SHINING A LIGHT ON THE PEOPLE AND CAUSES THAT INSPIRE US TO SERVE.
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.
This year, Hands On Atlanta will shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference across metro Atlanta.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I’m thrilled to spotlight volunteer Beverly Rice, a lifelong advocate for literacy and equity who brings her passion and expertise to every volunteer opportunity she takes on.
Beverly generously gives her time to an incredible list of organizations, and she’s committed to creating a more informed, empowered, and connected community.
A former reading specialist of over 20 years, Beverly continues to share her gift by helping others discover the power of reading. And the impact goes both ways, volunteering has deepened her sense of purpose and fulfillment: “To share my gift of reading with so many others helps me to know that my living is not in vain.”
When you see a need in your community, you step up, and that’s exactly what New City Church did nearly 20 years ago when it launched City Bridges Food Pantry. What started as a small outreach effort has grown into a vital resource for over 4,000 families monthly facing food insecurity across Atlanta.
In 2024, the agency distributed nearly 950,000 pounds of food distributed to more than 50,000 people in need. That’s not just food—it’s stability, it’s care, and it’s compassion delivered right to the doorstep of those who need it most.
I’m excited to spotlight this month’s volunteer: Wanda Lee! Wanda leads with compassion and unwavering dedication, always showing up with heart and purpose to serve Atlanta’s communities.
By day, she’s a Director at Elevance Health, where her work supports the well-being of others on a professional level. But her impact doesn’t stop when the workday ends, after hours, Wanda continues to uplift others through her volunteer service, focusing especially on improving both physical and mental health in underserved communities.
Learn more about Wanda’s love of volunteering below!
Meet Ashley Cole, a powerhouse of purpose whose volunteer journey is rooted in compassion, community, and a deep love for Atlanta. For Ashley, giving back isn’t just a pastime—it’s transformed the way she lives, leads, and connects with others. When she’s not girl bossing as a IT Technical Content Creator, you can find her all throughout Atlanta enjoying the city and volunteering to help the unhoused!
Learn more about Ashley in our interview below!
Say hey to Beatrice Jones — a Sophomore in high school and a total rockstar volunteer!
When she’s not kicking goals on the soccer field, she’s out in the community making an even bigger impact. Beatrice is a regular with First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta’s Community Ministries, City of Refuge, and Make-A-Wish Georgia — talk about a service superstar! She's passionate about fighting homelessness, helping others, and rallying her friends to join in too. Funny, creative, and full of heart, Beatrice is proof that young people are leading the way and having fun while they’re at it.
Learn more about Beatrice in our interview below!
Meet Ennis Antoine — a leader whose passion for people shines through everything he does. As the Managing Broker at Keller Williams West Atlanta, Ennis brings purpose and heart to his professional life, while dedicating his time outside the office to causes that uplift our city. Whether he’s helping build homes with Atlanta Habitat for Humanity or delivering meals with Open Hand Atlanta, Ennis shows up with care, compassion, and a deep love for community.
Meet Danette Shockley, a civic leader who is driven, compassionate, and a visionary who truly cares about community support and empowerment in Atlanta. Her mission is clear: address food insecurity, combat homelessness, and uplift underserved communities by bridging critical gaps in access to resources. With a deep understanding shaped by personal experience, Danette leads with heart, dignity, and purpose—crafting sustainable solutions and advocating for financial opportunities, nutritious food, and small business support.
Say hello to Lauren Matthews—a powerhouse volunteer and community champion who's showing up and showing out for Atlanta! Whether she's mentoring students, organizing community events, or raising her voice for equity, Lauren is all in when it comes to creating a better, more inclusive city for everyone.
She’s not just making a difference—she’s building a stronger Atlanta, one act of service at a time!
We’re thrilled to shine a spotlight on volunteer Shaun Young, whose passion for giving back spans more than three decades! Shaun’s commitment to community service is nothing short of amazing.
We're thrilled to shine a spotlight on one of our incredible volunteers — Stephen Rogers! Stephen brings a lifetime of experience and compassion to his service. A retired residential homebuilder, Stephen is now a dedicated and familiar face at Urban Recipe, where he volunteers regularly to support local food access efforts. But his commitment to serving others doesn’t stop there — he also travels the globe giving back through a service program with Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Whether he's lending a hand close to home or across continents, Stephen's heart for service inspires us all!
We’re excited to highlight extraordinary volunteer Deborah Jennings! Deborah, a “Grady” baby, was born and raised in Atlanta, and has a heart for service! Read more about her journey to volunteerism!
We’re ecstatic to introduce one of our amazing volunteers; Raveena Alli! Raveena is a first-year undergraduate at Georgia Tech here in Atlanta, majoring in International Affairs and Modern Languages as well as Public Policy with a plan to minor in Social Justice.
Learn more about Raveena in our interview below!
Meet one of our amazing AmeriCorps members, Jessika Prayor. She is a graduate student at Walden University Graduate Student, and serves at Drew Charter School. In April, she was awarded a School Legacy Award for her lasting impact and leadership! In addition to AmeriCorps, Jessika is also a volunteer with Hands On Atlanta, and a mentor with Chicktime Conyers!
Meet Deja Johnson, one of our AmeriCorps Members who serves as a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coach at Drew Charter School. Along with AmeriCorps. Deja is a reoccurring volunteer with Hands On Atlanta, and believes in supporting youth and education.
Learn more about Deja and her passion for education!
We’re excited to spotlight one of our amazing volunteers, Gayle Kahn. In April, Gayle was awarded our Founders Award, and has volunteered with our longest running program - Discovery at Parklane Elementary School! Outside of volunteering, she was the regional training manager for Prudential Real Estate and Relocation. She’s emerged as a leader in everything she does, and is truly as she describes: kind, extroverted and active! Her passion for giving back to our community is amazing!
Meet Sydney Williams, our 1,000,000th volunteer, class of 2022 Civic Fellow, dedicated Discovery volunteer, and leader. She regularly volunteers with Hands On Atlanta, and Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta.
We’re thrilled to introduce you all to Jeff Cantin. Jeff is a Major at the Atlanta Police Department, as well as a dedicated volunteer, and member of our Civic Leadership Program. After graduating from high school, he started working in public service, doing various events. This summer will make 30 years of his commitment to public service!
Meet Nastassja Cockrell, a fellow in our Civic Leadership Program whose passion has always been protecting the most vulnerable populations. She actively volunteers with Grl Give, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta. In addition to volunteering she serves as the Vice President of the Sugarloaf Chapter of Grls ATL.
Meet Edgar-Keiron, a multifaceted professional dedicated to service in Atlanta. His background encompasses teaching, leadership, consulting and more! This made him well-prepared to contribute significantly to our Civic Leadership Program, serving with our Discovery Program. His knowledge, ambition, empathy, and optimism radiate through and showcase the amazing volunteer he is!
Meet Crystal Mccorkle, a young professional dedicated to empowering others and serving her community. She is a creative, zealous, and fun-loving volunteer, a fellow in our Civic Leadership Program, and a Client Service Consultant.
Timethea Slade is a dedicated volunteer and Senior studying Biology at Georgia State University! She is creative, sociable and committed to making a difference in Atlanta! She serves with our Discovery program and Giving Hands Food Pantry.
Get to know Timethea, her passion for service, and how she continues to give back while completing her degree!
Meet Adrien Chung, a dedicated volunteer making his mark with St. Vincent De Paul. Adrien has volunteered over 280 hours, and is passionate about education.
Meet David Enscore, a self employed volunteer making a difference at St. Vincent De Paul’s food pantry. New to volunteering, David started and kept going completing over 170 hours!
Inspired by these stories to get out and do something good? Get involved and volunteer during National Volunteer Week! Click the button below to view projects taking place from Apr. 18-24, 2021.
Can’t participate, but still want to support our essential work?
Make a donation and let our hands be yours! Every $1 donated to Hands On Atlanta turns into $6 of economic impact.
- Posted In: Spring For Service
- Tagged: NVW21, National Volunteer Week