VT Seva Atlanta youths participated in cleaning ‘Old Atlanta Rd’ on July 8th, 2023. More than 50 volunteers participated in this activity to keep Atlanta clean, green, and serene!

Atlanta VT Seva youths & adults participated in Meals By Grace (MBG) activity on July 2nd. They sorted, packed, and delivered fruits, breads, veggies, deserts, juices etc to the needy families of North Georgia. During summer vacation, these families have no or very less food to feed their children. The children excitedly wait for their school to open so they can get good breakfast, lunch, and snack at school. Our youths volunteer at MBG very often, it’s a gift of gratitude by Atlanta youths! More than 20 VT Seva Atlanta Youth participated in Meals by Grace event which is held at Midway United Methodist Church, Atlanta. Meals by Grace is an organization that provides nutritious meals to individuals and families facing food scarcity. VT Youth helped with sorting all the food from the truck into different sections like produce, bread, meat and canned foods. Then the Loading team sorted all of these products into different boxes depending on how big the family is and what their specific food requirements are. Then all the volunteers had an opportunity to help load these boxes into the cars of designated drivers so that they can deliver the food to those who need them. Thank you VT Seva for such a wonderful opportunity to youth!

Atlanta VT Seva youths & adults participated in Meals By Grace (MBG) activity today. They sorted, packed, and delivered fruits, breads, veggies, deserts, juices etc to the needy families of North Georgia. During summer vacation, these families have no or very less food to feed their children. Their children anxiously wait for their school to open so they can get good breakfast, lunch, and snack at school. Our youths volunteer at MBG very often, it’s a gift of gratitude by Atlanta youths!

Shakerag Park Cleanup 2023 VT Seva Northview youths took the initiative to adopt Shakerag park and lend a hand in cleaning it, bringing Atlanta one step closer to being clean, green, and serene! This park clean up event attracted over 40 Atlanta youths, who all teamed up to pick up trash laying around. Atlanta youths once again went above and beyond in exhibiting their leadership skills by showing how deeply they cared for their very own mother nature. The third meeting for the VT Seva exhibit event also took place at this park. This exhibit was an opportunity to showcase everything that the Atlanta Branch of VT Seva accomplished over the past few years to the highly respected Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji, CEO of VT Seva, who graced Atlanta with his presence on July 19th, 2023. Youths expressed a deep interest in being a part of displaying what all VT Seva Atlanta achieved to his holiness. Groups were finalized regarding who would present on what, ranging from the highly successful blankets for the homeless initiative to the high impact summer camp for younger children to make productive use of their summer. Overall, this park clean up event was a hit!

Atlanta VT Seva has launched Youth-led Summer Camp for the Special Needs Kids of the Laurel Heights Hospital on June 19th,2023. Our Atlanta youths will wear Tutor hats for the first time for the Special Needs kids and take Elementary classes consisting of Math & ELA on alternate days from 10.40 am to 11.10 am. In addition, they will also take Fitness classes consisting of Taekwondo and Dance classes on alternate days from 9.15 am to 9.45 am. These Special Needs kids are in the hospital for treatment and summer camp classes will help them change their mood, encourage positive behavior, and learn something new at hospital. We’ll follow hospital privacy protocol all the time. It’s a great opportunity for our Atlanta youths to be the tutors for the jewels of Laurel Heights and support in their enrichment program!

VT Seva Atlanta has organized a Yoga session today for our youths & adults in collaboration with Isha Foundation to embrace ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ principle which is this year Yoga theme on International Yoga Day on June 21st, 2023. Atlanta youths enthusiastically participated in the yoga session and were able to connect to the cause today - One Family! * ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is the theme for this year's International Yoga Day, June 21, 2023, which beautifully captures our shared aspiration for “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.” From the United Nations headquarters in New York, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji will lead the global celebration of yoga this year on June 21, 2023. Being a working day, Atlanta team decided to organize yoga session today so maximum people can take advantage of it. *It’s a wonderful yoga session today to take care of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being!

Atlanta youths had a Father’s Day activity & CEO Prep activity on June 17, 2023. Youths made surprise gifts for their fathers - cards and special artwork to show their love and affection for their dad. Children also created Father’s Day art work in their Art class of the summer camp. In addition, they also brainstormed youth presentation options for the CEO visit in Atlanta. They are working hard in putting together VT exhibits & skit presentation for the Big Day in July - July 19th.

VT Seva Atlanta has organized a Superior Court visit today, June 9th for our middle schoolers and high schoolers to have hands-on experience in the field of Law / Political Science. Our youths had a great interactive session with Judge Rachelle Carnesale and her team of public defenders and prosecutors. Judge Rachelle Carnesale took time out from her busy day and explained everything in layman terms to our VT youths which is really commendable. She was highly impressed with what we do in VT Seva and told me to share VT Seva logo so she can put on her website. This is just the beginning and we’ll go again to the court house and support her drive - ‘My Journey Matters’ campaign to support innocent child abuse victims going through legal proceedings. She also appreciated how we support Special needs kids of the Laurel Heights hospital and blind / visually challenged kids of Nethra Vidhyalaya India. A great friendship bond is built today with Judge Rachelle Carnesale & her team of prosecutors and VT Seva team.

VT Seva Robotics Workshop was an incredible hands-on experience for Atlanta youths today. Robotic surgeon, Dr. Ravi and his staff demonstrated how they leverage robots in surgical operations. All youths were able to touch, feel, and program robots. This visit is a hands-on experience of the Robotics course for the VT Seva Summer Camp. Dr. Ravi was highly impressed with the VT Seva youths inquisitiveness about robotic surgery. This visit to the Robotic lab was organized by Bob Erramilli, Johns Creek City Councilman. We have build good relationships with the Johns Creek city council members.

Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” – Heather French Henry On June 1st, 2023, the VT SEVA Atlanta Team embarked on a transformative journey with the launch of Summer Camp 2023. This initiative is rooted in three fundamental objectives: Engaging Education, Youth Empowerment, Supporting the Visually Challenged: We are dedicated to raising funds for the Visually Challenged children of Nethra Vidyalaya in India, extending our commitment to a noble cause. In the Laurel Heights Summer Camp, our dedicated youth volunteers undertook the responsibility of teaching online Elementary classes encompassing Math and ELA, as well as Fitness classes covering Taekwondo and Dance. These classes were designed to cater to the Special Needs children of the Laurel Heights Hospital who sought treatment during the summer months. Our young volunteers not only excelled in their roles but also played a pivotal part in uplifting the spirits of these children, infusing positivity into their lives, and facilitating their learning journeys during the healing process. In the VT SEVA Summer Camp for Atlanta's children, our youth volunteers continued to shine, receiving accolades from numerous parents who expressed their admiration for the camp's unique offerings. Many pledged to spread the word about this exceptional experience and eagerly anticipated enrolling their children in the 2024 VT SEVA summer camp. Here are some of the camp's remarkable highlights: >> Over 150 enthusiastic students enrolled in the summer camp. Atlanta's vibrant youth community took charge of teaching a >> diverse array of Elementary Classes, spanning Chess, Art, Robotics, Math, ELA, Dance, and Taekwondo. >> For those seeking more advanced learning opportunities, we offered classes in Web Design, App Building, Advanced Robotics, Advanced Art, Advanced Dance, Python programming, and Business Entrepreneurship. >> More than 50 passionate youths embraced the role of tutors, honing their skills in effective communication and lesson delivery. The camp successfully raised over $18,000 in support of blind and visually challenged children.

In the Laurel Heights Summer Camp, our youths taught online Elementary class (Math & ELA) and Fitness class (Taekwando and dance) to the Special Needs kids of the Laurel heights hospital who came to the hospital for their treatment during summer months. Our youths did a fantastic job in cheering them up, brining positivity, and helping them learn something new while going through the treatment process. In VT Seva Summer Camp for Atlanta children, our youths also did a fantastic job and we got appreciation from many parents that they have not seen a summer camp like this before and will definitely spread the word out about it & register their kids in 2024 VT Seva summer camp.

Atlanta VT Seva Summer Camp Orientation was held on May 28th, 2023. With 150+ students registered for the Online Summer Camp teaching elementary and advanced classes. Elementary Classes such as Math, ELA, Art, Chess, Robotics, Dance, and Taekwondo. Advanced Classes such as Python, Web Design, App Building, Advanced Art, Advanced Robotics, Advanced Dance, and Business & Entrepreneurship. Approx. 50 Youths will be wearing Tutor Hats and delivering Math, ELA, Art, Chess, Python, Web Design & Cyber Security, Dance, Taekwondo, Robotics, Business Entrepreneurship, and App Building lessons. They will work with the certified professionals and SME’s at the back end, it’s our Youth Empowerment Initiative.

VT Seva Atlanta celebrates National Police Week & pay tribute to the brave men & women in duty to keep our communities and families safe. Police Chief, Mark Mitchell, Sergeant Dimitri Caldwell, Sergeant Colin Belisle, Officer Dominique, Officer Jennis, Officer Hall, and Officer Gray attended the ceremony today. Also, Erin Elwood and Dilip Tunki, Johns Creek City Councilwoman and Councilman attended the function. They rendered PVSA Awards to our 37 Atlanta youths and were highly impressed with the service attitude & service projects of Atlanta VT Seva youths. We have built partnerships with the Johns Creek Police department and Johns Creek City Council members and soon will be launching collaborative projects with them. Atlanta VT Seva held PVSA Award Ceremony and Police appreciation event along with City council meet at Johns Creek City Council building on May 20, 2023. Dr. Madhu Nemani delivered the welcome note, appreciating the youths, police officers, volunteers and went over the initiative and projects done by the Atlanta youths. A beautiful and well-prepared video by our youth Nikhila was played to the audience which showcased all the great work out Atlanta youth has done during the year. All the Cards prepared by our youths for the police officers were also on display at the event. Council members, Police Sergeant and Dr. Madhu Nemani discussed some projects that will provide an opportunity for our youths to do more for the community. Further, Sergeant Dimitri Police gave the tour of gave a tour of Johns Creek Police Department and youths had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Johns Creek police department. It was also discussed to provide an opportunity for the other youths to have such tours to gain insight into the police officers day to day work. The event was concluded by thanking all the Police officers, city council members and volunteers for taking their valuable time out of their busy schedule to be present and making the event successful. Police officers were provided with Yummy Pizza and refreshments as a token of appreciation for their dedication and commitment in serving the community. We are very proud of 37 youths and 1 adult volunteer who were recognized for their contribution in serving the community during the year 2022 with Gold, Silver and Bronze Presidential Volunteer Service Awards. These awards were presented by the Police officers and Council members and each awardee also received a water bottle from the Police officers.

Atlanta VT Seva Team visits Laurel Heights Hospital May 19th, 2023. Corey Jackson, CEO of the Laurel Heights appreciated the work that Atlanta VT Seva does and also looking forward for the Summer Camp collaboration with the VT Seva youths. Dr. Smitha Batulla and Dr. O also appreciated the service work done by Atlanta team in last couple of years since 2021. Sonya Rice, Business Development Director of Laurel Heights truly appreciated the thoughtful cards for Special Needs kids and Laurel Heights Doctor’s and staff members. VT Seva and Laurel Heights collaboration has taken a new dimension by starting summer classes for the special needs kids of the hospital to engage them productively during their treatment at the hospital.

The Atlanta VT Seva April Cool Plant Project participants organized another successful plant sale during mothers day weekend. This time too it achieved tremendous success! VT Seva's young volunteers goal was to raise funds to support the education of visually impaired children in India. The final sales for our fundraising event took place on May 13th and 14th, from 10 AM to 2 PM, right in front of Patel Brothers, the Indian grocery store. Approximately 22 young VT Seva volunteers and 15 adults enthusiastically participated in the event. The youth effectively communicated the cause to customers and successfully sold a variety of vegetable saplings, herbs, fruits, flower plants, and seeds. The vegetable saplings were carefully nurtured by the young volunteers for 4-6 weeks and included a range of crops such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, gourds, green chilies, cucumbers, tomatillos, zucchini, chikkudu beans, long beans, ash gourd, chukka kura, dosakaya, and bathua, among others. Fruit plants like strawberries and banana were also available for purchase, along with a diverse selection of herbs like ajwain, mint, curry leaf, lemon grass, betel leaf, tulsi, and basil. The youth also offered flower plants including canna lilies, mini roses, ginger lillies, hybiscus, various lilies, and chrysanthemums. The event featured the sale of vegetable seeds as well. This year, we raised 8k from this plant sale event. Witnessing the active involvement and contributions of the community was truly exhilarating, as they rallied together to support the education of visually challenged and blind children in India. Furthermore, by supporting the growing community of gardeners, VT Seva was able to contribute to sustainability and Eco friendliness with this initiative.