Non Profit Organizations Houston

It was a hot August night, but a breeze carried relief and a message of Hope to about 1500 Houstonians as they sat outside at Miller Outdoor Theatre and watched one of the best movies of 2009. Last Saturday, Star of Hope hosted  a showing of The Blind Side - the feel good movie about NFL star Michael Oher and his tenure with the Touhy family. Sandra Bullock's performance won her the academy award and the story won the hearts of movie fans everywhere. Sean and Leigh Anne Touhy will be our guest speakers at the 2011 Star of Hope Banquet in February.

The event was billed as the Star of Hope "Can" Film Festival - inviting all to bring a donation of "Canned Goods" to help us feed the 1,000 homeless men, women and children we serve in our Shelters in Texas EVERYDAY.

You know how your favorite part of the movie used to be BEFORE the feature ...cartoons and stuff? (I know - I'm really dating myself). Well on Saturday night - I thought the show before the movie was great. Top rated Sunny 99.1 radio personality (and Star of Hope board member) Dana Tyson hosted the night and Houston's First Lady of TV - KHOU's Deborah Duncan sang The Star of Hope song - which she co-wrote. Then, the crowd was treated to a 4 minute tour of Star of Hope Shelters Houston Texas hosted by our President and CEO Hank Rush - big as life on the giant screen.

The audience was even given an opportunity to donate $10 by texting SOH to 20222. For a limited time - that donation will be matched by a generous donor. So if you are so inclined as to donate - now is a GREAT time to be supporting Houston Ministries, especially Star of Hope, one of the most effective non Profit Organizations Houston.

It was a magic night. For those of you who have trouble imagining it - here's a link to a quick Star of Hope YouTube "Can Film Festival" tribute.

What's better than a FREE Academy Award winning movie? Well, enjoying it at Miller Outdoor Theatre  and helping Houston's homeless at the same time.

Star of Hope is showing a FAMILY FRIENDLY version of The Blind Side, Saturday night, August 14th. "Admission" is a few canned goods to help us feed the 1,000 homeless men, women and children in our shelters. We average about 1,800 meals a day.

For more details and information click on THE BLIND SIDE and feel free to share it with your friends.

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...