Category Archives: Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteers With Heart: Jim, Denise and Walker Ratchford

Volunteering with Heart Math Tutoring is a family affair for The Ratchfords. Denise and Jim Ratchford are members of Social Venture Partners Charlotte, which helped launch Heart in 2010, and alumni of Wake Forest University. The husband and wife became partner-tutors last fall at Billingsville Leadership Academy, where they tutor two second grade students on Mondays (Denise) and Wednesdays (Jim) at lunchtime. Their son Walker, a full-time student at UNC Charlotte, started in January, “after hearing us talk about how much we enjoyed … continue reading

Volunteer With Heart: Ryan Hong

Ryan Hong, a Market Growth & Development Consultant at Wells Fargo, believes that a foundation in math is essential for all children. He learned about Heart through Wells Fargo’s Volunteer Chapter and became a tutor after hearing how engaging and effective the sessions can be. Ryan works with two second graders at Winterfield Elementary in east Charlotte, where Heart volunteers tutor 50 students across grades 1–5.

Why did you become a volunteer?
“It was an opportunity that I’ve not come across: tutoring math to … continue reading

Volunteer With HEART: Chris Brown

Chris Brown tutors a first grader and a third grader at Highland Renaissance Academy in NoDa. Chris started in September after learning about the opportunity through the Volunteer Portal at Bank of America, where he works. Bank of America is one of our Community Partners.

Why do you volunteer?
“I have always enjoyed volunteering. From talking with friends who work with Teach for America in the Charlotte area, I knew how much help was needed in public schools, especially at the elementary school level. Being … continue reading

Volunteer With HEART: Jeanette Price

Jeanette Price is a veteran volunteer and proctor with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She is part of the National Alumnae Association for West Charlotte High School.

While Jeanette was at Alexander Graham Middle School with the after-school program Bulldogs Matter, she was asked to help students with math homework. She was a little uncomfortable at first because, she said, the subject was “not her strong suit,” but she saw a need for extra support. A sixth grade girl at Bulldog Matters explained how they were being taught … continue reading

Volunteers with HEART: Ashton Colaianni and Daniel Tanaka

“This is by the far the best volunteer program I have been involved with, both in terms of having fun as a volunteer and being able to see that I am truly making a difference in someone’s life. Don’t think – sign up! You won’t regret it!” – Ashton Colaianni

In honor of National Volunteer Month, we will spotlight a HEART tutor – or two – weekly through April. First up are Ashton Colaianni and Daniel Tanaka, coworkers at Bank of America, who partner … continue reading