This semester, I had the privilege of working with the Hand Heart and Soul Project (HHSP), a nonprofit dedicated to bringing holistic health education, community-building events, and meaningful resources to families in South Atlanta. HHSP’s mission is grounded in empowerment: meeting people where they are, listening to what they need, and creating spaces where community feels tangible and immediate. Being part of this work offered me a firsthand look at the intention, creativity, and persistence required to support local communities in a sustainable, human-centered way.
My primary focus this semester was supporting HHSP’s marketing efforts. Much of my work revolved around developing communication strategies, organizing outreach, and amplifying the organization’s events so they could reach the families who would benefit most. Marketing for a nonprofit is its own kind of storytelling in the way that it asks you not just to promote an event, but to convey care, trust, and connection in every message. I learned quickly that effective marketing in a community organization isn’t about polished campaigns; it’s about clarity, authenticity, and meeting people where they are.
One of the initiatives I supported was The Giving Grove, HHSP’s first annual December toy drive and community setup for children and families. Facilitating the preparation and promotion for this event was deeply moving. I am excited to see how the event pans out.
Throughout the semester, I strengthened a range of skills that will continue to shape me both academically and professionally. I learned how to build targeted marketing materials for diverse audiences, streamline internal processes for outreach, and craft messaging that aligns with a mission-driven brand. I also gained confidence navigating ambiguity; whether designing materials from scratch or navigating through changing policies. Nonprofit work rarely follows a rigid structure, and this flexibility taught me to think creatively and respond with intention rather than urgency.
A turning point for me came during one of HHSP’s team meetings, listening to the director discuss the long-term vision for their community hubs. It struck me how much hope, strategy, and sacrifice go into sustaining work like this. It's also impactful to see a leader who cares about her team in the deepest of ways. For HHSP to show up and leave a positive impact on the community, we must feel nourished within ourselves and not stretch ourselves too thin, or else we won’t be able to give all that we can. Coming from a background in finance, this is not something that we are reminded of, but it is so important to hear.
This experience broadened my understanding of social impact beyond theory. HHSP allowed me to see how sustainability and service live and breathe on the ground. It reinforced my belief that meaningful change is relational. It begins in classrooms, gardens, food pantries, and communities that turn into people who show up consistently for one another.
As I look ahead to my career in finance, sustainability, and community-oriented work, this semester has shown me that numbers and strategy are only half the equation. The human side matters just as much. I hope to take the empathy, adaptability, and purpose-driven mindset I developed at HHSP into every space I enter.
This reflection is part of Georgia Tech’s Social Impact Fellows program, offered through the Institute for Leadership and Social Impact (ILSI). This program connects students with nonprofit and community organizations in Atlanta for semester-long, hands-on project experiences designed to foster co-learning, social responsibility, and personal growth. To learn more about program details and application information, please visit our program webpage.