Caring For The Homeless

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.

You can also find me on LinkedIn and Twitter.

For several years kids and teens from Star of Hope have enjoyed being part of the Donald Driver Football Camp in Houston. It's always one of the highlights of the summer.

Donald, thanks for making summer special for kids receiving the care they need at Star of Hope!

Family Shelters Houston
Make this a Summer of Hope

Rebecca Neuhaus, one of Star of Hope's many friends on Facebook, posted this on our wall.

"It has been an honor to be able to be a part of what Star of Hope is doing. As we are blessed we are to be a blessing. And I really feel blessed every time I read of how many lives are touched with the love of Jesus. Star of Hope sees folks the way that Jesus sees folks. Wow isn't that great."

Wonderful, Rebecca! Thanks so much for being a part of a community that Jesus is using to change both now & forever for the poor and homeless in our city.

If you haven't yet found Star of Hope Mission on Facebook, this is your opportunity. We're looking forward to hearing from you.

Make this a Summer of Hope
Houston's Star of Hope

Star of Hope's 2011 Ministry Report is available now. Take a look inside to see how your support is changing the lives homeless men, women and families in our community.

In 2011, you helped accomplish that mission through your support for:

• 615,068 healthy, nourishing meals to reassure the hungry
• 87,218 donated articles of clothing and 5,910 toys and gifts to help families rebuild their lives
• 50,228 diapers for our littlest guests
• 6,641 medical, dental and mental health care solutions
• 93,861 basic hygiene items that are essential to providing a fresh, clean outlook on life

Thank You Houston!

Volunteer Opportunities Houston
Ways to Give Houston

Mike McGown, Lead Pastor at Parkway Fellowship and Scott Arthur discuss the life-change that happens at Star of Hope.

Thanks Parkway Fellowship for serving with us!

Star of Hope and Parkway Fellowship from Parkway Fellowship on Vimeo.

Volunteer Opportunities Houston
Star of Hope Mission

Homeless men, women and children in Houston and around America lost a great friend.

Yesterday I learned that Denver Moore, co-author of Same Kind of Different As Me, passed away. What an inspiring gentleman!

Denver and Ron Hall spoke at Star of Hope's annual banquet a few years ago. I watched this video this morning and thought I would share it with you.
 

 

Homeless Shelters Houston
Star of Hope Mission

 

Thank you Trees of Hope for all you do for children at Star of Hope. You are helping to change the lives of these kids... now and forever!

Community Partners Houston
Star of Hope Mission

Ask someone what Star of Hope does and one of first things they may tell you is “Star of Hope is a soup kitchen.” Star of Hope serves 3 meals a day, 365 days a year at 3 different Houston area locations. We serve meals, but Star of Hope has always been so much more than a soup kitchen.

 

Today, you can help us provide hot, nutritious meals for the men, women and families who come to Star of Hope for help. Each meal only costs $1.80!

Give a single meal, feed a homeless person for day, week or month. Then explore sohmission.org to get a taste of all of life-giving and life-changing programs and services offered at Star of Hope.
 

Feed Houston’s Homeless Today
Star of Hope Mission

This week John Mills posted an update on graduations at Star of Hope's Transitional Living Center for Women & Families... Faith, Hope and Everlasting Love. A couple of graduates commented on our Facebook wall:

"I graduated from 2 programs there...it is an awesome, life-changing place!" -- Michelle

"Star of Hope gave me a life back that I thought was impossible to have! Forever i will be truly grateful! Thank you to all involved in helping me turn my life around!" -- Kimberly

Thanks for sharing Michelle and Kimberly!

Have you been helped at Star of Hope, or know someone who has? Share your story on our Guest Blog and on Facebook.
 

Recovery Programs Houston
Star of Hope Mission

The other day a little girl named Hayden visited Star of Hope with her mom. She wanted to give all of her birthday presents away. Incredible!

I'm excited to see kids helping and sharing with other kids. I know that children who come to Star of Hope with their moms and dads will enjoy the toys. Thanks Hayden!
 

Star of Hope Mission on Facebook
Houston Homeless Shelters

Brian shared this with Star of Hope Mission on Facebook  this morning:

"The Star of Hope gave me the opportunity to get to know my Heavenly Father and his tremendous love for me. My perspective of who he is and what my place in life is was changed dramatically. I now know that I do not have to be a slave to drugs and alcohol. I walked away from the Star of Hope a new man. Thank you."

We want to hear your story also. Share it on Facebook and on our new guest blog.

If you need help with addiction and homelessness for yourself, a friend or family member...there is HOPE!

Thanks for sharing your story, Brian.

Substance Abuse Recovery Houston
Star of Hope Mission

Are you a Houston area chef and would like to help the homeless in our city? Be a guest chef with Star of Hope Mission. Contact Star of Hope to get started today.

Thanks Kevin King of Riverbend Country Club and Ben E. Keith for providing a wonder meal for the residents of Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center for Women & Families.

Houston Homeless Shelters
More Volunteer Jobs Houston

A few days before Christmas I was walking through the lobby at Star of Hope and saw three boxes. They looked like they contained musical instruments…I got really excited when I realized someone had donated three guitars! 

Rachel Haverkorn, a Volunteer Liaison at Star of Hope, told me this story:

The teen department let us know that the some of the kids had expressed interest in learning to play the guitar. Shortly thereafter Alex Thomas came to us wishing to volunteer. His email address referred to his love for guitar, so we asked if he might be interested in teaching the teens. He was thrilled. The only problem was we did not have guitars for the teens to use. He offered to bring some, but we would still need guitars available for the teens to practice on between lessons.

I told the teen department I could mention the need to in-kind donors and see what happened. I made myself a note to request guitars the next time a donor called asking about our needs. Then Alex Lozano stopped by and said he had 3 brand new guitars and had been trying to decide where to donate them. I told him he was answering our exact need before we had even asked.

Thanks Alex Thomas and Alex Lozano/United Music Alliance for making this happen!
 

Volunteer Jobs Houston
Homeless Shelters Houston - Star of Hope Mission

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:

1. Invite your friends to "Like" Star of Hope Mission on Facebook
2. Start making plans to volunteer in 2012
3. Give a year-end gift today

I am so excited that Wendi Hay, a graduate of Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center for Women & Families, has joined our blog team. Watch this video and hear some of Wendi’s story. Then visit her blog, A Profound Perspective, to get Wendi’s perspective of life at and after Star of Hope. Thanks Wendi!

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!



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.

To learn more, visit More Than A Soup Kitchen Houston. You may be surprised at the depth of the programs offered at Star of Hope Mission.

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.




This issue of The Light includes:
• Alive with Hope: A summer update from Hank Rush, Star of Hope's President & CEO
• Against All Odds: One girl's victory against homelessness
• School Supplies for Success: Host a drive for needed school supplies
• Prayers and Praises of Star of Hope Children: Read what the kids are saying to God
• Local Lemonade Stand Make More Than a Profit: How Charlotte's compassion is giving the homeless in our community a better life.
•Aye Aye Matey! What A Party!: Key Energy Services makes a splash with Summer of Hope

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.

To send your own Note of Hope to Star of Hope campers, visit SummerOfHopeHouston.org.
 
Thanks for making this summer a Summer of Hope!

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.