THE CITIZEN BLOG
THE CITIZEN BLOG
AmeriCorps Spotlight: Shawn Holmes
Recently, we sat down with Shawn Holmes, to learn more about her journey, passion for mentoring, and love for Atlanta. Shawn is originally from Philadelphia and currently serves as a Social Emotional Learning Coach at Asa Hilliard Elementary School.
Shawn's journey with AmeriCorps began as a simple quest for employment. However, what started as a job opportunity transformed into a genuine love for the organization, her school, and most importantly her students. Shawn emphasized the camaraderie within the Atlanta team, describing it as "dope" and truly hands-on. She acknowledged the personal growth she has experienced and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to use her God-given gifts in her role. "In this position, I know I’m using my GOD-Gifts! When I’ve had opportunities to interact with students, I take it personally. I want to understand as best I can what their needs are. I truly want to be that teacher/mentor they remember years from now. That lady who loved me, who listened attentively!"
For Shawn, the most rewarding aspect of working with students is providing them with a safe space to vent unapologetically. She values creating an environment where their feelings and experiences are heard loud and clear. "I LOVE that they have a place to vent unapologetically, a safe space where whatever they’re feeling/experiencing is heard loud and clear!"
Shawn's aspirations extend beyond her role, as she seeks a better sense of herself and a deeper understanding of the diverse backgrounds of her students. She aims to walk away from this experience with a broader perspective, free from judgment. "A better sense of myself… and to respect the fact that many of my students have different backgrounds. I can’t always relate. However, I’d like to walk away with a better grasp of the vast demographic of my people without judgment." In envisioning her future, Shawn paints a picture of a fly 60-year-old woman who fully knows herself, walks in her God-given purpose, and radiates happiness, health, prosperity, and well-roundedness.
“Being a fly 60 year old who finally knows who she is, walks in her GOD PURPOSE, head held high, happy, healthy, lite, prosperous, and well-rounded!”
Outside of her mentoring and tutoring duties, Shawn unleashes her creative side through drawing and art. She finds joy in admiring her completed artwork and cherishes moments spent with her incredible family, especially her babies and grandbabies.
““I LOVE to draw, color, be my CREATIVE SELF! And most of all, I enjoy chatting it up with my man JESUS and my amazing family, especially my babies and grandbabies!””
When asked what she loves about Atlanta, Shawn explains that it holds a special place in her heart and expresses her love for it enthusiastically. She appreciates the inspiring and kind people she has met in Atlanta, particularly within the community, and feels at home until "Jesus comes."
"I love that I feel I’m home until JESUS comes! I love the people I’ve met thus far—so inspiring, so kind. I’ve encountered people that want me to succeed as they are! People who will most definitely put you on to something amazing and positive, personally and professionally. I love seeing our folks prosper! Inspiration is all around me, and the BEST PART is that they all look like me!!
We appreciate Shawn's commitment, her lightning bolt personality, and her drive and dedication to making a difference.
Are you interested in learning more about a year of service through the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program? Click here to see all the program benefits, what you’ll do and to start your application for the 2023-24 term.
Atlanta Influences Everything - Looking back at the 2024 MLK Days of Service
MLK Day is special no matter where you are, but here in Atlanta, it just means more.
Channeling the mantra of our friends at Atlanta Influences Everything, for the 2024 MLK Days of Service, presented by Delta Air Lines, Hands On Atlanta set out to showcase the good we can create by coming together to help build Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” We put the spotlight on our community of do-gooders and changemakers and challenged Atlanta to help us tackle our city’s most pressing needs. More than 3,000 volunteers stepped up to serve over January 11-15, 2024. These volunteers braved cold temps to support 50 nonprofits and schools across metro Atlanta.
Here’s a look back at some of the projects and lasting impact they created:
MLK Day is special no matter where you are, but here in Atlanta, it just means more.
Channeling the mantra of our friends at Atlanta Influences Everything, for the 2024 MLK Days of Service, presented by Delta Air Lines, Hands On Atlanta set out to showcase the good we can create by coming together to help build Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” We put the spotlight on our community of do-gooders and changemakers and challenged Atlanta to help us tackle our city’s most pressing needs. More than 3,000 volunteers stepped up to serve over January 11-15, 2024. These volunteers braved cold temps to support 50 nonprofits and schools across metro Atlanta.
Here’s a look back at some of the projects and lasting impact they created:
Monday, January 15
MEALS4KIDS MEAL PACK
The U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, and newly appointed CEO of Points of Light, Jennifer Sirangelo joined 175 volunteers from Delta Air Lines at Wild Heaven Brewery to pack over 3,000 meals for students at Love T. Nolan Elementary, Usher Collier Elementary, and Scott Elementary. In addition to hard work and impact, 2024 Hands On Atlanta Civic Fellow, Jason Thomas, was presented with the Daily Point of Light Award, in recognition of his outstanding commitment to volunteering and service.
Friday, January 12
970 JEFFERSON TAKEOVER
The Hands On Atlanta warehouse at 970 Jefferson St. (home of the original Atlanta Community Food Bank) is a perfect place to fight food insecurity and support our neighbors in need! The built in community of nonprofits opened their doors to 125 volunteers from The Home Depot, Kilpatrick, Bennett Thrasher, and Deloitte for a morning of good! Volunteers packed 400 hygiene kits that were distributed Saturday morning through Ebenezer Baptist Church, to the Old Fourth Ward community near the historic church.
Thursday, January 11
LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION MURAL AND RENOVATION
Volunteers from the Home Depot and OneDigital helped kick-off our MLK Days of Service by painting an awesome mural, designed by XXX and executing various tasks throughout the building. They painted bathrooms, renovated the staff room, put together new furniture, and a built a big storage to complete the renovations. But wait, there’s more! Volunteers from 5 projects over the 5 days painted a “traveling mural” of 12x12 canvases that came together for a 2nd large mural to be displayed at the Latin American Association offices!
WREN’S NEST BEAUTIFICATION
Monday, January 15
Volunteers from the community, Salesforce, Fiserv, ADP, Alston & Bird, and 48 members of our AmeriCorps engaged in a variety of projects to help the Wren’s Nest continue their mission of preserving storytelling traditions, cultivating the next generation of readers and writers, and celebrating self-expression. Together, they built benches, landscaped, built a new shed, installed shelving and executed a neighborhood cleanup.
Sunday, January 14
10TH ANNUAL MLK SUNDAY SUPPER
300 corporate and community leaders from across metro Atlanta gathered for an intimate, vulnerable, and thought-provoking evening at the 2024 MLK Sunday Supper presented by Coca-Cola. 11Alive’s, Cheryl Preheim emceed the night, moderating a panel on the night’s theme of “Challenging the Status Quo”. The panel featured Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, founder, The Village Market, Bem Joiner, co-founder of Atlanta Influences Everything and Dr. Eloisa Klmentich, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. The main course for the evening were guided table conversations, led by 35 of Atlanta changemakers. After the conversations concluded, Soul Food Cypher performed a “rap up” before Jay Bailey, President and CEO at Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs closed the evening as our challenge speaker.
You can click here to host your own meaningful conversation on Challenging the Status Quo thanks to our friends at Inclusivv.
Here are some more highlighted moments:
thank you to all of our incredible sponsors
Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024
Check out these featured volunteer opportunities to help get involved with our MLK Days of Service and to do something good!
BEAUTIFICATION AND INVASIVE REMOVAL AT HISTORIC BAGLEY PARK
10:00am - 1:00pm
Join Friends of Bagley Park and Restore ATL to remove invasive species, and complete general landscaping task to improve the ecosystem of the park. Volunteers will work on creek restoration project be led by ReForest Atlanta. There will also be projects along the stream buffer to remove invasives. Tree mulching as well.
MLK Days of Service 2024 - Latin American Association Beautification
9:00Am - 1:30pm
Volunteers will support a series of beautification activities to improve the facilities used daily by clients and families of the Latin American Association building + property on Buford Highway.
Food Plus - Just1 BMG "Big Miller Grove Missionary Church
9:00am - 2:00pm
Help the pantry will give away prepackaged bags of food containing non-perishable items, vegetables, dairy products, and meat!
Looking for something else?
Hop on over to our volunteer portal, where you’ll find 200+ opportunities to volunteer for our MLK Days of Service, happening January 11-15, 2024.
Friday, Jan. 12, 2024
Check out these featured volunteer opportunities to help get involved with our MLK Days of Service and to do something good!
Reflections of Trinity Food Pantry Weekly Grocery Prep 2024
10:00am - 4:00pm
Help prepare boxes of food, load and unload trucks, put away food on shelves and in freezers, and get their Food Bank ready for their weekly grocery distribution.
Distribution Prep - Stock Shelves, Pack Boxes, Unload Truck
11:00Am - 3:00pm
Help unload grocery store deliveries, stock shelves and pack distribution boxes for families in the community.
Operation Clean Sweep (Moreland Ave)
9:30am - 12:00pm
Assist with litter management, the collection of litter and debris within the city right -of -ways.
Looking for something else?
Hop on over to our volunteer portal, where you’ll find 200+ opportunities to volunteer for our MLK Days of Service, happening January 11-15, 2024.
Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
Check out these featured volunteer opportunities to help get involved with our MLK Days of Service and to do something good!
MLK 24 - Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia
9:00am - 1:00pm
Volunteers will engage in a campus beautification event at the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia with breakfast and lunch provided! You will be creating new and beautiful entrances for the front and rear of the building. This includes adding native plants and new landscaping, tree care and many more exciting beautification projects.
SATISFEED! Feeding Families and Connecting Communities
8:15Am - 11:30am
Volunteers will create 60-70 pound bags of food (fresh and shelf stable) and distribute to families in need at this drive thru style pantry.
Food Pantry - Car Ambassador
9:30am - 11:00am
Come help distribute food box/bags to clients and carry and load their items into vehicles if needed.
Looking for something else?
Hop on over to our volunteer portal, where you’ll find 200+ opportunities to volunteer for our MLK Days of Service, happening January 11-15, 2024.
Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024
Check out these featured volunteer opportunities to help get involved with our MLK Days of Service and to do something good!
Grove Park/Proctor Creek Stewardship/Forest Restoration
9:30am - 12:30pm
Volunteers help restore natural areas in parks and greenspaces. Jobs include working with hand tools such as clippers, pruning saws, trowels and shovels.
Five Points Farm (@Five Points MARTA) Community Garden - AgLanta Grows-A-Lot
10:00Am - 1:00pm
Head downtown to help one of Atlanta's most unique community gardens - the Five Points Farm - a member of the AgLanta Grows-A-Lot program. Volunteers help with weeding, planting, watering, harvesting and doing site beautification projects.
Drivers Needed - Complete Community Services Hours (8-10 Hour Shifts)
6:00Pm - 11:55pm
Help SafeRide America save lives as a chase driver, and proactively prevent all types of impaired driving!
Looking for something else?
Hop on over to our volunteer portal, where you’ll find 200+ opportunities to volunteer for our MLK Days of Service, happening January 11-15, 2024.
Monday, Jan. 15, 2024
Check out these featured volunteer opportunities to help get involved with our MLK Days of Service and to do something good!
Keep Our Community Clean
10:00am - 1:00pm
Participate with us as we designante 2hrs of picking up debris alongside with other individuals who are committed and community-focused to making a difference.
Hawk Hollow Garden
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Volunteers will work at Hawk Hollow, a native plant garden. Activities include tasks such as weeding, planting, and mulching.
Community Marketplace Food Pantry
10:00am - 3:00pm
The Community Marketplace provides food to families experiencing food disparities. Volunteers assist with the operation of our drive through/walk up pantry.
Looking for something else?
Hop on over to our volunteer portal, where you’ll find 200+ opportunities to volunteer for our MLK Days of Service, happening January 11-15, 2024.
AmeriCorps Spotlight: Demetrius Vaughn
Y’all, we are so excited to introduce you to this month’s AmeriCorps Member Spotlight, Demetrius Vaughn. Demetrius is an Atlanta native and serves as an Academic Tutor at Drew Charter Elementary School. Demetrius has stepped in and established himself as a trustworthy and knowledgeable resource to students and the team at Drew EA.
Y’all, we are so excited to introduce you to this month’s AmeriCorps Member Spotlight, Demetrius Vaughn!
Demetrius is an Atlanta native and serves as an Academic Tutor at Drew Charter Elementary School. Demetrius has stepped in and established himself as a trustworthy and knowledgeable resource to students and the team at Drew EA. He thrives under pressure and constantly goes the extra mile for his students every chance he gets. After serving as an Academic Tutor, Demetrius is also planning on pursuing even more service to our country in the Peace Corps. During his time with Hands On Atlanta, Demetrius has shown the initiative to get the job done plus more. He truly embodies our motto of “Do Something Good”. Thank you for your dedication and commitment towards making a difference in the communities we serve.
So, Demetrius, tell us: why did you join AmeriCorps?
The reason I joined AmeriCorps has so many different reasons. One of the main reasons was my need to help in the city that I grew up in. I believe as a native of Atlanta it is my duty to give back to the community that raised me. As a kid I was someone who did not have the opportunity to have someone be there for me every step of the way, Instead, I had to figure out things on my own. I do not want any kid to feel like they are not important, we all need love and care, so I wanted to make sure that I make every kid I come across feel special. My goal is to ensure that I continue to light the flame of every kid that I come across because we all have a flame sometimes it just needs some extra care. So, I am here to ensure that the light and flame they have been reinforced.
“We are all fighting for a better Atlanta and that is what I love most about the city.”
What do you like most about working with your students?
One thing I love most is connecting with the students and seeing how our relationship grows over time. They go from not knowing who I am to feeling comfortable with me and becoming inseparable. I love them really because each of them is special to me in their own way. They really keep me on my feet and remind me to never let go of my inner child, and that is important to me. Working with my students reminds me that I am just a resource in this little time, that is here to help them along the way. Hopefully, they remember me, but If they do not it's okay too, because I want to positive impact on their journey. Working with young kids can be challenging but I love the work that I do.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to honestly say that I have made a positive impact on the youth, in a way that they will remember. I also want to gain experience being a teacher and showing myself that no matter what I can do anything that I put my mind to. This experience was challenging to me, but I would not change it for nothing. I am glad to serve and glad to be a resource to all the kids I work with.
“This experience was challenging to me, but I would not change it for nothing. I am glad to serve and glad to be a resource to all the kids I work with.
”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully out of the country working with my non-profit to teach kids how to become photographers, videographers, and multimedia artists. My hope is to be going around from city to city, and around the world empowering youth to express themselves through their creativity. Empowering youth to express themselves in a constructive way is vitally important to me.
When you’re not mentoring/tutoring, what do you like to do for fun?
Normally when I’m not doing those, I’m outside with my camera taking photos around the city. I’m a street photographer so I do my best to capture street art, people, and anything catches my eye. I also like to consider myself a foodie, so I’m actively trying to find new restaurants to eat at. Also, I love to go vinyl shopping and thrifting those are two of my favorite things to do honestly.
What do you love about Atlanta?
I truly love the vibrance of the city and the people of the city. Atlanta is such a beautiful place with so much culture and long history, I truly enjoy how some of us try to preserve that history. We love our city because of the people it has made us into today, from College Park all the way down to the West End. Each part of the city has its own culture and vibe, that is what make the city so beautiful. As much I love the city, I can point out the problems that exist here as well. Thats why I love the city it is not perfect , but at least we can address our grievances. This is the city where civil rights and activism is championed from the community farms to those fighting back against oppression. We are all fighting for a better Atlanta and that is what I love most about the city.
Are you interested in learning more about a year of service through the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program? Click here to see all the program benefits, what you’ll do and to start your application for the 2023-24 term.