Volunteers are the BACKBONE of Heart House.  Please consider choosing Heart House as your volunteer commitment -- you'll be making a BIG difference for under-served children in distressed neighborhoods.  Our greatest need is for caring adults to donate 1-2 hours per week as afterschool program volunteers.    Our programs make Heart House a community of learning for everyone! 

Volunteer Opportunities and Orientations:

Children’s Daily Schedule, Monday-Thursday (Fridays are fun, free time days) 

3:30-4:00 Snack and Free Time
4:00-4:45 Homework Time
4:45-5:00 Book and Announcements or Outside Time
5:00-5:45 Thematic Activity or Computer Time
5:45-6:30 Clean-up Time and Free Time outside

Heart House Dallas is currently seeking these volunteers:

– “Program Prep”
The Program Prep Volunteer assists staff in preparing the program before the children arrive. Responsibilities include such things as setting up chairs and tables, sharpening pencils, organizing supplies, preparing snack, and preparing worksheets.

– “Volunteer Tutor”
The Volunteer Tutor, under the guidance of the Program Leaders, will be assigned a study group to work with. This volunteer’s primary role is to aid children with their homework. This volunteer will also help serve snack and help children transition to book time.

Duties include:
-Aid and encourage children in the completion of homework.
-Discuss the importance of academic achievement and college with the children.
-Praise students when they excel on a test, assignment, or retention of a concept.
-Serve snack and encourage children to sit down while eating and clean-up after 
themselves.
-Remind children to be quiet during reading and announcements 

– “Afterschool Volunteer”
The Afterschool Volunteer, under the guidance of the Program Leaders and the Program Director, will supervise the children during activity time, computer time and clean-up. This volunteer’s role is primarily socializing with, supervising, and mentoring the children. 

Duties include: 
-Begin and supervise assigned thematic curriculum activity with kids. 
-Supervise children in computer lab and/or outside.
-Remind children to respect the Heart House and clean-up after themselves.
-Talk to kids about their day and about the day’s theme.
-Supervise the clean-up of Heart House. 

– “Reading Buddy”
This volunteer will receive specialized training, in addition to the Heart House orientation, that focuses on working with struggling readers. Depending on the number of children in the group (usually between 1-4) this volunteer may be paired up with another volunteer to work together. Reading groups meet on a weekly basis.

Duties include:
-Do Getting to Know You Interview with the children in your group.
-Develop lesson plans and fun activities for weekly meetings.
-Start dialogue journals with each child in your group. 
-Do Guided Reading exercises with group.
-Maintain Personal Word Wall with group.

   

Important information:

• Volunteer orientations for Heart House Dallas take place at our center at Wildflower Apartments. 

• To volunteer or learn more, please email our Volunteer Coordinator or call 214.750.7637.  

• Feel free to set up a tour and short orientation with our volunteer coordinator, as well. To fill out an application click here.