Meet Deja Johnson, one of our AmeriCorps Members who serves as a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coach at Drew Charter School. Along with AmeriCorps. Deja is a reoccurring volunteer with Hands On Atlanta, and believes in supporting youth and education.

This past April, during Global Volunteer Month, Deja was awarded the School Legacy Award for making a lasting impact at one of our partner schools through her AmeriCorps service!

Learn more about Deja and her passion for education below!

What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?

Opening up conversations for opportunity amongst under resourced youth. I care about this issue because most students in these circumstances have been left to feel hopeless or super limited with the possibilities of the future. By opening up the conversation for adaptable possibilities, you invite students/youth to be inspired to take paths that now sound obtainable given their circumstances.

What do you love most about an organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?

I love volunteering through HOA because of the community involvement. Being able to share the same passion amongst my community and for my community is always inspiring.

How has volunteering impacted your personal/professional life?

Through volunteering I’ve learned more about what It takes to offer support to my community vs just helping my community. Understanding that difference has been so impactful to knowing how I can lead most effectively in both the world and my inner community.

What skills have you honed or what have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?

I’ve learned peer leadership, marketing skills and furthered my communication skills amongst diverse communities.

Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?

Volunteering I’ve built a mentorship relationship with 5 students. I’ve taken it upon myself to start a weekly workshop with the group to expose them to new vocabulary and experiences. Through these workshops we’ve built a bond built on respect and understanding. My relationships with these students started out challenging but eventually became the most honest and trustworthy relationships. Outside of this I have built memorable long lasting relationships within the community that will be impactful for years to come… so many seeds have been planted!

Why Atlanta? What do you love about this city and/or tell us a bit about some of your favorite Atlanta things - people, places, things to do, etc.

Being a black women from a predominantly white state (Indiana)… coming to atlanta was like coming to the land of opportunity! The culture and community is sooo rich and inspiring! The support is endless, and the way the community can come together and see everyone in positions of growth is insatiable, definitely not something you see across the states! #iloveatlanta #year10

Volunteering soon? Share where, when and if others can join you or how they can get involved.

No public volunteer opportunities at the moment. But I am planning to put together some opportunities for my students to be exposed to new endeavors. If anyone wants to know how to support they can email me at dejabobbi00@gmail.com. Taking any and all support that can be offered :)! Even if it’s just cost efficient options for some experiences we can take! Thank you!

Please list anything else you think our community should know about you, your volunteer service, or your commitment to Do Something Good! 

I want the world to know I am committed to making under resourced students feel at home in a world not built for them. I commit to this through exposure workshops with teens where students are introduced to new wellness techniques, ways of thinking, foods, acts of service and vocabulary. Being able to pass on what I’ve learned in this world to help someone else move through a world less comfortable for youth that may look like us… will always make this life experience fulfilling for me. Thank you for allowing me to be in positions to support!

Are you interested in learning more about a year of service through the Hands On Atlanta AmeriCorps program? Click here to see all the program benefits, what you’ll do and to start your application for the 2024-25 term.