Noah Rattler's "A Walk in Their Shoes" Spotlight: Dignity U Wear and Stein Mart "Spring for a Meal" April Food Drive |
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Noah Rattler's "A Walk in Their Shoes" Meet Noah Rattler, a recent college graduate of Prairie View A&M in Texas. He is also a young man with a mission….to bring awareness of the serious issue of homelessness in America and to raise funds for SEARCH, a Houston, Texas agency committed to CHANGING LIVES. ENDING HOMELESSNESS.
Out of necessity, Noah began walking when he went off to college. Not able to afford a car, it was his only way to get to the classroom everyday. While many would have considered this a hardship, Noah found it enjoyable…not only for the health/exercise benefits, but for the chance to just enjoy the world around him.
After completing his degrees in engineering and physics, Noah decided that before beginning his career – working to create infrastructures in third world countries – he wanted to accomplish a personal goal….walking half-way across America. While planning his trip, he happened to volunteer for SEARCH, Houston’s leading agency dedicated to getting people off the streets and helping them become productive citizens. Coming face to face with this American tragedy for the first time, Noah determined that his walk would take on a totally new meaning. Now, instead of this journey being a simple personal physical achievement, it has become a grassroots effort to bring awareness of homeless issues to the forefront.
Before sending Noah on his way, SEARCH arranged a press conference for Noah to promote awareness for his journey and mission. In attendance were Noah Rattler, Jerome Gray of Channel 2 News, Cristi Lington of Z-Coil, Anthony Love of Houston Coalition for the Homeless, Katherine Griffin for Council Member Peter Brown, and Laurence J. Payne, SEARCH President and CEO, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.
Noah left Houston on March 24, 2007, from SEARCH's building at 2505 Fannin (corner of Fannin and McGowan). He will be arriving in Dallas either today or tomorrow.
Visit Noah's page to track his progress, make a donation, or read more about "A Walk in Their Shoes."
A Message from the President Dear Search Supporters,
We are pleased to announce that Bill Boyar has been named Board Chair of SEARCH. Bill Boyar is Chairman of the law firm Boyar & Miller, whose mission is to be leaders in producing value through strategically grounded, results-driven service. In his practice he focuses on representing the various parties involved in the acquisition, disposition, capitalization and financing of assets and businesses based regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Bill has served as lead counsel on numerous complex, multiparty acquisitions and project financing and has significant experience in real estate, hospitality, corporate finance and venture capital. Bill is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, the Houston Bar Foundation and a member of the Texas College of Real Estate Attorneys. In addition to his busy professional career, Bill is a member of the Executive Committee of the End Hunger Network.
Thank you all for your continued support of SEARCH and the community we serve.
Sincerely,
Laurence J. Payne
President and CEO
Spotlight: Dignity U Wear Foundation, Inc. and Stein MartSince 2003, SEARCH has been privileged to partner with Dignity U Wear Foundation, a non profit organization that is dedicated “to positively impact the lives of children and their families by providing new clothing.” Dignity U Wear provides our homeless men, women and children brand new clothing at no cost. Inventory comes from vendors, manufactures and retailers, including Houston’s local Stein Mart, Meyer Land location. Stein Mart’s buying teams work with vendors to obtain merchandise donations of new clothing for Dignity U Wear to distribute to nonprofit organizations like SEARCH. In fact, our latest January shipment included 1,496 pieces of new clothing worth $25,602! We salute Stein Mart and Dignity U Wear Foundation for their continued giving and support to our clients in receiving “brand new clothing for a brand new start!”
Daynee & Ed Heller and co-chairs Jan & Alan Selbst invite you to join them on Saturday, May 5, 2007, at Hilton Americas for a high-flying evening of acrobatic audacity and limitless imagination, by none other than true Cirque performers! Your support brings self-worth and stability to the lives of Houston’s homeless children through our Tiny Treasures Programs. SEARCH cultivates the skills needed by these children to reach their maximum potential and break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. You don’t want to miss this spine-bending, mind-tingling spectacle!
Download the Invitation
Download a Sponsorship Form
Download Live Auction Items
Gallery Row Art Mixer
Fast Forward: The Intown Chamber Young Professionals presents Gallery Row Art Mizer on Friday, April 13, 2007, from 5:30 pm to close. View the invitation.
Discover Women's Program Grand Opening
Discover Women's Program will host a grand opening of their new facility on Friday, April 20th, from 1-3pm. The Forum Plaza Apartments are located at 10101 Forum Park Drive, off Bissonett between the Southwest Freeway and the Sam Houston Tollway. View the invitation.
PATH is a program at SEARCH focused on assisting the seriously mentally ill homeless. Our program links homeless individuals into the mental health care system, where they are assigned a clinic and then receive psychiatric care and medication management. We’ve had many success stories, but one in particular comes to mind.
Dan Poole came to PATH off and on for the last year and a half. He had a crack cocaine addiction, drank daily, and lived on the streets. As often is the case, Dan’s family had given up on him. His family was tired of Dan using them, and lying to support his habits. After a six month stint in jail for possession, Dan came back to SEARCH claiming he was ready to change his life. He was enrolled in the Rapid Rehousing program and placed at Northline SRO’s, where he has blossomed. With the help of PATH, Dan was able to get back on his medication, quit abusing substances, and repaired relations with his family.
Today, Dan is enrolled in computer classes and looks forward to reentering the work force soon. It is clients like Dan who remind us all why we do this demanding, and often thankless job.
Many of SEARCH's staff members are enrolled in higher education and continuing education while performing their regular duties at SEARCH and its House of Tiny Treasures. Many of these students are able to continue their education by receiving financial aid through grants and scholarships. Our staff sets the example for self-improvement, perserverance, and dedication. One example is Mary Cortez, a case worker here at SEARCH for the SHP 02 Chronic Homeless Program.
Mary was invited to a Scholarship Luncheon for Houston Community College at the Stafford Campus on Wednesday, March 28th. She is currently a student working towards transferring to the University of Houston Clear Lake in the Fall ’08. She was given a scholarship through the Houston Community College Foundation and was sponsored by the George Foundation of Fort Bend County. They awarded her a $1,000 scholarship for the 2007-2008 school-year and because of their help, she will be graduating in May of 2007 with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences in Human Services with “Highest Honors”. They requested that she speak at this luncheon about her experience and how she was able to obtain a position here at SEARCH as a case manager through the Houston Community College System’s Human Service Technology Program. Mary states, "I am very excited and very honored to do this because it is the least I can do to show my appreciation to the sponsors of The George Foundation."
After the speaking engagement, Mary was contacted by the school’s liaison, Winston Dahse. They want her to speak again on April 18th to commemorate the expansion of the campus. The new campus will accommodate 3,290 more students. The mayor, Board Members, and students will be in attendence to hear Mary's story. They needed a student to represent what the college is all about and chose me! Mary agreed to speak again, saying, "an education has had a major positive impact in my life and I want to help inspire others."
Volunteer for the “Celebrate the Children Gala!”
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2007
Location: The Hilton Americas Grand Ballroom
Theme: SEARCH de CirqueTwo Shifts Available:
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Set-Up: chair covers, centerpieces, etc. (lunch will be provided).
5:45 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. - Be prepared to work and have fun at the same time with this year’s theme – SEARCH de Cirque! Volunteers must dress in Cirque attire, such as Mimes, clowns, jugglers, etc (outfits must be presentable). Act the part you dress! A $50 cash prize will be awarded to the BEST dressed volunteer! Evening volunteers will be working the entire time; however you will be assigned a table for dinner, plus get to enjoy most, if not all of the Cirque show.
If you are interested in one of these shifts, please contact Nancy Rocha at nrocha@searchproject.org by Monday, April 9th.
During the week of April 15th – 21st, organizations across the country will celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week. SEARCH’s clients, volunteer department and entire staff would like to recognize and thank all of our volunteers for their hard work, effort and passion in helping us to change lives and end homelessness! We would not be able to help transition the homeless men, women and children’s lives without our volunteers’ generous support of time and in-kind contributions. For that we say “THANK YOU!”
Your contribution for the 2005-2006 year totaled 17,319.75 volunteer hours! With the value of a volunteer hour estimated at $18.04, you donated $311,365.89 worth of time. This particular dollar amount is essential to SEARCH’s grants process, as we use that number to represent the vast amount of support we receive from our surrounding community. To those of you who represent the 1,390 volunteers who serve SEARCH as an individual or part of a group – we honor you!
Join us as we celebrate the many hours donated by individuals and groups to SEARCH’s various service programs:
SEARCH Programs |
# of Hours |
Committee Meetings |
242.00 |
Resource Center |
9,347.00 |
Mobile Outreach |
1,806.00 |
Employment Education Center |
1171.50 |
On-site Housing |
1,073.75 |
House of Tiny Treasures |
1,348.75 |
Kitchen |
1,006.25 |
Administration |
351.50 |
Business Ventures |
480.00 |
Scattered-Site Housing |
55.00 |
Facilities |
438.00 |
| TOTAL HOURS | 17,319.75 |
| Value of Volunteer Hour | $18.04 |
| TOTAL VALUE | $312,448.29 |
If you or your group is interested in contributing your time to SEARCH, please contact our Volunteer Department at 713.739.7752 extension 160 or visit us at www.searchproject.org. We welcome you to join us and help make 2006-2007 an even more successful volunteer year than ever!
SEARCH's Young Ambassadors and AMLI Residential Properties are sponsoring the 1st Annual April "Spring for a Meal" Food Drive. Drop off any non-perishable items between April 1 and April 31 at SEARCH, City Hall, or any AMLI Residential Properties. View the flyer for more details and locations.
It’s officially Spring! If you’re cleaning out your closets and/or food panty, please consider giving to SEARCH!!! Thank you for your consideration!
The Education and Employment program is in need of school supplies, i.e. notebooks, tablets and pens/pencils.
Our House of Tiny Treasures program is in need of diapers, sizes 3 & 4.
The Mobile Outreach program, which travels throughout the Houston community distributing sandwiches and hygiene items to those who reside on the street, is in need of bottled water and/or Gatorade, bug spray and sun block.
The Resource Center, our homeless day shelter is in need of towels, used for shower services, hygiene packs, which includes liquid soap, shampoo/conditioner, razors/shaving cream, comb, feminine products, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, baby powder, lotion and/or Q-Tips and gently used Spring/Summer clothing.
The individuals and families in our Scattered-Site Housing program are currently in need of gently used dishware; i.e. silverware, plates, glasses and/or utensils, household/cleaning supply items, i.e. toilet paper, paper towels, towels, working/fairly used appliances, blankets, bedding items, Febreeze, furniture polish, dishwashing soap, sponges, laundry detergent, bug spray, etc.
The Volunteer Department is in need of greeting cards. Any birthday cards, blank cards or holiday cards would be greatly appreciated!
If you would like to receive our SEARCH Newletter, please send
an email to webmaster@searchproject.org or call 713-739-7752.
©2005-2007 SEARCH All Rights Reserved.
SEARCH Homeless Center is a proud member of the United Way.
