The Future of Homelessness in Houston
SEARCH Luncheon: And Dignity for ALL
The Future of Homelessness in Houston
On February 2nd, SEARCH and The Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County hosted the The Future of Homelessness in Houston conference. More than 200 community leaders, social service agency executives and workers, and concerned citizens and landlords were in attendance. The objectives of the conference were to discuss the major issues faced by persons who are homeless, describe current programs and services within the community, identify best practices to resolving current challenges, and identify two action steps within each area to be addressed. Panels of experts shared their perspectives of the challenges and opportunities facing our community as we work to address homelessness in the areas of Health Care, Special Populations, Housing, and Strategic Planning.
A representative from the National Alliance to End Homelessness discussed Housing First, a relatively new national concept aimed at rapid access to permanent housing, then maintaining stability in that permanent environment. This approach serves to reduce the financial cost to the community and the personal cost to the individual, keeping them out of emergency care facilities, jails, shelters, and other service agencies.
Dr. Stephen Klineberg reviewed the results of an ongoing Houston Area Survey, which tracks the changing demographics and attitudes of Houstonians over the past twenty-five years. The demographics show an disparity in the educational levels of different demographic groups and confirms the need a far more educated workforce. In order to prosper, Houston must grow into a more inclusive multiethnic society, one with true equality of opportunity, where all communities are invited to participate as full partners in shaping the Houston future. Without such a shift in attitude, the demographics point to an increase in the disparities resulting in and increasing number of Houston residents at-risk for poverty and homelessness.
The day wrapped up with brief remarks by members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Addressing Chronic Homelessness. Each member addressed components of Houston’s Strategic Plan, which includes housing, specifically implementing the Housing First approach, prevention, policy, outreach, systems management, and sustainability. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for February 23 between 8 and 10 am. These dialogues will continue as we work on implementing the strategic plan and addressing the needs of the community.
Please stay involved by volunteering and/or contributing to SEARCH. We need your help to change lives and end homelessness.
When people think about the holiday season, most often they think about the children. This year was no exception. The Houston community came through for the homeless children of the House of Tiny Treasures and their families. In fact, Christmas time at HTT was a little overwhelming, but SEARCH, the House of Tiny Treasures staff, and numerous corporations, individuals donors, and volunteers pulled it off.
The Houston Astros
HTT kids were allowed to run the bases, meet the mascots, enjoy lunch, plus Santa arrived and gave every child their own personal gift. Also, Astros player, Christopher Sampson was there.
Houston Young Lawyer Foundation
These young lawyers went above and beyond with Christmas donations for the children at HTT. They brought 2-3 outfits per child and some children received 8-10 toys!
Kimball Hill Homes
In addition to the other organizations we had a random delivery of over 200 toys. They heard about us from our website and decided to do a toy drive!
We also had our reoccurring donors like the University of Houston Downtown, FKP Architects, Walden, and Prudential do a great a job this year!
SEARCH would like to give special thanks to all of our wonderful and generous holiday sponsors! Because of your in-kind donations, we were able to adopt and ensure that all of our 53 families, 70 children (House of Tiny Treasures and WorkSource children combined) and 171 single men and women received a gift this past holiday season! In addition, we also received over and above in-kind donations of toys, blankets, winter jackets, hygiene items, Christmas cards and stockings and non-perishable food. A huge thank you also goes out to all of our wonderful volunteers who helped make the holiday brighter by visiting and interacting with our clients. We would not have been able to spread holiday cheer without the support from the list below. Thank you so much!!!
Companies
| Accenture | Houston Lawyers Association |
| Ad Results | INNATE CHIROPRACTIC HEALING ARTS CENTER |
| AIG | Macy's |
| BMC Software | Plaza Specialty Hospital |
| Chevron Houston Marathon | TX. Children's Hospital |
| Constructors & Associates, Inc | Universal Music Enterprises |
| Edge Petroleum Corporation | US Department of Labor/OFCCP |
| EnerVest Management Partners, Ltd. | Walter Oil & Gas |
| ExxonMobil | Walter P. Moore |
| FKP Architects | Weingarten Realty Investors |
| Halliburton | Wells Fargo |
Congregations
| Beth Yeshurun | St. Cyril of Alexandria |
| Emanuel Church | St. Luke United Methodist Church |
| Gallery Missionary Baptist Church | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |
| Greater Houston Church | West Houston Chinese Church |
| South Main Baptist Church |
Organizations/Schools
| City of Houston | Kinkaid School |
| Episcopal High | Legacy Community Health Services |
| Girl Scout Troop 4841 | National Charity League |
| Joyful Sound Choir | The Briar Club |
Individuals
| Lindsay Adair | Richard F. Drew | Merlene McAlevy |
| Carrie Barrett | Jennifer Foxworth | Tiffany Moon |
| Tim & Elaine Day | Meridyth Garcia | Mary Phillips |
| The Aguilar Family | Misty Gulling-Gutierrez | LaTonja Pouncy |
| Stephen Bedford | Amanda Fishel | Harry Pringle |
| Leslie Biggs | Jane Freer | B. Wynne Sharpe, Jr. |
| Raquel Boone | Marlon Harrison | Mindy Stone |
| James Boroujerdi | Steve Herrington | Lynn Small |
| Ryan Chadwick | Judy Jillian | Brad Wright |
| Lynne Christensen | Tina Lee | Laura Yellig |
| Martha Corrales | Keith McFarland | |
| Maria & Dan Cowles | Diana McGhee |
…And Dignity for ALLNicole Perdue raised over $170,000 for SEARCH and its Tiny Treasures Programs!
Guests filled the Houstonian Hotel's Grand Ballroom on Friday, January 19, 2007. Robert Fuller, author of Somebodies & Nobodies and All Rise spoke to attendees of a dignitarian society. Kolache Kafe's owner Beau Foshee received the Founders Award for his outstanding contribution to making a difference in the lives of homeless men, women, or children.
10th Annual Celebrate the Children Gala
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!
One of the Discover Program residents, Detra W. was recognized as the "Employee of the Month" for December, 2006 on her job at the Houston Grand Opera in the Teleservices Department. She also received special recognition for being promoted to a higher level in that department. We extend accolades to Detra W. for her accomplishments.
The SEARCH Discover Women Program is a premiere transitional housing program. Women reside in the program for up to six months. We offer case management, and we often refer residents to SEARCH's WorkSource at our 2505 Fannin St. location for assistance with job search, GED, and other needed items. Ultimately, women are required to maintain employment while seeking and securing permanent housing/full-time employment.
Read SEARCH's Client Success Stories
Make A Difference; Become A Volunteer!
Our Company Kitchen located at The End Hunger Network building, 2445 North Freeway, Houston, 77098 is in need of volunteers! Help the Company Kitchen staff and other volunteers prepare and package meals that our delivered to hundreds of low-income families and local shelters in a state-of-the-art kitchen facility. Volunteers are needed Monday – Friday, with 2 shifts available, 8a.m. – 12:30p.m. or 12:30p.m. – 5p.m. This opportunity is also great for groups Monday – Friday and/or Saturday mornings, 9a.m. – 12p.m. Don’t miss out on this terrific opportunity to help feed Houston’s hungry.
The Resource Center Kitchen, located in SEARCH’s main building, 2505 Fannin needs you to help prepare and serve a meal to our day shelter homeless clients, Monday – Thursday, 8a.m. – 11:30a.m. This is a great hand on opportunity!
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please visit the Volunteer section of our website or contact Nancy Rocha, 713-739-7752 ext. 160 or nrocha@searchproject.org.
We count on sponsors for our in-kind needs and are very grateful that we are able to rely on YOU who give so generously to us to support our clients. Whether it may be donating dishes, diapers or non-perishable food, you always come through…Thank You!!!
Currently we are in most need of hygiene items and household items.
Hygiene items include liquid soap, shampoo/conditioner, razors/shaving cream, comb, feminine products, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, baby powder, lotion and/or Q-Tips.
Household items include toilet paper, paper towels, towels, dishes, utensils, working/fairly used appliances, blankets, bedding items, and or cleaning supplies, i.e. Febreeze, furniture polish, dishwashing soap, sponges, laundry detergent etc.
Donations are accepted Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at SEARCH. Please contact Nancy Rocha prior to donation delivery or should you have any questions or concerns. For more ways to help, please visit the Get Involved section of our website.
If you would like to receive our SEARCH Newletter, please send
an email to info@searchproject.org or call 713-739-7752.
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SEARCH Homeless Center is a proud member of the United Way.