Volunteering opportunities have been around for forever, but now many colleges and applications for corporations and internships now require you to have some kind of community service and involvement under your belt. Many may look at these community service ideas as just something to add on to their resume, but it has so many other beneficial purposes. Finding an organization can become overwhelming with all the non-profits and businesses in the metro ATL area, but here are my top five favorite places that you can rack up some volunteer hours with.
PAWS Atlanta is one of the organizations that I hold dear to my heart because of my love for animals. PAWS is a non-profit organization that focuses on building a community of caring through the adoption of pets. My favorite aspect of PAWS Atlanta is their “no-kill philosophy.” Unlike other animal pounds and shelters, PAWS is committed to giving all of the animals in their care the time, medical attention, and training they deserve in order to thrive in their forever homes. Volunteers are able to take the dogs out on walks on the trail located within their facility or just chill in the separate facility with the cats. Lastly, the staff is super friendly with volunteers and always accepting people willing to help give some love, compassion and socialization with the animals.
Not only is homelessness a huge issue, but many times low-income families and individuals don’t have the necessary funds or tools at their disposal. Atlanta Community Food Bank focuses not only on the food distribution aspect of serving but also offer other various programs such as Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, Atlanta’s Table, Community Gardens, Hunger 101, Hunger Walk/Run, Kids In Need and Product Rescue Center. This organization is perfect if you want to round-up a couple of your friends or an organization on campus, but be sure to schedule your visits ahead of time!
If you are interested in racking up some community service hours with a non-profit that offers a multitude of opportunities, Hands On Atlanta is the place for you. They have programs that are focused on different areas of interest whether you like working with senior citizens or if you are an advocate for health and wellness, hunger and homelessness, or arts and culture projects. Because of Hands on Atlanta’s ample amount of opportunities, if you are wrapped up in other extracurricular activities, working part-time, or if you’re a full-time student, you have that freedom and those options.
If you are familiar with Georgia State’s campus or have walked at least five minutes around downtown Atlanta, there is no way that you can ignore the significant homeless issue present at our university. Safehouse Outreach is an organization focused on the advancement of the urban, poor population in the city and does so through their programs: IMPACT Minds, Problem Solvers, Career Development and Urban Nation Missions. If you are busy and occupied throughout your week, you can participate in Saturday Brunch and Outreach Events.
If you are passionate about the environment and helping to conserve it, then this organization is perfect for you. You might have seen this organization pop up in your email through GSU’s initiatives to get students to participate and become involved in this community service opportunity. Trees Atlanta is a fantastic organization because of their consistent efforts in making sure that our green spaces are protected, conserved and flourishing despite metro Atlanta’s concerning environment conditions. They also offer various programs from working in that Atlanta Beltline to Forest Restoration.
Volunteering can be a form of stress relief and a way to make you feel like you are positively benefiting society and your local community. While completing your service hours, this would be an amazing way to network and socialize with those who are also in your field of interest. You are able to interact and collaborate with people who share the same passions as you, so you never know what kind of opportunities or significant networks you might run into along the way!