Being a vibrant mission is not just about caring for the homeless in our city, it's about serving our friends who support our ministry. One of the ways we do this is by sharing the wonderful things that are happening in our shelters to encourage and prepare our clients for re-entering society, with obtainable goals for self-sufficiency.
As you read the blogs written by our staff and guest bloggers, your heart will be touched by the stories about life in the shelters and the experiences of the men, women and children living in them. You will find ways to connect that meet your charitable ideals and many opportunities to deepen your involvement with Star of Hope Mission.
Before being homeless, a usual day for many of the women at Star of Hope started normally. As the sun crept through the window curtains, they would rollover stretch, wash their face to help fight the sleepiness,make breakfast and send their kids to school with the best foot forward, rush to take off the mommy clothes and put on something professional, head to work 5 minutes late, work hard, but happily go home and greet the kids with a big hug from school. Together they would make dinner and wait for daddy to get home. When he did their would be a chill in the air and his wife would try her best to lovingly greet him with a kiss. As she walked away she would breath a small sigh of relief because this time he didn't hit her.
Many of the battered women who are fleeing for their lives have the most admirable qualities. They are hardworking, loving, faithful, great listeners, and loyal. They are just married to someone who reciprocates all of those amazing qualities with physical abuse. Honestly, they might think this is normal. It could have been the "father and mother" relationship their families have witnessed for generations.
Thank God, one day they realize there is something better, they load the kids on the midnight bus, head states away to a shelter they have only seen on the internet, and pray their husband never finds them. Once they get to Star of Hope they are greeted lovingly and begin making a new life free of abusive relationships, breaking the generational bondage, all through much counseling and personal development programs.
The fleeing parent isn't the only one who gets emotional counseling and life advice at Star of Hope. The children do as well. Showing and telling kids what is acceptable in relationship starts at a young age. After all, one in three women in this country are abused and it isn't a matter to take lightly or keep hidden from kids.
In closing, I do know that ending violence against women has much support in the Houston community, as well as in the nation. The 2nd World Conference of Women's Shelters this past week had several big names such as, Reese Witherspoon, speaking on the urgency of ending violence against women. As well as, educating children on what constitutes as harassment not only in person, but on social media and different internet forums.
I thank those who are willing to speak on the issue, as well as, praise the ladies who have gotten out of those relationships. In adding, to their admirable qualities they have courage the size of a tree.
Star of Hope serves as a shelter for battered women. Interested in volunteering?
Hey, do you want to read a really great, meaningful testimony from a Star of Hope Mission former Client? This testimony was given at the 2011 Annual Star of Hope Banquet (in February), before 1,700 persons. When a person comes from domestic violence or homelessness, to be able to reclaim their life, we celebrate the miracle. If you ever wanted to know what we attempt to do here at Star of Hope, please read this brief testimony. Thank you for caring enough to read this person’s personal story:
If it weren’t for Star of Hope, I would not have a story worth sharing. Anyone who has ever lived with domestic violence can tell you that it is a kind of misery that chips away at the core of who you are and everything you thought you would be. That’s how it was for me. At first it was about control. I was told what I could wear, where I could go. I completely lost track of myself. Eventually things escalated. Living in a constant state of fear became normal for me. On one occasion, I was hospitalized, because I was struck so hard that I fell into a coma.
People often wonder why anyone stays in an abusive relationship. I stayed because i didn’t know how to get out or where I would go. I just wanted to keep a roof over my children’s heads and provide for them.
When I couldn’t take it any longer, I made a plan to leave, quietly, without raising suspicion. I moved around living with friends and family, and for a while, in a hotel. It was difficult, but better than being beaten.
Then someone told me about Star of Hope, a homeless shelter. When I arrived at the Transitional Living Center in January of 2007, all I had in the world was two bags of clothes and my two children . I had no money, no job, no home, no self-esteem, and no hope. I committed myself to the program and let the process do its transforming work. The classes opened my mind to the world of possibilities, and the staff was always there supporting me, building me up, and surrounding me with the word of god. They genuinely wanted me to realize my heart’s desire. Who knew that i was on my way to accomplishing a thirteen-year old dream of going to college to become a chef?
For me, cooking is a way of expressing love. When I was a child, my family would demonstrate how much they loved one another by gathering around the table over a great meal. So when I was in high school, I took a course in Hospitality Management. It included engineering, cooking, housekeeping, and front desk. But it was working in the kitchen that fascinated me. When I learned how to make flowers out of fruit, I thought, “This is it!” The dream was planted. But a dream needs an opportunity.
The Lord led me to Star of Hope where I got the tools, skills, and confidence I needed to pursue my dream and be ready when opportunity knocked. I stepped out in faith, in honor of God, and His purpose for my life and enrolled at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Last year, I was invited to go to Dublin, Ireland, to do my externship in event planning. In May of this year (2011), I will go back to Scottsdale to walk with my class, making me the first person in my family to graduate from college.
I have experienced an amazing journey. I have taught my children a valuable lesson in motivation, perseverance, and faith in God. Star of Hope is where dreams transition into reality.
--- Marquette
I COULD ADD SOME WORDS HERE, BUT I THINK THAT MARQUETTE HAS SAID IT ALL!... And anyone who prays for Star of Hope, or volunteers or donates clothing or funding, can share in this AMAZING MIRACLE of a reclaimed life! God Bless.
Learn how you can get help or give help at Domestic Violence Shelters Houston
As we close out the month of April, the National Month of Volunteerism, we at Star of Hope Mission want to recognize the immense contribution that volunteers make at Star of Hope. Here we use volunteers for almost everything: to paint walls and fences, tutor classes, change-out light fixtures, plant plants, and serve meals and a number of other things. Sometimes they just conduct a drive for really important items like diapers, towels, and hygiene items. They help Houston’s homeless population by helping Star of Hope! It is amazing what can be done, with willing hearts that are available, ready to help; whether our client is fleeing domestic violence, or just homeless, it doesn’t matter, the work still needs to get done, the needs must be provided! Last year, Star of Hope received assistance from over 8,000 volunteers! These are people just like you and me, who understand how difficult life can be and are willing to “stand up” to help someone else. It is the most amazing thing to watch. It is so encouraging to watch members from our community, Houston, come and partner with us to help others…
Last week, a man and his wife drove his car in to our offices and stated that he had attended our annual banquet and he was now ready to get a new car and he wanted to donate his older car to help the Star of Hope provide food and shelter necessary to help someone else! Just to shake his hand and see the smile on his face was encouraging to me! He knew that the proceeds from his donation would be used to help someone. WOW! What a blessing he was to all of us! I encourage you to look for opportunities when you can bless someone else! It will do your heart GOOD!
Discover how you can help at Community Service Volunteers Houston
In the past, when people were homeless, or in an emergency situation such as domestic violence they would find their way to the doors of our shelters where they would be received by open arms and the services that would help improve their circumstances. Our staff were geared towards working those front doors, tending to the crowds in the intake centers and having face to face time with the people who have so many critical needs. These days, with the online world growing rapidly and electronic communication exploding, it seems that more people are calling in for help and/or using our web site to find services. In December of 2009 Star of Hope received 32,000 inbound phone calls. Many of these calls were volunteers and donors who were looking for information on how they could help but most were people seeking services for themselves or desperately seeking help for a loved one. We receive an increasing number emails daily from people who are trying to find help or seeking help for a family or friend.
Exciting news for us. We have been planning a Call Center for the past several months that will help us connect people seeking services with a live voice when they call. A voice that can get them the help they are seeking, someone who can minister to the needy, someone who will pray and guide.
Perhaps the most exciting news about this Call Center project is it will be staffed with volunteers! These volunteers will be trained thoroughly on how to connect our callers to the services they need.
Please pray for this effort since it will take tremendous resources to be the high impact unit we expect it to be and if you would like to volunteer be on the look out for the posting at High Impact Volunteer Jobs Houston or email me at aholmes@sohmission.org.
Some stories are hard to tell, even when there is a happy ending. This is one of them. A few weeks ago, a woman came to our Women and Family Emergency Shelter desperate for a safe place where she and her two, young daughters could stay. Like many women who silently suffer the pain and indignities of spousal abuse, she was deeply wounded inside and out. Her daughters, ten and six years old, were emotionally brutalized from the relentless sounds of violence in their home and the terrors of helplessness – theirs and their mother’s. With no family in Houston, and no job (mom was not allowed to work outside the home), her options for changing her life and that of her daughters were minimal at best.
It is never easy for an adult to walk away from everything and move into a homeless shelter. Much harder for children. This was certainly true for these girls. Upon arrival, their minds quickly filled with thoughts of the unknown and the fear of strangers. So they tried to be invisible by not looking at anyone, talking to anyone, or moving from mom’s side.
But at the Women and Family Emergency Shelter, they couldn’t hide from the love that surrounded them. They had one-on-one attention and counseling from the staff, daily. And the things they had to leave behind were replaced. They received fresh clothing to wear, nutritious meals and snacks to eat, a clean room where they could sleep in safety, and a protected playground for outdoor fun. After school, there was the arts and crafts program at the House of Hope, located on the shelter grounds, and tutors to help with homework. In no time, the girls were blossoming—smiling and laughing out loud. The change was dramatic. Today, they are thriving, happy children who see a bright future for themselves and their mom.
The Star of Hope Children’s Critical Care Fund is the primary resource that makes it possible to support children living in our shelters and provide for their needs. It’s that fund that is the centerpiece of the annual Haute for Hope Celebrity Luncheon and Fashion Show, which takes place this year on Friday, May 7. Proceeds from this event go directly to the CCCF, for the benefit of all children at Star of Hope.
It is never easy for an adult to walk away from everything and move into a homeless shelter. Much harder for children. This was certainly true for these girls. Upon arrival, their minds quickly filled with thoughts of the unknown and the fear of strangers. So they tried to be invisible by not looking at anyone, talking to anyone, or moving from mom’s side.
But at the Women and Family Emergency Shelter, they couldn’t hide from the love that surrounded them. They had one-on-one attention and counseling from the staff, daily. And the things they had to leave behind were replaced. They received fresh clothing to wear, nutritious meals and snacks to eat, a clean room where they could sleep in safety, and a protected playground for outdoor fun. After school, there was the arts and crafts program at the House of Hope, located on the shelter grounds, and tutors to help with homework. In no time, the girls were blossoming—smiling and laughing out loud. The change was dramatic. Today, they are thriving, happy children who see a bright future for themselves and their mom.
The Star of Hope Children’s Critical Care Fund is the primary resource that makes it possible to support children living in our shelters and provide for their needs. It’s that fund that is the centerpiece of the annual Haute for Hope Celebrity Luncheon and Fashion Show, which takes place this year on Friday, May 7. Proceeds from this event go directly to the CCCF, for the benefit of all children at Star of Hope.
Register Online and join us at the Fashion Show. If you cannot attend you can still give online to donate to the Children's Critical Care fund at Domestic Violence Shelters Houston.
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