Houston Emergency Center

When I answered the phone Friday morning, I noticed the out-of-state area code.  I was uncertain who would be on the other end of the call when I picked up the call.

"I know someone who is at your shelter," the caller began, "and, I looked up Star of Hope on the Internet and that's where I got your name."

I immediately began the "rote" answer in my head "I'm sorry, we cannot give out information on client who may or may not be in our program. You can leave a message and IF he/she is a client, the message will be left." But, the words never left my mouth.

That is not what this caller wanted. *Julie just wanted to know more about Star of Hope. The story unfolded...

*Gina, was in Julie's youth group at a church in Tennessee MANY years ago.  As a 17-year old, Gina was involved in programs at the church and became close to Julie and her family.  Now, eleven years have passed...Gina's family has disowned her; three failed marriages behind her; drug and alcohol abuse; seeking love in all the wrong places...and, the police brought Gina to the doors of Star of Hope's Women & Family Emergency Shelter.

"She's there," Julie told me. "She called me from there last night and there was someone there praying for her. I think a staff member. And, we have been texting this morning. Can you please help her?"

I explained to Julie that Gina was in a safe place.  I told Julie that our staff are loving and care for each person who walks through the doors. I told her our mission statement and that we are a "Christ-centered" community.  Julie was glad to hear that...she had been thinking of sending Gina a bus ticket to come back to Tennessee, but felt confident in Star of Hope's ability to care for her friend. "She's lucky to have someone like you, who cares about her, even if you are far away right now," I told Julie.

"She's hit rock bottom," Julie shared.

"That is where God takes us sometimes," I reminded Julie. "Sometimes He puts us in a place in life where all we can do is look to Him and the grace and mercy he supplies."

Julie was comforted that her friend would received God's love through the staff at the Women and Family Shelter.

When I hung up the phone, I called the staff at the Women & Family Emergency Shelter and asked if they would follow up with Gina. They did...and, she is excited about a future that will include a stay at our Transitional Living Center's New Hope program for drug recovery; finding a job and earning her own money; and, long term housing with the New Horizons program. 

Gina has never really lived on her own...she is frightened, but comforted that Jesus said, "I will never leave you, or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

She is able to only see a few steps ahead, but knows that she is on a pathway leading to the Lord, and that is enough!


*Names have been changed to protect privacy.

Learn more about Star of Hope Mission at Christian Ministries Houston

SummerOfHopeHouston.org

• meet their immediate needs
• get medical and family services partner referrals
• work through issues to restore their lives, income and a place to live

Can you help us today, with significant increase in needs in Houston this summer?

On behalf of Star of Hope, I would like to extend special congratulations to Mark Camero and Kevin Sweat from Boy Scout Troop 642, which meets at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Few scouts would tackle such demanding projects or set such a high standard of excellence! 

In addition to constructing large storage units for our Women & Family Emergency Shelter, Eagle Scout Mark Camero collected 1,408 children’s books. Many of the books were new and they all will provide many hours of reading fun and adventure for the children who come through our doors.

Eagle Scout Kevin Sweat designed and built a beautiful playground seating area and walkway for the Transitional Living Center. Parents now have the perfect place to watch their little ones and their children feel more secure to play, learn and explore with mom or dad watching over them.

What a blessing it’s been for our mission to have an opportunity to work with several other awesome scouts.   This week, David Reeves delivered 15 wide, sturdy outdoor benches for the TLC cafeteria courtyard. Once he decided on a design and built a prototype, he had a small team cut the lumber on Day 1. He organized such a big crew for Day 2 that the project was completed in only two hours! These benches will circle the trees and provide clients with a shady place to enjoy our gorgeous weather.

Thomas Perez organized a party for children at the Transitional Living Center complete with Bible stories, crafts and refreshments. Of course, the children had a blast….so did Thomas and his team! Alex Collier also focused on the children and collected more than 800 books for five – thirteen year olds.

Our partnership with Eagle Scout candidates isn’t over – we continue to be tremendously blessed by these fine young men! Kendall Bruce is building benches for the Women & Family Emergency Shelter.  And Brian Howell has designed a bench seating area to beautify the Yellowstone side of the TLC campus. His crew will be here in two weeks! 

A variety of project options makes Star of Hope the perfect site for your next scout, corporate or team-building project. Contact the Volunteer Services Department to discuss a project for your group.

Community Service Opportunities Houston

You know the people you meet and you think I wish I could be just like them. Well I meet those people at Star of Hope every day. In fact I work with some on a regular basis. Consider me lucky.

Recently, I went to photograph a group volunteering at the Star of Hope Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Being new I barely know anyone and honestly it is a little intimidating visiting the other shelters. Nonetheless I introduced myself to the lady at the front desk, threw out a few names and then told her what exactly I was there for. She informed me the group I had come to photograph wouldn’t be in for an hour, but invited me to stay with her and sit.

I sat and then she completely and unintentionally inspired my…life.

First of all, she warmly introduced herself as Mrs. Faye.  From previous experiences in life I have developed a theory that anyone who says you can call me Mrs. First Name they are really great at showing they love you, but they won't let any "funny business" slide.  In another words they show "tough love." I think this theory fits Mrs. Faye perfectly.

While talking with Mrs. Faye our conversation was casually interrupted with her greeting regular volunteers by their first names, asking them questions about their lives, checking clients in and out of the facility and opening doors for people.  Once a girl came into thank Mrs. Faye for being there with support when she felt no one else was. “I couldn’t handle it. I didn’t know what to do. Then Mrs. Faye told me to hold on God will soon bless you…and He did. I waited for my blessing just like Mrs. Faye had told me to do.”

Mrs. Faye didn’t take any credit. She just shook her head and lovingly congratulated and encouraged the girl. The girl left and Mrs. Faye picked up on her story right where she left off 15 minutes prior.

Again, another woman came to the front desk.  This women was obviously tired and frustrated. She told Mrs. Faye she needed out, she couldn’t handle it anymore; she wanted to go and try and make it on her own. Mrs. Faye lovingly listened and reminded her that  Star of Hope offered her stability right now. The girl continued to insist she was leaving Star of Hope and asked “If I leave can I come back?” Mrs. Faye said “Of course, you can always come back, but this is the best place for you right now. If you leave please keep in touch because I want to know how you are doing.” The girl walked away. Mrs. Faye watched.

After a long pause she continued telling me about thrift shopping. She said that she ran into so many amazing deals she couldn't skip over them. In fact, almost every female Star of Hope employee carries a bag that Mrs. Faye "just couldn't pass up." I said “Well Mrs. Faye I expect one soon.” She said hold on…went to get someone to take her place at the front desk and in two minutes came back with three purses for me to choose from.

Before I left Mrs. Faye told me a little about her personal life. She bragged about her two kids. She loving talked about her nieces shopping with her. Then Mrs. Faye rubbed her stubbly hair and talked about her friends. She said soon a friend will start cancer treatment and will lose all of her hair. Mrs. Faye wants to be ready with support, so she is gradually cutting her hair shorter and shorter and will be there in love, sympathy, and as many other ways she can for her friend.

Leaving the emergency shelter I carried with me a new green purse full of hope and a living example of Christ's love. Mrs. Faye is a Star of Hope confidently showing what grace and truth looks like.  

Volunteer with Star of Hope Mission, Houston Emergency Center, and meet wonderful people like Mrs. Faye.

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.

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

Recently, while running errands, my husband pulled the car into a Chevron station. As he filled up the tank, my attention focused on the poster hanging beside each pump, which showcased the many ways Chevron volunteers contribute “human energy” to make our community a better place. Not only was I delighted that local Chevron volunteers were recognized, but also thrilled that Star of Hope was included – both the top, left- and right-hand photos were taken during Star of Hope projects. 

We first worked with Chevron volunteers during their 2009 Humankind Week, and thus, a wonderful, new partnership was born. Throughout 2010, volunteers from Chevron’s Black Employee Network assisted in many areas, such as the kitchens at all three facilities and the Christmas Workshop. 

During the sizzling-hot, triple-digit, Houston summer, it was a funny sight when several Chevron volunteers arrived for work all bundled up in heavy jackets, knit hats and gloves! But they came prepared to clean the walk-in freezer at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter. While they cleaned the freezer and others assisted with lunch preparations, several more volunteers baked a scrumptious treat. You can imagine the eager anticipation of shelter clients as the aroma of mouth-watering fudge brownies wafted through the air!

In the fall of 2010, Chevron groups celebrated their Humankind Week by working on major projects at Star of Hope. Volunteers at the Women & Family Emergency Shelter painted several atrium spaces and cleaned out storage areas. Working in shifts over two days, another Chevron group prepped and painted the iron fence surrounding the perimeter of the Men’s Development Center. Thanks to the generosity of Chevron and the hard work of their dedicated volunteers, we will spend less on facility maintenance and have many more dollars to directly help Houston’s homeless men, women and children!

We look forward to additional opportunities to partner with Chevron and the many other volunteers in our community who have a heart for the homeless. 2011 will be an amazing year as together we serve those in need.

Learn how you can help Houston's homeless with Star of Hope. Visit Community Service Volunteers Houston.

For the last 20 years, the Hard Rock Cafe has closed its doors on Thanksgiving Day. Although this popular downtown Houston eatery is closed to the public, the kitchen and waitstaff are quite busy. Instead of celebrating Thanksgiving with their own families, everyone at the Hard Rock volunteers on their day off to host a gourmet dinner for clients at Star of Hope’s Women & Family Emergency Shelter and the Transitional Living Center. This year, the Hard Rock team was joined by another very special team – Head Coach James Dickey brought the University of Houston Men’s Basketball team to help. The UH players, still in their warm-ups after an exhausting practice session, autographed posters and visited with our families before heading inside to wait tables. 

The UH basketball coaches and players weren’t the only Cougars waiting tables for Star of Hope clients during the holidays. UH athletic director Mack Rhoades was joined by his family as they helped serve Christmas dinner at the Men’s Development Center. Rhoades and his family set out desserts and filled drink glasses as they helped make special Christmas memories for men who are often forgotten. 

"It's a very humbling experience," said Rhoades.  "It makes you realize what you have and it's a blessing to be part of this."

Thanks to the UH Athletic Department for reaching out to Houston’s homeless men, women and children during the holidays! Merry Christmas and Go Coogs!

Get involved with Star of Hope and help homeless men, women and families in our community. Find opportunities of interest to you at Community Service Volunteers Houston.

Imagine what it must be like to be out on the streets with no place to call home. Frantically, you search for shelter and a safe place to fall asleep. That’s when you remember that someone told you about Star of Hope. In desperation, you put your last two quarters in the payphone, hoping with everything you have left inside that you can talk with someone, that you don't get a recording.

Although most of us are used to automated telephone systems, navigating menus can be a frustrating process. And if this is the only call you can make, it’s even worse. 

At Star of Hope, our goal is for every caller to reach a “live” voice – to get the help and answers each caller needs and deserves. To accomplish this goal, we opened a call center that is staffed entirely by volunteers. 

No one has taken a more active role in the call center than our friends from Willis of Texas, Inc. About 30 Willis employees staff both the morning and afternoon shifts every Wednesday. Thanks to Willis and other call center volunteers, each call is promptly answered by a friendly voice that’s filled with compassion. Once calls are answered, volunteers remain on the line until callers receive the help they need - even praying with callers. Volunteers are not interested in the number of calls they answer, but in delivering the best possible service.  It is far more than simply answering the phone, it is a ministry! 

Our friends at Willis have been very generous with their time, and yet, found a way to do even more during the holidays. In addition to volunteering in our kitchens and at the Christmas Workshop, they also raised $5,550 to purchase gifts for moms and dads at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter and men in the recovery programs at the Men’s Development Center. Not only will there be gifts for the children, but for the adults, too. No one has been forgotten!

During my eight years working for Star of Hope Mission, I have watched over and over as homeless clients move from virtually “no hope” with total dependence, to beginning their independent walk in a new life.  Star of Hope is not just a Soup Kitchen in Houston!  We offer Christian Ministries with such services as drug rehabilitation, emergency homeless services, parenting classes, career building classes, for homeless persons and for battered women, men and for families.  We offer care for men, single women and for families at our three homeless shelters and transitional living centers.

Last week I got to meet a young woman who lived here at Star of Hope twelve years ago.  When she came here, she was 4 years old, and she got into a ballet dance program offered by a volunteer.  Her family got back on their feet and now she is married and has three beautiful children.  She was present at the opening of our newly decorated Intake area at Star of Hope’s Women & Family Emergency Shelter.  It was a real blessing to visit and to see how well she is doing now.  She and her family had received a chance to get back on their feet, and they had taken it! 

I hope that you weren’t ever homeless!  But if you had been, wouldn’t it be great to know that there was a place, where people would listen to you, pray with you, cry with you, and try to meet your every need!  Star of Hope is such a place!

Would you consider partnering with us, through offering a prayer for the less fortunate, and through making a contribution?  You can go to Charitable Donations Houston to make a contribution.

 

It’s been a year since I received the first e-mail from Jeannie Eisenhart.  Jeannie works for Crowley Maritime in Florida and is on the Board of the National Business Travel Association. 

NBTA members include airlines, hotels and resorts, travel agents and corporate travel departments, food service companies and temporary corporate apartment homes – just to name a few. Their 2010 international convention & exposition was scheduled for Houston, and for the first time ever, NBTA wanted the agenda to include a community service project. After the Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau recommended Star of Hope and NBTA executives from Washington, D.C. toured our facilities, an amazing partnership was born!

NBTA featured Star of Hope on their website and urged each member’s support. Without a track record, NBTA did not know what the response would be. But they wanted to provide members with a variety of ways to help Houston’s homeless men, women and children:

·         * As members completed the convention registration form, they were asked to make a $10 donation to Star of Hope.

·         * NBTA members were given a list of needed items – such as toiletries, towels, sheets, clothing and canned goods – and asked to make an in-kind donation.

·         * And members were asked to sign-up for a project at our Transitional Living Center – painting client apartments and other living areas, writing notes of encouragement for client mailboxes and assisting in the kitchen.

Deliveries arrived from across the country – large and small boxes of donated items. As our Women & Family Emergency Shelter slept a growing number of adults and children in overflow during the dangerous summer heat, these donations were a special blessing.

We worked with the incredible NBTA staff for almost a year, planning for every detail. And there was a lot of work happening behind the scenes. NBTA secured cash donations from ADTRAV and Continental Airlines. Someone from Lowe’s contacted Werner & Co. on behalf of NBTA. Werner generously donated more than 50 ladders for the painting project. And Aramark donated drinks and snacks for NBTA volunteers. 

After such a tremendous team effort, I was eager to meet all of the people from across the country who worked so tirelessly to bless Star of Hope. I wanted to put faces with the names and personally thank each one of our new friends. Project day could not arrive soon enough!

Make plans to serve Houston’s homeless men, women and children.

Call 713-440-5322 or 713-440-5301 to discuss volunteer project options for your group.
Community Volunteer Opportunities Houston

What would you say if you had the opportunity to share a few words of encouragement with a child receiving care at Star of Hope? This is an opportunity for you to do just that.

Next month children from Women & Family Emergency Shelter, Transitional Living Center and New Horizons will head back to school.  Thanks to the generous support of friends and donors, every one of these children will step onto the bus and into their classroom with everything they need to succeed. New school uniforms, new shoes and a backpack full of supplies!

You can add to their excitement and joy by writing a short note of encouragement for the school age children at Star of Hope. Please take a moment and “Leave a comment” on this blog. We will print your note, along with others we receive, and give them to the children before the first day of school.

Thanks for caring and making a difference in these children's lives!

School Donations Houston: Ways to get involved and help a child succeed:
- Send a note of encouragement to a child on this blog.
- If you receive our July Newsletter in the mail, write a note on the enclosed backpack tag and send it back to us.
- Donate financially to provide needed items and continued care throughout the school year.
- Coordinate a drive for school supplies or other urgent needs.
- Spread the word! Tell your friends about all of these opportunities to change a child’s life.