April is National Volunteer Month! As an organization, our volunteers make up a large part of the great work happening in our Clubs every day. From our volunteer leaders on the Board of Directors and County Boards to our Champions Club for GIRLS women’s giving society and all the incredible volunteer groups that support our Club events, we truly have a plethora of support from our community members.
To highlight just a few examples of awesome volunteers in the organization, let’s begin with Ms. Nancy Thomas (pictured to the left), a dedicated volunteer tutor at the East DeKalb Club. When asked about the impact that Ms. Nancy has on the Club, East DeKalb Executive Director Ambernique Howard said, “Nancy’s consistency and willingness to show up in any and every space is what makes Nancy the volunteer every Club needs. Whether it’s homework, snack time or program facilitation, Nancy makes herself available to be of assistance to not only the members but also the staff. Nancy has made herself a part of the team by cultivating the spirit of teamwork and kids first.” Thank you, Ms. Nancy for your dedication to our youth members!
Did you know that The Greater Atlanta Homeowners Association (GAHA) attends our Lawrenceville Club bi-weekly and provides key programming to our teens?
This group of dedicated volunteers (pictured to the right) shows our future leaders what it means to be in the workforce through a variety of sessions.
“There is a huge demand right now for jobs in the skilled labor trades in the state of Georgia, and our goal is to introduce the Club members to all of those opportunities,” said the Greater Atlanta Homeowners Association executive leadership Myles Cardenas when asked about the impact this program has made at the Club, “We also break down that there are several routes to get into the industry, and that a college degree is not the only requirement. There are opportunities for on-the-job training with a high school diploma and technical school as well the ability to enter the industry with a college degree.”
Tony Cann, a key leader within GAHA added, “The highlight [of this experience] has to be the youth members. Without their involvement and interest, this program wouldn’t be as fun. They have been a fun group with a lot of excitement, and a lot of questions. If there is a close second, it would have to be the support we’ve received from all the volunteers. There have been dozens of people that have sacrificed time away from their families and jobs to be here to support the program.” Thank you to these committed volunteers!
Musa Shabazz (pictured to the left), the basketball coach at our Matthews Club has not only brought in a robust basketball program through his wealth of experience but also has recruited 15 new youth members to join the Club because of the word that has spread across the community about his program! When asked what prompted him to volunteer at the Club Shabazz said, “It was a great opportunity to participate in a program that I feel is much needed in the community and where I can offer my skill set and mentorship.”