Heart House Austin
December 2006

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?  

• Heart House Success in 2006

• Student Spotlight

• Of Note: Young Philanthropists Befriend Heart House

• Photo Scrapbook: Our Favorite Shots from Last Month

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

• Volunteer Spotlight

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Major Heart House Sponsors

• Get Cool Heart House Gear

Every Day is a Holiday! Holidays exist in every place around the world. Some commemorate special events such as wars and victories, some celebrate independence, many honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to their communities and people, and some are just weird or goofy traditions! Our unit this month focuses on several kinds of holidays: honoring people, cultural celebrations, and out of the ordinary holidays. Some of the special holidays we will explore include Chinese New Year, Carnivale, Christmas, and candy holidays. Heart House children will learn what “holiday” means. Students will explore and experience a variety of celebrations to discover what special components are required to create holidays. After they have done this, students will review the major aspects of holidays and create their own Heart House or individual holidays to celebrate on their final day of the unit! Santa’s Shop We realize that our kids have a definite desire to give back to their community and family, but often lack the money and means to do so. Our staff constantly encourages kids to appreciate the ones they love and support those in need in whatever ways they can. This December, we are excited to offer the kids the opportunity to purchase gifts for others using the positive points they have earned since the beginning of the year. Through the generous contribution of a secret donor (let’s just call him “Santa”), Heart House will be able to purchase several hundred dollars worth of items which will be placed in “Santa’s Shop”, where kids may redeem their points for gifts to wrap and give to friends and family. What is even more extraordinary is that our kids have decided to donate some of their gifts to The Austin Children’s Shelter in order to bring some warmth and happiness to other kids in need. There will be items included in the store that specifically meet the needs of the shelter and our kids will be able to pick what they would like to purchase for a child or children. This service project, although guided and supported by Heart House staff members, has proven to become an important service the kids want to provide with the means they have. The kids have worked incredibly hard since the beginning of the school year to earn their points for attitude, behavior, and helping out in the program. This is a powerful way for them to give back using what they have earned and saved over the months, to send a message of love and support to others, and to show that indeed, it is “the most wonderful time of the year.”

Penguin Christmas Drawing by Francisca Heart House Austin Peaceful World Drawing by Enereida Heart House Austin

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How did we do in 2006? 

Heart House keeps kids safe and on track.

• In 2006, none of Heart House children were victims of violent crime or engaged in juvenile delinquency.  
    
• Children were well-supervised: The average daily adult to child ratio was 1 adult to every 4.6 children.

Heart House improves kids’ behavior at school and at home.

• Teachers believe 74% of Heart House children have shown an improvement in behavior with adults and other children at school.
      
• 96% of parents report that they have seen their child exhibit positive and productive interactions at home since attending Heart House.

Heart House improves kids’ achievement at school.

• 96% of parents believe their children are doing better academically because Heart House offers homework hour and reading time every day.  
    
• Teachers agree, and report that 81% of Heart House children have shown an improvement in quality and frequency of homework turned in.  
    
• 100% of Heart House children improved their reading level by at least one level or improved their TAKS reading scores.

Heart House helps working families.

• While the work day grows longer for working parents, the school day has not. The gap is as much as 25 hours per week for some families.

• Polling nationally shows that 87% of working mothers say the hours after school are when they are most concerned about their children's safety.

The need for afterschool care in Austin is great.

• 70% of school-age youth in low-income Travis County zip codes do not have access to afterschool programming.

Heart House is a wise social investment, while unrealized potential of youth costs the nation billions.

• Each year's class of dropouts will cost the country more than $200 billion during their lifetimes in lost earnings and unrealized tax revenue.
    
• American business currently spends more than $60 billion each year on training, much of that on remedial reading, writing, and mathematics
   
• Every dollar invested in afterschool programs will save taxpayers approximately $3, according to a study by the Rose Institute at Claremont McKenna College

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How old do you need to be to become a philanthropist? Well, we know of two boys who are definitely ahead of their time.  Hunter Thompson is 6 years old and goes to Forest North Elementary in Round Rock. With his birthday coming up, he and his mother discussed his birthday and getting presents. Hunter decided not to get gifts but to have all the kids that were coming to his party donate money to Heart House. His friend, Mason Roadhhouse, who is 7 years old and goes to Rutledge Elementary School, decided to follow Hunter’s example.  Between the two boys, they raised $410 to give to Heart House.  Hunter, Mason, and their proud mothers, Kristen and Mary, came for a tour of Heart House and visit with our children.  Both mothers expressed their desire to show their children that not everyone is as fortunate as they, and that they should learn to share their blessings. Could some adults take this gesture as a reminder to help others?

Hunter Thompson, Young Philanthropist

Every staff member and volunteer gushes over Nene and Noelle. They are gentle, sweet, loving, and act like miniature adults. And amazingly they are only 5 and 9 years old. However, what is even more remarkable is what they have faced and accomplished to get where they are today.

Nene and Noelle are sisters in a family of 7 from the Congo. The family moved to Austin as refugees from the Congo and Zimbabwe only five months ago and have been trying to make a new home and fresh start.

Nene speaks candidly of the situation they were rescued from in Zimbabwe, what it was like to have no water, food, bread, and bad toilets. About five months ago, they were offered a free plane ride to America, which they took without question. However, their father was unable to make the plane in time and has been in Zimbabwe ever since.

Undoubtedly, Nene and Noelle have experienced a great deal of strife in their young lives, trying to survive extremely poor living conditions, being separated from their father, and trying to make sense of it all. Furthermore, they have experienced a significant amount of changes recently—a new city, new school, and new people. Any person, young or old, would suffer a certain amount of anxiety and stress throughout this entire process. Yet, it is amazing at how calm, collected, and mature these girls have remained. While quiet in nature, they are gaining courage to make friends and to participate in activities. They speak excitedly about living in the United States and being taken care of and living better lives.

Both sisters seem hungry for new experiences and people. They never give up, are eager to try new things, and enthusiastic about being a part of a new community!

We are glad they have joined Heart House and we look forward to the experiences and opportunities that a new country and community can provide them. We are proud and thankful to have such a variety of students, with an array of experiences, backgrounds, and skills. We welcome Nene and Noelle wholeheartedly and look forward to the intellectual, emotional, and creative growth that Heart House, Austin, and our country has to offer them.

We are also thrilled (and they are even more) that they will be reunited with their father within the coming weeks.
 

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Happy Holidays! Would you like to spread hope and holiday cheer to the children of Heart House this holiday season?  Give the gift that always fits, and always is appreciated. Help the children of Heart House to have ongoing relationships with caring adults.    Help make sure these neighborhood children have a safe place to go every day after school.    Help Heart House teach marketable and lifelong skills acquired through our nationally-recognized education and youth development program.    Help the children of Heart House to have meaningful opportunities to give back through community service and civic participation.

Snow Family Drawing by Nicole Heart House Austin

May we ask for you support this holiday season
for the children of University Hills neighborhood? 

100% of your holiday donation will go directly to support the children's afterschool program, and your donation is completely tax-deductible.

Heart House is the only daily program for school-age children in a neighborhood known for its high crime, high unemployment, and lack of affordable, quality care for children. At Heart House, children have access to caring adult mentors, homework assistance, art enrichment, computer learning, health and safety education, and literacy programs.

• Children like Angela*, a previously low-performing student whose single mother works during the time Angela attends Heart House. Since attending Heart House, Angela’s academic improvement has risen, and she now enjoys reading just for pleasure. 
     
• Children like Malcom*, who faces peer pressure and gang activity every day after school. As a result of attending Heart House for a year, Malcom’s grades have improved and he has stayed out of trouble at school.

You can securely enter your online donation using your credit card through our partnership with Groundspring.org.  You may choose to give a one-time donation or a recurring monthly or annual donation.  Your information is kept private and secure, and will not be shared nor sold. 

If you'd rather donate via mail or fax, simply download one of the forms below.

Donation to Heart House Austin (PDF Document)
Donation to Heart House Austin (Word Document)

*Children's names have been changed to protect their privacy.
  
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Here are some of our favorite images from the last month:

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/donate.htm.
   

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

From Heart House's CafePress Store
  

  
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

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