We transform spaces into modern learning environments so students and communities can learn and grow.

Heart of America transforms learning spaces, bridges the resource gap and strengthens communities to give all students room to dream, discover and thrive. Over the past 25 years, Heart of America (HOA) (www.heartofamerica.org) has worked towards education equity by renovating almost 1,000 spaces in: classrooms, libraries, STEAM labs, college/career centers, school gymnasiums and community centers and more. We have provided current resources including over 4.4 million books, and infused over $9.5 million in technology.

Our Work

Our work includes:

 

Resource Drives and Distributions 

Opportunity for sponsors and supporting donors to select a community to support and engage employees to provide resources such as books and technology to an under-resourced school.


Learning Environment Transformations

Include spaces large and small with a critical look at how a room or an area is currently used and how a new design, infusion of additional resources such as technology and books, and new furniture and decor can create a modern learning environment for the whole school community


Native American Initiatives

Providing access to electricity, technology and diverse learning materials to students and families in Navajo Nation to ensure they are able to learn and grow, even at home.


We learn the need, assess the challenges, and work with thoughtful partners to transform each space, often in just one day!

  • Health and Wellness including athletic spaces, cafeterias, wellness rooms
  • Libraries and Literacy including libraries, classrooms, learning labs
  • Tech and STEM including STEM labs, tech labs, vo-tech suites


Much of this work is accomplished through partners such as trusted contractors or vendors and with the support of volunteers in each location to complete the transformation.

 

The Need   

The quality of an educational environment has a dramatic impact on a child's development. 

While the importance of many developmental factors, such as health, housing and parenting are widely recognized, the importance of a child’s educational environment is becoming more apparent. After parents and teachers, the physical environment is considered a child’s “third teacher.”

Our Model

Space that matters: the Heart of America team is expert in how to design vibrant learning spaces. How? By orchestrating a true community effort incorporating the following six steps:

 

  • LISTEN : Listen to the stakeholders who use, work in and manage the learning spaces to understand how and why they use it; ask what would elevate their learning, what would make their jobs easier?
  • INVENTORY : Catalogue current inventory of furniture, technology, art, materials; who are the users (demographics, languages, occupations, etc.) and who is missing from this space?
  • OBSERVE : Watch traffic flow, note the types of activities that take place in the library. Where are the active or quiet places? Is the space conducive for multiple types of learning styles, both solo and group?
  • DREAM : Think and design BIG with facility stakeholders and community members, re-imagine new learning environments, create an equipment and resource wish-list, and brainstorm and sketch out an ideal space for all users.
  • BUILD : Engage local funders, donors, sponsors, partners who live, work and grow in the community; utilize local trades, artists, designers to build the dream.
  • COMPLETE: Engage volunteers and provide recipient their brand new space.

 

Heart of America Leadership Team

Jill Hardy Heath

President and CEO

Shelly Lucas

Vice President, Program Delivery

Tim Tormoen

Senior Director, Partnerships, Marketing & Communications

Kate Sorestad

Vice President, Operations

Pam Bryden

Vice President, Human Resources and Administration

Hetal Patel

Vice President, Finance

Colleen Noland

Vice President,
Design & Procurement

Genelle Derochie

Executive Assistant
to the President

Founders

Angie Halamandaris

Founder

Bill Halamandaris

Founder

Board of Directors

Marcia L. Bullard

Chairwoman


Kelly J. Bozarth

CEO

Futures in Education


Howard Byck

Senior Vice President of Partnerships &
Head of Development

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation


Mary Christ-Erwin

President

MCE Food & Agriculture Consulting

Karen Duncan


Jill Heath

President & CEO


Steven M. Kaufman

Partner

Hogan Lovells US LLP


Dr. LaTanya McDade

Superintendent

Prince William County Public Schools


Terry McDonough

CEO

Generation Code

Scott Nelson 

Founder and Principal

SAN Prop Advisors


Eric Daniel Schweikert

Partner

McKinsey & Co.


Yolanda Stencil

Senior Vice President

Verizon Wireline Network Field Operations


Other:

Kevin C. Clayton (HOA Counsel)

Hogan Lovells US LLP


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