Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > July > 28 > Entry
How do you volunteer around Atlanta?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A student gets a free eye exam from a volunteer at Cherokee County’s Give A Kid A Chance event. Here are more of photographer Andy Sharp’s photos from the event.
A story in Sunday’s AJC says Atlanta and Georgia rank low when it comes to the number of people that volunteer.
The story by Alan Judd says Atlanta ranked 31 among the 50 largest metro areas and Georgia ranked 43rd among states, according to the independent federal agency Corporation for National and Community Service.
The good news is the work of 1 million metro Atlanta residents is totaling about $3 billion worth of time and effort. The story says the average Atlanta volunteer gives 38 hours per year, which is in the top half among metro areas. That means that folks that do volunteer are giving a lot of time.
Every time I move some place new, there’s an involvement lag. I like to know my way around the area and decide how I’d like to help. Then, the search begins for organizations I trust and admire, who need a service I can provide in the free time I’ve got. I’ve had great experiences and some that just weren’t a great match — I’m much better at helping teens write than at teaching fourth graders about math.
I have to believe that a city like Atlanta has something for people of many skills. Even quick searches around here reveal groups that need help, whether you’re passionate about blood donation, community theater, affordable housing, alternative transportation or animal welfare.
I’ve had luck in the past finding opportunities through work. (Funny how newspapers tend to have lots of, you know, information.) You can find volunteering organizations and opportunities through organizations like Hands On Atlanta, which has a handy search of a projects and groups that suit your skills and available time. United Way of Metro Atlanta has some info for volunteers, too.
An AJC story from June said MySpace and Facebook users use the social networking sites to get involved and start their own movements.
I’d like to hear from long-time residents and newcomers, though, about how they found the organizations they volunteer for, and what other resources might be out there.
What gets your volunteer hours, and why?
Volunteers and bike riders, both kids to adults, work on bikes at SoPo Bicycle Co-op in East Atlanta. Read more about it in this AJC story.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Our Community
Comments
By Shannon
July 28, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
Teach for America has a strong presence in Atlanta:
http://www.teachforamerica.org/corps/placementregions/placementregions.htm
And there’s always AmeriCorps!
http://www.americorps.gov
Even if you don’t commit to the 10 months of service in AmeriCorps, many corps programs’ goals is to recruit community members to volunteer for as little as an hour or two each week in local schools.
#By mac
July 28, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
Being a member of the Junior League has given me a chance to not only do work with organizations in my community but also meet like-minded women.
http://www.jlgnf.org
By DT
July 28, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
I am a Girl Scout volunteer with the NW Georgia Girl Scout council. There is always a need for adult volunteers to help with the girl scout troops. I also volunteer at the Atlanta Food Bank.
By Seniorsarecool
July 28, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
I have been delivering Meals on Wheels for five years in Cherokee County. It is a very worthy cause and the senior centers are always looking for volunteers. You can pretty much pick a schedule, and what you get back is ten times what you put it. The interesting seniors I have met over the years have made it a most enjoyable experience.
By AED
July 28, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Volunteer Solutions and Hands on Atlanta
By BlacKat
July 28, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
I also volunteer with the Junior League. It is a wonderful blend of volunteering and socializing. There are several chapters in Atlanta. The largest is the Junior League of Atlanta. www.jlatlanta.org
By justduckie
July 28, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Georgia Aquarium!! Spend about 30-40 hours a month there.
Project Open Hand is another great organization.
By Electric
July 28, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
I volunteer with EnAble of Georgia Foundation. They provide services to adults of all ages who have developmental disabilities like mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and autism. They always need help with their fundraising events and mass mailings.
By Jeff
July 28, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Hands on Atlanta has some great projects, particularly on the three day weekends. Back when I was working with a service-oriented group at KSU - and helping run it - we often did projects with them on MLK Weekend and a few other times throughout the year. You can typically find projects to match any taste, and they are generally decently well organized.
Outside of that, I’m again going to say get involved in a church somewhere. Most of the larger ones ALWAYS need volunteers in some area, and even the smaller ones can typically use the help, though you’ll have to be more proactive about asking what you can do in the smaller ones.