Homeless Shelter Volunteer Houston

Radio Stations Celebrate "Day of Hope" on Houston Air Waves

Thursday, January 26, 2012 by Scott Arthur

This week Star of Hope has three good reasons to “Thank God It’s Friday.” Starting early Friday morning 93Q (92.9), The Eagle (107.5) and Country Legends (97.1) will each broadcast two commercials an hour featuring testimonies of men, women and children that were homeless and have had their lives changed by the recovery programs at Star of Hope.

Cox Media, 93Q, Country Legends, The Eagle

This “Day of Hope” was inspired by a recent Community Partnership between Cox Media Group and the Houston homeless mission. The main goal is to help listeners realize that our city’s Homeless are not necessarily represented by the man at the intersection with a sign but more likely by the more than ten thousand “Hidden Homeless” ….women, children, men, families sleeping in cars or camp grounds or abandoned buildings … too proud to seek help yet too desperate not to.

Faith-based Star of Hope provides shelter, food, spiritual guidance, life changing recovery programs and day services to about 1,100 of these men, women and children EVERY DAY.

Friday, tune into your favorite Cox radio station to hear real life testimonies and find out more about how our 105 year old organization helps God change lives.

For more information visit sohmission.org, call 713-748-0700 or go to the Star of Hope Mission on Facebook.

Ways to Give Houston
Volunteer Opportunities Houston

Three Ways to Help Houston's Homeless Before the End of the Year

Thursday, December 29, 2011 by Scott McKinley

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:

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

Learn more about Star of Hope Mission - Houston Homeless Shelters

This Season of Thankfulness

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 by John Mills

Hey guys! I found these two photos of Thanksgiving lunch at the Star of Hope.

Star of Hope Mission - Thanksgiving 1965

Star of Hope Mission - Thanksgiving 2009

The first pic is from many years ago and the second is more current! The parallels touched my heart in that, while years have passed, there are still the less fortunate in our city, who really need our help. Every day, Star of Hope helps over 1,000 persons, about 1/3 are children. The more I work in this homeless Christian Ministry in Houston, the more I am concerned for the children, the next generation. Last night the Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Shelter on Dowling had 63 persons sleep on a pallet on the floor because the 74 rooms were filled! Please pray for these persons, that they will find their way in our world! If you can help, you can donate today. Also, you can find out how you can volunteer, and learn more about homelessness in our city!

Thanks for your prayers. They become the catalyst for life change! God bless.

BTW, don’t miss our annual banquet, February 2nd, at the Hilton Americas. It will be a great night to learn more about Houston’s homeless! Make reservations now and bring a friend or neighbor, or both!

May God richly bless you and your family during this Season of Thankfulness!

Discover ways to give and help Houston's homeless with Star of Hope Mission.
Visit Donation Opportunities Houston.

Do You Ever Feel Like No One Really Cares?

Thursday, October 6, 2011 by Hank Rush

In all of our lives, there have been times when we have felt like no one cares about us. We can all remember changing schools and not knowing anyone, and feeling daunted as we were surrounded by strangers. Or changing jobs, and wondering how we would fit in and who would be our friends. Or enduring a difficult family situation that left us alone.

For those who come to Star of Hope, the feeling that no one cares about them is not just focused on a new workplace or school, however. For most, there is absolutely no one they can turn to for help. Most who come to Star of Hope facilities have absolutely no other option. They are truly alone.

So what do you think JOB ONE is at Star of Hope? It is to love and to care for each one who enters, no matter what their condition or need or situation. And that love, combined with a safe place, good food, clean beds and new clothing, helps them feel like someone DOES care!

I’d like to share a short story from one of our recent adult clients at Star of Hope. Her name is Cassandra, and she found here a caring atmosphere that put her on the path to a new life!

Cassandra said recently, “I came to Star of Hope because I was on my last leg and I needed help, but I had no idea the help that I was going to get. They are awesome. There’s so much that’s here for you, and all you have to do is apply yourself a little and ask. The people really, really care. I love it. I feel God’s presence throughout the shelter and throughout me. To the donors, I want to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

Your continuing support is a vital as we provide meals, shelter, counseling, education and long-term solutions to more Houstonians than ever before. They come because they have no other options…but you provide, through your gifts and volunteer help, a new and wonderful second chance…and a way back into a fulfilling life once again.

Thank you for being one of the people who “really, really cares”, as we minister and serve daily here at Star of Hope!

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." -- Psalm 147:3

Discover ways to Give and Volunteer at Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston!

How Are You Hope....Where-Ever You Are?

Monday, August 1, 2011 by Katelyn Oliver

Recently, you might have seen Star of Hope on the news for having 141 people, 55 of which were kids, sleeping on the floor in our overflow room. Because of the deep need this Summer we have had many people feel called to take action and be HOPE! Many have volunteered in our soup kitchen, given food and clothing donations, and provided long term hope by becoming a Circle of Hope Member. We deeply thank you for being concerned about your city's homeless!

Even business like, Chick-fil-A Pearland, have decided they were called to be HOPE and therefore, hosted a toiletry donation drive. Cookie Joe, the owner of Cookie Joe's Dance Studio, also felt called to be HOPE, so at the donation drive she sponsored a free concert from Newberry of Second Baptist Pearland, Krush of New Hope, and Nash 3.

Many people this Summer have been HOPE. At Star of Hope I am able to see how many people answered the call to action and have actively been HOPE this summer. It has made me want to know more....like how are you HOPE...where-ever you are? Please e-mail your I AM HOPE story to koliver@sohmission.org (feel free to send videos) or just post it on the comments below!

Visit SummerOfHopeHouston.org

For more way to give, go to Star of Hope Mission - Supporting Houston Homeless Shelters

When the Only Way to Look Is UP

Wednesday, July 27, 2011 by Hank Rush

As I am writing this, we have just experienced a night of unprecedented need at Star of Hope's downtown Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Last night, 141 families and single women were admitted to our already full family shelter.

The only place for them was on the floor on a mat, but they were grateful and came anyway. Thirty five families with their 55 children and 51 single women all came needing safety from the city streets and the heat. Can you imagine if the best thing in your day is finding a mat on the floor in a homeless shelter?

Well, they came to the right place! They are safe, loved, fed nutritious meals, had a bath and received new clothes (if they needed them)… even a toy or a book for their children. And today they will find a listening ear and a welcoming staff who will help them stabilize from their trauma, receive medical attention through the on-site Harris County Hospital Clinic… and as a private room opens up, a modest room for them and for their family.

Most importantly, we will help them to look UP and to hear once again something they haven’t heard or believed in many years… the truth that God loves them and has a very special plan for their lives. Only He can forgive their past, heal their heart’s wounds and bring light and joy back into their lives!

A former guest of Star of Hope posted on our Facebook Wall last week: “I am so grateful not to be sleeping on that floor tonight, but I am also so grateful that floor was there for me to sleep on at the beginning of my journey to recovery.” Watch this video from KHOU News 11 to see what inspired this comment.

Within the next few days of their stay with us each adult will be helped to evaluate their situation, develop a plan for this week… then next week, then for the month to come. They will be counseled for personal needs, their children will have a safe place to play and receive love and encouragement, and help with their own needs in the midst of family homelessness.

Star of Hope’s Women & Family Shelter is the largest emergency facility in Houston serving families and single women in our five county area who have become homeless. We try not to ever turn anyone away. For two years now, the shelter has functioned at near capacity every night, and has experienced significant winter and summer peak overflow needs. Last night was the highest night of need on record. We are working on broader solutions to the growing issue of homelessness in our city, and our vision is to grow from serving 1,000 homeless people per day as we do now, to serving 2,000 per day, by 2015.

Want to help? You’ll be glad you did!

Donate now to help with the extra summer time costs we’re incurring.
Give today at Supporting Houston Homeless Shelters

Find other ways to serve at Volunteer Opportunities Houston – Star of Hope Mission

Today Is A Day Of Hope

Thursday, May 26, 2011 by Hank Rush

Give hope to families in crisis with Star of Hope

You may have seen the story "Homeless Population Keeps Increasing" in the Houston Chronicle this week, the results of the 2011 Homeless Count for our city. It's no surprise to me that the number of homeless people in Houston has risen by 25% in just one year.

If you've been following my blog the past two years, you know that Star of Hope has served record crowds since 2009, with the greatest overflow occurring at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter downtown. We have averaged 50 per night on the floor, with peaks of up to 118 for the past two calendar years. It's clear that the economy and all the disasters around us are displacing more and more families.

I must say, the most troubling number released yesterday, however, is the 10,933 school age CHILDREN in Houston, who are documented by our Houston area public school systems to be living homeless.

It's clear we need to do more. For some families, housing and job assistance will help get them back on their feet and living independently again. For most however, the causes of their homelessness run much deeper, and they need more comprehensive services to recover.

Star of Hope has been serving Houston's homeless continuously for 103 years now...it is Houston's oldest and largest ministry for our most needy Houstonians. We have learned so much about how to lead our guests into a new and fulfilling life. And we are working harder than ever in our history to expand our services and partnerships to reach the growing numbers of those in need.

The good news is that Today Is A Day Of Hope for thousands of these in our community, as Star of Hope and over 100 other service partners in our community reach out to help them!

Want to help? Go to our website and check out Volunteer Opportunities, or make a financial gift today. Summer is here and the numbers needing help are extremely high.

Houston, we have a problem. But together, with God's help and blessing, we can make a major, and for many, an eternal difference!

Get involved with Star of Hope Mission in helping Houston's homeless men, women and children today!
Visit Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston.

Great Testimony - What God Does at Star of Hope

Thursday, April 28, 2011 by John Mills

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

Young Adults Serving with Star of Hope

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 by Katelyn Oliver

I am very confident in saying that 90% of the world’s most passionate and hopeful people are 25 years and younger. Look at college campuses during a presidential election year or the energy of a high school pep-rally. Revolutions are started by young people who have heard their parents talk about tyranny for a life time and have the hope and courage to start change. Here, at Star of Hope young adults are leading the way in fighting against poverty, abuse, addiction and homelessness with Star of Hope.

If your cynical side is throwing thoughts around your brain like young adults haven’t become jaded from world experiences or they are too naïve to realize the world is unchangeable, silence it. “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa. Wake up Houston and do a small thing with great love. Follow the example of the teens across Houston.

Here are a couple of examples:

Boy Scout Troop 924’s David Reeves delivered with his father, Rick Reeves, 11 well crafted, handmade benches. David had independently contacted a representative at Star of Hope about a service project, he then independently arranged for a group of Boy Scouts to construct the benches and he then personally delivered them. These benches will serve as a great resting spot for mothers and fathers to sit as their kids take advantage of the spring sunshine.

Every Wednesday from 11:30 – 12:45 Heidi Hartung, Chloe Espenan, Anna Buvens, Sahar Yazdanfard and Katy Wefelmeyer from Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart walk into Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Shelter as if they are employees. They go straight to the kitchen was their hands, put on their apron and hairnets, and start serving lunch to the Star of Hope clients. After volunteering once a week for almost 8 months they practically are employees.

These young adults are doing what they can passionately and are making a difference by helping non profit organizations in Houston. On behalf of Star of Hope I would like to thank them for their passion and hope that blesses and inspires their community!

If you are interested in donating time or money to charitable organizations Houston, Star of Hope Mission has many opportunities!

One Month Isn't Enough Time to Thank Volunteers

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 by Scott Arthur

Volunteers from First Baptist of Manvel with Beverly, SOH Cook

At Star of Hope, we celebrate volunteers every day. April has been National Volunteer Month. Thirty days that have passed so quickly - yet each of those days were filled with Houstonians giving their time and talents to reach out to our city's homeless men, women and children.

Last year, 8.774 men, women and families served 31,892 hours. 128 individuals donated 13,601 hours of specialized skills - and that saved Star of Hope $466,000!

Volunteers are part of our foundation. They save us time and money and set good examples and create good will. From individuals to church projects and corporate outreaches, we are blessed with people who are in the habit of donating to charitable organizations. If you are one of them - on behalf of 200 employees and thousands of homeless men, women and children, thank you.

If you've never volunteered, there's no better time like the present. The very fact that you thought about helping your fellow man makes you qualified. Contact us at 713-748-0700 and we'll show you the way. And - thanks in advance.

For more information on helping the homeless with Star of Hope Mission go to
Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston.

April, The Month We Recognize Volunteers

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 by John Mills

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

Feeding Houston’s Homeless—Texas Style

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 by Scott McKinley

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.

Thanks Troop 46!

Discover more ways you can help at Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston

In Honor of Zan

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 by Katelyn Oliver

I have consistently had some place safe to sleep. I have consistently been fed. I have consistently been loved. I have consistently made mistakes and have been forgiven and accepted. I have consistently been made to feel valued….and I have consistently forgotten that some people don’t have any form of healthy consistency in their own lives.

Star of Hope can’t save the world, but it can give Houston’s Homeless men, women and children some healthy consistencies no matter what stage of life they are in. Most importantly Star of Hope teaches its clients they are valued and after their time here how to create stability making hope a reality.

Last week I had the privilege to talk with an amazing Star of Hope Virtual Volunteer. Her spirit is as beautiful and unique as she is. She is vulnerable. She is strong. She is courageous. Zan grew up in an inconsistent home environment living with several different family members during varying stages of her life. At age 17 she found herself homeless with a new born son. Desiring more consistency for her son than she was able to give she sent him to live with other members of her family.

Zan personally continued wandering in and out of homelessness into her 20’s. I wish I could tell you that she found Star of Hope early on and everything changed…forever. I wish I could tell you that we made a difference in her life or that I made a difference in her life. However, nothing I did nor did anything I am affiliated with change Zan’s life. Zan did not find Star of Hope when she needed us most. She had to seek self soothing and self guidance and in turn her life lessons were learned by trial and error. Zan did the best she could to establish consistency in her life all by herself.

Today, Zan’s life like mine is far from perfect, but you can clearly see God’s redemptive love in her story. Through, this faith and courage God has taught her to give back to her community in whatever way she can. Zan lovingly shares with others via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn that they do not have to go through homelessness, abuse, addiction all alone. They can find value and love at Star of Hope. Zan advocates for Star of Hope… all hours of the day and night…and she makes a difference by sharing what an amazing nonprofit Houston has! Zan knows how helpful it would have been to have had a solid place like “ Star of Hope Mission” included in her story early on.

Zan , thank you for giving hope to others.

So, many people think they have to wait until their life looks perfect to give back to their community. They wait until they have the right amount in their savings account or until they have 3 hours to give instead of 15 minutes. Star of Hope is asking you where you are to make a difference and together we will watch God bless your offering. Whether, it is a prayer, joining Star of Hope on Facebook, working in the kitchen, donating 50 cents together, we can give Houston Homeless a consistent environment where there is no question if they are fed, loved and valued.

Together, wherever you are in life let's show Houston Homeless they do not have to do this alone. We are here for them with Men and Women Drug Rehab Centers, Battered Women Shelters, Childcare facilities and Soup Kitchens. Refuse to let one person be forgotten.

Discover ways to get involved and help Houston's homeless with Star of Hope.
Visit Volunteer Jobs Houston to get started today!

Hoops for Hope

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 by Hank Rush

As everyone in Houston knows by now, it’s Final Four® time! The NCAA® Men’s Final Four Basketball Championship games will be played here April 2-4. But what you may not know is that beginning next Monday, March 28th, and throughout the week preceding the games, the NCAA® will be serving Houston’s youth and underprivileged families in some very special ways.

This coming Monday, hundreds of residents of Star of Hope’s Women & Family Emergency Shelter downtown, will have their feet washed, and new socks and tennis shoes fitted on their feet personally by local coaches and over 90 volunteers. Parents and their children ages 2 and up, all of whom are experiencing homelessness in our city and are presently residing at our Family Shelter, will receive this special treat.

Star of Hope thanks the NCAA®, Samaritan’s Feet, and Feed the Hungry, who together are providing these services on Monday for our residents, and at three other locations around our city on Tuesday through Thursday.

Star of Hope serves 1,000 homeless men, women and children daily, through its four locations and our many partner organizations around Houston. If you’ve never served with us, we invite you to come for a visit or VOLUNTEER with us soon.

There are numerous great free events that are part of Final Four Week here in Houston that you and your family can enjoy. I encourage you find out more at the Final Four website. And thanks, NCAA®, for the great week of service and fun for our community.

Learn more about how you can help Houston's homeless
with Star of Hope at Volunteer Jobs Houston

Star of Hope Featured in Local "Secret Millionaire" Taping

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 by Scott Arthur

Popular radio personality Dana Tyson (Sunny 99.1) was asked by the ABC network to produce a "local" version of the new national reality TV hit Secret Millionaire. The national version features a millionaire who goes undercover doing homeless volunteer work in a charitable institution. At the end of the show - the "volunteer", moved by the charity and love that he is surrounded with - reveals himself and announces that he is donating to charitable organizations. He then writes a stunned staff a large check.

In the local version, Dana and her camera crew went to a Houston Emergency Shelter - the Star of Hope Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Under the guise of taping a program called "a day in the life of a DJ" Dana joined volunteers preparing and serving lunch for about 100 homeless women and children. A few hours later - as the staff was cleaning up - Dana announced that she was so taken by the hard work and dedication of the volunteers that she felt compelled to help out financially as well. She then presented Star of Hope with a $2500 check from the ABC Network.

Watch the "final cut' of this great video:

Learn more about Star of Hope Mission and Homeless Services Houston

A Cozy Movie Premiere

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 by Andrew Holmes

Sometimes, I get a chance to get out of my normal day to day IT world and get to help out on video. A few months back one of our wonderful donors/volunteers, Cookie Joe, and her business partner, Tran Pham Rich , (owners of Cookie Joe's School of Dancin' located in Sugar Land, Texas) donated the money to rebuild and equip our intake center at the Women & Family Emergency Shelter. The name of the intake center is Place of Grace and one of the new features is a large flat screen television that families and homeless ladies, who are seeking services can sit and watch. The television is there to show the potential guests all the many programs and services that Star of Hope Mission offers to help them understand who we are and how much we want to help them.

Yesterday, after completing a video compilation of various elements I took the DVD over to test and play it for the first time at Place of Grace. I was joined by a homeless lady who I did not think was paying any attention to the video. She, like countless others, was just looking for a place that would take her in and give her some relief from the Houston streets. As the video progressed through all the various ministries of Star of Hope , she looked over at me and said that she had no idea that Star of Hope did so many things. I sat and explained a few details to her about what she had seen, all the while hoping she was inspired to become a part of the Star of Hope family and be a life changed, a life restored.

Learn more about Star of Hope and Philanthropy Opportunities Houston.

The 2011 NCAA Final Four Tournament Is Coming to Star of Hope!

Monday, February 14, 2011 by Elizabeth Hatler

Excitement is building as we head toward March Madness and Houston prepares to host the NCAA Final Four Tournament! Not only will there be lots of memorable, action-filled college basketball, but also special outreaches to those in our community who are less fortunate…..and the kick-off is at Star of Hope!

Feed the Hungry will distribute food to 1,750 Houston-area families during tournament week and donate 250 boxes of food to Star of Hope Mission. A tractor trailer will roll into our Storehouse on March 14^th,loaded down with boxes and pallets of food. We need 20 volunteers, age 18 or older, each day on Tuesday & Wednesday, March 15^th & 16^th, from 9 AM – 3 PM for to assemble and fill 750 boxes.

Through a partnership with Samaritan’s Feet, the tournament will give away 2011 pairs of shoes…..and the first 300 pairs will be given to clients at the Star of Hope Women & Family Emergency Shelter. What an awesome experience as volunteers wash and put a clean pair of socks on the feet of each client before they are fitted with new shoes and receive a care pack filled with toiletry items. Through these gestures of kindness and compassion, our clients will learn about their value and worth as individuals; that others care about them; and that better days are ahead. We need more than 80 volunteers, age 21 or older, working shifts from Noon – 7 PM on Monday, March 28^th, to unload and set-up, wash feet, change water, greet, clean-up, and be runners.

Don’t miss out on this tremendous opportunity to participate in the 2011 NCAA Final Four Tournament! All volunteers will receive a commemorative 2011 NCAA Final Four t-shirt.

Sign-up today by contacting Elizabeth Hatler at ehatler@sohmission.org or 713-440-5322.

Find other ways to get involved and help Houston's homeless with Star of Hope today at Volunteer Opportunities Houston.

25 Degrees in Houston

Thursday, February 3, 2011 by Hank Rush

It doesn’t come often, but we’re all finding ourselves in 25 degree weather and on our own “Cold Weather Alert” this week! Heavy coats, covered plants, rolling power outages…and rain and snow on the way before the weekend. Just a short walk from our car to the door for us...but can you imagine what it’s like for those who are on the streets?

Star of Hope is here for the homeless of Houston, and despite our own rolling power outages, our staff is working hard to accommodate and help the overflow crowds who are coming in for help. This is a great opportunity for us to introduce them to the many programs and services that can help them turn their lives around, and begin again. Take a look at some of the efforts that are underway!

We are grateful for the men and women who have made the decision to seek shelter and hope in our facilities, but our hearts are still with the ones on the streets tonight who have not yet reached out to Star of Hope.

Learn more about how you can help Houston's homeless men, women and children with Star of Hope Mission. Visit:
- Donation Opportunities Houston
- Volunteer Opportunities Houston
- Urgent and Ongoing Needs

Technology and Innovation

Friday, January 21, 2011 by Andrew Holmes

I would like to cover some technology topics in this blog as it relates to charities and missions. Before an organization of any size can leverage technology successfully I believe first and foremost in today’s economy an organization has to promote a culture of innovation and change. The traditional model of growth, especially in the not-for-profit world, addresses growing complexities of operations and increasing amount of activity by adding labor dollars to the budget and beginning the burdensome process of hiring and retaining employees. Now, employees are great, and most of us are in the “people helping” business so it requires dedicated staff to minister to the needs of your population. The issues arise when we take these people and have them spend much of their time doing task that support processes that have not been looked at carefully with an eye for technology and innovation.

The first step to change is identifying what is happening now. When you ask for a report from one of your programs, how does it get produced? Do your case workers and counselors have to gather post-it notes , interpret a volunteers handwriting, and work all night to make something look pretty and hopefully close to accurate? Or do they click a button and send you a link to a report that’s easily read and customizable? Its important to identify how things get done.

It would be worth it, if you haven't done it in a while, to set aside 2011 to document what is going on. Start with the core departments like finance, development and work your way to the maintenance department. Once things are identified the proverbial low hanging fruit will stand out and you can make simple changes that have a high impact. Eventually you will want someone, be it a volunteer, a group of grad students that are working on a project or a hired professional to help you identify the innovative changes you need to make that will help you spend your precious payroll dollars wisely.

Here are some helpful links
Technology for non-profits www.techsoup.org
Documenting your processes http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/ar-procdoc/

Learn more about Star of Hope Mission at Volunteer Jobs Houston or Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston

Why Volunteer at Star of Hope?

Thursday, January 13, 2011 by Elizabeth Hatler

Why do people throughout our community volunteer at Star of Hope? Just ask Ann, a retired social worker, about the benefits of volunteering.

Ann began volunteering in the Computer Learning Center at our Transitional Living Center in 2005. Although she loved helping clients who were eager to learn new computer skills, the timing just didn’t fit with Ann’s busy schedule. She moved to our Women & Family Emergency Shelter where she has been assisting with intake and referrals for our overnight guests ever since. Here’s an e-mail she sent to Latasha Smith, the CLC instructor with whom she worked:

Hi Latasha,

Those lessons you taught me in Excel have come in handy. I am using Excel for a project that I am helping with at the Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Thanks for showing me how to do that! I guess you can count me as another Excel success! I would not know what to do at all without the lessons you gave me.

Blessings,
Ann

A flexible schedule and the opportunity to learn new skills are only two of the benefits that volunteering at Star of Hope can add to your life as you partner with us to serve Houston’s homeless men, women and children.

Learn more at Community Service Houston