About Us
Coming Together to Make a Difference in Your Community
Helping Hands of GA Metro is a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization committed to the pursuit of social impact. Our team of dedicated individuals work to address issues like food insecurity, in addition to providing access to chaplaincy services, and free educational resources. We are passionate about serving those in need, and driven to create spaces for individuals to grow and thrive.
Founded by the vision to create social change and advocate for mission driven initiatives, Helping Hands of GA Metro has consolidated the mission to “Serve Our Local Communities” with tangible public service. We could not do what we do with our volunteers and openly invite all interested to get involved!
HHGM Chief Executive Officer: Vivian Holland
Vivian has been involved with Missions and Community Impact services for over 20 years. During those years, she has served as a licensed missionary impacting the lives of others while living her life putting God first.
Vivian attended college at Clark Atlanta University and Ashford University, gaining a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing. In her free time, Vivian enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
She is also married to her college sweetheart and has two amazing sons that she enjoys spending time with. Vivian loves to travel with her family and explore new things. She also enjoys being active in her church community as the President of their Jurisdictional Missions Department.
Memberships:
- Golden Key Honours Society
- Who’s Who Executive Society
- Ga. Metro Missions Department
HHGM Executive Director: Shenetta McNair
Shenetta is most importantly a wife and a mom. She is married with four sons and one daughter. She and her family are active members of their community and church.
She has worked and served in the field of education for over 25 years. During those years she has worked with the childcare licensing enforcement and compliance industry, owned and operated a local childcare facility and worked within the public and charter school education industries.
Shenetta attended Clark Atlanta University, Kaplan University and Capella University earning an Associate Degree in Applied Business Management, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Counseling Studies.
She has served as a team member for her local church and served as the jurisdiction secretary, teacher, and most recently Chairlady of the Youth Department. She has a passion for serving young people in our communities. It is her hope that we are able to have a positive impact on as many lives as we can in one way or another.
Memberships:
- HHGM Department of Education
- Ga. Metro Jurisdiction Youth Department
- Professional Association of Georgia Educators
HHGM Chaplaincy Division Leader: Anthony Johnson
Anthony has been dedicated to serving as a member of the clergy since 1998, with a deep passion for supporting and guiding God’s people in their spiritual growth. Throughout nearly 30 years of ministry, he has worked with diverse groups, including youth, young adults, and men, fostering their personal and collective journeys in faith. Anthony is committed to the belief that all Christians are called to witness and evangelize, sharing the love and salvation of God with those who have not yet experienced it.
As a chaplain, Anthony holds that it is our duty to be fully committed to God’s Word, and through that commitment, encourage others to come to know Him for themselves. He views prayer as a vital part of the Christian walk, not only for daily communication with the Lord but also for interceding on behalf of others during their times of need.
Anthony finds great joy in serving both in the local church and the broader community, and he sees his role as a chaplain as one of the most rewarding and important callings. His favorite scripture is Jeremiah 32:27: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?”
Memberships:
- HHGM Chaplaincy
- Holy Fellowship Sunday School Department
Learn More About Our Partners
Charles Smith, Licensed Professional Counselor
Charles Smith, MS, LPC, is the Owner and Psychotherapist of Ascend Counseling and Therapy Services, LLC, a group practice providing client-centered, personalized and results driven therapy to students, young adults, families and groups navigating life’s challenges. Ascend includes staff therapists and certified life coaches who support clients with a range of mental health, relationship, personal growth and development, and life-transition needs. With Ascend, Charles’ goal is to create a supportive therapeutic environment where clients can gain greater self-awareness, develop practical tools for managing life’s challenges, strengthen their relationships, and feel empowered to become healthier and more confident versions of themselves. Through his partnership with Helping Hands of GA Metro, Charles provides individuals with compassionate mental health support and resources designed to encourage emotional wellness, personal growth, and healthier lives.
With more than 30 years of experience across mental health, social services, child and family services, substance use treatment, and community-based programs, Charles brings a broad perspective to the therapeutic process. His professional experience includes individual, family, and group counseling; trauma-informed treatment; substance use recovery; crisis intervention; youth development; family support; and clinical program services.
Charles believes therapy should be practical, collaborative, and empowering. His approach helps clients better understand how thoughts, emotions, past experiences, relationships, and behavioral patterns can affect how they feel and respond to everyday challenges. He works alongside clients to develop healthier perspectives, strengthen coping skills, improve communication and relationships, improve emotional regulation, and build greater confidence in their ability to move forward.
Charles specializes in working with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD, life transitions, relationship and family challenges, men’s issues, cultural identity issues, anger and emotional regulation difficulties, self-esteem concerns, and substance use and recovery issues. He also has extensive experience supporting adolescents and young adults as they navigate academic pressures, identity development, relationships, college and career decisions, and the transition into adulthood. Charles strives to meet each client where they are while providing both unconditional support and appropriate therapeutic challenge to encourage meaningful growth.
Charles earned his Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health from Mercer University and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Morgan State University. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Georgia and has completed additional professional training in areas including motivational interviewing, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, psychological first aid, suicide prevention, crisis management, and child and adolescent mental health.