Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson was the founding director for the Gwinnett County Community Outreach Division. She had a vision to create an initiative at the government level to increase access and opportunities for underrepresented communities to have greater involvement in local government affairs. Community Outreach worked to bridge Gwinnett’s diverse residents to opportunities where they can interact with their leaders and gain access to decision-making arenas.

In 2025, Community Outreach became “Civic Engagement and Social Impact,” its new title encompassing the county’s commitment to fulfilling Volunteer Gwinnett and Community Outreach’s initiatives of connection, engagement, and empowerment to the people who live, work, and play in Gwinnett.

Civic Engagement includes programs such as Gwinnett 101 Citizens Academy and the Gwinnett Youth Commission. The Civic Engagement team hosts community dinners, supports general outreach needs, and participates in community networking events.

Civic Engagement also organizes and participates in annual heritage month celebrations, such as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Black History Month, Hispanic Latino Heritage Month, Pride Month, and more! Heritage months are periods of the year that celebrate and recognize ethnic and marginalized groups and educate people about these groups’ contributions to American history. These celebrations help our vibrant community understand their own cultures and identities, as well as the cultures of others. Heritage month celebrations also provide a space to examine how our diverse cultures are viewed within greater discourse.

The Social Impact section includes community and business collaboration, department-led signature events, Volunteer Gwinnett, Gwinnett Serves, Gwinnett Great Days of Service, mobile food distributions, and volunteer opportunities for employees.

The Civic Engagement and Social Impact Division creates and supports civic opportunities where everyone belongs and thrives. They achieve this mission by offering signature educational programs, hosting and participating in community activities, actively engaging with stakeholders, building collaborative partnerships, and working to increase inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups.