Heart House Austin
June 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:

• What's New?  Collaboration Brings Full-Day Summer Program to Heart House

• Runway to Heaven - THE Fashion Show of the Season!

• Student Spotlight

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

• Volunteer Spotlight

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Major Heart House Sponsors

• Get Cool Heart House Gear
   

Heart House is collaborating with 4-H and Theatre Action Project to bring a full-day summer program at Heart House for the first time.

Summer Theme: “Our World is What We Make It!”

Summer is a challenging time, as parents struggle to find a suitable, well-rounded program for their children that does not take a huge chunk of change out of their pockets and that is open for a significant part of the day. Children struggle to stay engaged and interested, searching for something to do to bide their time. 

This summer we are collaborating with two organizations to bring Heart House kids and families a full-day summer program! This effort is made possible by a grant written on behalf of Heart House, 4-H Capital Project, and Theatre Action Project (TAP) to serve the needs of the children and families in the Heart House neighborhood. All three organizations are working together to create community-based themes and projects, while infusing math, science, safety, theatre, reading, service-learning, art and much, much more.

Our theme for the summer collaborative is, “Our world is what we make it!” Over the course of 8 weeks students will participate in a variety of activities, projects and experiences that will invite them to learn more about themselves and their communities, identifying their personal and community strengths and their opportunities for change and growth.  By the end of the summer each child will have developed a stronger self-esteem, a deeper pride and love of their community and a tighter bond with fellow community members.

In our vision, the visual landscape will bear the signs of change: happy and healthy youth, vibrant and colorful gardens, community service projects and neighborhood celebrations. 

The summer theme will broken down into weekly mini-themes that expand from the individual inner world to a wider and wider understanding of what comprises a community.  The children will then implement a community assessment of the current strengths, concerns, and conditions of children, families, and the community in week three.

The learning will culminate with a synthesis project in the last weeks, and there will be a children-led service learning project, addressing aspects of the community need.

The final week of the program, the children will work together to plan and implement a block party as a culminating community project!  

We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to parents and children so that they may be a part of an enriching blend of activities providing by Heart House, 4-H, and TAP. None of this would be possible with the support of our summer program funder, the Silverton Foundation. We are incredibly appreciative and ever thankful that they support our mission and goals to provide a free program where children are kept safe, engaged, and curious!

		Runway to Heaven is an exciting, first-of-its-kind charity fashion show and party featuring an impressive lineup of talented fashion designers presenting their original fall and holiday collections. You will see their designs first-hand, and have the opportunity to purchase them right from the runway! Proceeds will benefit the children of Heart House by allowing the charity to open a second afterschool center, doubling the amount of children served each year. Please support us by purchasing tickets to the fashion show of the season! This event will be held Friday, August 24, 2007 at the beautiful University of Texas Etter-Harbin Alumni Center overlooking Waller Creek, 2110 San Jacinto. Valet and reserved parking available. Austin Chic attire. The evening’s events will include: 8:00 pm     VIP Reception, hors d’ovoures and open bar 9:00 pm     Runway Show, cash bar 10:00 pm   After Party with entertainment, desserts, cash bar, and silent auction  11:45 pm   Silent auction closing For more information, visit the event website at www.hearthouse.org/runway. Donate to the silent auction!
Featured Designers vluxe by Lucky Nahum  Vluxe is designed for the man who is self-assured and expressive, a man who wants neither to be part of the pack nor the screaming life of the party. The vluxe man knows who he is, dresses to suit himself, and likes his wardrobe to reflect his easygoing, positive approach to life. Vluxe is a featured line at Keepers, Austin‘s international gateway to exceptional menswear. www.vluxe.net     Linda Asaf  Linda Asaf is known for her classic silhouettes with luxurious fabrics from around the globe. Women’s Wear Daily, Neiman Marcus, and boutiques nationwide have all featured her gorgeous designs. She is proud to be an Austin designer who was named to the XL 'Fortunate 500' list for a second year and recently designed evening gowns for the 2007 SXSW Austin Music Awards' 25th Anniversary.  www.lindaasaf.com          Ramonster  Ramonster by Kathie Sever is a distinctive line of whimsical and finely-crafted clothing featuring one-of-a-kind Indie/Americana themed clothing for men, women and children.   www.ramonsterwear.com     Designer Showcase The juried show portion of the evening's events showcases designers who think they've got what it takes to succeed in the fashion industry.  Three up-and-coming designers have been chosen to present their fall/holiday collections to some of Austin’s most fashion-forward enthusiasts as part of the Heart House "Runway to Heaven" fashion show. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to launch the fashion careers of talented budding fashion designers.

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How can we pick just one child to spotlight at the end of our school year? 

This month we pick every single child at Heart House for their academic, emotional, and social achievements! 

Every kid has succeeded in someway and we feel that they all deserve one huge spotlight. Whether it was a kindergartner who mastered their ABCs, a second grader who learned how to speak Spanish with their peers, a fifth grader who learned the value of respect for themselves and each other, or a sixth grader who mentored others on important children’s issues…..it is clear that EVERY CHILD at Heart House has made an impact on someone this year—themselves, each other, staff members, volunteers, and their family!

The 60+ Heart House children deserve a huge high five for their accomplishments and growth over this school year. We look forward to what is to come for them in the future and we look forward to encouraging them as they pass to their next grade level, or to their next school, or to their next neighborhood!

Congratulations everyone!!!!!

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

Showing off volunteer thank you cards Reading! Kids who met reading goals received shoes from Shoes for Austin

Making flax treats with guest teacher Ms. Natalie Lanier high school students visit and facilitate activities with HH kids about heroes   Capoeira

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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 Jack "Andy" Land Anonymous Donors (4) CeCe Ridder Chris LaPoint Craig Lukshin Dietra D. Uribe Emeka Obianwu Foundation Communities Gloria B. Quinonez IBM John & Lysa Hoelscher John Floyd Karyl Ann Kinsey Kathie Schafer Larry Knippa Lyndon and Winnie Knippa Marc Davis Richardson Miller Sally Henly Skylar Justin Putman Stacy Ehrlich Sunil Patel Tamara M. Rezler 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:  Skinny’s gallery  Shoes for Austin KUT 90.5 (Austin NPR) Freescale Semiconductor Junior League of Austin Vidya Jain Kizzie and Etienne  Natalie Elliott True Brilliance and Lanier High School Students 2007 Reading Buddy Volunteers Meals on Wheels

Currently we're seeking volunteers for our summer program, including:   Noon to 1 pm  "Program Prep" The Program Prep Volunteer assists staff in preparing the program before the children arrive. Responsibilities include such things as setting up chairs and tables, sharpening pencils, organizing supplies, preparing snack, and greeting children 1-3:30 PM – “Activity Volunteer” 3:30 - 5:30 PM "Activity Volunteer" Two shifts available for the Afterschool Volunteer.  Under the guidance of the Program Leaders and the Program Director, will supervise the children during activity time, computer time and clean-up. This volunteer’s role is primarily socializing with, supervising, and mentoring the children.  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: 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! July 6th 12:30-1:30 PM RSVP for this orientation! July 9th 6:00-7:00 PM RSVP for this orientation! July 11th 12:30-1:30 PM RSVP for this orientation! July 20th 12:30-1:30 PM RSVP for this orientation! July 23rd 12:30-1:30 PM RSVP for this orientation! July 25th 6:00-7:00 PM RSVP for this orientation! For more information on volunteering at Heart House Austin,  contact Shana Fox, Volunteer Coordinator, 512-929-8187.

John Floyd has been volunteering with Heart House since 2003. He has donated a countless amount of time to the hundreds of children that Heart House has served over the

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

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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