Tony Coaxum

 

Tony Coaxum, Heart House Dallas

May’s Dallas Volunteer Spotlight is on Tony Coaxum, a volunteer who has demonstrated a level of commitment to his service and a characteristic warmth that makes us thankful to have him on our team, working directly with the children as an afterschool tutor and computer center monitor.

Tony has a B.A. in Business Administration and currently works as an IT consultant with Bluestar Solutions.  Tony is glad he has found a place where he can use his skills as an instructor to help the community and learn more about children who may have not had some of the opportunities he’s had. He feels that “Heart House is an excellent idea that became an excellent program - the people that work there are passionate about the program, and in this case, the kids they help.”

Program Leader Andrea Anderson says, “Tony is a special volunteer. He takes a very active part in participating wherever he is needed.”

Tony loves the children at Heart House and always looks forward to the days when he volunteers. He finds the kids to be “smart and inquisitive”.  He says, “They know that you are there for them, trying to help them. They know you really do care about them and want to listen to them.”  Tony hopes overall to instill in the children a feeling of confidence and to provide the support they need to succeed.

Tony feels that he has special experiences every day at Heart House, whether he is “sitting down and reading a book to a student, or just helping them with their homework.” Thank you Tony for donating your time and good energy to us. Having volunteered over 70 hours of your time since February, you have truly made your mark.

 

Casey Williams

 

Casey Williams, Heart House Austin

Casey Williams is finishing her first year studying Social Work at the University of Texas .  After she graduates, she would like to work as a therapist for abused children.  Prior to moving to Austin , Casey interned at the Children’s DePelchin Center , a residential center for abused children.  It was there that she realized her true passion for helping kids.  When she moved to Austin last fall, Casey was looking for a volunteer opportunity with children and heard about Heart House through the UT Social Work Volunteer Fair.  

Casey has volunteered twice a week at Heart House since September 2002.  From the very beginning, it was evident that Casey is a talented, mature, and caring individual.  She was chosen to volunteer specifically with the Kindergarten and 1st graders because of her dedication and previous experience with kids.  Site Director, Diane Cannon says, “Casey is no nonsense - she is loving, but also very astute to children’s behavior.”  In the past 9 months, the younger children have come to trust and love Ms. Casey.  She has taught them not only academic concepts such as reading and writing, but also about kindness, fairness and honesty.  Volunteering at Heart House has strengthened Casey’s desire to work with children in the future.  She says, “I think this is the best age to work with because they are developing their personalities and character.”  The staff at Heart House could not ask for a better volunteer to help the K/1st graders during this development process!

Sadly, Casey will not be volunteering with Heart House this summer because she will be working at Camp Longhorn as a Camp Counselor .  She has attended Camp Longhorn every summer for the past 13 years and this is the last summer that she plans on working there.  Fortunately, next fall Casey will begin volunteering with Heart House again.  The Heart House children will be very happy to see her again after their summer break!


Whether working directly with the children or providing technical or administrative expertise in the background, your help is needed!  Check out our website and volunteer opportunities or fill out an on-line application today!


Read more Volunteer Spotlights:

Tim Galloway, Heart House Dallas

Vicki Sicola, Heart House Austin

Keith Woods, Heart House at Royal Oaks, Dallas

Brian Guerra, Heart House at Sterling Point, Dallas

Jameela Klaimy, Heart House Dallas

Bob Lessard, Heart House Dallas

Catherine Bennett, Heart House Dallas

Nadia Kamar, Heart House Dallas

Laura Whitter, Heart House at Sterling Point, Dallas

Renata Limon and Kelly Dodds, Heart House Austin

Linda Nguyen, Heart House Austin

Bernie Henneberger, Heart House Austin

Kayla McWhirter, Heart House Austin

Joseph Ellis, Heart House Dallas

Dyan Hernandez, Heart House Austin

Stacey Booth, Heart House Austin

Tony Coaxum, Heart House Dallas