As I have become more accustomed to life as a young professional and the city of Nashville, I have had time to think about what organizations I want to become involved with here. Community involvement has been important to me since grade school, so it’s something I want to continue in adulthood.
While at home in Memphis, I was a part of the Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis’ Young Women Philanthropists and Dress for Success. So naturally, when I moved to Nashville for my first (salaried) job, I had to go on the hunt for ways to spend my weekend that filled my needs to be of service and to get to know my community. The first place I looked? The Urban League of Young Professionals of Middle Tennessee.
Though hard to find at first digitally, I discovered their Facebook page and found out when their next meeting would be held. As the first meeting of the new year, it featured a panel discussion led by Judge Rachel Bell and a retired Vanderbilt professor Dr. Lewis V. Baldwin on the activities of the civil rights movement and the effects of those efforts today.
The meeting also detailed upcoming community service activities and leadership conferences that young professionals are urged to attend. While I think I have found one community home with the Urban League here in Nashville, I’d like to spotlight a few more options for those of you who haven’t yet decided where to get involved. But no matter what you pick, never underestimate the power of community; it’s the connection that keeps our city healthy and thriving.
Five nonprofits you can be of service to in Nashville:
Dress for Success Nashville
Dress for Success is a program dedicated to helping women in low-income or disadvantaged areas as they move into the workforce. They provide interview workshops, clothing drives and other support that women need. As a volunteer you can expect to help coordinate fundraisers, connect with donors and be a mentor. Visit Dress for Success Nashville’s website for more information.
YMCA Building Futures Mentoring Program
With a mission to “develop the full potential of our youth in spirit, mind and body, both inside and out of the classroom by connecting each youth to a mentor,” need I say more if you want to leave a footprint in someone’s life? As a mentor, you can choose your mentee, see all the things Nashville and the YMCA have to offer and get support when you need it. Learn more about the program here.
Our Kids Center
An organization that champions help, hope and healing, Our Kids provides expert medical evaluations and crisis counseling to children and families affected by child sexual abuse. With numerous opportunities to volunteer, you can help out by attending or volunteering at various special events like Soup Sunday and Yazoo Brew & Our Kids, Too. Visit their website to learn how to become part of the solution in the fight against child sexual abuse.
Second Harvest Food Bank
As member of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank works to feed the hungry and solve hunger issues within the Middle and West Tennessee communities. Volunteers help to sort donated items, pack food boxes, host food and fund drives and coordinate fundraising events. Volunteer here.
Hands On Nashville
This organization is the resource center for all things community service. My first bit of volunteer work in Nashville was through Hands On Nashville during the Mayor’s Field Day last year. Becoming a volunteer is easy: just visit their website, enter your preferences and log your service hours. Don’t forget to look through the hefty database of more than 300 volunteer opportunities from over 250 nonprofits so you can “Be the change.”