HCECF - Homeschool Cooperative

HCECF-H.E.A.R.T.S. 

The Central Florida chapter of the volunteer community service organization H.E.A.R.T.S. covering Orange, Lake and Seminole Counties. Our goal is uniting ALL local home educator volunteers for the good of our greater community.

What is H.E.A.R.T.S. ? - Homeschoolers Educating, Assisting, & Reaching-out Through Service

Originated in New Jersey by homeschooling activist, Michele Pulis, H.E.A.R.T.S. encourages homeschooling families to get involved and to help make a difference. H.E.A.R.T.S.' purpose is to unite a very diverse group of homeschoolers in community service projects and also to generate increased public awareness, understanding and acceptance of homeschoolers and homeschooling as a single focus - unrelated to any other issues.

What is HCECF? - HCECF, Homeschool Cooperative Educating in Central Florida, is an inclusive and eclectic group of home educating families in the greater Orlando area. It is the homeschool group whose website you are currently on.

HCECF-H.E.A.R.T.S. uses the national H.E.A.R.T.S. schedule of monthly projects at http://www.H-E-A-R-T-S.org. Local recipients and activities for each month's project will be posted on the discussion board

“Nationwide, homeschoolers consistently become involved in community outreach as part of their daily learning. The organization called H.E.A.R.T.S. was recently created in an effort to capitalize on this volunteer spirit by coordinating efforts – reaching beyond the barriers of religion, politics, educational philosophy, and distance.” --Updated Press Release - September, 2004

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ALWAYS INVITED AND APPRECIATED!
If you have time, materials or funds to donate to these worthwhile projects, please contact us.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - we do monthly service projects related to the national H.E.A.R.T.S. theme, please some additional projects. In addition to the projects below, we also participate in regular park clean-ups.

HCECF has been a certifying organization for The President's Volunteer Service Awards since 2004. HCECF was the 144th organization in the state of Florida to become a certifying organization. There are currently over 1,100 certifying organizations in this state.

These service awards are issued for hours served during a 12 month service period. HCECF uses September 1st - August 31st as the service period. Families needing a different 12 month span in order to qualify for a scholarship need to contact our HEARTS coordinator.

Bright Futures Scholarships require students completing a Home Education Program to have 75 hours of community service in order to meet the requirements to apply for the Florida Medallion Scholars Award. Florida Medallion Scholars who attend a  qualifying Florida community college may receive a scholarship award of 100% of their tuition and fees for college credit courses leading toward an associate degree.

For 2008, HCECF is participating in the ClassroomsCare's efforts to conserve 100 acres of rainforest by reading 100 books!

HCECF participated in the ClassroomsCare Book Drive Project in  2007,  and Scholastic Book Clubs donated 100 books to kids in need for HCECF's efforts.

See HCECF's ClassroomsCare page to see how close we are to our next goal.

This is a great way to share a love of reading and make a difference.

How HCECF has made a difference with ClassroomsCare

Conserve 100 acres of rainforest (current goal)

100 books donated to kids in need during the ClassroomsCare Book Drive Project in 2007.