My name is Scott McKinley, Interactive Communications Manager at Star of Hope Mission. Growing up in Houston, I’ve known about Star of Hope for most of my life. In this blog I will keep you updated on what I’m doing. I’ll also share my perspective on what it means to care for the homeless. I count it a blessing to have served the homeless through Star of Hope as a volunteer, donor and employee.
Year-End is fast approaching, but it's not too late to help Houston's homeless men, women and children with Star of Hope. Three simple ways you can help in the next three days:
I was just thinking about the fast approaching holidays. Thanksgiving is a week away and Christmas is just around the corner. I’m looking forward to spending next Wednesday afternoon with homeless and recovering men at the Star of Hope Men’s Development Center in downtown Houston. Wow… this will be the 104th year that Thanksgiving meals have been served at Star of Hope!
This picture was taken during the Thanksgiving meal at Star of Hope in 1955.
Even in the early days, Star of Hope has always been more than a soup kitchen and place to sleep. I’m honored to be a part of such an enduring legacy. I’m thankful for Star of Hope’s incredible staff, faithful volunteers and generous donors who continue to make a Star of Hope a place of refuge and recovery in our city.
Star of Hope’s July Interactive News is available online. We are still getting kids ready for Summer Camp, but soon the focus will be getting them ready for school. I hope the stories and pictures will inspire you to make this summer a Summer of Hope.
Read stories, watch video and share it with your friends!
To get The Light in your email in-box, sign-up today!
• Subscribe to the Newsletter only. You will receive the newest edition of The Light every other month. • Subscribe for more frequent updates by completing "New User Registration" on our website. Usually, you'll receive one email per week. In addition to our newsletter you will get updates from Hank Rush (Star of Hope’s President & CEO), special needs requests and event invitations.
As you listen to Houston's SUNNY 99.1 and Newstalk 740 KTRH over the next several weeks keep your ears open for our new Summer of Hope spots. Each features a Star of Hope resident sharing a quick story of how their lives have been transformed at Star of Hope through the support of donors, volunteers and other friends.
Here are a few previews...
Thank you for caring for Houston's homeless and making this summer a Summer of Hope.
I didn't go to summer camp until I was 16 and honestly, I was excited about getting away from home. I remember some of the younger kids, though. A few were crying or clinging to mom... afraid of being away from home for the first time.
Kids from Star of Hope will be heading to camp later this summer. For many of them this will be their time to be away from mom. They will have a great time making new friends, riding horses, canoeing, fishing, blobbing and other fun camp stuff. You can add to this wonderful opportunity by sending a child a Note of Hope to let them know how special they are.
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to work on a video with Michael Chabala, Houston Dynamo #17. Mike took some time to hangout with some great Star of Hope kids and help them kick off Summer of Hope. Thanks Mike!
Visit SummerOfHopeHouston.org and discover how you can make this summer a Summer Of Hope for Houston's homeless men, women and children.
23 volunteers from Hyatt Regency Houston worked on several projects at Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Center on May 27th. Projects included: - Outside cleanup, landscaping and mulching the playground area - Kitchen prep work and serving lunch to Star of Hope guests - Writing notes of encouragement for the emergency shelter guests
Thanks Hyatt Regency Houston for making this a Summer of Hope with Star of Hope... and thanks for sending us your pictures!
If you live in or around Houston, you have probably seen our Summer of Hope banners on the back of a Yellow Cab. Now you can send eCards to your friends and family with this same design and a few others. Follow the instructions, include a personal note and hit send. It's as simple as that!
June began with 82 women, men and children waking up on the floor of Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Shelter. When the rooms are full anyone in overflow sleeps on mats in the atrium of the shelter. On June 1 the shelter was full with a total of 331 individuals. 142 were children!
The need for homeless services in Houston and our surrounding area is great. Take a moment to read Hank Rush's update from last week for some current stats concerning Houston's homeless population.
You can give help and hope today for the individuals and families in crisis who will come to Star of Hope Mission all summer long for assistance. We have launched a special Summer of Hope site to keep you updated on current Summer needs and opportunities for you to get involved. Take a look and help make this a Summer of Hope for Houston's homeless men, women and children.
Learn how you can get involved with Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston. Visit SummerOfHopeHouston.org
When it comes to serving and volunteering in creative ways, I don’t think anyone is more creative than the Boy Scouts. Last year Troop 46 donated over 500 lbs. of smoked brisket to Star of Hope Mission. They need your help to do it again this year.
The troop is raising money to send scouts to camp this summer, but they are also giving back to the community. One of the scout parents, Sandeep Seth says, “What's most special about our brisket sale, however, is that we give people the option to donate their brisket to the Star of Hope.”
The scouts will be cooking April 28 – May 1. Visit Troop 46 to get all the details and place your order.
Have you or your group volunteered with Star of Hope Mission? Send your pictures to updates@sohmission.org and tell us about your experience. Your story will inspire others!
Learn how you can get involved and help Houston's homeless men, women and children. Visit Volunteer Jobs Houston to get started today.
This week I had the opportunity to meet Ann and Brenda from Willis of Texas. They were working a shift as Star of Hope Call Center Volunteers. In fact if you call Star of Hope on a Wednesday morning or afternoon, chances are you will speak to a Willis volunteer. About 50 Willis employees rotate through one our Wednesday Call Center shifts every 4 -6 weeks! Amazing.
Brenda said that answering the calls has changed her perspective on who the homeless are and what Star of Hope does. Star of hope is so much more than a soup kitchen serving meals during the holidays.
Call Center Volunteers answer calls from…
Families looking for assistance (some who are living in their cars!)
Donors needing to know an address to mail a check or a location to drop off clothes or other needed items
Individuals, groups and organization wanting to know how they can serve.
The kitchen at Star of Hope’s Women & Family Emergency Shelter is a very special place for me. I’ve worked with Star of Hope Mission for about six years now, but before that I was a volunteer… helping to prepare and serve meals at the Emergency Shelter.
Dana Tyson, morning DJ at Sunny 99.1 Houston, recently spent a day as a volunteer and a "Secret Millionaire" in that same kitchen. Watching the video brought back some memories for me. Take a look and get a glimpse at what Star of Hope is able to do with the support and partnership of friends in our community. If you are inspired, then get involved and make some memories of your own.
Star of Hope’s January Interactive News is available online. You'll notice that this issue's theme is Families in Crisis. Here's the reason: We are seeing an increase in homeless families with children in shelters and transitional housing. I hope the stories and pictures will inspire you!
This issue of The Light includes: A New Year of New Hope for Homeless Families
You can get The Light in your email in-box a couple of ways…and, of course, you can update your email preference at any time.
• Subscribe to the Newsletter only. You will receive the newest edition of The Light every other month.
• Subscribe for more frequent updates by completing "New User Registration" on our website. Usually, you'll receive one email per week. In addition to our newsletter you will get updates from Hank Rush (Star of Hope’s President & CEO), special needs requests and event invitations.
A few weeks ago I was sitting at my desk when I saw a tweet from Susan Leining (@sleining). Susan is a soccer coach in Santa Fe, Texas and one of her players was organizing a coat drive for Star of Hope. Mary Hunt set a goal for collecting 250 coats for Houston's homeless.
Mary exceeded her goal and yesterday, along with her dad and Susan, delivered over 300 coats, jackets and sweaters to Star of Hope! I'm glad that I was able to be a small part of this effort... seeing Mary's and Susan's updates on Twitter, and helping to coordinate the delivery.
Way to go Mary! Thanks Susan and everyone in Santa Fe who donated. You have helped make this Christmas warmer for Houston's homeless men, women and families.
This morning Star of Hope's IT department delivered a Christmas Tree for formerly-homeless families and individuals in our New Horizons ministry:
"New Horizons is the future made possible in the present for qualifying clients who need a bridge from transitional living to total self-sufficiency. The first of its kind in Houston, New Horizons is the road to permanent housing in a mainstream setting for formerly homeless individuals and families re-entering society after leaving Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Programs."
What a great joy to do it. Happy Christmas to everyone at New Horizons!
Nearly 21% of people staying in homeless shelters in Houston are families. If you missed it the other night on Fox 26 Houston, Kristine Galvan interviewed a mother at Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Shelter:
Looking for a way to give back and help those less fortunate this Christmas? Please consider a gift today for Star of Hope. Donate online at Charitable Donations Houston.
Get Up and Go: Host a drive for job-interview-worthy women’s clothing size 22 and up.
It’s not too late to give a year-end gift. Donate online and help Houston’s homeless.
Star of Hope's President & CEO, Hank Rush, will be posting stories of "Christmas Miracles" over the next 25 days. Go to his blog, 25 Days of Christmas Miracles, and tell us your story of how you are helping the homeless this Christmas Season.
As you listen to Houston's SUNNY 99.1 and Newstalk 740 KTRH over the next several weeks keep your ears open for our new Summer of Hope spots. Each features a Star of Hope resident sharing a quick story of how their lives have been transformed at Star of Hope through the support of donors, volunteers and other friends. 
I didn't go to summer camp until I was 16 and honestly, I was excited about getting away from home. I remember some of the younger kids, though. A few were crying or clinging to mom... afraid of being away from home for the first time.
23 volunteers from Hyatt Regency Houston worked on several projects at Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Center on May 27th. Projects included: 
Send Summer of Hope eCards and tell your friends why helping the homeless in our community with Star of Hope is important to you.
June began with 82 women, men and children waking up on the floor of Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Shelter. When the rooms are full anyone in overflow sleeps on mats in the atrium of the shelter. On June 1 the shelter was full with a total of 331 individuals. 142 were children!
When it comes to serving and volunteering in creative ways, I don’t think anyone is more creative than the Boy Scouts. Last year Troop 46 donated over 500 lbs. of smoked brisket to Star of Hope Mission. They need your help to do it again this year.
This week I had the opportunity to meet Ann and Brenda from Willis of Texas. They were working a shift as Star of Hope Call Center Volunteers. In fact if you call Star of Hope on a Wednesday morning or afternoon, chances are you will speak to a Willis volunteer. About 50 Willis employees rotate through one our Wednesday Call Center shifts every 4 -6 weeks! Amazing.
This morning Star of Hope's IT department delivered a Christmas Tree for formerly-homeless families and individuals in our New Horizons ministry:
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