SCIENCE + SMILES - 4th Annual Discovery Pop Up

If you’ve ever seen a child light up while building a rocket, creating art, or learning how to calm their mind—you’ve seen our Discovery in action. 

Discovery is Hands On Atlanta’s longest-running education program. It serves nearly 1,000 K–5 students from Title I schools across metro Atlanta, two Saturdays a month from October through April. Each session is packed with engaging activities that focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), social-emotional learning, and health and wellness. 

We believe learning should be joyful and hands-on—and Discovery is all about making that happen. 

On April 19, 2025, we wrapped up another fun and meaningful Discovery season with our 4th Annual Discovery Pop Up Celebration—a day full of smiles, energy, and love for our amazing students. From hands-on activities to sweet treats, the celebration was all about honoring the hard work and curiosity of our young learners. The space was buzzing with excitement—families, volunteers, and partners all came together to make it something special. 

Big thanks to our presenting sponsor, Kennesaw State University, for helping us bring this day to life! 

Shoutout to Our Community Partners 

We couldn’t have pulled this off without the amazing local partners who joined us: 

Welgen One

Welgen One shared tips and tools to help families stay healthy and active. 

8 Legged Scales

8 Legged Scales brought out their reptiles and wowed students with an up-close look at some pretty cool creatures. 

Frozen Sweets

Frozen Sweets kept everyone cool and happy with their delicious frozen treats. 

Sweet Magnolia & Parklounge

Sweet Magnolia brought organic juices and sweets, while Parklounge brought meals!

FB4K

Free Bikes 4 Kidz gave away 25 bikes to our Discovery scholars!

It’s these kinds of partnerships that make our work possible—and remind us what community really means. 

Until Next Season… 

Every Discovery Saturday is a reminder of how much potential lives in our students—and how powerful it is when a village shows up to support them. We’re incredibly proud of all they’ve learned and achieved this year. 

The celebration may be over, but the impact of Discovery lasts all year long. We can’t wait to do it all again in October! 

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Support Discovery

Support one of our most popular and impactful programs with a corporate sponsorship or individual donation! Any size contribution will help. From financial to in-kind support, the program thrives off of community involvement.

Nonprofit Spotlight: Star-C

We’re excited to spotlight on our amazing partners - Star-C. Founded in 2014, Star-C is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta with a mission to reduce resident transiency in affordable housing communities and nearby schools, provide academic support for children, and ultimately improve the quality of life for both individuals and neighborhoods.

In 2024, they continued to thrive with afterschool and summer camp enrichment for approximately 200 elementary students to wellness initiatives, eviction relief, and senior citizen programs serving over 2,200 residents! Star-C fosters effective collaborations with nonprofit partners, municipal resources, and critical service providers to break the cycle of transiency in underserved neighborhoods.

Star-C is a tremendous asset to the affordable housing community, providing essential services and support that empower families, enhance neighborhoods, and foster stability and growth for the community as a whole.

Learn more about Star-C in our interview with both Aleksandra Lesher & Keya Oates!

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Tell us about your organization – what’s your mission, and what does it mean to the our community?

Founded in 2014, Star-C is a nonprofit organization based in Atlanta with a mission to reduce resident transiency in affordable housing communities and nearby schools, provide academic support for children, and ultimately improve the quality of life for both individuals and neighborhoods. Our vision is to create affordable communities of choice. We achieve this by partnering with conscientious landlords committed to offering well-maintained, affordable housing for working families, many of whom live near the poverty line. Star-C's programs are housed at on-site community centers which host our suite of wraparound services. Our on-site presence offers convenience for residents to participate, overcoming barriers such as transportation and cost, and builds trust within the community. Those we serve are primarily working families, many who live near the poverty line. The needs of these communities are great; many low-income families struggle with income sufficiency, food security, mental and physical health, safe housing, employment opportunities, transportation, and more. The lack of all or some of these essential needs can be severely detrimental to a family’s wellbeing and can lead to family instability and ultimately poverty. Star-C’s programs are an important component contributing to family wellbeing, which leads to family stability and improved health outcomes of residents.

What’s the history of your organization? How and why did it get started?

Founded in 2014 by Margaret (Marjy) Stagmeier, Star-C is a collaborative, nonprofit 501(c)3 providing affordable apartment community residents with free educational, wellness, food security, and eviction relief programs. Star-C’s program model is simple and unique: reduce transiency by keeping families stable, in an affordable housing environment, with access to educational support and affordable medical services, and they will have the highest chance to thrive. Our “community-centered model” results in decreased transiency for apartment communities and schools, establishes strong bonds within communities, decreases expenses for families, and provides educational support for elementary students. One of the biggest determinants of an under-performing school is transiency (movement of a student out of a learning environment after a short period of time) and one of the biggest transiency factors is the lack of affordable housing. Every time a student moves, they lose three months of a nine-month school calendar. A Government Accountability Office study found that families who did not own their home made up 39% of the most highly mobile students. Last year, Star-C expanded its programming through the addition of properties in Clayton County (The Flats & Villas at Mt. Zion – including a community specifically for individuals aged 65+), another property in Cobb County (Amber Grove) and our largest property yet, Redwood Ridge in Forest Park, with 593 units. Each property utilizes the Star-C model of our other properties, wherein we provide our signature suite of services to bolster families and communities and fully address their needs in a variety of ways.

What kind of programming do you offer to the community?

Afterschool & Summer Camp - Led by a Site Director and an Assistant Site Director, these programs are designed to provide a safe, community-based place for children to be while their families are at work. During the school year, students are met at the bus and receive homework assistance, the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities, and a structured curriculum incorporating an emphasis on mental/emotional wellbeing and free play. Our summer camp provides a similar environment, at the same onsite location, with the addition of field trips and additional nutrition support in the form of breakfast and lunch. By alleviating the burden of childcare costs and providing high-quality educational support, Star-C’s programs help working families achieve greater economic stability. Parents can go to work with peace of mind, knowing their children are in a safe, supportive, and enriching environment. This support is crucial for families living near the poverty line, as it helps them to break the cycle of poverty and transiency by enabling consistent employment and economic self-sufficiency. Star-C hosted Afterschool & Summer Camp programs at all full-service sites, supporting nearly 200 underserved children who benefitted from almost 1,400 donated volunteer hours and were provided over 93,000 curriculum hours of learning. Average daily attendance by site for 2023-24 programs was: Willow Branch-38, Stratford Ridge-39, Amber Grove-20, The Flats & Villas at Mt. Zion-34, Redwood Ridge-31, Springview/Summerdale-30. All children participating in Summer Camp enjoyed a range of field trips- such as roller skating, bowling, splash pads, movies, and outings to Six Flags, Stone Mountain Park, and Zoo Atlanta.

• Health & Wellness - Health & wellness programs operate year-round with a goal to provide, at minimum, one event per property per quarter. Star-C collaborates with organizations such as UnitedHealthcare, JenCare, C.O.R.E., Grady Healthcare, Family Health Center at Cobb, Morehouse School of Medicine, Medcura, and others to implement wellness programs at its sites. Star-C successfully implemented wellness events at all program sites, including free checkups, health screenings, vaccinations and more, provided by local doctors. Strategically located on-site at the apartment communities we serve, thereby removing barriers for residents to have access to essential medical resources, our aim is to provide additional health/wellness events at each of our full-service sites and additional sites through Star-C Select. - Star-C Select has also provided additional services and resources to both our full-service sites and additional communities by partnering with iThink Financial to bolster financial literacy, with 86 new accounts opened thus far in 2024. Additional resources include tax preparation and life insurance, providing a full suite of community service offerings to our residents in need. Finally, we are piloting a financial literacy with Frontline Housing at Springview/Summerdale & Redwood Ridge, which includes a savings match program for residents who sign up.

• Eviction Relief – During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Star-C assisted with eviction relief efforts for the Metro Atlanta area while maintaining its mission of providing wraparound services to help children and families in underserved communities prosper. In late 2023, Mayor Andre Dickens and the City of Atlanta announced a $2 million Eviction Diversion grant to provide rental assistance to low-income households to be distributed in 2024, followed by an additional $2 million announced in July. To date, $16.5 million in assistance has been raised for families during and after COVID, serving 330+ properties over a 14-county region.

What problem is your organization trying to solve, and can you tell us more about the issue?

One of the biggest determinants of an under-performing school is transiency (movement of a student out of a learning environment after a short period of time) and one of the biggest transiency factors is the lack of affordable housing. Every time a student moves, they lose three months of a nine-month school calendar. Those three months are critical to a student - not only academically, but mentally and emotionally as well. A Government Accountability Office study found that families who did not own their home made up 39% of the most highly mobile students. Transiency is only one part of the equation, however. In Atlanta, it is estimated that 1 in 6 children won’t know where their next meal will come from, a heartbreaking statistic highlighting just how many families struggle with food insecurity. While our afterschool and summer camp programs provide elementary students with critical nutrition support, we also aim to offer supplemental nutrition while students are on break from school. The nutrition support we currently provide is often students’ only nutrition for the day, so when school is on break, our students suffer. It has also been reported that families are forced to make choices around whether to feed themselves or their children. Thus, our goal is to provide vital nutrition support to students (and families) at our full-service sites during the seasonal breaks aligning with their public school calendar year – hosting the food distribution the week prior to the break. We've found that the combination of stable rent, free educational programs for children, and the provision of on-site health and wellness resources has enabled residents and families to thrive.

“At Star-C, volunteers are vital to our mission of supporting families in affordable housing communities. Whether you’re assisting a child with homework, helping with logistics at a community event, or supporting a Site Director with daily operations, each and every role makes a lasting impact - and our work would not be possible without volunteers!”

— Aleksandra Lesher & Keya Oates

What’s your biggest highlight or success from the past year?

It's hard to choose! Between celebrating our tenth year of providing services to Atlanta families in need - to our 2nd annual back-to-school Backpack Giveaway, where we reached 53 communities, distributing over 2,600 backpacks filled with resources to help students start the year right - to just last week receiving report cards and seeing firsthand how our students have flourished since being in Star-C programs (averaging an A for all students across all six sites!). We are truly grateful for the support of our volunteers, organizations like Hands On Atlanta, and those who help support our work every day.

How many volunteers do you need every month, and can you describe the experience of serving with your organization for the volunteer? What do they do? What’s a day in the life as a volunteer with your organization?

Volunteers with Star-C gain more than just hours, they gain community. Whether you're high-fiving kids after tutoring, preparing a game booth, or helping organize the snack cabinet, your presence supports healthy development, academic growth, and strong neighborhoods.

Volunteers receive a brief orientation, are matched with a role that fits their interest, and are supported by our team every step of the way. A day in the life at Star-C is hands-on, purpose-driven, and deeply rewarding. We welcome individuals, small groups, corporate teams, and school volunteers alike. Let us know your interests, and we’ll find the perfect way for you to get involved.

Monthly volunteer needed: 40–60 volunteers per month during the school year - primarily supporting after-school programming; 60–80 volunteers per month during summer months and special event seasons - supporting summer camp, event planning, and large-scale festivals

What types of projects do you offer? What are your biggest projects available, and needs from volunteers? Tell us about a few different offerings.

At Star-C, we believe in strengthening communities by supporting the families and children who call them home. Through year-round programs, ongoing support services, and unforgettable community events, we create safe spaces where kids can thrive—and volunteers play a huge part in making that happen. Our Biggest Ongoing Projects are:

1. After-School Program (August – May) One of our longest-running and most essential programs, our After-School Program runs Monday through Friday across multiple Star-C communities. Volunteers are needed to: Provide homework help and tutoring Lead small enrichment activities (STEM, reading groups, art, games) Assist with check-in, snack distribution, and classroom support Offer mentorship and positive encouragement to students Typical Hours: 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM (Weekdays)

2. Summer Camp (June – July) Our Summer Camp keeps kids active, learning, and having fun during the summer months. Volunteers help by: Running or assisting with daily activity stations (sports, crafts, science, etc.) Supporting field trips and outdoor recreation Helping with meals, transitions, and group management Bringing energy and fun to campers ages 5–12 Flexible shifts between 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM- based on the program/event We’re Active Across Atlanta You’ll have a chance to serve at one of six Star-C community sites throughout the Atlanta area, including: Cobb Fulton Clayton Dekalb Each site offers unique opportunities to support kids in different neighborhoods, but all share the same mission: wraparound care that uplifts entire communities. Why Volunteer with Star-C? You’ll build real connections with students, families, and staff You’ll help kids build confidence and reach their potential You’ll become part of a community-driven mission focused on education, wellness, and equity Whether you're available once a week or once a season—we have a place for you Volunteer Roles You Can Choose From: Homework Helper Reading Buddy Activity Leader (Art, STEM, Sports) Summer Camp help Event Volunteer (Spring Fling, Fall Festival) Site Director Support Events Manager support

“One of my favorite things about working at Star-C is the way we show up for families—not just during big events, but consistently through our after-school programs, summer camps, and everyday interactions. I’ve been with the organization since the very beginning, over 10 years ago, and it’s been incredible to watch us grow from a small initiative into a trusted community partner making real impact across metro Atlanta. What keeps me inspired is the kids. Whether I’m planning a Spring Fling or just stopping by an after-school program, the relationships we build are lasting. I love knowing that even if I haven’t seen a student in weeks or months, they’ll still run up with a big smile yelling, ‘Ms. Keya!’ That tells me we’re doing something right, we’re making memories, building trust, and creating spaces where children feel seen and valued. That’s what makes this work so special to me.”

— Keya Oates

What do volunteers love about working with your organization?

• Real Connections: Volunteers build meaningful relationships with kids through tutoring, games, and mentorship.

• Welcoming Environment: Volunteers feel valued, supported, and part of the team. Visible Impact: Whether helping with after-school programs or big events, the difference is easy to see.

• Flexible Roles: From reading buddies to event support, there’s something for everyone.

• Lasting Memories: Volunteers often return because the experience is fun, fulfilling, and unforgettable. Star-C makes it easy to serve and even easier to love doing it.

What’s going to be happening with your organization in 2025 that you’re really excited about?

Every summer, Star-C hosts Star-C Week, a highly anticipated tradition held during June or July. This special week brings together all six of our program sites for one major field trip to an Atlanta landmark. It’s a fun-filled day of education, exploration, and excitement, giving our kids the chance to experience something new outside of their everyday routines. As they travel across the city, many get to see iconic parts of Atlanta for the very first time, broadening their perspectives and creating unforgettable memories. In past years, we’ve visited the Atlanta Zoo and had full-access tours of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This year, we’re excited to keep the tradition going and are hoping to take our kids to Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, for another incredible day of discovery and fun. Star-C Week is more than just a field trip, it’s a celebration of community, opportunity, and the joy of shared experiences.

Let’s leave our readers with a list of ways they can jump in and get involved. Tell us how we can support you!

There are several ways individuals, schools, and organizations can get involved and make a meaningful impact.

• Volunteer Opportunities - Support after-school programs, summer camps, and community events like Spring Flings and Fall Festivals Volunteers are encouraged to bring friends, family, coworkers, or school groups—we welcome community-wide support and partnership

• In-Kind Donations: Classroom supplies, event materials, gently used books, games, and hygiene kits

• Monetary Contributions: Help cover costs for student field trips, camp activities, special events, and enrichment programs

• Donate Snacks: Healthy snacks are needed regularly for our after-school programs and summer camps Sponsor a Child- I'm not sure if we can include this either Cover the cost of snacks, supplies, and programming for a child in after-school or summer camp

• Feed a Family for the Holidays: Contribute to our seasonal meal programs for Star-C families

• Support Holiday Toy Drives: Help bring joy to children by donating new toys and gifts

• Host a Drive: Organize a donation drive for classroom supplies, hygiene kits, or non-perishable food

• Corporate & Community Partnerships: Star-C welcomes sponsorships and partnerships to sustain long-term programming and community impact.

We are always looking to build new relationships with individuals and organizations that share our vision of healthy, thriving communities. Let us know how you’d like to get involved!

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Nonprofit Spotlight: Legacy Park

We’re proud to spotlight our amazing nonprofit partner, Legacy Park. This 77-acre gem in Decatur is more than green space, it’s a bold vision for community, conservation, and connection. 

Legacy Park is redefining what it means to build a thriving, inclusive city. With affordable housing underway, restored woodlands and wetlands, vibrant arts programming, and a home to 17 nonprofit partners, they’re proving that environmental stewardship and community-building go hand in hand. Legacy Park isn’t just preserving history, they’re creating a future where everyone belongs. Volunteer with Legacy Park here!

Learn more about Legacy Park in our interview with Madeleine Henner below!

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Tell us about your organization – what’s your mission, and what does it mean to the our community?

Legacy Decatur is the nonprofit steward of Legacy Park, a 77-acre property dedicated to environmental preservation and education, recreation, affordable housing, and inclusive community building. These goals are sometimes perceived as contradictory, but Legacy Decatur works to show that we can stitch together opportunities that strengthen relationships between neighbors who work together to be better stewards of the natural environment. From 1873 until 2017, the Legacy Park property served as the United Methodist Children’s Home for foster youth. Thousands of Georgia’s most vulnerable children came to this site, where they found safe housing, quiet natural space, recreation to heal through play, and a community that cared for them. As data began to show that children have better outcomes in home settings as compared to institutions, the Children’s Home decided to sell 500 South Columbia Drive. The City of Decatur purchased the land with the promise that the property could continue to be a source of good in the community. Rather than assume community desires, the City of Decatur underwent an extensive civic engagement process that sought the feedback of thousands of our neighbors. The residents’ feedback crafted a Master Plan that reflects the needs and desires of our community and ensures that Legacy Park will be a welcoming and engaging space for all.

Can you share some impact stats or comments about the work being done by your organization?

Legacy Park includes 25 buildings and a 22-acre conservation area with a pond, wetlands, nature trails, woodlands, and meadows. As an urban greenspace, Legacy Park provides vital habitat for wildlife and improves water and air quality. The conservation initiatives encourage community resilience and stewardship of shared resources.

In 2024, Legacy Park began construction on 132 affordable housing units through the Decatur Housing Authority; opened the Creative Village artist studios; planted 450 native plants; removed invasive plants and 4,139 pounds of garbage; constructed a track and field; installed restrooms; increased environmental programming; and hosted 31,900 visitors at Legacy Park.

As a community space, we repurpose the historic buildings for inclusive events and office space for our 17 nonprofit partners, whose expertise and programming further the mission and make Legacy welcoming and engaging for all people.

• Global Growers operates a two-acre community garden for refugee growers at Legacy Park as one of their 10 growing sites across the Atlanta Metro.

• Refugee Women's Network offers social and economic adjustment services for refugee families, including a newly opened commercial kitchen at Legacy Park for their Chefs Club entrepreneurial catering program.

• Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance operates an Ability Garden for veterans and those with physical disabilities.

• L’Arche Atlanta has two homes for adults with and without developmental disabilities in Decatur and hosts inclusive events at Legacy Park.

• Paint Love offers trauma-informed, intergenerational art programming.

• Decatur Arts Alliance operates seven artist studios, as well as art classes and gallery space.

• Frank Hamilton School hosts bluegrass and old-time music classes and performances.

• Global Spokes fixes donated bikes to donate to low-income folks, especially refugees.

• Grief House weaves grief into life with art, nature, and group gatherings.

• Wild Nest Bird Rehab cares for approximately 1,500 injured and orphaned birds each year, releasing many at Legacy Park.

• Compassionate Atlanta promotes compassion to self, community, and systems through their work in inter-faith, LGBTQIA, immigration, sustainability, and health.

• Decatur Book Festival hosts a renowned book festival that promotes creative expression and literacy.

• Decatur Education Foundation supports students and their families with food, curriculum support, mental health services, and teacher grants.

• Decatur Land Trust works to address the city’s loss of affordable homes and low-to-moderate-income residents in the City of Decatur.

• Georgia Arborist Association offers arborist education and safety training.

• Tai Chi 4 LIFE Cooperative provides classes for all levels based on traditions thousands of years old and taking in modern teaching methods learn to combine your mind, body, and spirit to find harmony and balance.

• Wylde Center operates five greenspaces around East Atlanta and offers environmental education field trips, classes, camps, and programming for folks of all ages.

What’s the history of your organization? How and why did it get started?

Decatur’s success is in large part due to the community's long standing spirit of interdependence. When our residents see an issue, they dive in to become the solution. Legacy Decatur started in 2014 to serve as the fiscal agent for all of these grassroots organizations doing good work around the city. When the Legacy Park Master Plan identified a need for a nonprofit organization to manage the Park, Legacy Decatur’s history of collaboration and grassroots problem solving made us the ideal fit to implement the Master Plan.

What kind of programming do you offer to the community?

Legacy Park offers a space for people to come together to be in community. Legacy Park is a highly used space, with 31,900 unique visitors in 2024. Our volunteer-built all natural surface 5k cross country course is used by Decatur High School teams, runners of all speeds, dog walkers, and birders who come to see the 172 species of birds found at Legacy. Many folks come regularly to explore the park, picnic on the lawn, or play on the inclusive playground. We also have folks that come specifically for events like our food vendor picnic series Truckin’ Tuesdays in May and September or our annual Community Day, coming on April 26, celebrating the community-serving work of Legacy Park’s 17 nonprofit tenants. In addition to Legacy Decatur events, each of our nonprofits activate their spaces to welcome specific groups of people, and our affordable venues are also available for private gatherings.

What problem is your organization trying to solve, and can you tell us more about the issue?

Listening to the community, Legacy Park works to preserve our environment, provide recreational spaces to build healthy habits, increase affordable housing availability, and offer opportunities for inclusive community building. 2024 was a year where news of natural disasters became a frequent reminder of both the value and vulnerability of the natural assets in our communities. In the extreme heat of the summer, Legacy Park’s woodland canopy provided shade and absorbed heat. The plants’ leaves and roots filtered pollutants from the air and water. During Hurricane Helene, its wetlands absorbed the overflowing water after the dams burst and prevented the flooding of our downhill neighbors. This urban oasis fed and sheltered pollinators, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.

It is no secret that Decatur, like much of the country, lacks enough affordable housing. The Decatur Housing Authority broke ground on the 132 apartments serving low and middle income residents. These apartments will allow teachers, firefighters, and local business employees to live in the community that they serve. In a time where Health and Human Services has identified isolation and loneliness as an epidemic, Legacy invested in inclusive community. The state of the art track and field for open community use, City Schools of Decatur students, and Parks and Recreation programming will invite folks to engage in healthy activity together. The installation of public restrooms available during open Park hours will allow folks to share time outdoors for longer than their bladder. The Creative Village seven affordable art studios, gallery space, and art classes introduce people to new hobbies and new friends thanks to the partnership of the Decatur Arts Alliance. Legacy now hosts seventeen nonprofits, whose partnerships, expertise, and programs make Decatur a better place. Legacy welcomed thousands of people to the Park at events, the inclusive playground, and the peaceful trails.

How do volunteers support your mission? What impact do they have on your work? What difference do they make?

In 2024, over 150 people volunteered with Legacy Decatur to pull invasives, reintroduce wetland plants, refinish the chapel hardwood floors, paint our biggest community event space, and mulch trees to protect their roots and improve soil health.

What’s your biggest highlight or success from the past year?

The transformation of the wetland was a major highlight last year. With volunteer support, we removed over 4,000 pounds of garbage, pulled piles of invasive privet and English ivy, and planted 300 native grasses, ferns, and shrubs. This space is so much healthier without the plastic leaching into the water and the invasives choking out any biodiversity. The addition of native plants filter out pollutants, prevent erosion, and provide a sustainable food source to the 180 bird species found at Legacy Park.

How many volunteers do you need every month, and can you describe the experience of serving with your organization for the volunteer? What do they do? What’s a day in the life as a volunteer with your organization?

With a staff of two, Legacy Decatur relies on volunteers to make things happen. For example, this past Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves staff joined us to Pitch in for the Planet. Once they had their project-specific tools, they got to work. The front garden had become so overgrown that it had to be mowed to maintain vehicle sightline. Some of our native plants returned, as did many weeds. The volunteers carefully combed through the garden to pull invasive grasses to make room for 19 new native pollinator-friendly plants and terracotta pots that will provide continuous irrigation for the new plants. This garden is at the heart of the Park and greets every visitor that comes through the main drive. Revitalizing the pollinator garden announces our commitment to sustainability while also creating a beautiful and welcoming aesthetic.

What types of projects do you offer? What are your biggest projects available, and needs from volunteers? Tell us about a few different offerings.

With 77-acres and 25 buildings, Legacy Park offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities. Our largest volunteer need is removing invasive plants from the 22-acre conservation area. Because we limit the chemical treatment, hand-pulling invasive plants becomes the main way that we can restore the woodlands. Mulching the many trees is another great opportunity for large volunteer groups. With many events at Legacy, the tree roots become exposed, endangering the health of the trees. Mulching each tree protects the trees and prolongs the shade and wildlife habitat they provide.

Volunteer groups may also build picnic tables, install bike racks, and pick up trash around the park. As we repair the historic buildings around Legacy, we repurpose them for nonprofit organizations. Once a building has had the capital repairs to receive a certificate of occupancy, volunteers can help to clean, paint, and prepare the building for the incoming nonprofit.

Who is your volunteer manager, and what’s their favorite thing about working for your organization?

Leaving my office, I walk past the L’Arche offices as they plan their upcoming Legacy potluck for adults with and without developmental disabilities. Downstairs, cumin, coriander, and cardamom drift out of the commercial kitchen, busy with refugee women building their catering businesses, many earning their own income for the first time. Once outside the administration building, the melody from the Frank Hamilton bluegrass jam intermingles with joyous shrieks from the kids playing on the inclusive playground and those playing on the track and field. The watercolor class paints the flowering broccoli in the Trellis Ability Garden, where veterans with PTSD and folks using wheelchairs after brain or spinal cord injuries have used the accessible slate path and raised garden beds to tend to the plants and reap the benefits of having time with your hands in the dirt. Once on the nature trails, I pass by birders with top of the line cameras trying to capture a Ruby Crowned Kinglet alongside families and dog walkers trying to expel some energy before dinner. The bees and butterflies flock to the pollinator garden in the Global Growers Garden, where 33 immigrant families grow culturally-significant food for themselves and their neighbors. Legacy is a unique and beautiful ecosystem of community, and I love to be a part of it.

What do volunteers love about working with your organization?

Because Legacy Park is a relatively new public space, volunteers love to learn about the property that many have driven past countless times without knowing that they can come explore. In the conservation area, volunteers are introduced to the trail system as they pull invasives and plant native flora. They see and hear the many birds that will eat the berries and nest in the branches of the newly planted shrubs. They see the turtles, salamanders, and other aquatic creatures whose habitat will be less polluted because of the grasses that filter out toxins before they enter the wetlands. They can build community with their fellow volunteers and those walking on the trails to continue the work of earth stewardship.

What’s going to be happening with your organization in 2025 that you’re really excited about?

In 2025, we are so excited to increase programming. At the end of March, we opened a beautiful track and field that is attracting tons of new visitors to Legacy. This space welcomes a new constituency to fall in love with this space. To invite them to get involved further, we’re expanding programming to get folks plugged into our environmental preservation and education work and inclusive community building.

Let’s leave our readers with a list of ways they can jump in and get involved. Tell us how we can support you!

We would love for you to join us in making our community more green, more attainable, and more connected! If you’ve never been to Legacy, go for a walk on the trails, hit a new PR on our track, or attend an event on the front lawn. Once you’ve experienced the Legacy magic, tell a friend about us. To keep the space clean and beautiful, join us for a volunteer day and donate to provide the resources to sustain the work we do. See you soon!

Meet Toni Hawes - A Volunteer and Civic Leader Passionate About Serving Our Community!

We’re proud to spotlight Toni Hawes, a dedicated volunteer and Civic Leadership Program Fellow in our 2024-25 cohort. She’s passionate about bridging socioeconomic gaps and finds deep fulfillment in mentoring and serving communities. Toni actively volunteers with Hands On Atlanta and the National Black MBA Association’s Atlanta chapter, focusing on women’s leadership and mentoring programs.

Learn more about Toni’s volunteer journey!

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What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?

Since moving to Atlanta in 2018, I have found myself very much involved in the community in regard to Food Insecurity, Child, Young Adult and Elderly Education and Literacy, Technology Literacy and Homelessness. These issues are prevalent not only in our community but across the nation. I have been serving our community in many capacities and I am proud of the work that is being done by many nonprofit organization to help address these crisis.

What do you love most about an organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?

I love the comradery of the individuals engaged to achieve the goals and the impact on the community. I have the ability to wake up everyday to make an impact, not only in my professional line of work but in my civic duties.

“I recently had the opportunity to work with elementary students and teach them STEM through a program sponsored by Hands On Atlanta. These students impressed me every month and showed me that they learned the concepts. Being able to see these students develop social and emotional learning skills and seeing them grow from feeling scared and uncomfortable to being able to play in group settings was invaluable.”

— Toni Hawes

How has volunteering impacted your personal/professional life?

I am able to utilize my skillsets gained from my professional life to cross pollinate into the nonprofit arena. I have the ability to see a profound impact in my community from the youth to the elderly that I serve and that is the greatest gift.

What skills have you honed or what have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?

I have learned more about what it takes to fundraise and build community partnerships.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting involved with volunteering?

Just do it!

AmeriCorps Member Spotlight: Rue Randall

We are so excited to introduce you to this month’s AmeriCorps Member Spotlight, Rue Randall!

Rue brings passion, purpose, and a powerful vision to everything she does—from her role as a Teaching Assistant in the classroom to her journey as a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education. With a heart rooted in service and a deep commitment to equity in education, Rue joined AmeriCorps to pour into the very communities that shaped her.

Her story is one of dedication, healing, and empowerment. Whether she’s guiding students through academic challenges or supporting their social-emotional growth, Rue leads with compassion and clarity—embodying the true spirit of servant leadership. And when she’s not mentoring or tutoring, you can find her immersed in video essays, building in The Sims 4, or practicing her faith through her vibrant Buddhist community.

Rue is a proud Atlantan who sees this city not just as a hometown, but as a network of connections, resilience, and legacy. We’re honored to celebrate her this month and can’t wait for you to get to know her story.

Learn more about Rue in our interview below!

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Why did you join AmeriCorps?

I joined AmeriCorps because I had a knack for teaching and was ready to follow my dreams of working in the school system and giving back to my community. I wanted to provide quality, equitable education to students who look like me and are living through what I lived through growing up. When I found this program, I had just graduated from college and had taught in preschools throughout all four years of my studies. While I loved those years, there was a deep yearning inside me to come back, relive, and heal parts of myself and my experiences by returning to those spaces and embodying what it means to be a good teacher—someone who advocates for their students when they cannot advocate for themselves. AmeriCorps gave me that opportunity, and I ran with it!

What do you like most about working with your students?

I love seeing their faces light up when they answer a question correctly or overcome a specific learning challenge. I also love helping them navigate their social-emotional issues by building the necessary tools to live their lives honorably and judiciously.

What do you hope to gain from this experience?

I feel that I have already gained so much—both in what I was looking for and in unforeseen ways. However, I really hope to build a sense of community in the school where I am currently stationed.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Hopefully, in five years, I will have completed my doctorate in School Psychology and will be working either as a school psychologist or a principal in a Title I school. I also hope to have opened a community center that provides free mental and psychiatric healthcare, GED preparation, and parenting classes to marginalized communities (among many other services). Through this, I would be honoring my grandmother's legacy, as she ran a school of her own called the Nairobi College/Day School in East Palo Alto.

When you’re not mentoring/tutoring, what do you like to do for fun?

I play The Sims 4 or watch video essays on a variety of topics. I also love watching cartoons, partying, and spending time with my friends on the weekends. My Buddhist practice is also a big part of my free time, so I enjoy showing up at the center and volunteering as a byakuren or usher.

What do you love about Atlanta?

I love that, no matter what, somehow, some way, everyone seems to know each other. You may not know the person in front of you, but that person knows someone who knows someone who knows you—and I think that's really beautiful. I've known Atlanta my entire life. I have never lived anywhere else. So, I'm rooted here. This will forever be my home, and that's something I deeply love about Atlanta.

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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 2025-26 term.

Nonprofit Spotlight: Latin American Association

We’re proud to spotlight our incredible nonprofit partner, the Latin American Association (LAA). With roots that stretch back to 1972, LAA has grown into a dynamic hub of opportunity, connection, and empowerment for Georgia’s Latino communities.

At LAA, it’s all about building a future where everyone thrives. They’re tearing down barriers and opening doors, providing immigration legal services, education, entrepreneurship support, and family resources that spark lasting change. Their work isn’t just about services; it’s about strengthening communities, creating hope, and making opportunity possible for all.

Learn more about LAA in our interview below!

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Tell us about your organization – what’s your mission, and what does it mean to the our community?

Our mission is to empower Georgia' Latinos to adapt, integrate, and thrive. Our vision is opportunity for all. Our mission brings connection, resources, and hope to our community.

Can you share some impact stats or comments about the work being done by your organization?

In 2024, we delivered 69,000 services to over 24,000 individual clients and their families. We have: - provided 168,726 pounds of food to 4,474 families through our food pantry and food distribution events - Instructed 1,814 adult English language learners - Hosted 2,559 job seekers at our job fairs - Equipped 1,204 job seekers with job readiness through employment orientations & resume reviews.

What’s the history of your organization? How and why did it get started?

The Latin American Association (LAA) was founded in 1972 to support Atlanta’s growing Latino community, initially offering job and housing assistance from the trunk of a car. Today, it operates from a 45,000-square-foot facility on Buford Highway and additional service centers in Gwinnett, and northwest Georgia, providing immigration legal services, adult education, citizenship support, entrepreneurship programs, and family well-being resources—serving as a vibrant hub for Georgia’s Latino communities.

What kind of programming do you offer to the community?

The Latin American Association (LAA) empowers Georgia’s Latino community through five key service areas: Immigration Legal Services: Legal consultations, assistance with DACA, TPS, naturalization, family petitions, and more. Adult Education & Workforce Development: ESL, Spanish literacy, computer classes, job readiness training, and small business support. Family Stabilization & Well-Being: Emergency assistance, homelessness prevention, connection to community and government resources, working with victims of domestic violence and case management. Youth Services: After-school programs, college access support, youth leadership development, and summer enrichment. Economic Empowerment: Financial education, entrepreneurship programs, and services tailored to Latina business owners. These programs are complemented by community engagement initiatives, including citizenship clinics, health fairs, support groups, clubs, and cultural events.

What problem is your organization trying to solve, and can you tell us more about the issue?

Many Latino families in Georgia face practical challenges that limit their ability to fully contribute to the state’s economy and civic life. These include language barriers, limited access to workforce training, and difficulty navigating legal systems. The Latin American Association provides tools and resources that help individuals become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities—supporting stronger families, a more prepared workforce, and a more connected Georgia.

How do volunteers support your mission? What impact do they have on your work? What difference do they make?

Volunteers are the heart of our work at the Latin American Association. They help bring our mission to life by showing up with compassion, consistency, and a shared commitment to community. Whether they are helping a job seeker prepare for employment, organizing and distributing food in our pantry, calling clients for follow-up, assisting with ESL classes, or hosting community gatherings—our volunteers provide the hands-on support that strengthens families and builds trust. Their presence ensures that every client feels seen, supported, and connected. By giving their time and talents, volunteers expand our reach, deepen our impact, and help create a more welcoming and empowered Georgia for all.

What’s your biggest highlight or success from the past year?

March 1, 2025 we held a food distribution with the Atlanta Hawks + CareSource. We had over 75 volunteers sign-up to help out and we provided over 10,000 pounds of fresh produce and shelf-stable ingredients to 479 families.

How many volunteers do you need every month, and can you describe the experience of serving with your organization for the volunteer? What do they do? What’s a day in the life as a volunteer with your organization?

We average about 130 volunteers a month. Absolutely! Here's a shortened version with the same warmth and detail: Volunteering at the Latin American Association means becoming part of a welcoming, mission-driven community. Whether you're organizing food donations, helping job seekers polish their resumés, supporting ESL classes, or calling clients for follow-up, your time directly supports families on their path to stability. Each day brings meaningful, hands-on opportunities to connect with others and make a tangible impact. Volunteers work alongside dedicated staff and fellow community members who share a passion for service. It's a chance to give back, build relationships, and help create a more inclusive Georgia for all.

What types of projects do you offer? What are your biggest projects available, and needs from volunteers? Tell us about a few different offerings.

The Latin American Association offers a variety of meaningful volunteer projects that support our programs and connect directly with community needs. These include: Workforce Support: Help clients prepare for employment through resumé reviews, job fair assistance, and mock interviews. Education Support: Assist with ESL classes Food Security: Sort, organize, and distribute food through our onsite pantry and special distribution events. Community Engagement: Support cultural events, resource fairs, or host community-building activities. Client Follow-Up & Outreach: Make calls to check in on clients, remind them of appointments, or share information about available services. Biggest Ongoing Needs: Volunteers for job fairs and resumé review days Regular support with food pantry organization and distribution Bilingual volunteers (English/Spanish) to assist with ESL classes and client communications Help with event setup, hospitality, and logistics at outreach events and community celebrations

Who is your volunteer manager, and what’s their favorite thing about working for your organization?

Catherine Warren wears the hats of director of operations and volunteer program lead - her favorite thing about the volunteer program is seeing volunteers make connections with the LAA's staff and clients.

What do volunteers love about working with your organization?

Volunteers love the sense of purpose and community they experience at the Latin American Association. They feel valued, supported, and inspired by the impact they make—whether it’s helping someone find a job, practice English, or access food for their family. Many appreciate the welcoming environment, the opportunity to connect across cultures, and the chance to work alongside passionate staff and fellow volunteers. Most of all, they love knowing that their time directly supports families working hard to build a better future.

What’s going to be happening with your organization in 2025 that you’re really excited about?

We're launching our capital campaign to update our 20+ year old facility.

Let’s leave our readers with a list of ways they can jump in and get involved. Tell us how we can support you!

Volunteer, donate, attend a coffee hour - every other Wednesday at 5:30 pm to practice your Spanish or help native English speakers practice their English.

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Nonprofit Spotlight: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

We’re thrilled to celebrate our incredible nonprofit partner, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Nestled in the heart of Atlanta, Callanwolde is more than just a place to take an art class, it’s a vibrant hub of creativity, community, and history.

Callanwolde believes that art should be for everyone. That’s why they’re breaking down barriers to access, making sure that world-class programs in dance, music, painting, pottery, and more are within reach for low-income families, veterans, people experiencing housing insecurity, and individuals with disabilities. Their mission isn’t just about teaching art, it’s about building equity, opening doors, and creating a more connected, expressive Atlanta.

Learn more about Callenwolde Fine Arts Center!

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Tell us about your organization – what’s your mission, and what does it mean to the our community?

Our mission is to provide the Atlanta community with premier, accessible arts education, especially to the underserved, while promoting enjoyment of the arts at the historic and inspiring Callanwolde estate. Callanwolde is dedicated to addressing the gap in access to high-quality arts education, ensuring that it is available to all members of the community, regardless of financial means or socio-economic background. Our focus is on making a diverse range of arts education opportunities accessible, particularly to underserved groups such as low-income families, veterans, individuals facing housing insecurity, and people with disabilities.

Can you share some impact stats or comments about the work being done by your organization?

Our Art Scholars program, which began in 2022, served over 300 3rd-5th graders from six different Title I schools in south DeKalb County during 2024. Students attended 20 days of free arts programming throughout the year during teacher workdays and school breaks. In 2024, we launched a new program called Young Artists League. This 12-week art after-school program was introduced at Kelley Lake Elementary. Callanwolde provides students with art materials for the classroom and home, high-quality instruction, and transportation at no cost to families. In addition to Kelley Lake Elementary, Dance Progressions added Oak View Elementary to the program. 29 students who qualify for Title I assistance participated in 24 weeks of free after-school dance programming and performed at the Callanwolde Spring Recital. Our final community concert of 2024, the 25th season of Jazz on the Lawn, featured Joe Gransden’s Big Band with special guest vocalists Karla Harris, Ruby Velle, and Robin Latimore. The concert sold over 550 tickets, breaking the previous record set by Grammy award-winning artist Samara Joy.

What’s the history of your organization? How and why did it get started?

Callanwolde is the historic estate of the family of Charles Howard Candler from 1920 until 1959. Howard Candler was the oldest son of Asa Griggs Candler, the Atlanta pharmacist who purchased the rights to the formula for Coca-Cola. In the 1970s, the Callanwolde Foundation was established to save the abandoned historic estate from development. The facility was eventually purchased by DeKalb County and established as a community arts center, providing top-tier arts education opportunities for decades. In recent years, Callanwolde has expanded its mission to include a particular focus on reaching underserved communities. We aim to make our diverse range of arts education opportunities accessible, particularly to underserved groups such as low-income families, veterans, individuals facing housing insecurity, and people with disabilities. By investing in these communities, we are enriching Atlanta's cultural fabric and fostering a legacy of creativity and expression for future generations.

What kind of programming do you offer to the community?

ARTS EDUCATION: Classes for adults and children in pottery, painting, drawing, jewelry-making, blacksmithing, weaving, photography, and dance. We also host six weeks of art camp each summer for children and teens. Financial aid is available for all of our classes based on merit and need.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS (offered tuition-free to qualifying participants): Art classes for adults with disabilities, veterans, Title I & Title III students, and previously unhoused individuals and families.

COMMUNITY ART PROGRAMMING: Callanwolde provides opportunities for community engagement year-round through our Spring Concert Series, Jazz on the Lawn Concerts, and Winter House: a seasonal celebration and opportunity for themed workshops, performances, and decor enjoyment. Concerts provide an accessible opportunity for performing artist to showcase their artistry to the local community. Our outdoor amphitheater holds up to 550 guests.

ART GALLERY: Callanwolde continues to expand its presence within Atlanta’s vibrant arts ecosystem, strengthening its role as a platform for emerging, mid-career, and established artists. Our gallery not only showcases dynamic and thought-provoking exhibitions, but also remains dedicated to supporting arts education initiatives and other organizations that share our mission of fostering creative expression.

What problem is your organization trying to solve, and can you tell us more about the issue?

Callanwolde is dedicated to addressing the gap in access to high-quality arts education, ensuring that it is available to all members of the community, regardless of financial means or socio-economic background. Our focus is on making a diverse range of arts education opportunities accessible, particularly to underserved groups such as low-income families, veterans, individuals facing housing insecurity, and people with disabilities. By investing in these communities, we are enriching Atlanta's cultural fabric and fostering a legacy of creativity and expression for future generations. Another key aspect of our mission is the preservation and enjoyment of the historic Callanwolde estate. Established in the 1970s to save this important piece of Atlanta's history, our foundation maintains the estate’s scenic grounds for the public to enjoy. Callanwolde plays host to concerts, weddings, and community events, offering a space for connection, reflection, and artistic celebration.

How do volunteers support your mission? What impact do they have on your work? What difference do they make?

Volunteers support our mission by enabling us to host large community-focused events despite our small staff. Volunteers are particularly helpful in staffing our Winter House holiday event in December and our spring and fall concerts. Not only do these events help create a space for connection, reflection, and artistic celebration, but they also earn revenue that we are then able to utilize in growing our underserved community engagement programming and financial aid. Volunteers are also key in helping us host Art Scholars camps, which invite up to 70 Title I 3rd - 5th graders to Callanwolde for week-long art camps. With only two full-time camp staff, volunteers are essential in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment during Art Scholars weeks.

What’s your biggest highlight or success from the past year?

Our biggest success has been the rapid expansion of our community engagement programming for Title I students. Thanks to the support from community funders and volunteers, we continue to be able to add additional Art Scholars camp days to the schedule, serving even more children who need somewhere safe to go during school breaks. We are also constantly exploring ways to expand our after-school art and dance programs into more schools. In 2024, we added an additional school to our Dance Progressions program, and launched a new visual arts program called Young Artists League.

How many volunteers do you need every month, and can you describe the experience of serving with your organization for the volunteer? What do they do? What’s a day in the life as a volunteer with your organization?

Our volunteers needs vary greatly month to month since we are very event-based. In the spring and fall we typically need 10-15 volunteers per month to assist with concerts and Art Scholars camps. We also have a well-attended week of Art Scholars camp a the end of the summer, which can take up to 10 volunteers. In December, our Winter House event utilizes up to 30 volunteers over the course of three weekends. Volunteers typically assist with things like check in, greeting and way finding, assisting children with art projects, craft clean up, and general supervision of kids during camp. We encourage our volunteers to be as dynamic as our events are... one day you may be organizing a check in roster or giving directions around the campus, the next you may be putting up holiday decor or cutting out paper shapes for an art project!

What types of projects do you offer? What are your biggest projects available, and needs from volunteers? Tell us about a few different offerings.

Art Scholars Camp Assistants: Great for folks who like working with young kids and don't mind a little controlled chaos! Volunteers are needed to provide general supervision, as well as assist instructors in leading art projects throughout the day.

Concert Helpers: Perfect for more outgoing volunteers who enjoy making folks feel welcome. Volunteers are needed to help with guest check in, greeting and way finding, and breakdown. You also get to enjoy the music for free!

Winter House Helpers: Great for anyone who likes to spread some holiday cheer. Volunteers are needed to help with guest check in, greeting and way finding, light clean up, and decor prep.

Who is your volunteer manager, and what’s their favorite thing about working for your organization?

Our volunteer manager is Becca Gross. She enjoys being a part of the wide variety of events, classes, and other offerings that are always going on around Callanwolde, and the freedom to be creative in her role.

What do volunteers love about working with your organization?

Our volunteers love getting to give back to the community while enjoying such a unique and beautiful space.

What’s going to be happening with your organization in 2025 that you’re really excited about?

We are really excited about some of the new community engagement classes we are planning to launch this year for veterans and folks looking for more therapy-informed art classes.

Let’s leave our readers with a list of ways they can jump in and get involved. Tell us how we can support you!

1. Join our volunteer email list at https://callanwolde.org/volunteer/. Our organization is constantly evolving and you never know when we may announce a new volunteer opportunity!

2. Our biggest volunteer need is with Art Scholars. If you are someone who loves working with children, please be on the lookout for the listing for our summer Art Scholars camp taking place in late July. It should be posted to Hands On Atlanta in the next few weeks.

Nonprofit Spotlight: Another Chance of Atlanta, Inc.

As one of our amazing nonprofit partners and a current agency in our Hands On Hunger program, Another Chance of Atlanta Inc. is working every day to meet people where they are and offer the resources they need to thrive. What started as a mission to support women in Atlanta has evolved to not only helping women, but now assisting men, families, veterans and ultimately anyone who may be in need. From providing food and housing in Fulton County to offering permanent supportive housing for veterans in Gwinnett and Clayton counties, their impact runs deep.

It’s not just about food or shelter—it’s about dignity, opportunity, and the belief that everyone deserves another chance.

We’re excited to partner with organizations like Another Chance of Atlanta who are building stronger, more equitable communities—one meal, one home, and one neighbor at a time.

Learn more about Another Chance of Atlanta below!

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Tell us about your organization – what’s your mission, and what does it mean to the our community?

Another Chance of Atlanta’s mission is to empower the community by providing a structural living environment, life enhancement skills and food to individuals and families seeking support. We empower individuals and families by helping them to navigate through life’s obstacles while at the same time addressing needs, removing barriers, providing resources and ultimately being a road map by guiding them towards independence and sustainability. This means a healthier and more productive community! This also means that those who are living with no income or even low-income can have access to resources that will help them live a better quality of life.

Can you share some impact stats or comments about the work being done by your organization?

Another Chance of Atlanta, Inc. provides housing and housing assistance to over 100 people each year. We also make it easy for over 300 people from our community to access food weekly.

What’s the history of your organization? How and why did it get started?

Another Chance of Atlanta, Inc. started back in 2000 initially just being a supportive service provider for just women. Over the years we have evolved to not only helping women, but now we assist men, families, veterans and ultimately anyone who may be in need. We started because our executive director Rozell Green has a great passion for our community and helping those in need. Rozell knows first-hand what it is like to be homeless after being homeless with her 2 children. She identifies with the struggle and knows how difficult it was getting assistance. There weren't many for women and children and so this is what led her to starting Another Chance of Atlanta, Inc.

What problem is your organization trying to solve, and can you tell us more about the issue?

Our agency isn’t trying to solve one specific issue however, our core issues are helping to address and solve homelessness and food insecurity in metro Atlanta. There are many families and individuals who are homeless and hungry throughout metro Atlanta. We are an agency who is known for bringing resources and assistance directly to those affected. We understand that there are many barriers people face when trying to access resources. Our goal is to remove the red tape and all barriers so more people can get the assistance that they need.

How do volunteers support your mission? What impact do they have on your work? What difference do they make?

Volunteers may support our mission by allowing us to utilize their expertise! Rather it be helping us to paint units for our homeless veterans or helping to distribute food; volunteers are a big component of our operations and they help us to be more efficient. As we host many events throughout the year we love to see volunteers get involved. The impact that volunteers have on our work is substantial. We can’t do the work without them. Volunteers help us to be able to assist on a much larger scale.

What’s your biggest highlight or success from the past year?

Our biggest highlight last year was us hitting our first year mark of our food pantry being open. We had a huge Back to School event outside of our food pantry during that same month that brought hundreds of people out. We were able to assist with food, back to school supplies and resources all in one spot! We had a lot of agencies and organizations out at our food pantry who partnered.

How many volunteers do you need every month, and can you describe the experience of serving with your organization for the volunteer? What do they do? What’s a day in the life as a volunteer with your organization?

We utilize and need about 100 volunteers per month. We are known for bringing fun and positive energy. Volunteers assist us with getting food ready to be distributed and helping us to distribute the food each week. In addition, we also utilize volunteers to help us provide assistance to low-income families who may come into our office and we utilize volunteers to help with our housing programs; such as helping us to paint apartments for our low-income families and veterans. A day in the life as a volunteer with our organization could change depending on which event or opportunity you may be volunteering for. Each volunteer can expect to have fun and a great experience!

What types of projects do you offer? What are your biggest projects available, and needs from volunteers? Tell us about a few different offerings.

We offer projects at our food pantry, events, at our office or with any of our programming. Our biggest projects available are our weekly food pantry projects and our July Back to School event.

Who is your volunteer manager, and what’s their favorite thing about working for your organization?

Ms. Peaches is our volunteer manager. She is very motherly and loves to interact with our volunteers and to make sure that everyone is having a good time! Her favorite thing about working for our organization is our passion for the community and our commitment to serve.

“Volunteers love how we have fun! They also love how we engage and take the time to get to know each of them.”

— Michael Cornell

What’s going to be happening with your organization in 2025 that you’re really excited about?

This year we will be adding more events and having more community vendors come out to set-up tables to bring more resources to the neighbors visiting our food pantry.

Let’s leave our readers with a list of ways they can jump in and get involved. Tell us how we can support you!

Readers can support us by signing up for any one of our events on the Hands On Atlanta website or by visiting the Volunteer With Us section of our website at anotherchanceofatlanta.org. If readers would like additional information or would like to communicate with us, please send us an email at info@anotherchanceofatlanta.org