Mens Shelter Donation Houston

Recently, we switched our Yellow Cab Ads. Have you noticed? We now offer ANOTHER option in our Ways to Give collection. You can now INSTANTLY donate $10 to help Star of Hope help the homeless in Houston. Just text "SOH" to 20222. It's that simple - and that important to us.

We call this campaign "The Summer of Hope" and we feature a cute little girl (an actual client) pretty in pink with a smile that would melt an iceberg. But if we showed you the hundreds of children without homes this summer - right here in Houston - you wouldn't see many smiles. You'd see frowns and sparks of panic and fear in their eyes.
 
Houston is without question, one of the most generous cities in America. But even Space City has communication problems. Folks don't realize that SUMMER is our busiest and most challenging time of the year. SUMMER is when homeless families that have been holding out in apartments without lights - give up and go to a shelter because of the heat. Or, a homeless family has been staying with friends or relatives to keep the kids in school but now its SUMMER and they're asked to leave - and live on the street - or in our shelter.

A few nights ago, IN ADDITION to the 1,000 homeless men, women and children sheltered in our facilities, 106 women and children slept in our atrium at the downtown  Star of Hope Women and Family Emergency Shelter. I believe that's a record - and a chilling sign of our times.

Help us make this a SUMMER of HOPE For these folks. Text your $10 or better yet - dig a little deeper if you can and assist us in overcoming what is now a $700,000 deficit this year.

God bless and inspire you - and thank you.

Learn about other ways to give. Visit Charitable Donations Houston

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to ride along with Charles Williams in Star of Hope’s Love In Action Van.  For several years Charles has been hitting the streets of Houston and inviting the homeless to “come inside” to find hope, shelter and an opportunity for a fresh start. It was amazing to see how many of the homeless men we talked with know him by name.  As we handed out water, over and over I heard the words, “Thank you, Charles.”

One man, a Veteran from San Antonio, had been in Houston for a couple of days. As we drove him to the Star of Hope Men’s Development Center he told us he was waiting for an apartment to open up and only needed help for a couple of weeks. Someone had recommended not going to Star of Hope, “They’ll just take your name and tell you to come back in three days.” He had been sleeping in a sleeping bag on a floor. That night he slept in a bed!

Many of those Charles invites to the shelter tell him the same thing, “I'll come in a couple of days” or “Maybe next week.”  He patiently keeps going out and continues to invite. “You never know,” he says, “Today may be the day they say ‘yes.’”

Currently, Charles is giving water donated by I AM Waters Foundation. Check them out at iamwaters.com. The foundation has pledged to donate 35,000 bottles of water to Star of Hope over the summer months.

Discover ways to make this summer a Summer of Hope for Houston’s homeless:
Houston Non Profit Donations and Volunteer Opportunities
 

Star of Hope's Men's Development Center Alumni (ACTS) are “Bowling for Souls” again on August 7th at Emerald Bowl at 9307 Boone Road Houston, TX 77099. This is the second year that ACTS is hosting a bowling tournament. Last year the event raised roughly $8,000, which included a 100% matching donation, which was used to meet the needs of individuals who are less fortunate in the city of Houston.

Below are a few ways ACTS have served over the last several months. During the first quarter 2010 alone, ACTS impacted over 6000 people. Members of ACTS have lead worship services, which includes preaching, praising, praying, and sharing personal testimony. They have ministered on the streets in the Montrose area, in Herman Park, at the Salvation Army, at Open Door Mission, and several other places. Their aim is always to do their part in saving souls for Christ and encouraging others to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Dozens have come to Christ over the last year.

As stated above, ACTS partner with several other Houston ministries and shelters to facilitate life change in Christ. Last week ACTS ministered at the “Church in the Park” in the court yard of Palmer Episcopal Church in the museum district where hundreds of homeless migrate. Many homeless individuals struggle with some kind of barrier that prevents them from living productive lives. These issues range from a lack of social skills to mental illness. Some have multiple felons and cannot obtain gainful employment. Whatever the barrier may be, ACTS is willing to do their part to assist them along the way.

Last Saturday, Farren, a 40 year old man from Nacogdoches, confided in one of the alumni. Farren needed a change of clothes because he had been wearing the same clothes for weeks. One of the alumni took him to SOH and helped him get a change of clothes, a hot meal, and a preached Word from God. While this may seem like a small feat for some, Farren was living “high on the hog” so to speak with clean clothes, a cool bed, and a freshly preach Word. As they journeyed to the Star of Hope together, the Alumni shared how he was once homeless and hopeless but now he is working, on his feet, and helping others. Farren asked for a change of clothes and God used a willing vessel to provide so much more.

One of the issues with homelessness is that most people know what they want but don’t know what they need and where and how to get what they really need. I know that was a tongue twisted but life can get twisted sometimes too. Farren now can see just a little more Jesus at the end of the tunnel.

ACTS also work closely with graduates as they finish the programs. ACTS provides alumni movers to help graduates purchase furniture through the Furniture Bank and provide one day Metro bus passes so that men in the program and graduates can attend church services on the weekend.

Because many “friends of ACTS” gave to the ACTS Ministry last year, they are able to win more soul for Christ and help somebody along the way. Thanks for your generosity, prayers, and your participation to make ACTS what it is in Christ.

Learn more about ACTS (Alumni in Community, Transformation and Service) at Christian Ministries Houston.
 

It was a typical Sunday afternoon. Everyone in my family-of-five had gone their own way after getting home from church and having lunch. I was in the living room, downloading a few songs from my laptop onto my iPod, when a loud pop came from somewhere outside. The power was instantly gone and the house filled with overwhelming quiet.  

This was the second time within a few weeks we found ourselves without electricity on a Sunday. As we gathered to discuss the unpleasant reality, we vividly remembered the 12+ hours it took to restore our power the previous Sunday. 

My youngest son, Josh, said if power was not back on by bedtime that he was going to sleep on our porcelain tile floor. The porcelain typically stays very cool, but the floor is extremely hard. The thought of Josh sleeping on a rock-hard floor to find a little relief in an otherwise sweltering night broke my heart. I thought about the many homeless mothers who struggle and anguish over the often dangerous, uncomfortable and dirty places their precious children will sleep. The thought brings tears to my eyes….and I can’t even begin to grasp the helplessness and hopelessness they must feel as they look into the questioning eyes of their little ones.

My family is very fortunate, very blessed indeed.  Although inconvenient, we had the means to find a comfortable waiting place and air conditioned cars to get there.   But what about the many homeless men, women and children in our city who live on the streets and don’t have those options? Where do they go to escape the treacherous, life-threatening heat that beats down on the sizzling pavement day after endless day?  There’s not even the relief that old, vacant buildings provide during the cold of winter. Stale, stagnant air scorches the lungs and sweat steadily drips from every pore until dehydration sets in.

I praise and thank God that long ago He made provision for a place called Star of Hope Mission. Today, Star of Hope reaches out to the homeless in our city with safe, welcoming shelter and so much more. Thanks to generous donors and volunteers, Houston’s homeless men, women and children find refuge from the blistering heat of the summer and meet a Savior who will provide for every need.

Learn how you can get involved. Visit Volunteer Jobs Houston to find an opportunity of interest to you.

Help make this a Summer of Hope for the homeless in our city.

Donate $10 by safely texting SOH to 20222.

Throughout the community, an exceptional group of young people are learning the skills needed to become our future leaders. These young men and women are part of the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs. What an honor it is to work with Scouts who select Star of Hope as the site for their Eagle Scout and Girls Scout Gold Award projects!  

The project requirements are stringent. Scouts must submit a comprehensive plan - containing a detailed description of the project, the necessary supplies and materials, how the project will be funded and how the project will benefit Star of Hope - that goes through many levels of approval in the Scout organizations before work can begin. 

This month, Scouts Mark Camero and Kevin Sweat will complete the projects they first proposed last year. Mark designed and is coordinating a team to build shelving units for a storage area at Star of Hope’s Women & Family Emergency Shelter. Kevin designed and is coordinating a team to build a seating area and improve the area around a playground at our Transitional Living Center. Scout Brian Howell is working on a project that will include a new seating area and beautification of an area around Star of Hope’s administration building. From drawing plans to material take-offs, these young men have covered all the bases. Scouts Tyler Barron and Matthew Salazar recently hosted donation drives for pillows, towels, socks and underwear and collected several thousand items! As we work with these young men over many months, nothing is more awesome and inspiring than when the invitation arrives to their Court of Honor ceremonies! 

Girl Scouts Madeline Bowser and Kelsey Pearson developed Gold Award projects that enriched the lives of the elementary-school-age children at our Transitional Living Center. Madeline organized and hosted three fun-filled monthly theme parties and also collected children’s socks and underwear. Kelsey, who lived in China for several years, shared her love for international cultures by organizing and hosting three international festivals that included arts & crafts, food and games. Not only did our children benefit from these unique experiences, Madeline and Kelsey were excellent role models.

In addition to these wonderful young people, Boy Scout leader Shana Montgomery has been a special blessing. While working through the demanding Wood Badge program, which teaches advanced leadership skills, Shana selected Star of Hope for her community service project. She helped get our children ready for summer camp by collecting flip-flops in all colors and sizes. 

We are so proud of our Scouts and grateful for the many ways they bless our mission! Each Scout demonstrates a tremendous work ethic, dedication and compassion for those less fortunate. Their commitment and service truly gives Houston’s homeless men, women and children hope for a better tomorrow.

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20

You gotta love the folks at Marriott International and Glazier Foods. Together, they delivered 5 tons of much-needed, non-perishable food to our Storehouse and unloaded every box, bag, and bundle by hand—well with a little help from a fork lift.

This was a definite hallelujah moment for our kitchen staff and all of Star of Hope, for that matter, because with nearly 1,000 hungry, homeless men, women, and children to feed, daily, the words “5 tons” weighs in at the top of the blessings scale.

This is the fourth year that Marriott has rallied their family of hotels around the city to help the homeless at Star of Hope, through their Spirit to Serve initiative, collecting thousands of pounds of food for the people in our shelters. But this year, Glazier Foods upped the ante by matching Marriott’s effort pound for pound, doubling the donation and making it an awesome feed-for-all. 

Thank you Marriott International and Glazier Foods. You are a friend indeed.

Watch the video: Donating To Charitable Organizations Houston

Are you looking for a way to get involved and help the homeless in our community? Consider organizing a collection drive for some of Star of Hope's needed items at your school, company, church or neighborhood. Focus on a theme and get creative:  Pillows and Blankets, Socks and Underwear, Items for Infants and Toddlers, We Care Houston Packages, etc...

You can find our current needs list at Houston Shelter Donations. Visit Inkind Drives and Donations to tell us what you're collecting, your expected donation date and ask us any questions you may have.

Thank you so much for rolling up your sleeves and working with us to help the homeless men, women and children of 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!
 

This past week has been full of sweet treats and bittersweet realities. While most families in Houston gathered around a table adorned with food and relatives, thousands and thousands of men, women and children who only have the city streets to call home gathered at common areas to give thanks for a full meal.

For the 19th year in a row, the staff of the Houston Hard Rock Cafe gave up their home time to volunteer to cook and serve Thanksgiving Luncheon to about 250 residents of Star of Hope.  The meal came with smiles, music ....and Santa , who came bearing gifts.

For more information on Star of Hope and how to help, visit Homeless Shelter Donation Houston

Give the gift that gives back to Houston families who have no home this Holiday season and enjoy Christmas classics. Songs by Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan, Mary Griffin, Marcos Witt, Wayne Watson, Cindy Ratcliff and more!

1. Mary Did You Know (Mark Lowery)
2. Star of Hope (Deborah Duncan)
3. The Answer is The Cross (Nash 3)
4. Christmas Time Again (Chris Walker)
5. Blanca Navidad (Marcos Witt)
6. The First Noel (Wayne Watson)
7. O Come All Ye Faithful (Champion Sisters)
8. Holy Night (Mary Griffin)
9. Love So Amazing (Cindy Ratcliff)
 

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

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!
 

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