Volunteer Spotlight: Heather

Name: Heather Williams

Volunteer Since: September 2006

What you do as a volunteer: I started out with after-school Homework Club, helping the kids with their homework, and doing educational/enrichment activities with them when homework was finished. On Fridays during last school year, we had Karate Class and I worked with the kids, teaching them some fundamental skills such as kicks and punches; as well as some simple self-defense techniques. This school year, I am doing the Reading Tutor Program, helping the kids to improve their skills and hopefully learn to enjoy reading!

How I found out about the center: I saw an ad in the classifieds of the Rage newspaper.

My favorite part about being a volunteer is… being a part of these kids' lives on a regular basis. I have learned so much about their culture just from being around them once a week. They're such amazing children, very bright and full of personality! They really make me laugh -- mostly at myself but that's OK.

My least favorite part about being a volunteer is… not having as much time to spend with the kids as I would like.

My favorite memory is… Gosh, that's a hard one! The first thing that comes to mind is our "Dance-Off" at the end of school this summer. We adults might have had more fun than the kids!

I would encourage someone else to take the leap and volunteer because… there's no way to describe the "warm fuzzies" you get when a room full of little faces light up when you walk in the door -- or when you help a 4th grader FINALLY figure out that tricky long-division problem. Taking the time to get to know the kids and understanding what the Learning Center is about has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me.