Paymon Farazi, Heart House Austin

Paymon Farazi, Heart House Austin Paola del Valle, Heart House Dallas

This month’s Volunteer Spotlight is on Mr. Paymon Farazi, a Chicago native, and son of immigrants who came to America with nothing but the drive to live the American dream. 

Through his volunteerism, Paymon is helping Austin’s children to realize that dream, too.

Paymon first came to Heart House in the summer of 2004 as a volunteer with Motorola Freescale while he was doing an internship for his graduate studies at the UT McCombs Business School. Paymon enjoyed the experience so much that he has been inspiring his fellow graduate students to volunteer at Heart House as well. Already, eight fellow students have signed up as volunteers, thanks to Paymon’s recruiting efforts, and we continue to get calls from more MBA students each week! Paymon continues to come each week to work with the children on their homework.

Asked why he chose to volunteer at Heart House, Paymon says, “It is so rewarding to help a child out with their studies. I was actually inspired by my own father. When I was younger, my dad used to come home from a long day at work (8-12 hrs) and then proceed to spend another 3-4 hours helping my brother and me out with our studies. When I was older, I realized that without his daily assistance, I would have never gotten as far as I had. I then decided that I would dedicate some of my time to helping other children excel in their schoolwork.”

We are grateful to Paymon for all of his work with the children at Heart House and for all of his help in recruiting other volunteers.  

Thanks, Paymon!

Paola del Valle, Heart House Dallas

Since May, Paola del Valle has been shining her light on the kids of Heart House. Now it’s time that we shine our spotlight on her. The Program Leaders love her consistency, spontaneity, and reliability. Deborah Lopez expressed how much she values Paola’s contribution to the program. She said that Paola is “one of the best volunteers” they’ve had at Heart House, that she’s “up to anything” and most of all she’s grateful that the kids like Paola so much. 

Paola loves coming to Heart House because of the values the program instills within the children. The kids learn not only how to have fun and play games, but how to play by the rules. “They are nice children that love to play and learn,” quotes Paola. It is her goal to stand as a good influence and role model for the children. It’s not a one-way street either, just as she contributes greatly to the kids’ lives, they enhance her life as well. Paola says “I am learning a lot from the kids, from practicing my English to learning about kids and their development.” 

Stacey, a fourth grader, says he likes Ms. Paola “because she’s nice and she always helps us with our homework”. Always on time and always ready to help, Paola del Valle is greatly appreciated at Heart House. 

Thank you Paola! 

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!

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