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Alison Kwiecinski
came to Austin last summer when her husband received a job
transfer from Glasgow, Scotland. She has already taken advantage
of Austin’s excellent hiking and running trails. She also
enjoys reading, cycling, swimming, cooking, and traveling of
course! Alison began volunteering at Heart House South in
October and has been having a blast. “There have been so many
memorable moments,” she says, “For example, being given
drawings by the kids to take home, kids teaching me how to play
basketball and fussball, and kids reading to me.” Alison has
been teaching the Heart House kids more about the United Kingdom
and Europe. “They have been very interested in where I’m
from and have been asking questions.” She feels that she would
rather continue to work with kids than return to her field of
I.T. “I’m putting off going back to work, as I don’t want
to give up volunteering at Heart House. As I’m new to Austin,
I love being involved in the community and making good use of my
time. Being here energizes me and is so much fun.” She loves
to see the progress the kids are making. “They ask very
intelligent questions and their artwork is amazing.” We’re
so glad to have Alison in the Heart House family!
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Volunteers
are the key to ongoing well-being of Heart House. Their time and
life experiences bring vital energy into the lives
of Heart House kids.
There
are, of course, considerable potential benefits
to the volunteer. Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding
experiences ever. Getting involved in community life demonstrates
responsible citizenship and combined with the efforts of many others,
makes our community a better place to live.
Check
out our current
list of volunteer opportunities and fill out an online application for Austin today!
Upcoming
orientations at Heart House are listed
below. You may attend either location for an
orientation.
For
more information on volunteering at Heart House Austin, contact our Volunteer
Coordinator, 512-929-8187.
From Heart House's CafePress Store
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Benefits
of Volunteering:
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Volunteering
gives you a chance to share your knowledge and expertise with others.
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Whether
you are learning new skills or developing skills you already have,
volunteering provides the opportunity for you to gain confidence and
self-esteem.
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It
allows you to get involved in your community and to make an impact on
the lives of those in need. Volunteering will give you the chance to
learn more about the community, society and environment in which you
live.
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It
allows you to explore career options. If you aren't completely sure
that a certain occupation is the one for you, volunteering gives you a
chance to learn more about it before you make a commitment. Like
informational interviewing or job shadowing, volunteering provides you
with a chance to research the career alternatives open to you.
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It
is a great way to develop new skills. For some jobs, formal education
or training may not be required but employers will want you to possess
certain skills. Volunteering is a way to develop skills that you can
transfer to the occupation of your choice.
-
It
is a way to gain valuable career-related experience. Some occupations
will require you to possess a certain certificate or degree. But
employers will also want you to have experience. So even if you have
the skills and education you need, volunteering can offer you the
chance to apply these skills in a "real-world" environment
and provide the practical experience many employers look for.
-
You
can meet new people. This is good in its own right, and it also allows
you to establish some important networking contacts you might use to
find a paying job or as references.
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Volunteer
positions can often involve a large degree of responsibility, if that
is what you are looking for. This will allow you to exercise
leadership, develop problem-solving skills and be creative.
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It
provides the opportunity to develop new skills and pursue new
interests. You can never have too many skills. Developing new skills
and learning new things are valuable in their own right, and not just
a way to further your career.
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