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.
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
This week we have all been bombarded with advertisements from greeting card companies, florists and jewelers enticing us to find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. We’ve seen images of adoring children gathered around mom, sharing moments of fun and laughter. But instead of those perfect family portraits captured by Kodak, just for a moment, imagine being a homeless mom with several small children. You don’t know how you’re going to feed your children or where you will find a safe place for them to curl up and sleep. Stressed and exhausted, you feel like a failure. You have little hope for a better tomorrow until, somehow, you arrive at the Star of Hope Women & Family Emergency Shelter. There, in the midst of your pain and struggles, you find people eager to help you and your children. Not only are needs of your family met, but there is a special Mother’s Day surprise just for you!
Last year, Sue Clark of Houston Gift Rep Group, wanted to honor the moms at our shelter with special Mother’s Day flowers. She found beautiful cream-colored vases trimmed in gold and ordered enough flowers to fill all the vases. Sue even found a florist who allowed her to use their workroom from 9 AM until noon on Saturday. Sue, along with helper Sharon Reese, a tiny lady with a Texas-size heart, worked at a feverish pace all morning. But at noon, there were still many arrangements to be made. It’s so amazing how God works! Business was so good the florist had to stay open. Throngs of customers kept coming until the last arrangement was assembled!
Sue delivered more than 200 beautiful, fragrant, ribbon-tied arrangements to the shelter for the staff to distribute Sunday morning. There were tears of joy and big, happy smiles from all the moms. Some of our moms had never before received flowers from anyone. This was their very first time! Here are some of the comments made by our moms:
· This is so beautiful, I love it!”
· “Oh, my, thank you so much!”
· “Oooh! You don’t know how much this means to me! Thank you so much!”
· “This is lovely, so I get to celebrate Mother’s Day!”
· “Thank you for the flowers.”
· “Thank you for making us feel special!”
However, this Mother’s Day story doesn’t end on Sunday. On Monday, a first-time mom came home from the hospital (to a homeless shelter) with precious newborn twins. She didn’t leave the hospital with carts full of flowers, balloon and the other special well wishes that make this time even more exciting. But when she arrived at the Women & Family Emergency Shelter, Sue’s flowers were there to celebrate the very special delivery and her first Mother’s Day!
This year, as an organization, Houston Gift Rep Group has followed Sue’s lead and will again provide Mother’s Day flowers for all of the shelter’s moms. Moms who are struggling through times of crisis will know they are loved, appreciated and valued – not only by their children, but by the One who created us all. And as our moms are surrounded by His love, their hearts will be touched and the lives of their families forever changed. Happy Mother’s Day!
Last Saturday, about 40 students and faculty members from the six schools of UT's Health Science Center put down their I-Pads and picked up a paint brush as they helped Houston Homeless Shelters spruce up for Spring. In addition to collecting towels, underwear and socks to donate to various Shelters in Houston, the group started early in the morning and painted a large and long fence around Star of Hope's Transitional Living Center. The UT System's United to Serve volunteers were organized by University of Texas Student InterCouncil. "As students at UT Health Science Center in Houston, we are blessed to have a community that so fully embraces and supports us, so each year, we select a great organization to give back to our community. This year we are partnering with Star of Hope Mission to help maintain the integrity and security of this Houston Homeless Shelter by painting the fence." said Student Intercouncil President Kari Brewer.
Each year the Star of Hope Mission utilizes the time and talents of over 7,000 volunteers. Your club, class, organization or neighborhood is always welcome. For a look at how you and your group can help, go to Volunteer Opportunities Houston.
Late last week, the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a study regarding the nations' "First Time Homeless". The Washington office of National Public Radio featured comments from HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and then, since Houston was one of the studied cities, they called Star of Hope - one of our country's largest and most effective homeless missions. Our spokesperson was Hank Rush, the Mission's president and CEO.
Hank made us all proud as he quickly summed up the Bayou City's homeless situation for the the national audience: "Over the last year we've seen a major increase in the number of people in the Houston area who have become homeless. And about 10 percent of the number that we've seen are folks who you would've never expected to become homeless. Neighbors down the street, people in the suburbs, folks who have good jobs, a couple of cars in the garage and who end up, for various reasons, out of work and unable to maintain their housing. And so it's a very interesting and difficult and traumatic experience for so many people in our community who would never have expected that before. "
You can read or hear the entire interview for yourself on NPR.
Star of Hope reaches out to over 1,000 homeless men, women and children every day. These days - one of those individuals or one of those families may be familiar to you. Like they say - we're all only a few pay checks away.
Find out how you can assist those in need at Shelters Houston Texas or Homeless Services Houston. Take a few moments to explore our website and donate online at Comprehensive Homeless Services and listen to the testimonies of those you have already helped.
Hank made us all proud as he quickly summed up the Bayou City's homeless situation for the the national audience: "Over the last year we've seen a major increase in the number of people in the Houston area who have become homeless. And about 10 percent of the number that we've seen are folks who you would've never expected to become homeless. Neighbors down the street, people in the suburbs, folks who have good jobs, a couple of cars in the garage and who end up, for various reasons, out of work and unable to maintain their housing. And so it's a very interesting and difficult and traumatic experience for so many people in our community who would never have expected that before. "
You can read or hear the entire interview for yourself on NPR.
Star of Hope reaches out to over 1,000 homeless men, women and children every day. These days - one of those individuals or one of those families may be familiar to you. Like they say - we're all only a few pay checks away.
Find out how you can assist those in need at Shelters Houston Texas or Homeless Services Houston. Take a few moments to explore our website and donate online at Comprehensive Homeless Services and listen to the testimonies of those you have already helped.
I remember Easter time when I was growing up here in Houston. My mom and grandmother would take me shopping for the perfect new dress, complete with all the matching accessories, to wear to church on Easter morning. Oh, my goodness! Dressing rooms filled with possibilities and girl-time I will never forget. But most of the moms who come to Star of Hope are worried about a safe place for their children to sleep and finding food to fill aching bellies. Their thoughts are not on a trip to the mall, but survival.
So I can hardly wait for all of the little girls at our Women & Family Emergency Shelter and our Transitional Living Center to get home from school today! Thanks to our friends with Houston Gift Rep Group, there’s a very special surprise waiting for the little girls at both facilities – new Easter dresses!
Last year, Houston Gift Rep Group kicked-off a wonderful new partnership with Star of Hope by purchasing Easter dresses and hair accessories for the little girls at the Women & Family Emergency Shelter. When the girls saw all the dresses and tried on everything for the first time, there were lots of excited giggles, glowing smiles and twinkling eyes. Sunday morning, they left for church feeling very pretty and very special in their brand new outfits. Not only did they celebrate Resurrection Sunday at church, but each little girl personally experienced the outpouring of Christ’s love through this generous gesture. One of our staff members, Meka Thompson, remembers girls who wore their dresses for days after Easter, not wanting to take them off, not wanting the 
moment to end.
Houston Gift Rep Group members have hearts the size of Texas and this year asked to include the little girls at our Transitional Living Center. This morning, Sam Bowman and Brenda Purser delivered almost 100 dresses and hair accessories. Brenda said, “EVERY little girl should have a new dress for Easter!”
So this afternoon will definitely be a time filled with wonder and excitement as our little girls see their new dresses and get ready for the most special Easter ever. And I continued to be grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sends special friends, like Houston Gift Rep Group, our way.
Discover ways to get involved at Homeless Shelter Volunteer Houston
Next week Star of Hope homeless mission will host a nationally known rock band for a brief autograph and handshake session. The group Switchfoot will appear at the Transitional Living Center from 9:30 till 10:30 on Thursday, November 19Th. This is part of the KSBJ radio "Street N Greet" series. The public is invited to meet the band and tour one of the premier homeless shelters Houston Texas. For more information go to sohmission.org.
Help the Homeless Houston
Before joining the staff at Star of Hope I was privileged to represent Switchfoot to retailers in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. I'm excited that they will be raising awareness for Houston's homeless with a Street N' Greet at our Transitional Living Center on November 19 (9:30AM - 10:30AM). Please join us to meet the band and SOHM staff. Visit KSBJ for more details. For a map and directions to Transitional Living Center go to Houston Homeless Shelters.
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