Community Volunteer Opportunities Houston

• Donation Drive Coordinator: Organize a drive for needed items at your work, school, church, organization or in your neighborhood.
• Team for Hope: Be a friend on Social Media and help us share stories and needs.
• Prayer Partners: Pray, pray, pray. Enough said!

The personal and career development programs at our Transitional Living Center help clients learn to shine when they interview for jobs. We want our clients to be so polished, poised and professional that they have a variety of job offers from which to pick. But for many clients, job interviews are very difficult and create enormous anxiety. Baggage from the past - such as an unstable work history, gaps in employment, a felony conviction or poor references – can cause wary potential employers to ask tough questions.   Through lots of practice and role playing, clients learn what to expect in interview situations and how to honestly present themselves in the best possible light. This helps calm the jitters and reduce stress.

Although it’s helpful for clients to practice interview situations with the Star of Hope staff, it is even more helpful when they can practice and receive feedback from the corporate community. Last week, a group of caring, dynamic volunteers from the finance and accounting departments of BMC Software were onsite to work with clients who are beginning their job searches. Teams from BMC conducted mock interviews and provided each client with individual feedback; discussed job search skills and time management; and helped clients hone their computer skills. Our clients took this opportunity seriously by dressing and acting as if they were interviewing for “real” jobs. 

The BMC Software team was only onsite for a few hours, but the impact they made will be far-reaching as our clients do well in interviews and begin successful new careers. Here are just a few comments made by clients about the time they spent with the BMC volunteers:

• -"BMC Software, thank you for coming to the Star of Hope. I learned new tools for interviewing and how to approach people when networking for employment."
• -"I really enjoyed the career workshop.  It was very knowledgeable and I would recommend it to others."
• -"Titus was very professional.  He showed interest in his topic and was very helpful in teaching me how to succeed in the interview."
• -"I learned some exceptional new ideas, which I plan to implement into my new career. The workshop was very refreshing and uplifting. I feel empowered after the information I have received."

Learn how your corporate group can get involved and like BMC Software help our clients achieve success at Community Volunteer Opportunities Houston. 

It’s probably been a year since we first met perky art consultant, Sheri Hammonds. A dynamic MBA with a gentle, compassionate spirit, Sheri contacted Star of Hope about teaching art classes for our adult clients. Sheri described how she loves “to move paint” and how this creative outlet might help our clients express feelings for which they have no words. 

Since that first meeting, Sheri’s dedication to this project never wavered. When others might have become overwhelmed by the ever-present challenges of a start-up program, Sheri met with artists and recruited volunteers to assist with the classes. Along with her team, Sheri attended workshops on teaching art, as well as our required volunteer orientation. She developed a 7-week curriculum for the classes, located funding sources for art supplies and got a large quantity of supplies donated. And she worked tirelessly with all of us at Star of Hope to ensure each detail was carefully attended. It wasn’t an easy process, but Sheri was committed to the project God placed on her heart. 

Yesterday afternoon, finally, Sheri held her first class for 10 ladies at our Transitional Living Center! Sheri was joined by three more volunteer teachers – Paula, Carol and Lucy. At first, some of the clients were a little anxious and hesitant to try something so new. But Sheri worked beside them, reassuring and encouraging all of the ladies. Soon, everyone was filling large sheets of paper with beautiful colors and sharing moments of fun, laughter and relaxation – as well as a few artistic tips.

Sheri said, “I was particularly moved by one student’s explanation of her drawing, which was a road leading to various paths in her life and stops in her truck.  I also had a great conversation with one student about her heroes in her life. She told me about three people she’d like to have dinner with if she ever had the chance.  This was a wonderful group and they were so glad to be creating and relaxing.”

Like Sheri, you can make a real difference in the lives of Houston’s homeless men, women and children.  Register today to become a Star of Hope volunteer at Community Service Volunteers Houston.

Although others might disagree, I truly believe the Volunteer Services team has the best jobs at Star of Hope! Every single day, Julie, Billie and I have the privilege of working with people who come to Star of Hope simply because they have a heart to serve. They come as partners in our mission – not wanting anything in return. These amazing people are Star of Hope volunteers!

Our volunteers bring an enormous variety of talents, abilities and skills to the table. Their generous gifts of time, energy, compassion and leadership have touched the lives of Houston’s homeless men, women and children in countless way! As they share special moments of God’s love with our clients, our volunteers are beautiful examples of a servant’s heart and outstanding role models in our community. The difference they make today will continue to impact tomorrow’s history and our world is a much better place because of each volunteer who walks through our doors.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.”

For many of our clients, the light was extinguished long ago as they struggled through pain, addictions, tragic circumstances, and sometimes, bad choices. Their world was pretty dark, bleak and hopeless and they often felt invisible.  But at Star of Hope, clients discover they were created for a unique purpose by a loving Heavenly Father, and as a child of the King, their lives have value and worth. As volunteers partner in our ministry, they help rekindle the light in another human being. Lights that have gone out are blown into flame by their love and compassion.

This is National Volunteer Week and a time to pay special tribute to all of our volunteers. The national theme, Celebrating People in Action, exemplifies the enthusiastic response of our volunteers as they have eagerly reached out to help those in need for more than 100 years.

On behalf of Star of Hope’s Board of Trustees, staff and clients, I would like to express our deepest thanks and gratitude to each of our volunteers. What you do matters and makes a lasting difference in the lives of others – you rekindle the light, touch hearts and inspire our clients to become successful members of our community. Thank you for all of the many ways you bless all of us. We pray God will richly bless your participation in this ministry today and always.
 

Get involved. Visit Houston Volunteer Opportunities.
 

Every day I find that people in our community are eager to know more about Star of Hope, the services we provide and how to get involved.  One question I am often asked is, “Where do you get your volunteers?”  The answer is simple – from everywhere!  

l  Churches, Bible studies & various ministries

l  Local and out-of-town mission outreach groups

l  Businesses – Small businesses to global conglomerates

l  Professional organizations and societies

l  Universities – student associations and professional groups, sororities & fraternities, athletic programs, alumni organizations, etc.

l  Traditional high schools to boarding schools and home school organization – clubs, athletic programs, honor societies, etc. 

l  Civic, philanthropic and charitable organizations

l  Social clubs

l  Other non-profit partnerships and collaborations

l  Families

I can’t imagine a community more generous than the one in which we live.  Each year, thousands of Individuals and groups give their time, energy and resources to help those less fortunate through Star of Hope’s onsite and offsite volunteer opportunities. We are grateful for each volunteer and consider this a "God thing" - the way He continues to impress people's hearts to partner with our ministry, enabling us to do far beyond what we could have ever imagined for over 100 years! 

Want to know more?  Check out the ways you can make a difference in the lives of Houston’s homeless men, women and children at Volunteering Houston.

There’s no one on the Star of Hope staff I respect more than those who work each day on the front lines with our clients! I am always in awe of the tremendous care, compassion and empathy they have for all of the hurting men, women and children God sends through our doors! Clients come to Star of Hope burdened and weighted down with the worries and stresses of homelessness. But thanks to our committed program staff, those struggling through difficult times soon learn there is indeed hope for a better tomorrow. Sometimes that means teaching our clients how to relax and have some fun!

This afternoon, I looked out the window just in time to see the director of our Transitional Living Center, Michelle Alexander, stringing up a net for an impromptu game of volleyball with ladies from the Personal Development class. Not only did Michelle put up the net, she demonstrated an awesome serve. And then, she became the cheerleader. Michelle wasn’t afraid to be "real" and act a little goofy as she gave shout-outs to both teams. As the ball flew back and forth across the net, it was an amazing, spontaneous time of fun, laughter and fellowship. I don’t know if they kept score, but this afternoon, all of the ladies were certainly winners!  My only regret....not having a camera handy!

This afternoon held one of those lovely, rare treats that we all cherish and hold close to our hearts. Sherri Ramos, from our Development department, and I were privileged to have lunch in the home of a most remarkable woman, Frances Swartsfager. Until her health began failing late last year, Frances was an active Star of Hope volunteer. But at age 96, she has certainly not retired!

Sharing a little of her history, Frances began volunteering as a certified Red Cross nurse aid during World War II. She described walking to work each day in the required uniform, white nylons and polished white shoes.  She reminisced about her work with expectant moms as their labor progressed.

As she and her beloved husband, Clarence, became parents to a beautiful baby boy, her role shifted to that of a homemaker. There she found unlimited opportunities for service – right in her own neighborhood. She became the scout den mother, the carpool driver and after-school snack provider.  Her door was always open.

When Clarence retired, he and Frances began a new ministry. Every morning, six days a week, for 20 years, the Swartsfagers zoomed out the door, each driving a station wagon, to arrive at the grocery store bakery by 7 AM. There they would load up all of the day-old bread and pastries to bring to Star of Hope and the Emergency Aid Coalition. 

In the early 1980’s, when women and children began seeking shelter at Star of Hope, Frances led a volunteer team from Church Women United in cooking and serving meals. She fondly spoke of that first shelter where sheets of plywood were used to give each family a little privacy. She didn’t care what brought a woman to Star of Hope – whether it was bad choices or unexpected circumstances – she was there with a loving, compassionate heart to help. Along with her team, Frances said there were many volunteers from Southwestern Bell who worked to make life a little more comfortable for those struggling families. 

As Star of Hope grew, Frances sought relevant new ways for her group to bless our mission. They served meals at banquets and during the holidays, addressed and sorted bulk mailings, and wrapped Christmas gifts at our Christmas Workshop. Not only was Frances busy at Star of Hope, she faithfully served her church and other community ministries. Every Thursday, Frances could be found at the Emergency Aid Coalition making hundreds of sandwiches for those in need. Although it’s now more difficult to venture away from home, Frances still organizes volunteer projects for Church Women United and ministers to everyone who crosses her path – even her own caregivers. 

Her favorite part of volunteering at Star of Hope was having the opportunity to hear client testimonies. She loved hearing the unique story of each woman – what her life had been and how, through God’s grace, her life was forever changed. Of course, Frances didn’t let Sherri and I leave without praying – not only for us, but also for all of the lost and hurting men, women and children who come through the doors at Star of Hope. As I hugged and kissed Frances goodbye, it was hard to leave. I was inspired to do more, to reach out to others with the love of Jesus – just as Frances has faithfully done for so many years.
 
 

Discover volunteer opportunities of interest to you at Volunteer Opportunities Houston

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in….” Matthew 25:35

Assisting in the kitchen is one of our most requested volunteer jobs and a favorite of both long-term and one-time volunteers. Kitchen volunteers do everything from assist with food preparation and set-up to serving the meals and clean-up. There are always plenty of other jobs that need volunteer attention, such as keeping the pantry, coolers and freezers organized. 

Last Saturday, Chevron’s Black Employee Network kicked off their partnership with Star of Hope by assisting with lunch at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Volunteers were busy peeling potatoes and cutting up fries, assembling veggie stacks for the burgers and cooking a very special treat – homemade fudge.  A few volunteers even brought their heavy jackets and gloves to help get the freezer ready for the large grocery order that would arrive Monday morning. At lunchtime, these volunteers waited tables and served the shelter’s guests restaurant-style. What a blessing it was for moms and dads with little ones not to worry about balancing serving trays!

Thursday, the University of Houston’s Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Susan Bush, was behind the serving line at our Transitional Living Center to assist with dinner. Susan brought Assistant Coach Eric Quill, her dad and sister along to help. A group of our teens got very excited when they realized they were talking with coaches from a collegiate athletic program. Not only was dinner served with welcoming smiles and encouraging words, Coach Bush and Coach Quill were excellent role models and made college seem a little more real for our teens.

Volunteers who assist in the kitchens each week are a special blessing, like students from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart.  For about the last 10 years, high school seniors from Duchesne have faithfully served lunch each week, September through May, at both our Men’s Development Center and our Women & Family Emergency Shelter. These young women are a breath of fresh air with their high energy and enthusiasm for helping those who struggling through difficult times.

We serve 3 meals a day, 365 days a year, at all three facilities, and are always grateful for volunteers with a heart for our mission! Check out this and other exciting Star of Hope volunteer opportunities at Community Volunteer Opportunities Houston.

• Walked Hermann Park, praying for or with homeless men we met... giving them bottled water and granola bars
• Volunteered by preparing and serving meals at Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Shelter.

I just spent the last week moving into a new home for my family. During these past few weeks as we have been finalizing and moving into our new home, my thoughts have especially been on what "home" means for our Star of Hope men, women and children.

Our clients have each lost it all… gone is their apartment or their home. They’ve worn out their welcome with friends where they can stay a while, family members willing to take them in. As I watched my daughter and son excitedly explore their new rooms and begin to unpack, I thought of a family at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter who won’t be returning to their home. Their daughter will not be safe and happy in her own room this Thanksgiving or Christmas. The loss of mom’s or dad’s job, or worse, alcoholism or abuse has forced them out to the streets and onto Star of Hope’s front doorsteps, seeking help.

Well, the good news is we’re here to catch them! Star of Hope is the temporary home, family, and community that will keep them safe, clothed and fed while they begin to rebuild. We’ll be the shelter that surrounds them with God’s love as they start their journey toward a new life. Our goal at Star of Hope is not only to lead God’s children to an apartment or house – but to a home, full of love and caring and a true joy in living that comes from our Lord.

Because of your generosity, Star of Hope continues daily to provide the tools for this family and many others to move on to their new future and their new home. The holidays are right around the corner – and “home for the holidays” sounds pretty good to me. I invite you to visit us at www.sohmission.org right now to discover ways to help us be “home” during the holidays. Thank you for giving your time, talents and gifts for so many through Star of Hope!
 

Donation Opportunities Houston    -    Volunteer Opportunities Houston 
 

My wife, Elisabeth, volunteers weekly at Star of Hope facilities and recently she prepared materials to update several bulletin boards at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter downtown. She went in one Thursday with all of her materials and supplies. A few minutes after she had started working, she heard a young voice behind her asking if she needed any help. She turned and met a 14 year old young man, who asked again, "Do you think I could help you. I'd be glad to!" "Well, of course you can... thank you for offering," was her reply. With that my tireless volunteer wife had an assistant! In a few minutes this young man's younger brother and sister had appeared, and soon all three were busy cutting out borders and stars for the new bulletin boards. As Elisabeth asked about the children they told her they were at the Mission with their mom, who was meeting with our Staff about staying there at the shelter.

They all worked merrily along and had a wonderful time, and the bulletin boards came out just great.

About the time they were finishing up the children's mom came up, and the 14 year old got her cell phone and began photographing the bulletin boards. As Elisabeth observed what he was taking pictures of, she got tears in her eyes.... you see, he was taking pictures of the Holy Bible scripture passages they had stapled to the corkboard. Scriptures about Encouragement and Hope! And his favorite one... Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me!"

The children had been so well behaved, helpful, and fun to work with, and the extra blessing for Elisabeth was in the fact that her bulletin board had already had an impact on our Clients at the Star of Hope!

If you have an interest in Volunteering at the Star of Hope, please check out the current list at Community Volunteer Opportunities Houston!