THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
HANDS ON ATLANTA LAUNCHES STEAM ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COX ENTERPRISES
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.
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.”
Direct Service Resource Guide
Our team has put together the following resource guide to help connect those in need, with those who can help. So, if you or someone you know is in need of housing or rental assistance, transportation, legal aid or other direct support, we hope this list of trusted organizations can help you, or someone you know, make it through those challenges.
Hands On Atlanta’s mission is to mobilize the Atlanta community to tackle our city’s most pressing needs. While most of our work is supporting nonprofits that are directly addressing these needs, we get a ton of requests from community members who need a helping hand or two.
Our team has put together the following resource guide to help connect those in need, with those who can help. So, if you or someone you know is in need of housing or rental assistance, transportation, legal aid or other direct support, we hope this list of trusted organizations can help you, or someone you know, make it through those challenges.
Click the links below to hop to the assistance in need:
Housing + Rental Assistance
Click the name of each organization for more information.
1967 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 400 Tucker, GA 30084
(404) 327-5820
Who they serve: Up to six families with one or more children, who are at imminent risk of homelessness
What they provide: Families accepted into our program are serious about leveraging the support we offer and gaining the skills needed to ensure their long-term sustainability upon completion of our program. We provide housing and financial assistance to these families, removing the barrier of homelessness by helping them move toward self-sufficiency. We offer courses in parenting, financial management, career coaching, and personal development among others, as well as help with continuing education. Upon graduation from our program, families have at least $1,000 in savings and steady employment.
An application is required
Midtown Assistance Center Rental Assistance
30 Porter Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
404-681-5777
Who they serve: Eligibility based on
Must be employed or recently unemployed (within six months)
Have a signed, legal lease in the client’s name
Have at least 6 months of unassisted payment history at present residence
Have verifiable take home income of at least twice your monthly rent amount before your emergency situation
Cannot reside in government subsidized housing such as Atlanta Housing Authority, Housing Choice, Section 8, or student housing
Cannot be a TANF recipient
Must provide any additional documentation necessary to substantiate need for assistance
What they provide: MAC provides assistance to low-income, working households that are in a temporary financial crisis. Our assistance works to prevent eviction and disconnection of electricity, gas, and water.
A screening is required by calling the assistance line
HOPE Atlanta Housing Assistance
34 Peachtree Street #700, Atlanta, GA 30303
404-817-7070
What they provide:
Permanent Housing Support: Many clients, including those with disabilities or substance abuse issues, need ongoing support after being placed in permanent housing. We provide that support system, assisting with everything from medical appointment transportation to grocery shopping and learning to budget
Special Needs Housing Support: HIV/AIDS cases have continued to spike in Atlanta, particularly among homeless communities. Our dedicated Special Needs Housing team ensures that this population’s needs are met
Screening is required. To find out if you are eligible please call 404-817-7070
Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority Affordable Housing
1690 Chantilly Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30324, USA
(404) 320-0166
Who they serve: Low income, Fulton county residents
What they provide: FACAA is a housing counseling agency and seeks projects that enhance the quality of living for low-income citizens, help citizens become homeowners and aid them in saving their homes.
Contact at 404.320.0166
2847 Piedmont Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30305
404-239-0058
Who they serve: Eligibility is dependent on
A current lease or mortgage in client’s name. Client must have resided and paid rent or mortgage at that address for a minimum of three full months.
Must be employed within the past 12 months or be unable to work due to age or disability.
Must have a documented emergency within the past 12 months, including but not limited to:
Illness or death in the family
Loss of job
Reduction in work hours or pay
Unexpected expenses (major car repairs, house repairs)
What they provide: BCM’s financial assistance ministry is dedicated to forestalling eviction and utility shut-offs by providing one-time financial assistance to individuals and families experiencing a crisis such as illness, death in the family, divorce, or job setback. BCM will pay a portion of rent, mortgage, or utility bills in order to help our clients maintain stable housing. Financial assistance is available to families once in a 12-month period, and no more than twice in five years.
Application is required
Action Ministries Housing Assistance
1700 Century Circle NE Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30345
(404) 881-1991
Who they serve: People between the ages of 18 - 24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness or adults with disabilities
What they provide:
Archway Housing: Partnering with clients at risk of becoming homeless or are currently experiencing homelessness, archway housing programs like Trinity Assessment Center (TAC) identify safe, secure, and affordable options, providing clients with long-term, wrap-around support to provide and preserve the sustainable housing necessary to regain self-sufficiency.
Action Empowers: At any given time, there are more than 10,000 children in Georgia’s foster care system and a mere 25% of children who age out of the system transition into stable housing. That equates to hundreds of young adults without a safe and secure place to call home. In addition to securely housing families, Action Empowers helps house individuals and youth, providing intensive case management and individualized coaching designed to address unique barriers to self-sufficiency, implementing vital resources like counseling, educational enhancement, employment and career services, life skills classes, and more.
Action Thrives: More than 40 percent of America’s homeless population are people with disabilities. These individuals often rely on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, which provide an income 44 percent below the federal poverty level. This makes it difficult for these individuals to retain permanent housing or gain access to the services they need. Action Thrives ensures that men and women who are currently homeless and have a disability are given access to stable housing, case management and the resources necessary to live as independently as possible. We recognize that some of our neighbors who are disabled need financial and relational support indefinitely. Our services empower people who have complex challenges to manage their lives with greater stability, autonomy and dignity.
Screening call is required at (404) 881-1991
Food Pantries
Click the name of each organization for more information.
4755 North Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
(678) 687-5357
Pantry Hours: Wednesday 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Requirements: No documentation necessary.
Youth Reach Out Program’s Food Pantry
900 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 753-5253
Who they serve: DeKalb, Fulton.
What they provide: The YROP Food Pantry makes groceries available to the families of low income communities in metro-Atlanta that can make ends meet, but not enough to provide for the daily groceries. Networking with Action Ministries, we transport grocery items into our pantry, and distribute the items to families for support.
Requirements: Picture ID/driver license, proof of residence or lease. We only accept appointments for our pantry, and they are usually scheduled on Monday and Wednesday. For more information, please visit our website. We do accept any food or monetary donations, as it will help us continue to run the pantry. For more information, please call.
1790 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 325-0677
What they provide: a food pantry, hot lunches, and also a clothing closet.
Who they serve: Zip codes 30030; 30032; 30033; 30319; 30324; 30329; 30340; 30341; 30345. (Will distribute food to veterans and homeless peoples from any zip code)
Requirements: Bring proof of your address: driver's license or other official ID with address or bill with zip code.
Pantry Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 1:00pm - 4:00pm. No appointment necessary. We also provide lunch Tuesday through Thursday from 1 to 2:30.
1040 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. Lower Level Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 756-1699
Who they serve: Zip codes 30310, 30311, 30331.
Requirements: Application form, picture ID/driver license, proof of residence or lease for all household members, birth certificate, social security card for each child.
Pantry Hours: Thursday 9:30am - 1:00pm For more information, please call.
Shallowford Presbyterian Church
2375 Shallowford Road NE Atlanta, GA 30345
(404) 321-1844
Who they serve: Residents of DeKalb County area only. Eligible to receive assistance 4 times per year.
What they provide: Shallowford’s Food Pantry provides temporary or emergency food assistance, including groceries, for over 400 families per year and distributes more than 15,000 pounds of food per year. Due to COVID-19, we are serving on a walk-in basis; you do not need to call ahead or make an appointment. No client fee or donation is required. Identification cards for all family members are needed at the time of arrival. Shallowford is on MARTA routes 33 and 126.
Pantry Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 1:00pm to 3:00pm. For more information, please call.
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
1328 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309
404-228-7724 (Dial 1 for food pantry)
Who they serve: Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale.
Requirements: valid ID, SS card and proof of residency that shows amount paid for rent. Picture ID/driver license, proof of residence or lease (current utility bill), social security card for all members of the household, does not need proof of legal
What they provide: The pantry is stocked with food secured from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, local vendors, and church & community members. In a single year, approximately 131,000 pounds (nearly 62 tons) of food are distributed from the Venable Food Pantry.
23 Jesse Hill Drive Jr. SE Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-659-8745
Who they serve: Butts, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, Rockdale.
Requirements: Picture ID/driver license, social security card. Referral required: written referral required from DFCS or social service agency.
Pantry Hours: Tuesday 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ben Hill United Methodist Church
2099 Fairburn Road SW, Atlanta, Georgia 30331
(404) 344-0618
Who they serve: Fulton.
Requirements: Picture ID/driver license, social security card for each child.
Pantry Hours: Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Buckhead Christian Ministry - C Spencer Godfrey Food Pantry
2847 Piedmont Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 239-0058
Who they serve: zip codes 30305, 30309, 30311, 30318, 30319, 30324, 30326, 30327, 30329, 30331, 30340, 30341, 30342, 30345, 30360.
Requirements: Application form. Picture ID/driver license. Proof of residence or lease. Proof of income. Social security card. Does not need proof of legal status.
Pantry Hours: Monday, Tuesdays and Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm Thursday 10:00am - 7:30:pm
1966 Lakewood Terr SE Atlanta, GA 30315
(404) 622-7931
Who they serve: Fulton
Eligibility: Seniors 65 years of age and above or parents with children under 18 years of age.
What they provide: AIM provides food and clothing for those in need in the community. Food is distributed on Thursdays from 11-2. The clothing bus is sorted on Fridays and distributed on Saturday from 11-1.
Requirements: Picture ID/driver license
Homeless shelters
Click the name of each organization for more information.
921 Howell Mill Road Atlanta, GA, 30318
(404) 367-2465
Who they serve: Single women and women with children
Be over the age of 18 unless accompanied by a mother or legal guardian.
Male children must be 11 years of age or younger; female children must be 17 or younger.
Agree to abide by all guidelines and fully participate in all program activities.
Be fully detoxified with at least 72 hours since last use of drugs or 24 hours since last use of alcohol.
Be mentally and physically able to exercise proper personal hygiene and self-care, perform task assignments, and participate in all program functions within a non-medical, non-psychiatric facility.
Two-bag maximum of personal belongings for each adult, 1 additional bag per child
What they provide: Overnight shelter, Meals, Counseling, Life Skills Classes, Social Service Referrals, Medical Care, Childcare, Vocational Training
Atlanta Mission: The Shepherd's Inn
165 Ivan Allen Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30308
(404) 367-2493
Who they serve: Men who are eligible
Be over the age of 18 and a single male.
Agree to abide by all guidelines, fully participate in all program activities, and refrain from any inappropriate activity.
Be fully detoxified with at least 72 hours since last use of drugs or 48 hours since last use of alcohol.
Be mentally and physically able to exercise proper personal hygiene and self-care, perform task assignments, and participate in all program functions within a non-medical, non-psychiatric facility.
Two-bag maximum of personal belongings for all facilities.
What they provide: Beds, Meals, Laundry, Social services, Life skills classes, One-on-one counseling, Clinical groups, Process groups, Vocational training, Small groups, Spiritual services
469 Marietta Street Atlanta, GA 30313
(404) 486-2700
Who they serve: Eligibility varies by program. Please visit the website for specific information
What they provide: Cold Weather Program, Emergency Assessment Housing Program, Supportive Emergency Housing Program, DeKalb County Program, Family Emergency Housing Program, Supportive Emergency Family Program, DeKalb Family Emergency Housing Program, City of Atlanta Family Emergency Housing Program, Harbor Light Drug Treatment Program, Savings Program, Veterans on the Move Programs – Service Intensive, Clinical Treatment, Bridge Housing Re-Entry Partnership Housing Program – Dekalb County Jails, DCA State Board of Corrections
1300 Joseph E. Boone Blvd NW Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 874-2241
Who they serve: Single mothers, children, single mothers, and women recovering from traumatic sexual exploitation
What they provide:
Eden Village – Eden Village seeks to provide low-barrier assessment bridge housing including case-management and a variety of supportive services for up to 20 single mothers with children, 60 children and 35 single women who are experiencing homelessness.
House of Cherith – Safe housing and supportive services where women can recover from the trauma of sexual exploitation. Since conception, House of Cherith has facilitated the transformation of over 700 lives.
1559 Johnson Rd NW Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 589-0163
Who they serve: Young people ages 18 - 24
What they provide:
Crisis Shelter: Emergency shelter ranging from 30-90 days is provided to young people ages 18-24. Medical and mental health care is provided with the focus on primary care, ob/gyn care, prenatal care, STD, HIV, asthma and diabetes screening, health education, and drug awareness and education. Youth who are suffering with severe and persistent mental illness receive or are referred to psychiatric counseling, medication management and help finding supported permanent housing. Youth in the Crisis Shelter participate in educational and vocational programs, learn basic life skills, and seek employment with the goal of creating an independent, sustainable future for themselves.
Rights of Passage: As is the case for many of our youth, a stay in the crisis shelter is not long enough to become self-sufficient. The Rights of Passage program is our independent living program designed to give them more time to reach the goal of self-sufficiency. It is a 24-bed onsite and 4-bed offsite program that youth are eligible for after they have stabilized in the Crisis Shelter and obtained employment. Case managers assist youth as they transition into independent living.
173 Boulevard Northeast Atlanta Georgia 30312 and 711 S. Columbia Drive Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 522-6056
Who they serve: Eligibility dependent on
Families must have at least one infant child, six months old or younger.
Parents must submit a background check.
Families must complete the “Get Help” and “Background” forms on the website
What they provide: Located in the City of Atlanta, the shelter provides homeless families with up to six months of emergency housing in a safe and caring environment. The 76-bed facility has 18 individual family bedrooms. The program provides families with between 2-7 members with a private room, daily nutritious meals, laundry services and a weekly provision of infant and personal care items. In addition, shelter residents receive free childcare, job training and case management, delivered through our other core programs.
Home Repairs + Disability Modifications
Click the name of each organization for more information.
AmRamp System: Home modifications
2300 Bethelview Rd Suite 110-442
Cumming, GA 30040 Contact: Joanne Bradley (404)617-6483
Paid service
What they provide: Modular ramps, stair lifts, platform lifts, home modifications, portable showers and tub transfer systems, portable ramps, overhead patient lifts, pool lifts, grab bars, automatic door openers, handrails, and threshold ramps
EnABLE Home Solutions: Home Modifications
3876 Menlo Drive Atlanta, GA 30340
Contact: Andrew Sever (770)841-9089
Paid service
What they provide: Consultations with an occupational therapist to understand long term mobility needs so that you can stay in your home. They also provide home modification solutions specifically for those with special needs, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease.
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC): Home Modifications
4900 Lewis Rd Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Contact: Chris Brand (770)491-9014
Who they serve: Those who want to transition out of nursing homes and back to independent living
What they provide: FODAC’s home modifications program contracts with government funding sources to allow home access and transition out of nursing homes through the Money Follows the Person program at the Atlanta Regional Commission. If you are in a nursing home in the Atlanta area and feel you can live independently, please contact: (404) 210-8642 for transition services.
If you or a family member are facing a new or existing disability and are experiencing trouble moving around your house, call FODAC to inquire about contractor referrals, portable ramps and other Home Medical Equipment needs. FODAC can provide some ramp building labor if funds for materials can be provided by the homeowner; This is subject to location and available contractors.
Handi-Ramp: Home Modifications
510 North Avenue Libertyville, GA 60048
Contact: Alex Disch (847)680-7700
Paid Service
What they provide: Our specialists at Handi-Ramp will help you find the perfect wheelchair ramp or handicap accessible product to suit your needs. We carry a large selection of complete wheelchair ramp systems, as well as portable ramps, lifts, handrails, threshold ramps, and even a variety of van ramps. Please browse through the accessibility categories on the website or contact us with any questions and we will be happy to help guide you to find the right product for you. Plus ask about rental and leasing options, installation services, or creating and designing custom pieces.
Community Health Clinics
Click the name of each organization for more information.
Healing Community Center - Atlanta
2600 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30311
(404) 564-7749
What do they provide: HEAL provides health education and medical services to at risk and under served populations. It is committed to assess the needs of communities and to build leaders from within those communities through training and supportive programs. Services: Adult Medicine Behavioral Health
Good Samaritan Health Center - Atlanta
1015 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy. NW Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 523-6571
Who they serve: Good Samaritan Health Center is a non-profit, 501(c)3 healthcare clinic serving uninsured, low-income individuals and families in Atlanta and the surrounding area.
AID Atlanta's Health Services Clinic
1605 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309-2955
(404) 870-7700
Who they serve: They specialize in providing comprehensive primary medical care services to patients with HIV. They have highly trained medical staff who have been working in the field of HIV/AIDS for many years and are very competent to provide their patients with the highest quality in HIV medical care.
What they provide: Several medical and supportive staff members work together on our patient’s behalf to ensure each person receives the most comprehensive care. Services include:
Primary Medical Care for HIV-Positive Patients
Medication and Insurance Co-Pay Assistance
On-Site Pharmacy
Nutrition Assistance
Patient Navigation
Laboratory Services
Medical Case Management
STI Treatment
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) physical exams
Mercy Care at Atlanta Day Shelter for Women and Children - Atlanta
655 Ethel St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 876-2894
Sliding Scale
Who they serve: Patients living in a shelter, airport, train station, bus station, car or outdoors do not have to pay for any services.
What they provide: Services offered at this location include: Primary Care Allergy Abdominal (stomach) pain Asthma maintenance Blood in stool Blood pressure checks Colds Constipation Cuts & wounds
Mercy Care at Gateway Center - Atlanta
275 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
(678) 843-8600
What they provide: Primary Care, Behavioral Health, Dental Screenings
Hours: Monday - Friday (medical services) 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (after 5 p.m. is dependent on availability of volunteer physicians) Monday, Wednesday and Friday (dental services) 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Neighborhood Union Health Center - Fulton County Public Health Department
186 Sunset Ave NW # 186, Atlanta, GA 30314
(404) 612-4665
Sliding Scale
What they provide: Behavioral Health Services 404-612-9330 Primary Care (provided by West End Medical Center) 404-613-5456 Nursing services on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm Public Health services are provided at Public Health Centers located in Fulton County.
Center for Health & Rehabilitation - Fulton County Public Health Department
265 Boulevard, NE, Atlanta, GA 30312 3rd Floor
(404) 665-8600
Sliding Scale
What they provide: No appointments are necessary. This facility offers core mental health and substance abuse disorder services that include the following: Behavioral Health Assessments, Nursing, Psychiatric Assessments, Individual Counseling
Adamsville Health Center - Fulton County Public Health Department
3700 M.L.K. Jr Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA 30331
(404) 612-9339
Sliding Scale
Who they serve: This facility serves youth from ages 4 to 25 years old.
What they provide: Services at the facility include primary care, public health and behavioral health services, housing assistance, employment assistance, dental services, a resource center, and a drop in day care center.
Grady Health System Grady Memorial Hospital – Atlanta
80 Jesse Hill Jr Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 616-7644
Sliding Scale
What they offer: This organization offers FREE STD TESTING. This may not be a clinic that offers other medical services. Chlamydia Test, Conventional HIV Blood Test, Free HIV Testing, Gonorrhea Test, HPV Vaccine, Hepatitis B Test, Hepatitis C Test, STD Test, Syphilis Test
2140 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW, Building B | Suite 202 Atlanta, GA, 30310
(404) 691-8880
Sliding Scale
What they provide: NAESM, Inc. offers free and confidential screenings for HIV, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis. Syphilis testing will be a $5 fee. No appointment necessary. Also offers mental health and substance abuse counseling.
Center For Black Women’s Wellness - Atlanta
477 Windsor St. SW, Suite 309, Atlanta, GA, 30312
(404) 688-9202
Sliding Scale for Wellness Clinic
What they provide: The Wellness Clinic provides women's health (GYN) care, including the following services: • Well woman visits, including Pap Test, Pelvic exam, and clinical breast exam • Pregnancy testing, preconception counseling, and family planning • Physical examinations and health screenings
No cost for Safety Net Clinic
Who they serve: Uninsured men and women over the age of 18
What they provide: Primary Health Care • Non-Emergency Care • Chronic Disease Management including but not limited to: • Hypertension (high blood pressure) management • Confidential HIV testing • High Cholesterol management • Diabetes management • Mental Health Referrals and Services
Children’s Primary Care Center - Atlanta
35 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 785-8160
Who they serve: The Children's Primary Care Center of Chamblee, on Buford Highway in Atlanta, treats the primary care needs of patients from birth to age 21.
Marcus Autism Center - Atlanta
1920 Briarcliff Road Atlanta, GA 30329-4010
(404) 785-9400
What they provide: They provide clinical services to children with autism and related disorders, from comprehensive evaluations and diagnostic services to behavioral therapy, family counseling and long-term, follow-up care. With their comprehensive services, families can receive diagnosis, treatment and support
Ben Massell Dental Clinic - Atlanta
700 Fourteenth St. NW Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 881-1858
The Ben Massell Dental Clinic is the only dental clinic in Georgia to be fully staffed by volunteer dentists and that offers comprehensive care in every specialty: exams, x-rays, diagnostics fillings extractions oral. Aside from dental issues, clients often arrive at the clinic with life and health issues brought on by poverty, joblessness, homelessness, diabetes, HIV-AIDS, drug abuse and more.
Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation - Atlanta
5582 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, GA 30341
(404) 325-3630
Sliding Scale
Who they serve: Lighthouse serves uninsured and low-income Georgians. Specific eligibility varies by program
What they provide: Vision Services: Vision Clinics, Vision Screenings, Eyeglasses, Diabetic Retinopathies, Corneal Tissue Transplants, Detached Retina Correction, Cataract Correction, Prosthetic Eyes Hearing Services: Hearing Screenings, Digital Hearing Aid
Whitefoord Health Center - Atlanta
1353 George W Brumley Way SE, Atlanta GA, 30317
(404) 588-0101
Sliding Scale
What they provide: Services at this clinic include: Pediatrics Ongoing Conditions (Obesity, Asthma, etc) Specialist Referrals Behavioral Health/Counseling Illness and Injuries Well-child Care
Family Health Centers of Georgia - West End Center - Atlanta
868 York Avenue, SW Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 752-1400
Sliding Scale
What they provide: Their family of healthcare professionals is committed to providing you with access to affordable healthcare excellence. In addition to providing adult medicine, behavioral health, dental, OB/GYN, vision and pediatric services, they provide an array of programs to support your total healthcare
Transportation Assistance
Click the name of each organization for more information.
Midtown Assistance Center - MARTA Assistance
30 Porter Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
404-681-5777
Who they serve: Eligibility is dependent on
Must have verifiable, permanent employment
Must substantiate need for assistance
Must live within our zip codes served or have homeless verification
Must provide employment start date, schedule, or pay date
Must provide employer information with a business phone for verification
What they provide: MAC provides MARTA passes for people who are searching for employment or newly employed until they receive their first paycheck. We provide MARTA passes to both homeless and housed clients.
229 Peachtree St NE, STE 100 Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-463-3100
Sliding Scale
What they provide: Transportation vouchers, Volunteer senior citizen transport, Shuttles that follow a regular route to needed community places, Group trips to social and cultural activities, Public Transit—Including Paratransit & MARTA mobility
Home Delivered Meals
Click the name of each organization for more information.
1705 Commerce Drive NW Atlanta, GA 30318
(404)-351-3889
Who they serve: In order to qualify for Meal Services, applicants must be:
60 years and older
Fulton County Residents
Low-income
What they provide: Our flagship program, Meal Services, provides nourishing meals to low-income and homebound seniors in Atlanta who are unable to afford or access adequate nutrition. Currently, the meal services program delivers meals every Saturday to frail, homebound and low-income seniors residing in Fulton County.
181 Armour Drive, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30324
(404) 872-8089
Who they serve: Senior Clients, Medicaid Clients & The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP), HIV/AIDS Clients, and Private Pay Clients & Caregivers
What they provide: Medically-tailored meals for Medicaid clients, Care transitions from hospital to home/community, Freshly prepared meals for our senior clients, and Health-promoting, kid-friendly meals for at-risk youth
Legal Aid + Advocacy
Click the name of each organization for more information.
151 Spring St. NW Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 524-5811
Who they serve: To qualify for our services, you must meet certain low-income guidelines. Eligibility exceptions may apply to seniors and certain other qualified applicants.
What they provide: Atlanta Legal Aid Society provides free civil legal help to individuals who cannot afford a private attorney.
Note: The Legal Aid Society is dedicated to representing poor individuals in civil matters. They have a large network of specialized lawyers and cover a wide variety of practice areas. If you are divided as to which Legal Aid group to ask for assistance, you really cannot go wrong with speaking to the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
235 Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 521-0790
What they provide: The Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation provides civil legal representation to low-income Georgians on civil matters primarily through the use of volunteer lawyers. Services are available for: Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse, Landlord / Tenant Problems, Evictions, Probate Issues, COVID-19 Relief, Unpaid Wages
DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
315 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 561 Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 373-0865
Who they serve: The DeKalb Lawyers Foundation provides, through volunteer lawyers, legal services to low-income residents of DeKalb County.
What they provide: They handle civil matters such as domestic relations, landlord-tenant, general litigation, wills and trusts, real property, social security, bankruptcy, debtor-creditor, nonprofit corporation, foreclosure, fraud, guardian ad litem, juvenile law and employment.
30 South Park Square Marietta, GA 30090
(770) 528-2565
Services: Legal Aid of Cobb County is a branch of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. They provide free civil (non-criminal) legal services to very low-income people living in Cobb County.
887 West Marietta St. NW, Suite J-101 Atlanta, GA 30318
(404) 873-3911
Who they serve: GLA serves the entire Georgia arts community. An artist can be a painter, sculptor, author, playwright, musician, film-maker, and much more!
What they provide: The Georgia Lawyers for the Arts serves the legal needs of the artists and art organizations of Georgia. They give free legal advice to nonprofit arts organizations with budgets under $500,000 and conduct workshops on topical issues relating to the arts and the law including contracts and copyrights, taxes and record keeping and nonprofit incorporation.
976 Edgewood Ave., NE Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 523-8236
What they provide: The Justice Center’s goal is to reduce the cost of lengthy legal battles, so they offer free mediation services. They mediate domestic problems involving family members, neighborhood disputes, landlord tenant disputes, claims over money and personal property, allegations involving misdemeanors, juvenile disputes, business related disputes, educational disputes, work place disputes, personal injury claims, disputes involving churches and congregations, public policy disputes and land use and zoning issues.
250 Georgia Ave., S.E., Suite 211 Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 688-5512
What they provide: The Southside Legal Center is a pro bono legal services program that provides legal services for family law, housing, real estate law, guardianships and business law matters to low-income individuals. They ask clients for a flat $50 rate, which is donated to charity.
Georgia Legal Services Program
104 Marietta Street, Suite 250 Atlanta, GA 30303
404-206-5175 or 1-800-498-9469
Who they serve: Our attorneys and advocates are here to help you through your legal proceedings. We serve Georgians in 154 counties outside of Metro-Atlanta whose earnings do not exceed 200% above the federal poverty line or who are aged 60 years or older.
What they provide: Practice areas vary across the state. Here are a few of our most experienced practice areas: consumer law, education law, farm worker’s rights, family law, eviction prevention project, public benefits
Fulton County Family Law Information Center
185 Central Avenue, S.W., Suite T-704 Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 612-2789
What they provide: The Fulton County Family Law Information Center was designed by the Superior Court to provide individuals with accurate information and the necessary forms for self-representation in family law matters. As a government sponsored website and help desk, the information contained is highly reliable.
DeKalb County Family Law Information Center
120 West Trinity Place, Room 412 Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 687-3990
What they provide: The DeKalb County Family Law Information Center was created to serve as a resource center to assist individuals who want to represent themselves on family law matters. As a government sponsored website and help desk, the information contained is highly reliable.
180 Camden Hill Rd., Suite A Lawrenceville, GA 30045
(678) 376-4545
What they provide: Clinic specializing in family law, such as child custody, marriage and divorce, child abuse, domestic violence and guardianship. The link above provides useful forms for various family law matters.
765 McDaniel St., S.W., Suite 3104 Atlanta, GA 30310
(404) 658-9606
Who they serve: This could be an excellent resource for incarcerated individuals with children.
What they provide: Forever Family focuses on supporting children with an incarcerated parent as their parents, caregivers and extended families work to remain a family.
50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 350 | Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 373-4433
Who they serve: The Innocence Project is a useful resource for individuals who have already been convicted.
What they provide: Georgia Innocence Project (GIP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals who have been convicted of crimes they did not commit. The Project works to secure post-conviction DNA testing for people incarcerated in Georgia where DNA analysis could prove guilt or innocence and adequate DNA testing was not available at trial.
438 Edgewood Ave. Atlanta, GA 30312
(404) 827-0027
Services: The Georgia Justice Project provides the Atlanta Community with something very unique: legal services combined with social services and employment support for indigent individuals accused of a crime.
As their case is being resolved, we assign each client and their family to a member of our social work staff, who offer a range of counseling, job training, and referral services. Our goal is to ensure that our clients’ life circumstances change so living crime-free lives is not only possible but actively supported. Should our clients have to serve time in prison, we do not abandon them. Rather, we communicate regularly and visit several times a year. We also help arrange for families to visit so support networks are maintained.
American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia (ACLU)
1900 The Exchange, Suite 425 Atlanta, GA 30339
(770) 303-9966
What they provide: The ACLU specializes in defending civil liberties such as privacy rights, immigrant’s rights, LGBT rights, prisoner’s rights, reproductive freedom, free speech issues and countering racial profiling.
Southern Center for Human Rights
83 Poplar St., NW Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 688-1202
Services: The Southern Center for Human Rights specializes in representing people of color, poor people, people with mental illnesses and other disadvantaged people facing the death penalty at trials, on appeal, and in post-conviction and clemency proceedings. The Center also challenges inhumane conditions of confinement and encourages the use of alternatives to incarceration to reduce prison overcrowding via media, advocacy, and civil rights litigation.
3939 Lavista Rd., Suite E Tucker, GA 30084
(404) 299-2185
What they provide: TAPESTRI, Inc. is a coalition of ethnically diverse advocates working on issues of violence against women, primarily in immigrant and refugee communities. They use culturally sensitive methods to counter domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation.
Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 171 Decatur, GA 30031
(404) 370-7670
Who they serve: The Women's Resource Center provides services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.
What they provide: They also host a 24 hour crisis hotline, provide confidential emergency shelter, peer support groups and legal advocacy.
Center for Pan-Asian Community Services
3760 Park Ave. Atlanta, GA 30340
(770) 936-0969
Services: The Center for Pan-Asian Community Services promotes self-sufficiency and equity for immigrants, refugees and the under-privileged through
P.O. Box 12337 Atlanta, GA 30355
(404) 842-0725
Services: Raksha's mission is to promote a stronger and healthier South Asian community through confidential support services, education, and advocacy. They provide technical assistance in completing appropriate immigration papers that will allow them to work in the United States, as well as refers clients to legal resources that can assist in getting them proper immigration status.
State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Project
104 Marietta St., N.W., Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 527-8763
What they provide: The Georgia State Bar has an excellent referral system to help you find exactly the pro bono lawyer to assist you with your specific legal issue.
Georgia First Amendment Foundation
150 E. Ponce de Leon, Suite 230 Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 525-3646
What they provide: The Georgia First Amendment Foundation conducts free workshops on state open government laws and reports open government violations occurring throughout Georgia.
Georgia State University College of Law Tax Clinic
140 Decatur St. S.E., Room 161 Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 413-9230
Who they serve: This law student clinic provides representation to low-income taxpayers who otherwise would be unable to afford a lawyer in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service.
What they provide: Assistance with: 30-day letters, 90-day letters, petitions to the US tax court, and matters in collections
Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection
#2 MLK, Jr. Dr., Suite 356 Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 651-8600 or (800) 869-1123
What they provide: Government office that protects consumers from unfair or deceptive business practices. They have telephone counselors ready to help consumers during normal business hours.
1447 Peachtree St., Suite 1004 Atlanta, GA 30309
(404) 897-1880
Services: Lambda Legal is committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, the transgendered and people with HIV or AIDS through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.
Disability Law and Policy Center of Georgia, Inc.
1439 E McLendon Dr. Decatur, GA 30033
(770) 270-9964
Services: The Disability Law and Policy Center of Georgia is a non-profit organization that enforces the legal rights of people with disabilities through education, individual case assistance, mediation, and complex litigation.
150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 430 Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 885-1234
Who they serve: The Georgia Advocacy Office serves individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities who have been discriminated against.
What they provide: They investigate abuse, neglect and rights violations, and also visit state psychiatric hospitals, prisons, jails, foster care settings, group homes and private psychiatric hospitals.
Mental Health
Click the name of each organization for more information.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1.800.273.TALK (8255)
Who they serve: Anyone could be struggling with suicide. Resources are available for youth, disaster survivors, Native Americans, veterans, loss survivors, LGBTQ+, attempt survivors, deaf/hard of hearing/hearing loss, oradores españoles, and others.
What they provide: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.
1.800.715.4225
Who they serve: Anyone in Georgia experiencing a crisis related to developmental disability, mental health, drugs, or alcohol.
What they provide: Telephonic crisis intervention, clinical triage, and referral for Georgians in need 24/7/365.
2563 Martin Luther King Jr Drive, Atlanta, GA 30311
404.699.7774
Who they serve: People struggling with opiate addiction.
What they provide: Methadone and Suboxone treatment programs led by experienced medical staff and licensed counselors.
Empowerment Resource Center Inc
230 Peachtree Street NW, Suite 1800 Atlanta, GA 30303
404.526.1145
Who they serve: Adults seeking treatment for mental health, chemical dependency, and dual diagnosis disorders.
What they provide: Non-residential substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
Ascensa Health at St. Jude’s Recovery Family Care Center
139 Renaissance Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Main Tel: 404.874.2224 x102; Intake Tel: 404.249.6272
Who they serve: Mothers in treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders and their dependent children.
What they provide: Ascensa Health at St. Jude’s Recovery Center provides a residential treatment center with a unique arrangement that keeps the family unit together. Mothers with their dependent children receive specialized services including intensive addiction and co-occurring mental health disorder treatment, family reunification services, parenting education, basic living skills, and employment services which reinforce self-sufficiency. On-site therapeutic childcare for children living with their mothers in residential treatment is provided.
Ascensa Health at St Judes Recovery Day Outpatient Program
139 Renaissance Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Main Tel: 404.874.2224; Intake Tel: 404.249.6272
Who they serve: Anyone seeking treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
What they provide: A structured day treatment program for men and women utilizing evidence-based practices. Day treatment includes psycho-educational groups, individual and group therapy, skill building groups, employment readiness, 12-step meetings, spirituality, relapse prevention.
Ascensa Health at St Judes Recovery Detox
151 Renaissance Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Main Tel: 404.874.2224; Intake Tel: 404.249.6272
Who they serve: Men and women who require 24-hour supervision, for medical stabilization of withdrawal symptoms.
What they provide: 24 hour supervision for medical stabilization of withdrawal symptoms, including Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for opioid withdrawal.
Ascensa Health at St Judes Recovery Women’s Residence
500 Piedmont Street, Atlanta, GA 30308
Main Tel: 404.874.2224; Intake Tel: 404.249.6272
Who they serve: Anyone seeking treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
What they provide: Intensive addiction treatment services and housing for women. Clients live in a therapeutic community and participate in a structured day treatment program. Upon completion of the day treatment program, clients are required to obtain and maintain full time employment, and to attend evening treatment activities and 12-step meetings. Evening services are designed to provide education about recovery topics, basic living and coping skills, and relapse prevention.
Ascensa Health at St Judes Recovery Men’s Residential Program
95 Renaissance Parkway NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Main Tel: 404.874.2224; Intake Tel: 404.249.6272
Who they serve: Anyone seeking treatment for addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
What they provide: Intensive addiction treatment services and housing for men. Clients live in a therapeutic community and participate in a structured day treatment program. Upon completion of the day treatment program, clients are required to obtain and maintain full time employment, and to attend evening treatment activities and 12-step meetings. Evening services are designed to provide education about recovery topics, basic living and coping skills, and relapse prevention.
American Alternative Court Services (AACS) Atlanta
236 Forsyth Street SW, Suite 202-A , Atlanta, GA 30303
404.594.1770
Who they serve: Individuals suffering from substance use disorders.
What they provide: Evaluations and Assessments, DUI School and counseling, Outpatient Rehab. Servicios en Español: DUI Evaluación, ASAM en Español, Reducción de Riesgo, Clases de Control De Ira, Programa de Intervención de Violencia Familiar, Evaluación de Alcohol y Drogas.
Grady Behavioral Health Center Grady Health Systems
10 Park Place SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Main Tel: 404-616-4444; Intake Tel: 404-616-1688
Who they serve: Anyone living with behavioral illnesses, including depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis, and co-occurring substance abuse.
What they provide: Assertive community treatment (ACT), Case management, Inpatient psychiatric services, Integrated behavioral health, Outpatient behavioral health, Psychiatric consultation services, Psychiatric emergency services, Psychosocial rehabilitation.
Mandatory Service 101
If you’ve found yourself in need of completing mandatory service hours for graduation or work, by court order, or for any other reason, Hands On Atlanta is ready to help you out! Having posted more than four thousand opportunities that accept court-ordered volunteers this year, we have a simple four step process to help you meet your service requirements. Before we get into detail about those steps, here are some general tips to keep in mind along the way:
Get started early! It’s easy to get stressed if you have 40 service hours to complete in a week, but remember that if you start earlier you will have a much easier time fitting your requirements into your schedule.
You can sign up for as many service projects as you are able to attend provided that they aren’t full. We have projects available every week on a variety of days and times giving you lots of options!
If you need to provide the name of a contact for your mandatory hours, we recommend that you choose one organization to serve all of your hours with. It will make it easy to provide the information for your main point of contact there instead of providing a point of contact for several different organizations.
With those tips in mind, let’s get into all the details of how to meet your mandatory service requirements.
Find a project: The easiest way to start finding service projects is to search our opportunity calendar. There you can search by date, impact area, location and more! Make sure to set the filters by date and geographic range that work for you, and keep the filter for court ordered volunteers to ensure that all the opportunities you see are right for you.
Please note that if you try to sign up for a project that requires a background check, you may not be approved based on your offense. Please avoid selecting projects require background checks, as if you do not pass, you will not be eligible for any Hands On Atlanta projects at all.
Serve: You’re now ready to get out and serve the ATL community! There are a few things to keep in mind.
First, remember to double check that you’re arriving for your project at the right date and time that you registered for. Many opportunities have multiple time slots, and we want to make sure you’re here for the right one!
Also, remember to sign in for the project so there is a record of your attendance. Verifying your hours is the only way to get a service letter confirming your mandatory service, but we’ll talk more about this in step four.
The last thing to do when serving is to have fun! Take advantage of the opportunity to do something good, meet other people and gain a better understanding of challenges facing our community.
Download Your Own Letter: After completing all your hours, your letter will be available for download in your account - it’ll be listed as your Certificate. Simply log in to your account on the volunteer portal, then select My Opportunities. From there, select Certificate and History on the left side, and click Download Certificate. The file will save to your device as a PDF, and you can print or share it with anyone you need to. Find more detailed instructions here.
On your Certificate, you will only see your verified hours of service. We understand that it can be frustrating to wait on these to come through, especially if you need them quickly. Please know that it typically takes between 5 and 7 business days for volunteer hours to be verified. If your hours are not verified within that time frame, please reach out to the organization directly. Hands On Atlanta cannot verify your hours for projects we don’t manage. If that doesn’t work either, then please reach out to Hands On Atlanta, and we will message the organization directly about getting hours verified.
We know that sometimes a custom letter with a wet ink signature will be asked of you, but unfortunately we do not provide those. However, if you would like to have the person requesting a mailed letter to explain our current regulations, you have them contact us at info@handsonatlanta.org.
Ready to get started?
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.
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.”
“CHILLS, That was incredible and this as a truly inspirational event and beautiful way to start the year.”
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Georgia U.S. Senate Runoff Election Guide
Walk off? It’s a runoff for the race the whole world is watching - the 2 seats up for grabs for the Georgia US Senate. We’ve scoured the internet for important dates, resources and ways you can get involved to ensure another record-breaking turnout for the US Senate runoff election happening January 5, 2021 .
Walk off? It’s a runoff for the race the whole world is watching - the 2 seats up for grabs for the U.S. Senate from right here in Georgia. We’ve done our research to find you important dates, resources and ways you can get involved to ensure another record-breaking voter turnout for the U.S. Senate runoff election happening January 5, 2021.
To get things started, let’s quickly recap how we got here and why this special election is so… special.
A runoff election is essentially a rematch that is held when none of the candidates meet the criteria for winning. Under Georgia law, candidates must receive a majority of the vote to win an election. If no candidate breaks 50 percent, the top two vote-getters then face off again in a runoff election to determine the winner. None of the candidates secured the majority needed to outright win, so here we are.
Quick disclaimer, we’re not political pundits or subject matter experts, and we borrowed these key pointers from the New York Times. You can get a clearer picture for why this election is so important, why the runoff laws were created, and more here.
Important Dates:
With a spike in Covid cases, the holidays, and everything 2020 has already delivered, remembering important dates might be the last thing on your mind. Here are a few key dates you can quickly add to your calendar.
Today - Request your absentee ballot (You can do that here: https://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov/)
Your birthdate - There are 23,000-ish young people who will turn 18 post the Nov. 3 general election. So, if you or someone you know will turn 18 between now and December 7, get registered to vote in the runoff.
December 7, 2020 - Last day to register to vote in the January 5th run-off
December 14, 2020 - Early in-person voting begins
January 1, 2021 - Last day to vote IN-PERSON in the runoff
January 5, 2021 - Last day to vote in the runoff
Resources for Making Your Runoff Voting Plan
Ok, you’ve got your dates down, now you need to actually get to work. Here are some super helpful and essential resources for making your plan to vote in the runoff.
Refresh and check Georgia’s My Voter Page as often as you do your Twitter feed. Inside you’ll find things like your voter registration status, mail-In application and ballot status, early voting locations and so much more!
On the go? Branch.vote has just about every resource and tidbit of information you’ll need to make your voice heard in the runoff - all on a mobile-friendly and easy to use platform.
Not sure about which candidate deserves your vote? Ballotpedia has a nice overview of the candidates and links to learn more.
Ready to vote, but not sure what you’ll need to cast your ballot? Vote.org has a full list of everything you need based on your voting preference - in person, by mail, early, etc.
This can all be really confusing and you don’t always have time to look up definitions and fully understand all of the complicated political terms. Vote411.org has has broken down the information to make it to easy understand - including a handy list of definitions.
Did we miss something or do you have a suggestion? Let us know on Twitter and we’ll share with our followers.
Do Something Good
We asked our friends at The Georgia 55 Project for some tips and tricks to help get out the vote for the upcoming run-off and they suggested Vote Tripping. It’s pretty simple, ask 3 people in your network - friends, family, co-workers - if they have a voting plan. If they do, high fives are in order, or maybe not a high five, but a Covid friendly elbow bump. If they don’t have a plan, share this blog post with them! :)
Now that you’ve made your plan to vote, called and texted everyone you know and helped them figure out their voting plan, there’s still more you can do. Here are a few ways you can volunteer and support voters throughout the special runoff:
The ACLU of Georgia is looking for volunteers to help ensure that every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast their ballot in the Senate Run-off Election. You can help with phone banking, texting, being a legal or poll observer, and more. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer with the TurnOut Troop and help voters! You’ll encourage citizens across the country, whether English or Spanish-speaking, to register to vote, help voters request absentee or vote-by-mail ballots and help voters find their polling locations. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer with the New Georgia Project and join a volunteer voter registration drive (daily happening in all 159 counties) and find more ways you can help voters in Georgia. Learn more and sign up here.
Volunteer through Fair Fight and be a line warmer, call or text voters and more! Learn more and sign up here.
Introducing the 2021 class of hands on atlanta civic fellows
We’re so excited to introduce to you our 12th class of the Civic Leadership Program! Our Civic Leadership Program, powered by Constellation combines positive community impact with personal and professional development to provide great things for everyone involved -- and we have found some amazing changemakers in Atlanta to make that happen.
It’s been a tough year all things considered, but we are proud to introduce 13 fantastic Civic Fellows who are ready to help the Atlanta community get through all those challenges and changes.
This year, our Civic Fellows are helping with our Disco Program which was made to help elementary school students feel a little more connected to people right now. It provides game style learning to keep them engaged and a little less isolated. With some help from the Hands On Atlanta staff, Civic Fellows will help bring really important academic enrichment to around 300 students in Atlanta.
“I’m really proud that we were able to transition CLP into a virtual model keeping our fellows safe while also meeting the pressing needs of the students through our beloved Disco Program. While this year has been challenging in so many ways our Civic Fellows give me hope that we will come out the other side stronger, better, and more aware of the inequities plaguing our community and how to address them. ”
“Especially with this isolation piece, this ever changing system for the students, being able to see that familiar face of those adults that are willing to invest in you and support you and show you that learning can definitely be fun. That involvement from CLP members is very, very important.””
On top of the incredibly important impact our fellows will have on those students, they also get to learn more about the critical role nonprofits play in the Atlanta community, understand how fundraising keeps nonprofits sustainable, and explore their leadership skills through hands-on learning. This combination will create a class of Civic Fellows prepared to graduate into Civic Leaders who can keep making Atlanta a better place.
“I wanted to take the next step and dive into some things that not only I could do, but I could also inspire my friend circle or professionals that I work with on how we can take some action steps to do what we all talk about: to make the world better.” ”
“I’m really one who believes that quote that service is the rent we pay for our time here on earth. For me the impact I have is just to bring that service to life. .... I don’t have to be loudest voice in the room, but if I just have a seat at the table, I plan to use that to influence and add value to the communities we serve” ”
So, it is with great honor that we ask you to help us welcome the newest class of Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellows!
Anissa H. Meachum
Anissa H. Meachum is a litigation manager for Porsche Cars North America. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Fordham University. She earned her M.B.A with a concentration in International Business and Finance from Argosy University. Now, she is involved in the Porsche Care Network America program and engaged in volunteer work at Hapeville Elementary School, Meals on Wheels, and CURE Childhood Cancer.
Eula Lewis-Spivey
Eula Lewis-Spivey has continuous leadership and service as an educator for DeKalb County School District in Stone Mountain, Georgia as an ESOL Educator. She is a fervent leader that has a proven track record. She has proactively made a difference by disseminating knowledge and educating all she’s encountered in her 30+ years of service within her school district and her community.
Daedrea D. Fenwick
Daedrea D. Fenwick is a civil litigation attorney with Stewart Miller Simmons Trial Attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia. When she is not practicing law, Daedrea actively volunteers with several Atlanta area service organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the United Way of Greater Atlanta and the Junior League of Atlanta. She also volunteered for several projects with Hands On Atlanta since graduating from college, and is excited to continue serving as a Civic Leadership Fellow!
Emily Furbish
Emily Furbish is an Atlanta native, currently working as a nurse. She spends most of her free time hiking with her dog, Wally, riding horses, and volunteering with a cancer survivors group and a women empowerment organization. Giving back to the community holds a special part in her heart, and she is excited to work with the Hands On Atlanta Disco Program to help students feel connected and engaged through our virtual learning sessions.
Aisha Harrison
Aisha Harrison currently works as the Talent Development Manager of Southern Company Gas and is a member of the American Association of Blacks in Energy, as well as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her passion for service includes delivering and packing meals with Open Hand, volunteering at the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and helping high school students to transition into adulthood by way of organizing college tours and workshops that introduce life skills.
Jenelle Chiang
Jenelle Chiang currently works as a Senior Consultant at Triage Consulting Group, specializing in healthcare revenue cycle management and graduated from Emory University-- serving on the executive board for the Emory Alumnae and Women Network. She’s passionate about photography, healthcare and helping her community. In her free time, she enjoys baking the perfect batch of cookies and dreaming about attending concerts again.
Keisha Leslie
Keisha Leslie is the Lead Radiation Therapist at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. She has joined many patients in their fight with cancer. Keisha stays active in the community by calling on her work colleagues, family, and friends for support in fundraisers and donations to various organizations in the surrounding areas. On the weekends, you can find Keisha taking a mental break by picking fresh vegetables out of her garden.
Amna Mahmud
Originally from Pakistan, Amna Mahmud is currently a Manager with PwC in their Operations Practice. At PwC she helped establish and currently leads a Diversity and Inclusion Network for 100+ people. Outside of work, Amna serves as the local committee lead for the Professional Chapter of Atlanta for Engineers without Borders. In her spare time, she loves to go hiking with her husband and trying out new vegan recipes.
Jasmine McKeiver
Originally from Newport News, Virginia, Jasmine McKeiver relocated to Atlanta, Ga in 2012, and one of her first volunteer experiences in Atlanta was with Hands on Atlanta's TeamWorks! Currently, she is a Marketing Manager at Ballard Designs. She is the current 2020-2021 President of the Georgia State University Young Alumni Council and a mentor for the Georgia State University, Robinson College graduate program. Jasmine has a Bachelor of Arts, Journalism degree from Norfolk State University and Master of Science, Marketing degree from Georgia State University.
Heather Patton
Heather Patton is a young professional with years of commitment to community service for many organizations including The American Red Cross, The American Cancer Society, Mental Health America, and more. She currently works for SCP Health as a marketing and communications advisor. Heather’s ultimate goal is to open her own nonprofit to provide accessible, affordable, evidence-based psychological and lifestyle support to oncology patients, survivors, and caregivers throughout the cancer journey—and educate the community about cancer awareness, prevention, and treatment as well.
Christina Paul
Christina Paul is an internal medicine physician passionate about improving health and wellness. She enjoys broadening her impact by lending time and resources to work with volunteer organizations making a variety of positive community changes.
Joiya Smith
Joiya Smith is originally from a small country town full of big love called Bogalusa, Louisiana. Filled with creative career aspirations, she went to Grambling State University to major in the field of Visual Arts where she concentrated in Graphic Design. In 2018 she relocated to the Atlanta area for better artistic opportunities. Now the 26 year old freelancer spends her time doing what she believes God has called her to do in this season, growing in the arts and being a servant to her community.
Jyll Walsh
Jyll Walsh works for Prevent Child Abuse Georgia which is housed by Georgia State University where she is also completing her Doctorate in Public Health. She can’t think of a more worthwhile way to spend her time than to help kids learn digitally as barriers to education increase due to the pandemic.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM A Week OF UNITY
Looking back at the 2020 edition of Hands On Atlanta Week
In a word… wow!
Atlanta, you’ve done it again. You rose to the occasion and answered the call. You battled a global pandemic, racial, political and economic divide, hurricane season, and constant uncertainty to unite in service for Hands On Atlanta Week. Together, 5,000 people came together to do something good at 225 projects and events from 55 nonprofit and community partners during the week of Oct. 3 - 10, 2020!
who you helped
You supported over 50 nonprofits, schools and community organizations doing important work across our communities! Here are just a few.
What you did
With a focus on food insecurity and engaging virtual projects, here’s a snapshot of some of the impact you created throughout the week.
You Fed
Distributed 35,000 pounds of food to 1500 families
Packed and distributed over 1,000 meal bags for students and families
You Engaged
Hosted 48 hours of civic engagement on topics of racial + education equity in America
Spent time with 60 students in Title 1 schools with the launch of our Disco program
You Worked
Spread 1 ton of mulch at Piedmont Park
Ran over 1,000 miles from the northside to the southwest side
You Recognized
Wrote 600+ cards and letters for seniors, students, teachers and healthcare workers across metro Atlanta
Watched 4 days of self-producing black theatre companies, artists, and writers
Projects and Events
With 225 projects and events, we can’t recap them all, but there were a few that stuck out and made an impact on the week.
Volunteers from Norfolk Southern came together (virtually) to write and mail over 200 letters to healthcare workers across metro Atlanta!
The Center for Puppetry Arts hosted a puppet show for Dunbar Elementary School's second grade class. The kids learned about two of Aesop's Fables and the show was supported by volunteers from Alston and Bird.
Volunteers from LexisNexis teamed up with Career Village for a virtual Advice Mob, where they answered more than 50 questions on career and college readiness from students in metro Atlanta.
In partnership with the ACLU of Georgia, Hands On Atlanta hosted a poll worker recruitment webinar for employees at OneDigital. Attendees learned how to sign up, but more importantly, why poll workers are in such high demand heading into the election.
In partnership with The Center for Civil and Human Rights, Hands On Atlanta hosted employees from Home Depot to learn more about education inequities locally and nationally.
Volunteers from Chick-fil-a packed and distributed meals to Atlanta families at Action Ministries and Whitefoord Elementary.
Hands On Atlanta staff came together with family and friends to pack meals for students at Brookview Elementary!
