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Become A Hands On Atlanta Volunteer

As a community partner, all NEXT Steps volunteer opportunities are listed on the Hands On Atlanta volunteer portal.  Please visit their website by clicking the link below to help make a difference with us! (Keyword search: next steps or atwood).  Following are some of their signature programs that we participate in.

REGISTER TODAY!!!
To become a Hands On Atlanta Volunteer for Atwood Community Gardens,
visit the Hands On Atlanta volunteer portal @
  http://www.handsonatlanta.org

Download Volunteer Handbook

Atwood Monthly Community Clean-Ups (Every 1st & 2nd Saturdays; 9:00am-12:00 Noon)

The Atwood Community Gardens Monthly Clean Up is hosted every 1st and 2nd Saturday of every month between 9:00am-12:00 Noon. The NEXT Steps Youth Entrepreneur Program manages Atwood Community Gardens – a 3.5 acre S.T.E.M-based urban agriculture training center and outdoor event facility. NEXT Steps utilizes transferable skills within the urban agriculture industry to introduce at risk youth to career pathways in science, technology, engineering and math (S.T.E.M.), strategic business planning, special event coordination, investigative research and discovery, community service, environmental stewardship, and social entrepreneurism.

Volunteers will help complete the regular maintenance tasks of preparing the main growing, social and learning areas of the garden:

* The S.T.E.M. Cafe
* The walking trails
* Atwood Urban Farms (main growing area)
* Installing raised garden beds, flower beds and gravel trail
* The goat pen and chicken coop (cleaning, painting, etc.)
* Assembly of picnic tables and grill gazebo
* Clearing trash and natural debris from the road and around the block
* Organizing the classroom area (painting, cleaning)
* Basic landscaping (raking, tilling, weeding, etc.)
* Painting murals and creating arts and crafts displays throughout garden

Registration Begins: Ongoing registration process

 

Dr. Martin Luther King National Day of Service (January)

After a long struggle, legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  The federal holiday was first observed in 1986, making 2011 the 25th anniversary of the King federal holiday.

In 1994, Congress designated the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service

with leading this effort. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” . The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President’s national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems. The MLK Day of Service empowers individuals, strengthens communities, bridges barriers, creates solutions to social problems, and moves us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a “Beloved Community.”

Registration Begins: November 2012

 

Global Youth Service Day (April/Earth Day)

Global Youth Service Day, facilitated by Youth Service America, is the largest service event in the world, and the only day of service dedicated to children and youth. Global Youth Service Day is celebrated each year in more than 100 countries. Each year, millions of children and youth around the world work together with schools, youth organizations, nonprofits, community and faith-based organizations, volunteer and national service programs, government agencies, faith communities, and other individuals to address the world’s most critical issues and change their communities.

Hands On Atlanta’ Global Youth Service Day activities were led by youth from several greater Atlanta high schools, colleges, and civic groups endeavoring to make an impact on their community and provide a positive source of inspiration for their peers. Fifteen hundred volunteers worked on more than 30 projects that address environmental issues, including but not limited to:

• Park beautification
• Community gardening
• Wetland conservation
• Repurposing of surplus goods

Registration Begins: February 2013

 

Hands On Atlanta Day (October)

Hands On Atlanta helps individuals, families, corporate and community groups strengthen Greater Atlanta through service at more than 400 nonprofit organizations and schools.  Hands On Atlanta volunteers are at work every day of the year tutoring and mentoring children, helping individuals and families make pathways out of poverty, improving Atlanta’s environment, and more.  Hands On Atlanta is an affiliate of the HandsOn Network, an association of 250 volunteer service organizations across 16 countries.

The 22nd annual Hands On Atlanta Day will be October 6, 2012. This year’s theme, Love Your Block – Love Your Neighbor – Love Your School, focuses on Hands On Atlanta’s three strategic focus areas – the environment, economic recovery and education.

Registration Begins: August 2013

 

 

Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program (Year-Round)

Hands On Atlanta is excited to announce the launch of our newest venture – the Civic Leadership Program! The Civic Leadership Program is an opportunity for Hands On Atlanta volunteers to further their personal and professional development while serving the community. Civic Leaders mobilize volunteer teams to complete monthly service projects with local nonprofit agencies and schools.  They also educate volunteers about local concerns and help fundraise to sustain volunteer efforts.

Hands On Atlanta provides Civic Leaders with training on volunteer and project management, teambuilding, networking and fundraising. Tutoring and mentoring children, distributing food to the hungry, performing senior home repairs, beautifying and maintaining a local parks are just some of the ongoing programs in need of leadership. Most programs meet 1-2 times a month and are perfect for people seeking  consistent volunteer opportunities to compliment their regular schedules.

 Registration Begins: Closed