Financial education brings stability to Georgia communities
Autumn Hawk leads by example to help others. As a child, her mother took her along to volunteer activities and set an example through her own service work. What Hawk witnessed left an indelible mark on her. Today, she volunteers for various organizations in Newnan, Georgia. In 2023, Hawk received the Synovus Donald D. Howard Heart of the Community award. Like her mother, she continues to set an example with her team.
“My mom is always volunteering. Helping others makes her heart feel full,” the Synovus retail market manager says.”
Hawk’s win of the Heart of the Community award was a tremendous honor and surprise for her because helping others is a staple in her life. “I volunteer because it’s just something I enjoy. It was so nice to receive the recognition for doing what I do,” she states. As she points to the award sitting on her office bookshelf, she recalls how she was proud to be a part of a team that values reaching out to others to help improve the lives of those in their community.
A few organizations she supports are the Goodwill Business Center, Family Patterns Matter, Frontline Housing (Clayton County), Midwest Food Bank, Girl Scouts and others. She hosts a bimonthly meeting with west Georgia and south Atlanta teams to discuss and encourage volunteer efforts in the South Georgia region.
“It makes me feel good that I can help someone get to that next step in their life or just give back to the community. Volunteerism is so impactful in helping others find their place. It makes me feel like I have a purpose,” Hawk shares.
In the youth-based organization Family Patterns Matter, she loves seeing the children learn how to manage finances in a fun way. “Their holiday event had more than 150 children in attendance. Children were given coats, Santa stockings, and they earned play money to spend in Santa’s workshop for holiday gifts,” Hawk explains. “It’s a fun volunteer effort that puts a twist on how we benefit and teach the kids a little something along the way.”
“It’s a great reminder that sometimes things may get a little tough, but I can be there for another person to help them get through challenges. It makes me feel good that what I’m doing is making a difference.”
Another organization Hawk helps teach financial education for is Frontline Housing. The nonprofit helps people without housing receive financial education to help them transition and complete financial education courses, and Frontline Housing matches their savings after they gain employment.
Mary Grace King, Frontline Housing Inc. executive director, shares how Hawk has been a leader for volunteers and families. “When we reached out to Autumn and her team to assist our families by facilitating workshops, Autumn jumped right on it and offered her time and services,” she recalls. “Frontline Housing is fortunate to have a dedicated and knowledgeable volunteer like Autumn.”
“We value volunteers, but when it comes to facilitators of financial well-being workshops, volunteers must have the enthusiasm, knowledge and ability to work with families who want to learn and are at various places in their financial journey,” King explains. “Meeting our families where they are and practicing patience and empathy are the amazing qualities that Autumn and the team possess.”
The strength and hope of class attendees encourage Hawk to continue her volunteer work and drive her to show up for those who need it most. “It’s a great reminder that sometimes things may get a little tough, but I can be there for another person to help them get through challenges. It makes me feel good that what I’m doing is making a difference,” Hawk explains.
Read more about how Synovus team members are enabling people to reach their full potential.
