“It is my dream that the undesirable population feel that they are important and loved.”

— Pamela Basye

To celebrate National Volunteer Week, we've hand selected some of our most promising fellows in our Civic Leadership Program to shine a spotlight on. Our civic fellows manage service projects at designated non-profit partner sites by recruiting volunteers, overseeing service days and providing education to volunteers as to the mission of their partner agency.

Today we recognize Pamela Basye for her outstanding efforts to serve Atlanta. Pamela has been volunteering with Hands On Atlanta for 2 years and when she's not volunteering, she spends her days as a Special Education teacher with UAFA. We caught up with Pamela recently to talk about her work as a volunteer:

Why is volunteering important to you?

It is my dream that the undesirable population feel that they are important and loved.

What are the challenges facing Atlanta you care about most?

Education and hunger are the challenges that appeal the most to me. My mission is to close the achievement gap and decrease hunger in urban communities.

Why did you decide to join the Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program?

I saw this as an honor and opportunity to make a greater impact throughout varies communities in Atlanta.

What has been the biggest surprise about volunteering?

The overwhelming number of volunteers that support Hands On Atlanta projects. On February 10, 2018 over 20 college students from Denmark served the students at the Discovery program at Heritage Elementary session by taking them on a virtual field trip to Denmark.

What advice would you give someone thinking about making volunteering a part of their lifestyle?

I would encourage them to go to the Hands On Atlanta website where there a hundreds of opportunities and invite them to join one of the teams that I participate on.

When you’re not at work or volunteering, how else do you spend your time – hobbies, interests?

I enjoy praise and worship at my church and dancing to my favorite playlist in the swimming pool at the YMCA.

Donate now to support Pamela and her fundraising requirement to the Civic Leadership Program.

Do you know an outstanding volunteer who deserves some recognition for National Volunteer Week? Let us know by tagging us in a post on Instagram or Twitter.