Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston

I would like to cover some technology topics in this blog as it relates to charities and missions. Before an organization of any size can leverage technology successfully I believe first and foremost in today’s economy an organization has to promote a culture of innovation and change.  The traditional model of growth, especially in the not-for-profit world, addresses growing complexities of operations and increasing amount of activity by adding labor dollars to the budget and beginning the burdensome process of hiring and retaining employees. Now, employees are great, and most of us are in the “people helping” business so it requires dedicated staff to minister to the needs of your population.  The issues arise when we take these people and have them spend much of their time doing task that support processes that have not been looked at carefully with an eye for technology and innovation.

The first step to change is identifying what is happening now. When you ask for a report from one of your programs, how does it get produced? Do your case workers and counselors have to gather post-it notes , interpret a volunteers handwriting, and work all night to make something look pretty and hopefully close to accurate? Or do they click a button and send you a link to a report that’s easily read and customizable? Its important to identify how things get done.

It would be worth it, if you haven't done it in a while, to set aside 2011 to document what is going on. Start with the core departments like finance, development and work your way to the maintenance department. Once things are identified the proverbial low hanging fruit will stand out and you can make simple changes that have a high impact. Eventually you will want someone, be it a volunteer, a group of grad students that are working on a project or a hired professional to help you identify the innovative changes you need to make that will help you spend your precious payroll dollars wisely.

Here are some helpful links
Technology for non-profits www.techsoup.org
Documenting your processes http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/library/ar-procdoc/

Learn more about Star of Hope Mission at Volunteer Jobs Houston or Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston

Star of Hope’s Men’s Development Center is a busy place right now.  With the chilling temperatures at night, more men are filling the facility into overflow.  And we are glad to serve them, with a warm meal, a warm dry place to sleep, a shower, fresh clothes and words of God’s love for them.
 
But there is another chilling element at work in many of these men besides the cold air outside.  For a third or more of our 300+ men living here, the chill and haunt of past military combat trauma chills them to the bone, and affects their daily life, trapped inside years after they have returned home from combat.  That chill is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and it is the ‘signature’ wound of the war on terrorism.

Just recently, at the conclusion of one of our Trauma Care group meetings, led by the PTSD Foundation of America and hosted at Star of Hope, a Vietnam Veteran approached us.  He was injured in combat, and now walks slowly with the aid of a cane…his speech soft and slow.  Tears coursed down this man’s cheeks as he shared with us his guilt – a guilt he has carried for over 40 years.  One horrific day in Vietnam, he found himself in the midst of chaos and confusion with bullets flying and villagers falling in death.  In the unfathomable moment, he realized that he had taken the life of an innocent, young girl, probably not yet 10 years old.  Now in a small room with just a few fellow Veterans listening, he felt safe enough to share this very dark day in his life, and for the first time began to feel a sense of forgiveness in his life.  The Star of Hope, a few fellow soldiers, and the good news of God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ set this man on a new path…free from guilt and filled with God’s grace and mercy.

On another day, a Veteran who has been attending this same support group, opened up and began telling his story after weeks of just listening.  His story was typical, but he had progressed to the place where God was real to him.  He was ready to work again, but his felony record was holding him back.  A “Second Chance Employer”, one who was willing the give him a second chance, gave him a job application, and he has been on his new job now for several weeks.  On a recent Sunday, he was invited to share his story at a church, and his two young sons were with him and able to hear their dad tell of God’s forgiveness and redeeming love.  We are now praying for his marriage and family to be restored.  And we know that all things are possible with God! 

Do you know a Veteran this Christmastime who needs a second chance?  Respond to this blog or email david.maulsby@ptsdusa.org and together maybe another Christmas miracle will happen!

Read more 25 Days of Christmas Miracles!

Learn more about how your support of Star of Hope helps Homeless Veterans Houston and donate today at Men's Shelter Donation Houston.

1.     Organize a drive for Christmas Gifts. Items are needed by December 10.
    
2.     Donate online to provide Christmas Gifts. Visit Star of Hope’s Christmas Gift Catalog.
    
3.     Create We Care Houston Packages and give them to homeless men and women you see on the streets.
    
4.     Give $10 by texting “SOH” to 20222. Encourage your friends to do it too!
    
5.     Provide warm and nutritious meals for only $1.63 each.
    
6.     Volunteer to serve a meal at one of Star of Hope’s facilities. We serve 3 meals a day, 365 days a year.
    
7.     Host a drive and a contest...Pillow Fight: Who can gather the most new pillows and pillow cases?
    
8.     TP the Mission: What?... Host a drive for toilet paper.
    
9.     Use your professional skills to help the homeless.
    
10.     Undies for Change: We always need NEW socks and underwear for men and women.
     
11.     Pray for our homeless veterans who are living on the streets.
     
12.     Provide a day of care… food, clothing, shelter and more.
     
13.     Home and Dry: Collect new linens and blankets for twin beds. Make Star of Hope feel more like home.
     
14.     Tell your friends why you care for the homeless and why you support Star of Hope.
     
15.     Pray with and for homeless children who are praying for a home.
     
16.     Pray for the men and women at Star of Hope who are on the road to recovery and a new life.
     
17.     Could you commit to working one shift a week? Become a High Impact Volunteer.
     
18.     Share your support for Star of Hope on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. We appreciate it!
     
19.     Like working with kids? You and your group can host a children’s activity at Star of Hope.
     
20.     A volunteer opportunity for the whole family… Cookies and Good Night.
     
21.     The donated clothing we receive needs to be sorted. Come serve in our Storehouse.
     
22.     We answer a lot of phone calls! Volunteer in our Call Center.
     
23.     Looking for a last minute Christmas Gift. Help the homeless and send your friends Christmas eCards.
     
24.     Get Up and Go: Host a drive for job-interview-worthy women’s clothing size 22 and up.
     
25.     It’s not too late to give a year-end gift. Donate online and help Houston’s homeless.

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

There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not conscience of how blessed I am that my family and I have the things we need to sustain us.  Working at Star of Hope keeps me mindful, humble, and grateful.  I see the homeless come by the hundreds on a daily basis, suffering from so much lack, many of them parents with young children, and I know that God put me here to help them.

One of my responsibilities is to locate sources for stocking our shelves with the items needed to properly care for our clients.  That has always proven to be a rewarding pursuit, mainly because Houston is such a generous town.  I remember how intimidated I was when I first arrived here from the East Coast, knowing nothing about the personality of the city, its people, or how to ask for their support.  I fully expected to be politely turned down.   So I wrote out a script with God-fatherly intent: to make an offer they couldn’t refuse; in this case, an offer that would open their hearts to a message of help.  Well, a funny thing happened.  I never got to use my script, because the answers I got were, “Yes,” and, “Is there anything more I can do?” 

Those of you who are faithful readers of our blogs know that, in this economy, our donations have dropped as our client numbers continue to rise.  Right now, our family shelters are in dire need of diapers.  “Dire” might seem like an overstatement,  in reference to diapers, but I assure you it is not.  We use 1,500 diapers a month on hundreds of little bottoms.  We could sure use your help in keeping them fresh and dry.  If anyone would like to host a diaper drive for the babies at Star of Hope, please contact us at 713-440-5341, or by email cratliff@sohmission.org.  I, for one, would be so thankful; besides, I threw away my old Godfather script.

We all have our “wilderness” wanderings—much like the Israelites in the Old Testament. We have times in our lives when we have departed one place (Egypt) and are on to a new place (the Promised Land).  Many who enter the Drug Rehab Centers Houston or Battered Womens Shelter Houston are doing just that--moving from one place in their lives to another.  We hope and pray that there will not be a LONG wandering - 40 years - between our points of departure and arrival...but, truly, only God knows.  Sandra has been "wandering" for some time now...and, I want to share a bit of her story.

I met Sandra nearly two years ago. She was a resident of our Transitional Living Center and getting ready to move out after being there for fourteen months.  Sandra successfully completed the New Hope Program  , Personal Development , and the WorkFaith Connection Program. Sandra had a job, money in savings and was paying her bills consistently for the first time in her life.  She was ready for the next step.

Star of Hope's newest program (at the time), New Horizons, was exactly what Sandra needed.  Living in her own apartment, with her children, and the supportive services the program offered, Sandra was certain she would be able to begin her new life as a sober, loving mother who wanted a brighter future.

Sandra hit the ground running! She searched for better-paying jobs and was soon rewarded for her hard work. Not too soon after moving into her new home, she got a job as a housekeeper for a local hotel. She was making a higher wage AND, even before she completed her probationary period, they targeted her for management...enrolling her into Manager Training classes.  Sandra loved her work.  Then...tragedy struck...

Sandra, on her way to the bus stop to go to work, was hit by a car.  She was not injured badly, thank God. However, she was injured enough that she needed physical therapy and to be on "light duty."  Her supervisor told her there was no "light duty" assignments...and asked her to call when she was released to return to work.  But, they called her first--a month later, they called to tell her they were letting her go.  They had to fill her open position.  Sandra was hurt--physically from the car accident; and, now, emotionally from the loss of her job.

Thus began Sandra's "wilderness" walk.  In the Bible, the Lord was with the Israelites--a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21). Sandra KNEW God was with her--because she had provision.  God provided for her through the New Horizons program which was able to come alongside her for a time with HER portion of the rent; the program was able to help supplement her food pantry through Food Donation Houston; and, she gained support and encouragement from the staff and other residents in the program through prayer, cards, and hugs when needed. 

Sandra's "wilderness" walk continues to this day (can you believe 15 months!!??)...she has searched and searched for jobs in Houston. She has applied in person, online and networked through several websites to find a position.  She has not been idle, she has not complained (different from the children of Israel), and she has not given up!!  During her time in the wilderness Sandra has accomplished the following:

*started her own cleaning business--SGH Cleaning Services (all that is left to do is obtain the bonding)
*served others by making sandwiches and cupcakes and taking them to Soup Kitchen Houston (at SEARCH Homeless Program)
*involved herself in the lives of her children (visiting their schools, attending counseling programs with them)
*attended Recovery Meetings, Bible Studies, and other meetings to offer HER testimony and provide encouragement to others
*helped several other families get into the Transitional Living Center when they found themselves homeless and in need of help
*recognized a desire to help others who are addicted to drugs and alcohol--she wants to be an LCDC

Sandra has been "wilderness" wandering--but, she has NOT been idle or lazy.  She has times of depression--when rejection overwhelms her--but, the "manna" comes again in the morning (Exodus 16:14) and gives her the strength to continue.  She has times when she wants to GIVE UP, but the water comes from the rock (Exodus 17:6) and refreshes her so she can fill out another application and go on another interview.

As I offer encouragement to Sandra, I keep telling her, "God has something GREAT coming to you." Sandra's Promised Land is out there...Sandra hears the Lord saying to her (just as he did Joshua) "Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9b) 

And, so we wait by the Jordan River for God's command to cross over (Joshua 3:14)...Sandra's Promised Land is waiting for her AND, while she is waiting--she finds "Hope in the Wilderness."

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.

Easter always brings back the memory of a time when I was a little girl, sitting in the church pew with my parents, listening to the choir perform songs about the risen Christ. But one man in particular, always had me riveted to my seat. His voice was so deep and rich that the lyrics seemed to swell over the organ, especially when he sang, Were You There When They Crucified My Lord? Something about that song always went right through my small frame. It was my first recognition of the awful beauty of His gift.

All these years later, I recognize that beauty which comes from agony, again, in the faces of our clients, at Star of Hope, whether the Men's Development Center, the Women and Family Emergency Shelter, or the Transitional Living Center. They have endured painful—often terrible times, their losses are acute, and the harsh realities of their circumstances can be seen in their eyes. They have had to be courageous in ways most of us cannot imagine. But Easter comes for them just as it came for Jesus. In this Christ-centered community, the Lord extends His nail-pierced hands to help homeless men, women, and children rise up from the pain, the past and fear of the future, and walk in the hope that is blood-bought, indelible, and available. Through our wonderful donors, volunteers, and advocates, the gift of Christ is at work at Star of Hope in the programs offered and the extraordinary staff who love our clients unconditionally.  And it is beautiful to behold. 
 

Learn more about Star of Hope's life-changing ministries by visiting Supporting Houston Ministries

A car is pulling up with a family inside. The car stops and after yelling and some tears, a 13 year old jumps out of the car screaming and runs as fast as he can away from his family. The parents park the car and the dad chases after his son. They hug and return to the car. The dad then drives another block to the homeless shelter where they will be staying. With his son and two other children, he and his wife enter.

This episode occurred in front of a shelter a few months ago and relates how traumatic and embarrassing it is for a family, and especially their teenage children, to face homelessness.

I am more committed than ever to work to expand Star of Hope’s services to families in our community who become homeless. As you may know, with the help of Humana Houston Benefits last year, we began expanding our Teen Ministry. Stars of 2morrow helps young victims of homelessness to know that God loves them and has a great plan for their lives, while we work with their moms and dads.

Our new Star of Hope Vision 2015 includes exciting new initiatives and partnerships for the homeless teens and children in our city, and we look forward to seeing more of these lives successfully helped out of their current plight. We believe there IS HOPE! Please keep us in your prayers!

Learn more about Star of Hope’s ministry to teens and families at Supporting Homeless Shelters Houston.

Looking back on 2009 probably makes us all a little jittery, as we remember the uncertainty we have experienced individually and collectively, due to the economic downturn.  But I hope you feel the same satisfaction and excitement that I feel, knowing that, in spite of the difficulties, God moved in dramatic ways to touch and change the lives of thousands of homeless men, women, and children, living at Star of Hope.  It was a year of abundant blessing for our Clients, with new records of service being given through our ministries around town, resulting in many great outcomes.

Did you know we served a record 6,319 individual clients during 2009?  Among other new records are total meals served…668,385, up 24% from 2008, night stays at 295,921, up 9%, clients finding independent housing up 17%, adults enrolled off-site in school or job training at 815, up 19%, clients graduating from a Star of Hope program up 44%, and the list goes on!

THANK YOU HOUSTON, for your generous support: for volunteering and contributing your time, resources, and monetary gifts, on behalf of our brothers and sisters who were suffering.  THANK YOU for letting God use you to work in the lives of those whom He has brought our way.
 
Most importantly, that 6,319 number is not just a statistic, it’s people of all ages in our community who were in crisis and needed an intervention, immediate needs met, and a loving environment in which to plan a new future.  And along the way, Star of Hope saw a total of 5,332 of these precious ones surrender their lives to Christ, and commit to live for Him.

Every client has his or her own story, but I thought you might want to take a look at this one, because it is representative of so many stories, that sum up 2009….what it’s like to be homeless unexpectedly, and how it feels:


   
So as we begin 2010, please remember, whatever our own struggles, that God is doing great things at the Star of Hope, and YOU are needed to partner with us in His service here!
 

Learn more about giving your time by visiting Community Service Volunteers Houston or give an online gift today at Supporting Homeless Shelters 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!