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Thomas Hill “Mr. Thomas is here! Mr. Thomas is here!”  That is what our Volunteer Coordinator heard from across the room the second Mr. Thomas Hill walked through the door that first week of our fall program. His very calm, confident presence with the children is like classic jazz flowing through Coca Cola.  Ahh! And wow, do the kids south just love him.  It might also be because he comes in, on average twice a week (sometimes more) or that Mr. Thomas is, in the words of a Heart House child, just “one cool dude” that everyone genuinely likes being around. “Volunteering at Heart House has been a very  rewarding experience. The kids are phenomenal and the staff is great. There is a sense of community that you don't find in most afterschool programs. The kids are funny, and it's great to just listen to their stories and adventures. I really like helping them with their homework, and at the end of the day, I love to just kick back and toss the football with the older kids. I cannot think of a better place to volunteer my time.” about Mr. Thomas and other Heart House Volunteers.

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.  Volunteering at Heart House is a fun and uplifting experience, and all it takes is a few hours a month.  

For current opportunities working with children, serving on a committee, or assisting the hard-working staff of Heart House, please click here!  We currently have these opportunities available:

• Holiday Gift Wrappers

• Buzz Committee Members

• Activity Time Volunteers

• Behind the Scenes Volunteers

• Special Projects Volunteers

• Presentation Volunteers

Upcoming orientations at Heart House are listed below.  You may attend either location for an orientation, regardless of which Heart House you will volunteer at.

You may also set up a one-on-one volunteer orientation if none of these scheduled times work for you.  

For more information on volunteering at Heart House Austin, contact Shelly-Marie Rios, our Volunteer Coordinator, at 512-929-8187.
   

From Heart House's CafePress Store
  

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Volunteering gives you a chance to share your knowledge and expertise with others.

• Whether you are learning new skills or developing skills you already have, volunteering provides the opportunity for you to gain confidence and self-esteem.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.