We’re proud to spotlight Toni Hawes, a dedicated volunteer and Civic Leadership Program Fellow in our 2024-25 cohort. She’s passionate about bridging socioeconomic gaps and finds deep fulfillment in mentoring and serving communities. Toni actively volunteers with Hands On Atlanta and the National Black MBA Association’s Atlanta chapter, focusing on women’s leadership and mentoring programs.
Learn more about Toni’s volunteer journey!
What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?
Since moving to Atlanta in 2018, I have found myself very much involved in the community in regard to Food Insecurity, Child, Young Adult and Elderly Education and Literacy, Technology Literacy and Homelessness. These issues are prevalent not only in our community but across the nation. I have been serving our community in many capacities and I am proud of the work that is being done by many nonprofit organization to help address these crisis.
What do you love most about an organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?
I love the comradery of the individuals engaged to achieve the goals and the impact on the community. I have the ability to wake up everyday to make an impact, not only in my professional line of work but in my civic duties.
“I recently had the opportunity to work with elementary students and teach them STEM through a program sponsored by Hands On Atlanta. These students impressed me every month and showed me that they learned the concepts. Being able to see these students develop social and emotional learning skills and seeing them grow from feeling scared and uncomfortable to being able to play in group settings was invaluable.”
How has volunteering impacted your personal/professional life?
I am able to utilize my skillsets gained from my professional life to cross pollinate into the nonprofit arena. I have the ability to see a profound impact in my community from the youth to the elderly that I serve and that is the greatest gift.
What skills have you honed or what have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?
I have learned more about what it takes to fundraise and build community partnerships.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting involved with volunteering?
Just do it!
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