CEO Sandy Reese-Kesseler Announces Her Resignation
Housing Shortage Could Leave Evacuees Homeless
In the Spotlight: Council of Congregations May "Day of Giving"
SEARCH N’ Safari! 9th Annual "Celebrate the Children" Gala
CEO Sandy Reese Kesseler Announces Her Resignation
At the end of March, after fourteen years of dedicated service as CEO of Search, Sandy Reese-Kesseler resigned. She will continue her pursuit and passion to change lives and end homelessness in Houston. She remains an active part of our organization by serving as a volunteer, advisor, and fundraiser.
Read Sandy's letter of resignation
Housing Shortage Could Leave Evacuees Homeless
“Warning: Houston’s homeless population, already high, is about to swell” was the title of a Houston Chronicle editorial published on Sunday, March 19, 2006. The result of an interview with SEARCH CEO Sandy Reese-Kesseler, the editorial was an excellent call to action for everyone in the Houston community.
Read the interview with Sandy Reese-Kesseler
Council of Congregations May "Day of Giving"
The month of May will provide the Council of Congregations with a wonderful opportunity to show their commitment to SEARCH and its House of Tiny Treasures.
Member congregations will be hearing about SEARCH on a Day of Giving on one or more Sundays in May, and will be asked to support the organization and its programs for homeless men, women and children.
The Council has formed a Speakers Bureau of SEARCH volunteers and staff. Speakers are available through the Council by contacting Gay Lambirth, 281-589-9313, genelambirth@msn.com, or through SEARCH by contacting Margot Dimond, 713-739-7752, extension 165, mdimond@searchproject.org.
Don’t let this month go by without doing your part to help SEARCH.
SEARCH N’ Safari! 9th Annual Celebrate the Children Gala
Swing on by for another fun-filled SEARCH gala on Friday, April 28, 2006. Join chairs, Perri and Dan D’Armond, at the Houston Zoo, to clear a path to change lives and end homelessness in our community. Your support for our Tiny Treasures Program will enable SEARCH to continue to nurture the minds and spirits of children to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. We guarantee another SEARCH-style event- short on program, long on fun! Back by popular demand - The Durell Coleman Band. Tables range from $3,000 - $50,000. Individual tickets: $250. For further information on events, please contact Joni Robertson at 713-276-3064.
The fundraising begins March 10, 2006 with our online auction. The silent auction continues at the April 2006 event! Bidding will continue the evening of April 28, 2006 at our Celebrate the Children gala. If you cannot attend the event, someone will make an absentee bid for you according to your instructions to ensure you win the item you want. View our Silent & Live Auction items
Read more about the SEARCH Celebrate the Children Gala
Hurricane season is upon us – time to remember that every day is a disaster for the 14,000 homeless men, women and children in Harris County who are struggling to survive. Join SEARCH and its founding body, the Council of Congregations, for The Call to Commitment. Starting next month, congregations will host Days of Giving, a day set aside to collect money for SEARCH from their constituency. Later this summer, South Main Baptist Church will host an interfaith service with congregations from all over Houston and Harris County. Please check back for more details or for more information on attending this ecumenical service, contact Leonora Friend, 713-276-3066, at SEARCH.
Evan has spent his entire life without a home of his own, until recently. When the staff from the Mobile Outreach unit found him, he was living under a bridge. He didn’t mind being homeless as much as he minded losing his job because of chronic medical problems which were not being treated properly.
Evan and his siblings grew up “in foster care: my sister, brother, and I. Mostly we were separated, but we tried to keep track of where each other was. It didn’t always work. Child Protective Services was in charge.”
Evan wanted to come inside, so he was referred to SEARCH’s Shelter + Care program where Julie Cunningham became his case manager. “Evan has been a pleasure to work with because he follows through on whatever part of his life we’re addressing. Three months after coming into the program, things happened quickly. He had much needed surgery and was also diagnosed with diabetes and schizophrenia. He takes his meds – he’s very compliant. And that is saying a lot.”
With Julie’s help, Evan obtained a copy of his birth certificate and began the application process for SSDI. He was soon able to get an apartment in the same complex as his brother – another client of SEARCH. His relationship with his sister has greatly improved, and Evan “loves being an uncle.”
Evan suffered a heart attack a year after coming into the program. Two years after that, his approval for SSDI came through. He now has a steady income of $804 per month, and he’s ready to give back time, energy, and opportunity to other SEARCH clients. His goal is to find permanent housing for the disabled so someone else can have his slot in the Shelter + Care program. He also wants to become a mentor to other chronically homeless people.
He visits with Julie twice a month and calls her in between. Julie never knows when she picks up the phone if she’ll hear Evan’s signature greeting, “Hey, girl!” on the other end.
“He’s got so many interests now,” Julie reports. “He’s become an avid tropical fish hobbyist, and has a huge collection of baseball cards which he’s cataloguing. His plan is to open a small business via the Internet.” The satisfaction speaks volumes about how proud she is of Evan and all that he’s accomplished in a relatively short time. “Catching up with Evan just makes my day, “She says with a smile. “His new-found zest for living is not only a gift to himself, but also a gift to me!”
Julie and Evan’s relationship epitomizes what SEARCH is about – staff and clients working together successfully. Though Evan can not work, he still wants to do all he can to contribute to the community through involvement with SEARCH. His case shows that clients want to be a contributing member of our local community and to give back to the organization that changed their life and ended their homelessness.
Read more SEARCH Success Stories
In-Kind Needs
Thank you so much for your continued in-kind donation support!
We know we can always count on you to assist us in providing the needs to the homeless men, women and children of Houston. We accept donations Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at SEARCH. Please contact Nancy Rocha prior to your delivery.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS:
Baby Items
The families we serve both through our housing program and at House of Tiny Treasures are in need of diapers (all sizes), baby food and baby formula.
Cleaning Supplies
Adults and families in our housing programs need your help in maintaining their residents. Food stamps do not cover cleaning supplies at grocery stores; therefore any cleaning supplies are greatly appreciated! This includes; paper towels, 409, brooms, mops, laundry detergent, glass cleaner, polish, etc.
Hygiene Packets
Hygiene packets are very essential to all of our clients! We are in need of new toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, deodorant, body soap, shampoo / conditioner, hand sanitizer, body lotion and sunscreen. For the woman packets please include two pads/tampons. Please include these items in a Zip-Lock bag so we may pass the bags to clients.
Non-perishable food
Non-perishable food is very essential to all of clients; especially those in our housing programs! We provide them with food to take home for themselves and their families. We collect canned meats, juices, canned vegetables, rice, cereal, applesauce, crackers, beef jerky, granola bars, food that may be stored in a food pantry.
Sandwiches for the Mobile Outreach Program
Sandwiches are distributed through our Mobile Outreach Program to individuals who are living on the streets. If you or a group would like to help, SEARCH is always in need of at least 75 – 100 sandwiches each day. Please deliver sandwiches (dry/no condiments, just the bread and meat, turkey or ham or peanut butter & jelly), in a small zip-lock bag, Monday – Thursday by 12 p.m. to SEARCH. If you would like to make a complete sack lunch, include chips, a piece of fruit, a granola bar and water or juice box. Please include everything in a brown paper bag.
Spring Clothing
With Spring arriving in Houston, we are cleaning out our clothing donation room and are preparing to put out gently worn Spring clothing for both men and women. This may include shorts, pants, dresses, t-shirts, blouses and/or men’s casual shirts. We also collect hangers!
Work-ready clothing
Our recent collaboration with the Work Source has helped so many of our clients help find jobs! With this in mind, we are in need of collecting gently worn work ready professional clothing for both men and women. Khaki pants are very much needed.
Other items of need include: matching dish sets, towels, bedding and sleeping bags.
Thank you for helping us meet these ongoing needs!
Please view all of our volunteer opportunities on our website under Get Involved
If you would like to receive our FANS Newletter, please send
an email to info@searchproject.org or call 713-739-7752.
©2005-2007 SEARCH All Rights Reserved.
SEARCH Homeless Center is a proud member of the United Way.