They didn’t sign up for a title. They signed up to serve.
Last month, Hands On Atlanta celebrated a milestone moment for the city’s volunteer community. On April 23rd, the organization gathered at McKinsey & Co. to celebrate its 2026 Civic Leadership cohort — a group of dedicated fellows who, after seven months of service, officially graduated into their new role as Civic Leaders.
The 26-member cohort committed to organizing at least one volunteer project per month with a partner nonprofit — and each fellow pledged to raise a minimum of $500 to sustain the program. Together, they blew past the goal.
From October through April, the cohort led hands-on projects alongside nonprofit partners, completed monthly professional development workshops, and collectively raised $21,003 to support Hands On Atlanta’s mission.
Their work touched food insecurity, youth education, and community outreach all across metro Atlanta. The graduation ceremony featured moving impact stories from graduates Kelvin Sharpe and Kristel Silang, a keynote from Monisha Longacre on the lasting value of civic leadership, and closed with program alumna Ashley Hunter — Class of 2025 — returning to inspire this year’s graduates to stay engaged long after the ceremony ends.
The Hands On Atlanta Civic Leadership Program is a 10-month immersive initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of changemakers in metro Atlanta — pairing fellows with nonprofits, sharpening leadership skills, and building community connections that last.
The Class of 2026 has graduated. Atlanta is better for it.
