Hands On Atlanta

My experience as a volunteer with TeamWorks! — Hands On Atlanta has left me with mixed opinions. I’ve volunteered with TeamWorks three times, consecutively. I REALLY admire the TeamWorks mission. The opening orientations were very up-​beat and positive! The projects were a lot of fun and I absolutely loved helping people in need! However, I feel that the designated team leaders for each group — took their team leader responsibilities WAY too seriously. For instance, one team leader in particular, Rhea Kisling who is a repeat offender… Ooops! I meant to say, a regular TeamWorks volunteer, called me at home way too many times; was gossipy, pushy and down-​right dictatorial. I wasn’t sure if Rhea wanted to date me or remind me of the next event. Anywho! If you plan to volunteer with TeamWorks, it’s a great organization. Just keep it very light and have fun!

I am all for connecting volunteers with great causes but I cannot endorse the shoddy management of this group.
For sure, part of the problem would have to be disorganization on the part of their non-​profit clients, but HOA seems pretty clueless.

Came here one saturday for a volunteering event. There were a lot of us that showed up, and the staff organized us well. We did an assembly line to pack emergency care kits for people affected by the tornados in georgia. It was nice. They had a lot of comfort items that i’m sure will be appreciated by the recipients. We got 600 packs done in 2 hours. It felt good. =]

I’ve worked with Hands On Atlanta for two different service projects: one for MLK Day of Service and one this past weekend for Wes. P’s Discovery Program at Jolly Elementary in Clarkston.
HOA has a plethora of projects than need volunteers. They’re always looking for people who are willing to donate their time. On rare occasions, though, they may have too many volunteers and not enough things to do. That was the case on MLK Day. It was a bit chaotic arriving at Tech for the Day of Service, especially because there were SO many groups and volunteers wanting to help, but had no direction. Not the best way to start off the service day and it didn’t get a whole lot better either. I had trouble locating my contact person and upon getting to my assigned project, there was a lack of clarity as to what needed to be done and how to do it. A project of that magnitude could have been run a whole lot better.
Not all hope was lost in the group though, as I participated in another HOA program this weekend that was a complete 180. Irregardless for what a hot mess I was on Saturday morning, I came ready to volunteer and help where I was needed. Immediately, I was very impressed with how organized and well run the program went. Volunteers and students showed up on time and the program started promptly and ended on time, as well. Snacks were delivered for all participants and there were clear directions as to what our duties were.
The thing I loved about this HOA program was that it was very engaging for both the students AND volunteers. As a volunteer, I got to tutor a small group of students in preparation for their CRCT exams. Students were attentive and mentally present to learn. The staff was present to lead mini lessons and volunteers helped to further the understanding of the lesson. I felt valued, useful, and was able to mark my contribution — which is ultimately how all volunteers want to walk away feeling. I will most definitely keep in touch and be at their next Discovery Program event.
Though the programs were of different sizes and were ran very differently, HOA is at its core a great nonprofit with providing great community services to the community. How it gets there and who helps take it there makes a big difference. The organization and leadership (or lack of at times) is one of them most important factor that separates the great projects and the «just ehhh» ones.

i have been wanting to get involved with community service for some time. i just moved to atlanta, and i’ll be honest: the reason i chose HOA was because it was the organization that Ludacris foundation partnered with.
yes, i admit it, i am shallow.
however. don’t let that deter you from participating! my first project was the DISCOVERY program with at-​risk elementary kids.
the kids were AY-​DOOR-​AY-​BULL! we played games and watched them do puzzles, etc.
the coordinators were well-​prepared, professional, and all went according to schedule.
they had a wrap-​up at the end, with all the students, mentors, and coordinators, where they asked what they learned and gave out little trinkets.
the kids were amazing, and i cannot wait to go back. i’ve signed up for the rest of the spring semester, as it is an every-​other-​weekend-​program.
i have also volunteered to deliver meals to the elderly on the other weekends.
THANK YOU, Hands on Atlanta, for all of the opportunities you provide us to get engaged in our civic responsibility!

I love all the various volunteer opportunities that are offered by Hands on Atlanta. Whether you are interested in hunger and homelessness, environmental cleanup projects, or assisting at schools, you will find just the opportunity you are looking for.

Absolutely wonderful for groups who want to give back. And the way some of us party… believe me, it is due.
I love the fact that they require an orientation and have a whole system in place that connects a lot of the charities. To me, this means that a lot of the smaller ones are not left out because of the bigger charities that have more money or star power to put themselves out in the public. Kudos to any volunteer organization that puts in so much effort!

I *heart* Hands on Atlanta!
They have a big website that houses hundreds of volunteer opportunities each month. You can search for projects based on your location, area of interest, or date.
I found this really useful when I first moved to Atlanta and wanted to get connected. I believe you have to attend a new members orientation at Means Street. Once you do that, you are free to volunteer at pretty much any place you’d like.
Another plus for HOA is that they not only have volunteer opportunities, they also have Film screenings with discussions, a book club, and community type meetings!
UPDATE: 5÷13÷08
Hands On Atlanta has added a great initiative to their repertoire. They have something called TeamWorks which I highly recommend. You sign up via their website and they put you on a team of about 10 people based on your age, location, or interest area. Then you volunteer together as a team for the next 6 – 8 weeks. It’s a great way to make friends and help others while your at it.

Local charity for projects. okay for a feel good clean up type project, not that great of an investment for a financial donation… and that’s all I’ll say about that.
In some ways, better and easier to volunteer directly with the places that they’re going to farm you out to.

Hands On Atlanta Day is always a success with thousands of volunteers across the city assisting service and school organization. Typically held on the first Saturday in October, I participated in Hands On Atlanta Day several years in a row by doing arts and crafts and planting shrubberies at a local Grant Park school.
Hands on Atlanta serves the community year round. They help by uplifting and building lower income zones, food banks, senior homes, schools, pet shelters, parks, etc. Hands On Atlanta holds volunteer orientations twice a month. To get involved visit
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