accessories, furniture, and home goods. The revenue generated from the Thrift Stores stays in the local community and goes directly to the programs and services that help families and individuals in need. The thrift store associate assists in the retail operation of the thrift store. Volunteers will create merchandise displays that attract customers and entice them to purchase items from the store. Volunteers will be friendly and helpful, as well as have the ability to multi-task and work independently or as part of a team.
Hot Projects: Week of June 24
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with Truly Living Well, The Wylde Center, Feeding and Helping Georgians and more!
Community Food Distribution
Thursday, June 27, 2019 From 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM (SW Atlanta)
Come Volunteer with Feeding & Helping Georgians!!! FHG will be feeding over 800 individuals/families every week throughout the year in our community. They welcome rock stars of all ages (children 8 and under are welcome with direct supervision); organizations and corporate sponsors. FHG offers a daily family outreach ministry. Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday they distribute food/wellness items to roughly 250 families daily! This opportunity is for onsite distribution only. All volunteers will remain onsite and assist FHG staff as they serve the community at large. FHG is located in the Ben Hill shopping plaza directly behind the Valero gas station.
AXYS 2019 Family Conference at Emory University
Saturday, June 29, 2019 From 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM (Emory University)
The Associate for X and Y Chromosome Variations (AXYS) is dedicated to addressing the needs of those affected by one of more extra X and/or Y chromosomes. They are focused on sharing knowledge, offering support and initiating action to help improve lives of individuals and families. The 2019 AXYS Family Conference furthers their mission by bringing nearly 300 attendees and presenters from the X and Y variation community. Volunteer tasks will include: assist with staff registration tables, hand out folders and t-shirts, direct attendees to rooms for sessions and help speakers set up and tidy-up room at the end of the session.
Grace Community Food Pantry
Tuesday, July 2, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM (NW Atlanta)
Grace Community Food Pantry’s mission is to involve, educate, and unite people in the work of ending hunger in the Atlanta area. Pantry volunteers will aid in sorting food items and stocking the shelves of the Food Pantry. Volunteers will organize and unpack the food items that have been delivered, ensure freshness, and monitor quality before supplying the appropriate shelves with designated items. Volunteers will also break down boxes and take cardboard to the recycling bin/trash. In order to handle and stock food in the Food Pantry program, you must be at least 16 years old to volunteer without a chaperone.
Hawk Hollow Weekday Volunteering
Wednesday, July 3, 2019 From 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Decatur)
The Wylde Center's mission is to cultivate vibrant greenspaces and inspire communities of environmental stewards. The Wylde Center actively engages youth, families, and individuals in their environment, health, and community through organized programs, classes, and events that develop creative skills in sustainable urban living, organic gardening, health and nutrition. Hawk Hollow, A native plant restoration site offers many unique opportunities for digging in the dirt. They do everything from mulching to planting to weeding. Because gardening is so seasonally dependent, it is hard to predict exactly what tasks will be done each work day, but we can promise you some hard work and getting dirty!
Beautification of the Farm @ Truly Living Well East Point
Friday, June 28 2019 From 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (East Point)
TLW, a 501(c)3 based in Atlanta, works to engage the community in developing local food systems through education and food production. In addition, TLW demonstrates urban agriculture as a sustainable and economic solution for helping people to eat and live better. It is their mission to grow better communities by connecting people with the land through education, training, and demonstration of economic success in natural urban agriculture. They’ve spent five years creating rich soil used at both farm sites and for sale to community gardeners. Volunteer tasks will include clearing all weeds, creating rock borders, applying fresh coats of paint on herb benches, and adding mulch to defined areas.
Hot Projects: Week of June 17
Check out this week’s Hot Projects that include awesome volunteer opportunities with Blue Heron Nature Preserve, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, Piedmont Park and more!
Wetlands Restoration at the Blue Heron Nature Preserve
Saturday, June 22, 2019 From 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Buckhead)
Come out to the Blue Heron Nature Preserve to help with wetland habitat restoration by removing invasive plants. This work is crucial as it helps establish a biodiverse native habitat that can support many different species of animals and insects. This is part of a larger wetlands restoration project where monthly volunteer work days will be hosted to complete this work in partnership with Hands On Atlanta. This work day is brought to you by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation through the Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant.
Making a Masterpiece for InCommunity
Monday, June 24, 2019 From 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Union City)
At InCommunity they partner to enrich and sustain the lives of individuals who have developmental disabilities, their families, and their communities. This volunteer opportunity helps the InCommunity Organization carry out its mission by bringing awareness within the community of the mentally disabled and bringing a sense of normalcy for our individuals that are treated differently. Volunteers will assist in cleaning floors, stairs, kitchen tables and dressers, organizing pantries and painting the walls within the house a designated color.
Green Team- Pitch in for Piedmont Park!
Wednesday, June 26, 2019 From 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Piedmont Park)
Branch out and head outside to have some fun while making a dramatic difference in Piedmont Park! Green Team volunteers sustain and transform Piedmont Park by working together to make the park a more beautiful place. All projects take place outdoors and are based on the current needs of the park. Projects include; pruning, weeding, mulching, collecting trash, rooting out invasive species, etc.
Summer Service! Community Program Materials Prep Event
Thursday, June 20, 2019 From 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Mableton)
The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta have 500 bags that need to be sorted and filled to aid girls and parents in understanding Girl Scouts. This project is impactful because it helps girls in their Outreach program, who may not based on their life or community setting, be able to access Girl Scouts. This event is inside and there is free parking onsite!
Volunteer Chase Driver
Saturday, June 22, 2019 From 6:00 PM - 11:30 PM (Various)
As a chase driver, you will play a key role in providing lifesaving SafeRide Service. Volunteer chase drivers help to prevent 1000’s of preventable DUI arrests, 100’s of accidents and injuries, and just maybe save someone’s life. When you come in, you will be partnered with a professional driver and you will shuttle that driver around for the night. You will be assigned to an area like Buckhead, Sandy Springs or Roswell. When a request for SafeRide service is made, your partner will direct you where to go. Once you get there, your partner SafeRide driver will get into the other person's car with them, drive them home, while you follow behind as the chase car. When completed you will go to the next one or back to your assigned area.