Hope For The Homeless

Hank Rush, President & CEO
One of the most amazing things to witness is how God uses our collective prayers and your generosity to change lives. What’s more amazing is that I have the privilege of being a part of His wonderful work. When people come through our doors homeless and desperate for help, they need a new chance—sometimes a second chance—to build a better life for themselves and their families. That’s what we offer. So I am delighted to share my joy with you, and I am immensely grateful for your commitment as donors, volunteers and community partners. I hope that as you read about the day-to-day happenings and the miracles that are occurring in the lives of our clients, you will believe as I do, that Star of Hope is a place where the promises of God are realized.

A car is pulling up with a family inside. The car stops and after yelling and some tears, a 13 year old jumps out of the car screaming and runs as fast as he can away from his family. The parents park the car and the dad chases after his son. They hug and return to the car. The dad then drives another block to the homeless shelter where they will be staying. With his son and two other children, he and his wife enter.

This episode occurred in front of a shelter a few months ago and relates how traumatic and embarrassing it is for a family, and especially their teenage children, to face homelessness.

I am more committed than ever to work to expand Star of Hope’s services to families in our community who become homeless. As you may know, with the help of Humana Houston Benefits last year, we began expanding our Teen Ministry. Stars of 2morrow helps young victims of homelessness to know that God loves them and has a great plan for their lives, while we work with their moms and dads.

Our new Star of Hope Vision 2015 includes exciting new initiatives and partnerships for the homeless teens and children in our city, and we look forward to seeing more of these lives successfully helped out of their current plight. We believe there IS HOPE! Please keep us in your prayers!

Learn more about Star of Hope’s ministry to teens and families at Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston.

This is one of the most frequent questions I hear from friends and folks around the community! "How can I help the homeless?" Everyone feels compelled to help when they see someone on the streets, or when they see news stories on TV showing the great needs of homeless individuals and families. But the homeless world seems so far away from so many of us, and we just don’t know what to do.

I’ll never forget the time several years ago, when my children then 12 and 9, first saw a homeless person on the streets while running errands one Saturday. Their reaction was, “Dad, stop the car, aren’t we going to help them?...We need to help them!” It was a compelling moment, and my wife and I began searching for answers to the question: “How could WE help the homeless we encounter in our daily life?”

If you’re wondering the same thing, take a look at wecarehouston.org and you’ll get some easy tips we have developed at Star of Hope that you can use to make a difference!

For ways to Help The Homeless Houston, visit We Care Houston at wecarehouston.org.

Looking back on 2009 probably makes us all a little jittery, as we remember the uncertainty we have experienced individually and collectively, due to the economic downturn.  But I hope you feel the same satisfaction and excitement that I feel, knowing that, in spite of the difficulties, God moved in dramatic ways to touch and change the lives of thousands of homeless men, women, and children, living at Star of Hope.  It was a year of abundant blessing for our Clients, with new records of service being given through our ministries around town, resulting in many great outcomes.

Did you know we served a record 6,319 individual clients during 2009?  Among other new records are total meals served…668,385, up 24% from 2008, night stays at 295,921, up 9%, clients finding independent housing up 17%, adults enrolled off-site in school or job training at 815, up 19%, clients graduating from a Star of Hope program up 44%, and the list goes on!

THANK YOU HOUSTON, for your generous support: for volunteering and contributing your time, resources, and monetary gifts, on behalf of our brothers and sisters who were suffering.  THANK YOU for letting God use you to work in the lives of those whom He has brought our way.
 
Most importantly, that 6,319 number is not just a statistic, it’s people of all ages in our community who were in crisis and needed an intervention, immediate needs met, and a loving environment in which to plan a new future.  And along the way, Star of Hope saw a total of 5,332 of these precious ones surrender their lives to Christ, and commit to live for Him.

Every client has his or her own story, but I thought you might want to take a look at this one, because it is representative of so many stories, that sum up 2009….what it’s like to be homeless unexpectedly, and how it feels:


   
So as we begin 2010, please remember, whatever our own struggles, that God is doing great things at the Star of Hope, and YOU are needed to partner with us in His service here!
 

Learn more about giving your time by visiting Community Service Volunteers Houston or give an online gift today at Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston.

What an amazing week we just experienced here in Houston… with below freezing nights, stores out of stock of insulation and heating equipment… as everyone rushed to prepare their homes for the cold.

But warm hearts abounded, as hundreds of Houstonians felt touched to reach out and help our Homeless population find shelter and warmth. Star of Hope’s two emergency shelters ramped up to sleep hundreds more on the floor, safe and warm from the weather and streets. Houston’s media organizations spread the news of the need for more blankets, sleeping bags, gloves and socks… and our great city responded!

The individual stories abound… family after family, companies, individuals, deciding to make a difference, and bringing carloads of these items to the Star of Hope.  Some went to multiple retailers to find items when they encountered stores that were sold out. One donor who wanted to help was sick at home with the flu and just couldn’t get out, so he went online and made an emergency gift through our website to help the cause financially!
 
Our “Love in Action” van was out several times every day handing out blankets, sleeping bags, socks, sandwiches and drinks to those on the streets, and bringing in all who were willing to take shelter.  And though our rooms were all occupied, everything worked smoothly for the 100+ men, women, and children in overflow, sleeping on the floor each night on mats and sleeping bags so many of you brought. Once inside, they were fed hot meals, shown God’s love… and hopefully given new Hope!

One member of the media, Susan O’Donnell of KSBJ, spent Saturday afternoon touring Star of Hope facilities and riding in the Love In Action Van; and was profoundly moved.  She saw staffer Charles Williams "putting the gloves on Jesus’ hands." And she spoke frequently on the radio over the weekend and Monday about her experiences. After looking in their eyes and hearing their stories, she stated she’d never think of them the same again, when she encounters one of these precious ones on the streets. Ones whom our Lord loves, and asks us to serve!

Thank you Susan, and each and every one of you great Houston folks, members of the media, donors, volunteers, and prayer partners… your Warm Houston Hearts made a difference in the lives of so many this past week!

Want to know more about how you can help those you encounter on the streets?  Click on wecarehouston.org and see how you can help!
 

Catch up on other Star of Hope news in our News Room at Help The Homeless Houston.

 

As the New Year fast approaches, I want to extend a sincere and heart-felt “Thank You” to you, for all your support and help this past year! 2009 has been a rough year for most all of us in some way or another, and has seen unexpected severe hardship on many individuals and families in Houston and around the country, due to the major economic crisis we have all faced.

Star of Hope has been a true shining light in this darkness, and I can joyfully say that EVERYONE at this Mission has stepped up and worked extra hard this year to serve the huge numbers of men, women and children who have come to us for help. I am so proud of our staff! And I am personally grateful to you for supporting and partnering with us this past year, to provide the resources to serve as we’ve been called to serve. We could not have done it without you!

As we face 2010, we know going in, that there are many who are at the brink and will deal with financial crisis, loss of home or apartment and job in the year to come. With your continued help… in the many ways you partner with us… we will seek to continue to meet these lives at their crisis point, and help them on their journey to a new life of faith, work and home for them and their families.

Blessings to you, our dear partner, and best wishes for a joy filled New Year for you and yours!
 

I love Christmas time! And I love seeing live Nativity scenes in local church front lawns, during the week just before Christmas. It always brings my thoughts back to God’s incredible plan for us. Do you see it? God’s profound message to me every time I see a manger is that He loves us without any of our pretenses, things or earthly treasures. He loves us as He loves His Son, Jesus, whom He sent to be born without a home, things or earthly treasures — or even a bed to rest in on His first night on this earth! Such a little Manger, but God used it to change the world, reveal His Plan for Mankind and change history forever.

Well, when Star of Hope began over 100 years ago, it was like that little manger: a small, unpretentious place where men in our city who had lost their way in life and were struggling with addictions, sin, and bad choices -- or just hard luck, could come and find healing, refuge and Hope. Such a little Mission, and look at what God has done with this Ministry over the past century! Star of Hope now serves nearly 1,000 homeless men, women and children every day. Our focus is still the same as God’s focus was 2000 years ago, in that Bethlehem manger... to shine the Light of The World, Jesus Christ, into the lives of those He came to seek and to save.

You can go by the live Nativity scenes around town and be reminded of the Baby Jesus’ birth this Christmas. You can also come and be a shepherd in the Star of Hope “Manger”, and help bring His Life and Light into the lives of many who desperately need Him today! Come and join us during this season or in the New Year with your heart, time, talents and gifts… and be a part of the work that God is doing for the least and lost in Houston!

Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace, Goodwill toward Men!

Get involved and share your time and talents at Volunteer Programs Houston.
Visit Supporting Houston Ministries to donate online, provide current needs and prepare us for another strong year of ministry in 2010.

Just last week, our city showed its HEART once again, with a great Thanksgiving Parade and meals galore around downtown for Houston’s families in need. Check out Houstonians flock to Turkey Day events in Houston Chronicle and you can see how wonderfully our city reaches out to all in our community! This spirit of generosity goes on every day of the year. I know… I see it here at Star of Hope on a daily basis. Houstonians call us, wanting to learn more about the work of the Star of Hope, and they come and see all that God is doing here with His People… those who’ve lost their way and need someone to come along side of them and help. It’s truly amazing to see!

This year, Star of Hope has ministered to over 5,500 homeless people, and two thirds of these are women and families! With the souring of the Houston job market and the effects of the broader economic downturn, this number is 1,000 people higher than just last year — or, in other words, 1,000 new faces arriving at our doors we’ve never seen before. God’s provision and your generous donations of food and clothing, have made it possible for us to operate with about the same budget as we had in 2008.

This is a huge blessing for which we are very grateful, because caring for so many in a difficult economy has its challenges. In fact, serving the extra 1,000 new faces… men, women & children… has cost incrementally about $500 per person on the average over our base budget.

And while we have experienced record levels of in-kind donations, we have been facing a shortfall in cash donations over the past few months. So, as we head into the Christmas season, if you’d like to help us in a uniquely special way this December, how about sponsoring one of these 1,000 new souls who have come our way this year? Visit Charitable Donations Houston to make a $100, $250 or even a $500 gift… knowing it’s a truly special gift for one of these in need!

Christmas time is a wonderful time at Star of Hope. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we work this Blessed Season to make Christmas 2009 a Blessed Memory in the lives of those we are serving now!

Thanksgiving is coming in just a week… and if your family is anything like mine, you travel to be together and thank God for all His blessings. We always gather around a traditional Thanksgiving table, complete with family and friends, with a feast of turkey and all the trimmings, dressing and giblet gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Remind you of your home at holiday time? It is also for hundreds and hundreds of homeless men, women, and children, here at Star of Hope. As soon as you step into the facilities, you are instantly aware that this is a day that the Lord has made! There is so much gladness and joy, as volunteers rush about hanging decorations around the dining rooms, and the cooks put their last minute touches on the sumptuous meal.

One of the most precious sights is found at the Women and Family Emergency Shelter. Every table has displayed on it hand-written notes from our clients themselves. Some of them are meaningful Scriptures, some personal thoughts… each are sweet words of gratitude for the blessings they have received. Our clients pause in the midst of their storms to acknowledge, just as we all do, the grace of God in our lives, and the many blessings we have received.

Perhaps you will join me this Thanksgiving in having family members make such a "Thanksgiving card" for the table, and read them to each other. And then, for just a moment, we can ask God’s special blessing for those at the Star of Hope, during our Thanksgiving prayer!

My family and I are thankful for every moment that we have been given to be part of this great ministry, and the opportunity to partner with so many of you in this work. It is by God’s grace and your generous gifts that we are able to serve so many of Houston’s homeless, give them rest from their struggles, a home for the holiday, and best of all, a day to just be thankful. I am truly thankful for you and wish each of you a Thanksgiving that is rich in HOPE!

Women's Shelter Donation Houston

Recently, CNN aired a touching story about an honor student whose ambition is to be a Harvard grad, with a Ph.D in medicine. It’s not the kind of story you expect to see making national headlines, except this student is poor, homeless, highly intelligent and living in a California shelter with his mother and sister.

I thought of Kelsey, one of our teens who lived at the Star of Hope Transitional Living Center with her mother and brother, before moving into our New Horizons community. When she first arrived at Star of Hope her morale was low. Homelessness is difficult for adolescents. The staff loved her through her distress, and the structure of our teen program bolstered her confidence and fueled her hope of going to college one day. Kelsey’s dream now is to study engineering and become an Air Force pilot!

Kelsey is a straight-A student and, recently, was nominated to attend the week-long National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C. The NYLF is a prestigious program for helping exemplary students prepare for professional careers.

You can imagine her excitement when she was nominated, but immediately, her heart sank, because she knew she wouldn’t be able to afford to go. But after a little help from staff, she was astonished to learn that a generous donor made her dream-trip come true! This is what she wrote to her donor.
 

“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a part of what will be my future. It just brightened my Mother’s eyes when she found out that I would be able to go to Washington. She has always wanted the best for me and couldn't give it to me. This will never be forgotten."

Kelsey has just returned from this amazing experience… and her dream and HOPE are alive… in God’s grace and in her future! At Star of Hope, we want all our homeless kids to experience the fact that God has a great future planned for each of them!
 

Houston Non Profit Donations

When speaking to a group, the question I get asked more than any other Is “should I give money to a homeless person? I want to help but I don’t know the right thing to do.”  Well, we are working on a short video to help you with the answer to your questions.  It’s sort of a “Homeless 101” course. We’ll pose the questions and show you the answers in a quick and easy tutorial that you’ll want to share with your concerned friends. The working title is “Ways to Help the Homeless” and we begin shooting it on the streets of Houston this week.  

Meanwhile I‘d be interested to know how you typically react to homeless people on the streets of Houston. Maybe you have a homeless person that is regularly standing on the intersection asking for money. How do you normally react? If you have a special way of helping a homeless person I would love to know your thoughts. I can’t wait to read your comments.

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 
 

...Could you or your neighbor become homeless one day?

Every day is an education for me. After spending my first official year with Star of Hope, I can honestly say that I’ve learned more than I ever thought I would about the homeless in our great city. But I’ve only scratched the surface.

As you might know, Star of Hope cares for about 1,000 homeless men, women and children everyday. This is a constant battle that we fight and win for many with your generous and continuous help.

However, a new enemy is in town. This enemy is “the unstable economy.” Its victims are often caught unawares, making some of our neighbors and co-workers vulnerable to becoming prisoners of homelessness.

This past Sunday, the Houston Chronicle ran a story about major job losses in Houston, in the past 12 months.

We believe it. So far this year, Star of Hope has served close to 5,000 individuals who have become homeless, many due to the economy. Our client numbers rose significantly in the first 8 months of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008 -- an indicator of the crisis many in our community are facing. They may stay with us a week or enter a long-term program lasting a year or more, depending on their needs.

But, as they come, we pray that a spirit of generosity will continue, so that we can meet every need now and in the months ahead for shelter, food, counseling, job placement, medical care, and programs for the teens and little ones, to keep them healthy and stable.

If you or someone you know is in this situation, click on “Get Help Today” or send an email to hope@sohmission.org, to learn more about how to help those in this painful, critical circumstance.

 

Most of us have been touched in some way by substance abuse. September is National Alcohol & Drug Addiction Recovery Month, when recovery programs nation-wide celebrate success in helping people overcome their addictions.

Star of Hope has two outstanding recovery programs operating 365 days a year, New Hope and Spiritual Recovery Program . Each is intensely focused on helping men and women who have struggled with alcohol or drug addiction become free of chemical dependency. In the process of learning to understand themselves and what got them where they are, many find a new life in Christ, a renewed purpose and a real future. You might be surprised, as I have been, by who benefits from these programs... those with a history of substance abuse, as you would expect, but also attorneys, teachers, executives and other professionals.

Interested in learning more about this problem and what’s being done about it at Star of Hope? Then here is my challenge to you:

• Join me and our staff at one of our monthly Graduation Ceremonies and see for yourself what God is doing to change broken lives.
• Listen to the stories of our graduates “live” and experience their joy in rising from rock-bottom to a life of meaning and purpose.
• And if you CAN name one person - a friend, family member or colleague - someone you know is overcome by addiction and needs a new start, consider bringing that person with you. It may be the best gift you ever give!
   

For graduation dates and to attend soon, send an email to info@sohmission.org.
 

Watch Changed Lives Video Now!

Remember how exciting it was to shop for the opening of school; to finally get those cool sneakers you wanted and a book-bag -- that would hold all your stuff? That’s exactly what it was like for the children at Star of Hope late last week.

Our fabulous volunteers swarmed our family shelters and blessed our school-aged children with back-to-school parties, complete with hugs, high-fives, and everything they needed to hop on the bus, ready to go. It was quite a sight! Even the tiniest ones whose backpacks seemed to swallow them up were grinning ear to ear.

Hundreds of school-aged children live at Star of Hope with their families, throughout the year. They all need "equipping" to succeed, academically. We outfit them with uniforms, new shoes and backpacks filled with the essentials. However, in August, we have over a hundred children to get ready at once-- not a small task at all!

Late last week, thanks to our donors, volunteers and staff it was “Christmas in August" here at the Mission. We appreciate the enthusiastic help, encouraging hugs and all the donated school supplies without which there would be no ear-to-ear smiles, no high-fives and little reason to hope for success.

Take a look at the accompanying video and you’ll see the children receiving their customized backpacks. Tell us your thoughts, and join us in lifting families and individuals out of homelessness. You’ll be a blessing, and be blessed yourself. I guarantee it!

Donation Opportunities Houston   -   Volunteer Opportunities Houston

Recently, I came across a newspaper article that discussed New York City’s program to give airplane tickets to certain of its homeless folks, and send them back “home.” As the story explained, many are long-time residents of NYC, but have fallen on hard times. If they can get a relative in their home state or country to agree to accept them, the city will pick up the tab for getting them resettled. I thought it was an intriguing concept. It certainly got me to thinking about Houston and how we address the complicated issues of homelessness here at Star of Hope.

If you have followed my blog, you know that I have had many amazing moments since coming to Star of Hope, and continue to meet wonderful people among our clients. Some of them are families or individuals who can benefit from returning to their hometown, where there are loved ones and friends ready to assist them. In such cases, we work to enable their safe return.

But by and large, we see people who have become homeless here in our city and truly have no place else to go. Even if they had a place, the root causes of their homelessness would still be with them. Without the necessary life change, they would simply be “homeless at heart,” just in a different location.

The lyrics of the current, hit gospel song by Michael English, “I know how hopeless feels, when you’re staring at the bottom of an empty heart,” reflect this need for new life among so many in our society, especially within the homeless community. That’s why Star of Hope is steadfast in its commitment to bringing heart-healing, recovery from addictions, bad relationships and bad choices. We want our graduates to be free of the emptiness they feel, experience the hope that is fundamental to new life and, once again, become independent, productive members of society.

To us, it’s not so much about the CITY they are in, as it is about the CONDITION they are in. Star of Hope works tirelessly every day, to help people have a full heart, a joyful relationship with Jesus Christ and an opportunity to live successfully.

So how do you think Houston is doing, when it comes to managing the challenges that poverty and homelessness present? Express your thoughts by responding to this blog.

While more fortunate kids are planning “sleepovers” and getting ready for the new school year, last Sunday 30 children along with their parents slept on mats at our downtown Women & Family Emergency Shelter… a total of 88 people in all.

Our rooms were all full – but we were able to accommodate them on the floor. We try never to turn anyone away. With these guests, we had 388 people in this one shelter alone. Almost half of those were children eighteen and under… most of them were under twelve. I am always touched most by the children, as they are the innocent, ultimate victims of homelessness. Many of them do not know what “normal” childhood is all about. 

I am comforted and joyful to add, however, that in the daytime our House of Hope children’s facility provides childcare and activities for these kids. It’s such a great place and everything seems “normal” for those inside! That’s our goal: to allow the children of the homeless families we serve to play, learn, enjoy nourishing meals and experience love like any child in a normal situation does. I love walking through the halls and hearing the sounds of laughter and happiness. These “Kids in Crisis” finally have a normal routine. The dreams of camp and school replace nightmares and fear.

But our city has a long way to go with families in need and there are so many now. The economic situation that is gripping our nation increasingly affects Houston. We see it more and more every day.

As you may know, Star of Hope reaches out to about 1,000 homeless men, women and children EVERY DAY through the combined effort of our Men’s Development Center, Transitional Living Center, New Horizons program and Women & Family Emergency Shelter.

Thank you for your support and prayers as God works through our staff to repair these broken families!

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!