Adopt-a-Family!

For some families who are homeless, the holiday season can be extra tough.  But you can help make this time a little more joyful for individuals and families in need by volunteering to Adopt-A-Family.

 How this program works:

Each family creates a wish list of items and is then matched with a volunteer. Once matched volunteers generously shop from the families’ list. Gifts are then delivered to the families bringing hope and cheer.

 This is the perfect activity for families, corporations, churches, school groups, and social organizations.  Sign up today to help make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate this holiday season.

To sign up to adopt a family or to learn more, contact Joseph Benson at 713-276-3060 or jbenson@searchproject.org

Luncheon Volunteers Needed!

Looking for a great opportunity to meet fun, new people, experience a major fundraising event, and have a good time while helping a great cause? Why not volunteer with SEARCH on January 18, 2008? We are seeking volunteers to help out during the Annual Luncheon.

Volunteer Opportunities include:

• Event set-up
• Registration
• Greeters
• Floaters
• Event clean-up

Volunteers are needed on-site at the Westin Galleria from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Lunch will be provided.

How to Apply

If you are interested in helping out with this exciting event, please contact Kamika Hind at khind@searchproject.org or call 713-276-3083.

Somewhere in Houston, a homeless mother is searching for a miracle this holiday season.

If you’re searching for a last minute gift to give a friend, maybe you can be that miracle.

Instead of giving a traditional gift this year, why not do something special – and give a donation to SEARCH in honor of a friend?

SEARCH is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping homeless men, women, and children get off the streets and into jobs and affordable housing.

What better way to say “I’m thinking of you” than by thinking of them this holiday season.

Simply visit the SEARCH Holiday Giving Website, select the “Donate” button, and enter the names and addresses of the friend you’d like to honor with a gift to SEARCH. We’ll do the rest!

Make a few miracles this holiday season. I thank you in advance for your generous and thoughtful gift.

AIG American General hosted SEARCH's 5th Annual "Family Holiday of Caring." AIG American General has opened its doors to a winter wonderland for SEARCH clients the last three years in a row. This year, over 250 men, women, and children came out to celebrate the season.

Greeted by AIG American General employees, children met with Santa, went "shopping" for presents, got their faces painted, made Holiday cards and ornaments, and decorated cookies. Parents and adults decorated stockings, made wreaths, and played Bingo to win prizes like blankets, coats, and electronics.

Everyone was treated to a full buffet of drinks, sandwiches, chips, hot food, and desserts. The diners were entertained by a Holiday Choir and live band.

The day was a huge success, and AIG American General said they would prepare for even more SEARCH clients next year!

SEARCH Homeless Center would like to thank AIG American General CEO Mark Winter, Cindy Wietes, and Stacy Archibald for spearheading this event. We would also like to thank Mayor Bill White for coming out to support SEARCH and our clients.

The First Lady of Houston, Andrea White, visited SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures with Philanthropic group, the University of Houston - Central's American Marketing Association. Mrs. White hosted a "We're All Neighbors" Thanksgiving themed party, providing fruit, cupcakes, games, and interaction with the children. It was a day of fun and interactive learning!

About Andrea White's "We're All Neighbors"

When Bill was elected mayor, friends encouraged me to consider my own goals. I was clear that two things I wanted to do were get to know the city better and make new friends.

One of Bill’s campaign themes had been We’re All Neighbors, and under the stewardship of organizer, Franci Crane, the We’re All Neighbors program was born.

With friends’ help, we’ve hosted We’re All Neighbors programs each including a different group of people and each at a different venue. The themes have included environmental stewardship, healthcare, education, and the arts. Sometimes they are educational; sometimes we get lucky and affect positive change. But with Franci’s creative energy, each monthly program has been a lot of fun. 

About the American Marketing Association, University of Houston-Central Chapter

American Marketing Association, University of Houston-Central Chapter, exists to provide a strong and warm environment to offer valuable recruitment opportunities, insightful exposure, and a strong foundation to step out into the real world of marketing.

Our Philanthropy Goals:
• We strive to continue our tradition in serving the Houston community through effective and helpful philanthropy events.
• We strive to create life long bonds between member through the acts of community and civic kindness.
• Additionally, we hope to be a connector of people in need and members who have the resources and desire to help them.

18th Anniversary Luncheon
“Houston, We Can Help”

January 18, 2008
Westin Galleria Hotel

11:15 am - Registration
11:45 am - Luncheon Begins

Chairman, John Guess Jr.
Emcee, Melanie Lawson
Honoree: Noah Rattler
Keynote Speakers: Authors Ron Hall and Denver Moore

Same Kind of Different as Me, is a phenomenal book that tells the unlikely true story of Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Ron is a wealthy international art dealer who travels the world buying and selling rare and expensive art. When Ron reluctantly volunteers at a homeless shelter, at the insistence of his wife, he soon comes into contact with Denver, a homeless man who grew up as a sharecropper in Louisiana. It was here that the two men met. The story of their relationship is fascinating and inspiring, offering a glimpse of what happens when these two worlds come into contact with each other.

Download a Sponsorship Form for the 2008 Luncheon

Purchase tables and tickets online

11th Annual Celebrate the Children Gala:  “Bikers and Babes”

May 10, 2008
Hilton of the Americas

Chairs, Jan and Alan Selbst
Co-Chairs, Nita and Nolan Bedford

For one night only - get your Harley out of the garage, get decked out in your best black leather, and join us for some rip-roaring excitement!  It will surely be a hot night of fundraising fun. Your gifts will help us meet the needs of the homeless men, women, and children, and develop the skills needed to end homelessness. The House of Tiny Treasures, SEARCH’s early childhood development center, offers services for both the child and the family, thereby helping to break the cycle of homelessness.

Download a Sponsorship Form for the 2008 Gala

Purchase tables and tickets online

Employees from Shell Oil came to HTT ready for some hard work! Sometimes the things we need are obvious: food, winter clothes, hygeine items, and Christmas toys for the children and families, but often our needs involve jobs that are not glamorous or fun. Shell Oil stepped up to the plate for SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures.

Shell Employees renewed the grounds of HTT, weeding, planting flowers, landscaping, cleaning playground equipment, cleaning the childrens' toys, and trimming hedges. The volunteers did not even get to play with the kids! That is dedication!

Thank you to Shell Oil and Shell Employees for your hard work and dedication to our mission!

Collaboration and Cooperation:
Changing a Life

Mr. Jovilette is 61-years old, homeless, and suffers from Parkinson’s disease. He lost his home and business due to his declining health, and Kate G. of Palmer Way Station Episcopal Church was very concerned about him. Kate referred Mr. Jovilette to SEARCH Outreach Case Manager Mary Cortez.

Mr. Jovilette ran his own insurance agency for many years. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1990, and life has been very difficult for him since then. He lost his home in 2000 because he could no longer afford to pay his rent, and has been homeless since.

Mary Cortez recalls, “At the time, my case load was full, over full, but I said she could send him over. I didn’t want to make any promises, but something about this referral made me want to meet him.” Mary continues, “He was very humble and kind as can be, considering his situation and condition. I immediately admitted him into her case load and began the search for housing.”

Mary and Melissa, an intern, found an available unit at Independence Hall. By the time Mary, Melissa, and Mr. Jovilette got there to begin the application process,  Mr. Jovilette was prepared with everything they needed: ID, Social Security Card, Award Letter, Birth Certificate, and all his medications. His application was accepted, but now funds for his rent, $281 per month, and deposit were needed.

SEARCH did not have the available funds, so Mary contacted Donnie Wilson and Thelisa Palmer at The Lord of The Streets and asked if they could help this gentleman out. Donnie said, “Send him right over, but we can only help with $100.” Mary sent Mr. Jovilette to Donnie, and got to work making phone calls to find the rest of the money.

Mary recalls, “I thought of Kate at Palmer Way Station and how sometimes they have funds for rental assistance. I called her up, and she said she could help with the $118. She was very excited and happy and couldn’t believe how quickly he found affordable housing!”

The next day, Mary and another intern, John, took Mr. Jovilette to get his rental assistance, then to Independence Hall to sign the lease and get his key to his own apartment. He was delighted and appreciative, saying that he couldn’t believe how much help he’s been given in just two days. “You are all miracle workers!” he said, but Mary thought to herself…miracle? That’s yet to happen. We still need furniture.

Mary worked with Erol Fetahagic, Cathy Crouch, Terrie Karr, and Jaime McMinn to procure the funds for the vouchers and moving costs. SEARCH has a Special Needs Fund, funded by contributions from SEARCH Employees, just for situations like this one.

“It’s been a great week, and this is the fastest success story I’ve ever had happen with a client!” says Mary.  Mr. Jolivette, Mary, and John, went to the Furniture Bank that day, with vouchers and the $60 delivery fee.

He now has his Gold Card and Metro Freedom Pass: He’s set! Mr. Jolivette has his own affordable apartment filled with furniture; He doesn’t have to sleep on the floor anymore!

Redefining Success

While working collaboratively with the chronic homeless program I came in contact with a man who would help me to redefine success.  While living in a society that measures success through achievement and material wealth, I am grateful to this man for reminding me of the importance of things I take for granted everyday. As part of his intake into the housing program I asked him to write me a statement about living on the streets.  This is what he wrote.

“There is no place to go to gather myself, to clean myself, to talk to someone.  I have been robbed twice, sexually assaulted twice, and run over by a car.  I have black eyes and fights to remember and cuts on my body. I always considered myself a passive, timid man.  If sleeping is dangerous then loneliness might kill me and I might die in my sleep alone.  I am terrified. I am sleeping and living on the streets of a very cruel city.”

He has been working with SEARCH’s Housing Program for a little over two years.  He is housed and safe now after being homeless for five years.  He hadn’t talked to his son, mother and father or brother during that entire time. When his father died this year, his family knew where he lived and was able to contact him so they could be together during their time of grief.

His life has changed dramatically since entering the program. He recently received Social Security benefits and is learning to manage money for the first time in many years. He now talks to his son and mother regularly. For the two years he has been in our housing program, he has had a place to go gather himself, to clean himself, and has had someone to talk to.  He is no longer terrified and lonely in a cruel city.  He is a success.

-Julie Cunningham

Luby's Cafeteria employees went to SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures, providing diapers, baby wipes, cereals, juices, and other much needed food items for the children.

The next day, Luby's came to SEARCH to feed the clients in the Resource Center, clean the Resource Center, organize the clothing room, and present a generous $5,500 collected from their employees and corporate vendors.

Thank you, Luby's, for giving SEARCH and its House of Tiny Treasures a little bit of everything we need this holiday season!