Nonprofits are charitable organizations focused on filling a need in the community. They are run by volunteers that work for the common good. In Athens, Georgia there are 76 non-profits. This article will go into detail about what some of these organizations do and how you can get involved.
Athens Area Humane Society
Go to their website here: https://athenshumanesociety.org/get-involved/volunteer/
This is a non-profit that centers around protecting shelter dogs. Each year around 920,000 animals in shelters are euthanized in the United States. To help lower this rate, the Athens Area Humane Society rescues animals from shelters and finds them forever homes. If you would like to help their effort, you can volunteer your time, foster, or donate. After applying and completing a training course, volunteers help by socializing cats and dogs to help them become adoptable, helping assist spay/neuter surgeries and providing shelter support.
Boys and Girls Club of Athens
Go to their website here: https://www.greatfuturesathens.com/
The Boys and Girls Club of Athens, Georgia provides support to more than 350 children each day. Their focus is to give the children ages 6-18 a safe environment where they can be educated and discover their full potential. All members of this non-profit are on course to graduate from high school. If you are interested in this organization you can help by becoming a sponsor, donating, or volunteering. To volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club of Athens, you need to apply online and pass a background check. For more information on how to apply, click here.
Athens Area Homeless Shelter
Go to their website here: https://www.helpathenshomeless.org/
The Athens Area Homeless Shelter won the 2022 nonprofit of the year award. This organization provides helpful services to the homeless community in Athens. AAHS gives those in need three meals a day, laundry/clothing services, and helps with crisis intervention. If you would like to volunteer with AAHS, you can help by serving a meal, participating in Kids Group, building repair, or fulfilling a wish list.
Books for Keeps, Inc
Go to their website here: http://booksforkeeps.org/
Books for Keeps is focused on giving children access to books so they can learn how to enjoy reading. The organization started when the founder met an elementary schooler who was upset about being on summer break because school was the only place where she could access books. After creating Books for Keeps, Athens children can access books even in the summer. The non-profit annually gives away more than 100,000 books. To help, you can donate books, become a sponsor, host a book drive, or volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, your primary responsibilities will be staffing a book sale, sorting books, or helping with book pick-ups.
College Factory
Go to their website here: https://www.collegefactory.org/
College Factory aims to build a college-going culture. They achieve this by working with first-generation students and students who need a helping hand and teaching them college preparation. Their three focuses are test prep, college/career coaching, and entrepreneurship and financial literacy training. If you are interested in getting involved with College Factory, you can help by donating or volunteering. Volunteers work as couches or tutors for students in need.
Extra Special People
Go to their website here: https://www.espyouandme.org/what-we-do
Extra Special People is a non-profit organization centered around helping disabled people and their families. The founder noticed that not many opportunities were being presented to those with special needs so she created an organization that helped change that. Now the organization has established a community of people of all physical ability levels. They offer programs like 360 and Camp Hooray that help those who are disabled learn skills and have fun. If you would like to volunteer with Extra Special People, you can help with afternoon programs and camps that the organization hosts.
Chosen for Life Ministries
Go to their website here: http://chosenforlifeministries.org/
Chosen for Life Ministries is an adoption support and foster care ministry in Watkinsville, Georgia. If you are interested in helping to support their cause, you can get involved in their adoption support or foster care program. To learn more about how you volunteer, provide your email address on their website.
Volunteering at non-profits is a great way to give back to the community and it is a very rewarding experience. Reach out to an Athens non-profit today and learn how you can get involved.
