“Heart House is fun because we get to play outside and do other things. We have lots of fun. We even eat. We have groups and we even make new friends. Everybody here is nice.” 

Afrika, Heart House Student

“Heart House was my first job that had any real value or meaning to me. I will always look back at my experiences fondly, knowing that working here helped me grow into a teacher I didn’t even realize I could be.” 

Ms. Meredith, Program Leader 06-07

“Miss, can I  read so that my brain can get powerful?" 

A’lxys, Heart House Student

"The Heart House afterschool program represents everything that is commendable. Here our community's children are safe, happy, challenged and improving their academic skills.  I urge all concerned citizens to support Heart House in its endeavors."

Ron Kirk, Former Mayor of Dallas, Texas

"Austin has a rich history of heroes and legacies.  They can be found in our legislature, music scene, neighborhoods, schools, local businesses and in our families. Heroes are born as a result of hard work, imagination, courage and pride.  Heart House, a non-profit organization committed to providing free afterschool programs to Austin's most needy children, is helping to shape the heroes of tomorrow from the citizens of today. Through Heart House, children are taught to have pride in themselves and in turn, take pride in their accomplishments through programs that enhance literacy, art enrichment, computer skills and health and safety education. Without the guidance of organizations such as Heart House, many children don't  live up to their full potential. Heart House offers the opportunity for children to become something they never thought possible by providing a safe environment to cultivate the pride and imagination required to become our heroes of tomorrow."

Kirk Watson, Former Mayor of Austin, Texas

“I have been impressed with Heart House's ability to reach into the community and draw resources, consumers, and ideas together to form such a high quality of service.  It is through innovation, vision, and willpower that it has been done in east Austin in such a short period of time."

Kevin Pearson, Branch Executive Director
YMCA of Austin

“Heart House, through its innovative learning programs, is a leader in providing educational opportunities in afterschool care for the disadvantaged children of Austin. The Silverton Foundation is pleased to support this important work."

Andy White, Executive Director
Silverton Foundation, Austin, Texas

"We first began surveying the community in 1992.  Consistently since that time, the residents have identified afterschool programming as a critical need for the neighborhood.  Accordingly, we are delighted to welcome Heart House to Vickery Meadow."

Chris Harsdorff, Trustee
Vickery Meadow Improvement District, Dallas, Texas

"Among the resources that can help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency, afterschool programs are of critical importance.  We are grateful to Heart House for providing the children of the Sterling Point Apartments with guidance and tutoring during the afternoon, and, by doing so, for giving their parents the ability to have both full-time employment and peace of mind."

William W. Hirsch, AOF/DFW Affordable Housing Corporation

"I am pleased to see the positive changes for children and families we serve. It is exciting to look into the faces of these wonderful children and know that we are making a positive impact."

Anna Land, Co-Founder 
Heart House 

"Community volunteers are working hard to bring hope to these children, but the need is great. I am asking that our citizens of Dallas and Austin invest in the future of their children.  With their volunteer hours and donations, we will be able to accomplish even more.  The evidence is overwhelming -- the more positive influences there are in a young person's life, the better off he or she will be."

Anna Land, Co-Founder
Heart House

"The first thing I realized is that it doesn't take much effort to make a positive impression on these children.  They need many positive role models in their lives to help protect them from the negative influences of they encounter just getting off the school bus.  The time any one person can spend as a volunteer at Heart House is time well worth the effort."

Suzanne Kiefer, Co-Founder 
Heart House

"We are very grateful for the support we have received for Heart House.  We hope that the community will continue with us on our journey to make Heart House a safe haven not only for the children in the children of Austin and Dallas, but also in other parts of our city, state and nation."

Suzanne Kiefer, Co-Founder 
Heart House

"Quality afterschool programs are so critical to the development of our children.  We hope that Heart House will be influential in providing a setting in which otherwise disadvantaged children will have beneficial opportunities for educational enhancement and positive social influences."

Suzanne Kiefer, Co-Founder 
Heart House

"Mentors can do much more than help steer young people away from pitfalls. Often, they can help steer them toward positive life experiences. Sometimes the best single thing you can do for an inner-city kid is to show him or her that there's a whole different world beyond the neighborhoods where they live, and that he or she can achieve a rewarding career in that other world."

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret)

"For millions of children, 'Home Alone' is not a funny movie, but rather the way they spend their time after school and during the summer. It is during these hours that our children face the greatest risk of violence and other threats, but it also is during these hours that they have the greatest chance to learn, grow and find the hero within.''

Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator

"We can no longer ignore the obvious. Our police chiefs have not. They believe that an investment in afterschool programming is the best deterrent against juvenile crime and victimization. Children need safe and engaging opportunities between the last school bell and the end of the work day."

Janet Reno, former U.S. Attorney General

"This period of time between the school bell and the factory whistle is a most vulnerable time for children. These are the hours when children are more likely to engage in at-risk behavior and are more vulnerable to the dangers that still exist in too many neighborhoods and communities."

Al Gore, former Vice President