Celebrating the Heart Behind the Mission
This Volunteer Appreciation Week, we’re honored to share the stories of some of the amazing individuals who make our work at New Horizons of SWFL possible. Their commitment, compassion, and servant hearts create lasting impact in the lives of our super students—day in and day out.
In Part 1 of our “Meet Our Volunteers” series, get to know three inspiring volunteers who bring light, encouragement, and guidance to our super students each week.
ANDRE SELF
“My personal goal is that the children learn to love Jesus as much as He loves them.”
For the past four years, Andre has been faithfully serving at New Horizons, combining her passion for tutoring with her love for sharing the gospel. Introduced to New Horizons through Covenant Church—one of our valued Community Partners—Andre is a shining example of the power of collaboration between faith communities and local outreach.
Every Monday, she tutors and teaches an introduction to the Bible, helping our super kids grow academically and spiritually. She also serves as a co-chair for the New Horizons Community Council, working to recruit more volunteers and strengthen fundraising efforts to keep our mission thriving.
Her advice to anyone interested in getting involved? Contact Charlotte Nal, our VP of Volunteer Engagement, who makes the volunteering process simple and welcoming. “Folks will love volunteering with these special kids,” she says.
KATHY AZNAVORIAN
“My goal in tutoring is to help the students engage better in class by improving their vocabulary, their math skills, and their confidence.”
For about 10 years, Kathy has been tutoring super kids in grades 1–5, providing much-needed academic support to students from non-English speaking households. Introduced to New Horizons through her church, First Presbyterian of Bonita Springs, she quickly became a cornerstone in both the classroom and the community.
As a member of the New Horizons Community Council, she represents Bonita Bay and her building, helping collect snacks and raise funds for books and food programs. Kathy also plays a key role in the character-building and Bible study aspects of our after-school programming.
Her efforts not only build up the students but also connect the wider community to our mission of changing lives through academic support and faith-based mentoring.
LUIS MEDINA
“Even dedicating just an hour of time could mean the world to a child.”
Luis Medina has been volunteering with New Horizons since early December 2024. His passion for working with kids, especially as a father himself, sparked his desire to give back. He believes that as long as he’s breathing, he can make an impact on children’s lives. Even dedicating just an hour of time could mean the world to a child. Luis was searching for volunteer opportunities to serve kids and the community when he found New Horizons. With plans to join the Lee County Sheriff’s Department in a few months, he saw it as a great way to connect with the community and make a difference.
In his volunteer role, Luis helps the kids with their homework after they get their snacks in the cafeteria. While the kids are working on their assignments, he also looks for ways to help them further their education and make progress along the way.
For Luis, the most important goal, aside from familiarizing himself with the community for his future role in law enforcement, is to continue volunteering and serving. He hopes to eventually run for office in the county to have an even greater impact, particularly in areas like budgeting and helping the community more effectively. For anyone interested in volunteering but unsure where to start, Luis advises them to come to New Horizons. He encourages people to give it a try and find the location that works best for them, as the organization has incredible people who will connect them with the right opportunities
At New Horizons, we believe in the power of consistent encouragement, compassionate mentoring, and community support. Volunteers like Andre, Kathy, and Luis are helping us fulfill our mission to equip Southwest Florida’s most vulnerable K–12 students with the tools they need to succeed in school and life.
💬 Want to be part of the mission? Click here to learn more about volunteering with New Horizons.
