HEART HOUSE HERALD

Heart House Austin
May 2007

Note: If you have problems viewing the graphics included in this email, a copy of this
e-newsletter can be seen online at http://www.hearthouse.org/newsletter.htm
  

In this issue:

  • Save the Date!  Runway to Heaven Fashion Show to Benefit Heart House

  • Student Spotlight

  • What We're Learning This Month at Heart House

  • Heart House Angels: Friends and Supporters Who Make Our Program Possible

  • Volunteer Spotlight

  • Volunteer Opportunities

  • Major Heart House Sponsors

  • Get Cool Heart House Gear
     


   

Mario’s program leader calls him “a leader who is a supportive teammate in the classroom. He takes responsibility for himself and others. Without his energy, this group would not be able to accomplish so much!”

Mario is energetic, always enthusiastic to help the staff and other students, and has made some important friendships in our program! He is also a part of Believe in Me, a special movement program each week at Heart House. In Believe in Me, he is a star student: active, engaged, and motivating others to get involved!

We have chosen Mario to be the Student Spotlight for all of these reasons and also because he has made a tremendous amount of progress since joining us in January!

May:  "Heroes and their Impact”

This month, Heart House children will have a chance to discuss what it means to be heroic and how their actions can impact others. Here are some of the questions they will be discovering answers to:

  • What makes someone a hero?

  • Where do heroes come from?

  • How can one person make a difference?

  • Who are some historical heroes and how do they compare to my personal heroes?

  • Who are some fictional heroes and how do they compare to real-life heroes?

  • What does it mean to work for the common good?

  • How can I exhibit heroic qualities?

To introduce the month, students from Lanier High School will visit our program and facilitate activities that will allow both Heart House and Lanier HS students to share their own stories, ideas, and creations of personal heroes.  Our month will culminate with a very special Heroes Awards Ceremony to honor personal, family, and community heroes who have impacted our lives, made a difference in our communities, and forever left their mark on us and the world around them!

Last Month: "Friend to the Environment"

Lunch Landfill—3rd through 6th graders examine their snacks to discuss what can be reduced, recycled and reused.
  

What does it mean to be environmentally “friendly”? April’s theme focused on addressing this key issue in our community and world, emphasizing environmental citizenship and community service. Children learned about different kinds of pollution, human and animal interactions with the environment, conservation, preservation, and services kids can provide to their neighborhoods and communities to improve the environment!

The students spent a lot of time creating and recreating, observing and investigating. Math, science, literature, art, and citizenship are just some of the disciplines woven into the environmental activities. And of course, we covered the 3 powerful “R’s” to empower children and their families to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

We are also excited to have partnered with Keep Austin Beautiful, a local environmental organization that coordinated enrichment activities and a neighborhood clean-up for us at the end of the month.

Here are some of our favorite images from the last month:

Alexis and Arianna—our newest Heart House students!

Keep Austin Beautiful does water pollution demonstration

Heart House staff and students learn how to rebalance their mind doing “crazy eights”

Travonna learns a capeiora move

Guests teach staff and children stress management techniques

Family potluck hosted at Heart House March 30th 

Family Spotlight: Marina and Una
  

Thank you to our many donors and friends who donated funds, time, and talent to our organization this month! For more information on donating to Heart House, please visit our website at http://www.hearthouse.org.
   

New and Recurring Donors:

Amy Wilson
Andy Land
Anonymous Donor
CeCe Ridder
Craig Lukshin
Emeka Obianwu
Gloria B. Quinonez
IBM
John & Lysa Hoelscher
Karyl Ann Kinsey
Kathie Schafer
Larry Knippa
Marc Davis
Randy Eckhardt
Sally Henly
Skylar Justin Putman
Stacy Ehrlich
Sunil Patel
Tamara M. Rezler
Teodora Saenz

DonateNow

For as little as $10 a month, you can make a 
huge difference in a child's safety and education.
100% of your donation goes to the children
of Heart House Austin.
       

        

Special Thanks: 

Shoes for Austin
Keep Austin Beautiful
Kizzie and Etienne (Capooeira) 
Omega Phi Alpha
Delta Phi Omega

And thanks to the Heart House Reading Buddies for their hard work this semester helping a target group of children improve their reading skills.  Thanks, Rad Readers!

Kathy Kwiecienski, Leader
Toyin Falola
Aaron Menchaca
Pia Chakrabarti
Chhaya Patel
Kara Small
Sarah Mendola
Joe Wagner
Natasha Raisch
Mary Hailson
Ronnie Gjemre

  

Currently we're seeking volunteers for:

  • Tutoring time M-Th 3:00-4:30 PM

  • Activities Time M-Th 4:30-6:00

  • Corporate Groups

  • Birthday Parties- Fridays

  • Guest Speakers and Mentors

Fill out an online application for Austin today!

Volunteer orientations take place at Heart House. Once our volunteer coordinator receives your online application, she will call you to arrange a personal orientation of Heart House. Thank you in advance for you interest and willingness to give your time to the children at Heart House.

Upcoming orientations at Heart House:

May 16th 12:00-1:00 PM
 RSVP for this orientation!
   
May 21st 6:00-7:00 PM
 RSVP for this orientation!
  
May 24th 12:00-1:00 PM
 RSVP for this orientation!

June 4th 12:30-1:30 PM
RSVP for this orientation!

June 18th 6:00-7:00 PM
RSVP for this orientation!

June 20th 12:30-1:30 PM
RSVP for this orientation!

June 27th 6:00-7:00 PM
RSVP for this orientation!

June 29th 12:30-1:30 PM
RSVP for this orientation!

For more information on volunteering at Heart House Austin, 
contact Shana Fox, Volunteer Coordinator, 512-929-8187.      
      


Andy Chidalek, aka “Mr. Andy,” has made Heart House a priority since he began volunteering in January of this year. 


 

 

Heart House Program Sponsors and Diamond Sponsors provide core support for our mission. Please join us in recognizing and thanking them for making Heart House possible.

Program Heart Sponsors


 Diamond Heart Sponsors

Topfer Family Foundation

From Heart House's CafePress Store
  
Ringer T-shirt in choice of 3 color combos Baseball Jersey Large Mug Ash Grey T-Shirt

  
The Heart House Herald is an online publication of Heart House, a free afterschool program dedicated to providing a safe haven and academic support to low-income children and encouraging them to become good citizens.  

 


www.hearthouse.org