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.
This month, June 6th actually, marks the SECOND Anniversary of Star of Hope's New Horizons program. In Supporting Houston Ministries, YOU, our donors, made this program happen.
We started this program in 2008--the economy had taken a drastic downturn--many Houston Non Profits were considering CLOSING their doors, while Star of Hope was creating, developing and introducing a NEW aspect of its service to the homeless.
Our FIRST FOUR units were filled on June 6, 2008. One of those gentlemen still lives in the apartment complex New Horizons calls "home." He has "graduated" from the program, but still keeps in touch with the New Horizons staff and encourages those in the program today.
One of our ORIGINAL residents is still in the program. Entering her third and final year, Sandra D. is still striving for her goals. She created a goal early on to conduct a job search and start working in the field as a Pharmacy Technician. Her credentials are sound, she has put in hours of searching, but the economic downturn has prevented her from changing jobs. She is still working for a gas station and she does not know what the future holds for her family. She has a spirit of gratitude for Star of Hope and all we have done to help her become stable again. Though she is not certain of her future in the healthcare industry, she is certain that her family is the most important thing in her world--she will do what it takes to make a way for them--and that does not include a return to homelessness!!
With the money management tools Sandra received while in the New Horizons program (Crown Financial Ministries) Sandra continues to make ends meet. She is praying for God's favor as she continues to search for Pharmacy Tech positions in area hospitals and pharmacies. Please join us in praying for her!!
Sandra and her children--Christmas, 2008!!
(Photo by: Gary Matthews of Ensource Photography)
We started this program in 2008--the economy had taken a drastic downturn--many Houston Non Profits were considering CLOSING their doors, while Star of Hope was creating, developing and introducing a NEW aspect of its service to the homeless.
Our FIRST FOUR units were filled on June 6, 2008. One of those gentlemen still lives in the apartment complex New Horizons calls "home." He has "graduated" from the program, but still keeps in touch with the New Horizons staff and encourages those in the program today.
One of our ORIGINAL residents is still in the program. Entering her third and final year, Sandra D. is still striving for her goals. She created a goal early on to conduct a job search and start working in the field as a Pharmacy Technician. Her credentials are sound, she has put in hours of searching, but the economic downturn has prevented her from changing jobs. She is still working for a gas station and she does not know what the future holds for her family. She has a spirit of gratitude for Star of Hope and all we have done to help her become stable again. Though she is not certain of her future in the healthcare industry, she is certain that her family is the most important thing in her world--she will do what it takes to make a way for them--and that does not include a return to homelessness!!
With the money management tools Sandra received while in the New Horizons program (Crown Financial Ministries) Sandra continues to make ends meet. She is praying for God's favor as she continues to search for Pharmacy Tech positions in area hospitals and pharmacies. Please join us in praying for her!!
Sandra and her children--Christmas, 2008!!
(Photo by: Gary Matthews of Ensource Photography)
Star of Hope is among many Non Profit Organizations Houston! And, during Hurricane Season, it has been one of the few Shelters Houston Texas which remain occupied during the some of the storms. The closest storm in my recollection--as for many of us--is Hurricane Ike, Fall of 2008. However, the stories I want to share today--the FIRST day of Hurricane Season--are from Hurricane Rita...
Still ministering to the evacuees and victims of Hurricane Katrina--a human flood coming from Louisiana and Mississippi to Houston and the surrounding areas--Star of Hope's Women and Family Shelter began to prepare for the landfall of Hurricane Rita. With the devastation of Hurricane Katrina still on everyone's mind...we were working with frightened, hurt, confused, abandoned and broken people leaving all they had--even loved ones--behind.
We as staff were used to working with those dealing with the "storms of life"--unemployment, drug addiction, abuse, and brokenness. But, this STORM was different--these precious men, women and children were clinging to the last few things they had left in this world--EACH OTHER!! The trauma was real...the fear was real...and, they were about to experience it all again!! Now these families and individuals faced a new threat; another STORM of life...Hurricane Rita...was threatening a direct hit to the Galveston/Houston area.
Outpouring of donations from all across America--Houston Non Profits, Christian Ministries Houston and Houston Non Profit Donations --SOARED. America responded to the material needs of the evacuees who fled to the Houston area. Food, blankets, clothing, water and other material items were coming in by the truckload...an answer to prayer!!
A few last minute buses were able to evacuate some of our residents (elderly, sick, very young)--an answer to prayer. The rest of us "hunkered down" in the cinder block safety of the Women and Family Shelter. I was among about 8 staff members who volunteered to "stay behind" and ride out the storm with the ones who had nowhere else to go or who could not be evacuated. That Friday night we held a Worship service--we prayed, sang hymns, and thanked God for His protection. All the residents and some locals who joined us went to bed early and staff began a vigil to pray and "watch this storm."
Of all the "storms of life" we had helped others through--this was the first one we could actually WATCH the progress and path!! We prayed for the storm to lessen--it was a Category 5; we prayed for the storm to turn--it was due to hit Galveston Bay directly. In the wee hours of Saturday, September 24, 2005, the storm came ashore in Louisiana as a Category 3 storm--answered prayer!
As we woke up Saturday morning (some of us had not slept), we found some wind damage and the lights were out--a generator provided some emergency lighting. Some of those Houstonians who had sought shelter with us as a "last resort" wanted to return to their homes and we all wanted to get on with life. As a few "relief staff" joined us later in the morning, we prayed again--for "light" and for transportation for those who wanted to return to their homes. As soon as we said, "Amen" and lifted our heads from prayer--a YELLOW TAXI CAB appeared in our driveway--an immediate answer to prayer! Staff talked with the cabbie and made arrangements to transport those who wanted to return home. The cabbie even returned to ensure all who had a place to go were taken there. We ate breakfast and lunch in the dim light seeping in through the skylights.
The mood was light, and happy as the residents rejoiced in God's protection, love and provision. And, as more staff began reporting to work to relieve those who had stayed through the storm...the electricity was restored at 2:00pm...it was only out about 12 hours--an answer to prayer!!
So, as this year's Hurricane season officially begins...and, predictions are made...I rely on the only thing I KNOW to be true---God answers prayer!!! In the midst of the storms of life--"hope floats up" as God answers prayer!!
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20
When I got to Houston I searched for "Non Profit Organizations Houston". I wanted to work in an industry which would allow me to utilize both my sociology and religion degree to further the organization's mission statement. I was certain among the Christian Ministries Houston, I would find a suitable job. I was not certain I had any business being where I was. But, God had greater plans.
Flash forward three months---October 12, 1992--It was my FIRST day on a new job...I had just moved to Houston from Indiana. I was dressed in a nice sweater and skirt--I thought I looked professional. I was 24 years old and in my THIRD job working in Social Services. I was nervous, excited, hopeful, anxious, and ready for whatever God handed me. Well, almost ready.
I had been at work for two hours...I was overwhelmed! Thirty families, over 50 children, and I was supposed to know their names, ages, and needs!!?? What did I get myself into?? I was introduced to my shift-partner--what was her name, again? Oh, yeah, Denise. But, Denise What?
I thought I had just gotten the hang of things when a resident of the Transitional Living Center walked up to me. She was smiling, thankfully. Then, the assessment; she looked me up and down and said, "You won't last a week."
Oh, my...here I thought I had gained my footing; knew what I was doing...her statement had me reeling. Was I really in the right place? I prayed all the way home--asking God to reveal His will to me. Was I really where He wanted me to be??
By the time I reached my home (a 45 minute drive), I had my answer. I looked at the seat next to me with all my "first day on the job papers"...and, there ON TOP, was a little picture one of the children drew for me. "Welcome, Miss Erika," it said, scrawled in the crayon-handwriting of a child. That was my answer--hope had floated up...and, I was where God wanted me to be.
And, I still am...
Every day I find that people in our community are eager to know more about Star of Hope, the services we provide and how to get involved. One question I am often asked is, “Where do you get your volunteers?” The answer is simple – from everywhere!
l Churches, Bible studies & various ministries
l Local and out-of-town mission outreach groups
l Businesses – Small businesses to global conglomerates
l Professional organizations and societies
l Universities – student associations and professional groups, sororities & fraternities, athletic programs, alumni organizations, etc.
l Traditional high schools to boarding schools and home school organization – clubs, athletic programs, honor societies, etc.
l Civic, philanthropic and charitable organizations
l Social clubs
l Other non-profit partnerships and collaborations
l Families
I can’t imagine a community more generous than the one in which we live. Each year, thousands of Individuals and groups give their time, energy and resources to help those less fortunate through Star of Hope’s onsite and offsite volunteer opportunities. We are grateful for each volunteer and consider this a "God thing" - the way He continues to impress people's hearts to partner with our ministry, enabling us to do far beyond what we could have ever imagined for over 100 years!
Want to know more? Check out the ways you can make a difference in the lives of Houston’s homeless men, women and children at Volunteering Houston.
Just in time for Easter, you can now send an Easter eCard to a friend to let them know that you care about Houston's homeless and support Star of Hope Mission.
Each meal at Star of Hope costs only $3.31 to prepare and serve. Please give today and help those who are struggling get a taste of hope this Easter. On the donation form, select "Send an eCard (optional)" to write and send your personal message.
Provide meals and send an Easter eCard at Houston Non Profit Donations.
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!
This afternoon I spent all day in a recording studio writing and taping 30 and 15 second Star of Hope commercials for our November / December Radio Campaign creating awareness for one of the finest Houston Non Profits.
They mirror the "Taxi Back" messages that circle the city everyday. We call it the "Because Campaign" ....because it puts a voice to the messages you seen on the cabs. Because they shouldn't be afraid, Because bothers and sisters need to be together ...etc.
The ads will run on 93Q, 97.1, KTRH, CNN 650 and KKHT. We have a pretty nice cable TV ad that you'll see soon as well. Help us change a life at one of our Homeless Shelters of Houston.
They mirror the "Taxi Back" messages that circle the city everyday. We call it the "Because Campaign" ....because it puts a voice to the messages you seen on the cabs. Because they shouldn't be afraid, Because bothers and sisters need to be together ...etc.
The ads will run on 93Q, 97.1, KTRH, CNN 650 and KKHT. We have a pretty nice cable TV ad that you'll see soon as well. Help us change a life at one of our Homeless Shelters of Houston.
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