Spotlight: A Month of Volunteering Events: Battle of the Bands! and Stepping Up to the Plate! |
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SEARCH 2008 "Celebrate the Children" Bikers and Babes GalaHouston’s most stylish and giving Bikers and Babes came out on Saturday night to support SEARCH’s “Celebrate the Children” Gala. The proceeds from this event help meet the needs of SEARCH’s House of Tiny Treasures, Houston’s only nationally accredited early childhood development center specifically meeting the needs of preschool age homeless children. Over $400,000 was raised from the event, which welcomed 570 guests, consisting of Board Members, long time donors and new friends as well.
A special thanks to Gala Chairs Jan and Alan Selbst and Co-Chairs Nita and Nolan Bedford, who worked tirelessly with their committee members to make the evening one that would not be forgotten.
Also celebrating with SEARCH were Kerri and Downey Bridgwater, who were this year’s honorees. Their passion and commitment to SEARCH and the homeless people whose lives are transformed have been especially significant. Downey’s leadership on SEARCH’s Board of Directors and as Chairman in 2006 – 2007 was instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission and impact on the community and we thank them both for their continued commitment.
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SEARCH Board Chairman, Bill Boyar, and wife Pam Boyar | |
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Board Member, Sandy Harris Founder, Shelly Cyprus 2008 Gala Chair, Jan Selbst |
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Co-Chair Nita Bedford with husband Nolan Bedford |
Chair Jan Selbst with husband Alan Selbst |
SEARCH 2008 Luncheon Chair, John F. Guess, Jr., and Mayor's Volunteer Award Honoree, Noah Rattler |
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Board Member, John Knox, Jr. |
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Council of Congregations Chairman, Donna Phillips with husband Marc Phillips |
Vicki and Alex Rosenstein dancing the night away |
Board Member Pegge Bogle with husband Andy Bogle |
If you would like more information on SEARCH’s Annual Events, please feel free to contact Kamika Hind, Development Associate at (713) 276-3083.
Thanks to the following groups who help make our mission possible:
April 5: First Baptist of Humble Church cleaned and made sack lunches
April 12: St. John School, Sophomore and Juniors cleaned and made sack lunches
April 19: Second Baptist, donated hygiene kits, men’s clothing, water, and made sack lunches
April 20: The Church of Champions donated 40 boxes of clothing and shoes, as well as $2000
April 29: The Men’s Mission and Springwood UMC cleaned, made sack lunches, and went on the Mobile Outreach Van
Thanks also to Girl Scout Troop #17298 for delivering 122 sack lunches and 100 boxes of cookies.
6th Annual BMC Battle of the Bands Benefiting SEARCH!
For the 6th year, the Bellaire Men’s Club will hold its signature event-The Battle of the Bands (B.O.B). This event showcases the talents of local youths while raising money for a local charity. Each year 100% of the ticket sales go to a local non-profit and this year SEARCH has been selected as the beneficiary.
On Saturday, June 7th you can support SEARCH and the Bellaire Men’s Club by attending the auditions and watching youth from the Greater Houston Area perform live. Five bands will be selected to move on to the October 2008 BMC B.O.B Concert, where they will compete for a grand prize of 12hrs of recording studio time and a demo CD courtesy of SugarHill Recording Studios. Tickets are $2 pre-sell and $4 at the door. For more information about tickets or to how to register your high school band call (713) 603-5900 or e-mail bmcbands@gmail.com. If your band would like to participate, please note the deadline for band applications is June 1, 2008.
BMC Battle of the Bands
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Historic Westbury Square (5425 W. Belfort at Burdine)
10:00am-5:00pm
Save the Date…
for Stepping Up to the Plate for SEARCH Homeless Services!
SEARCH's Council of Congregations, an interfaith coalition which provides oversight and guidance, is planning a baseball themed luncheon to benefit SEARCH Homeless Services. Mark your calendar!
1st Base: September 18, 2008
2nd Base: Chapelwood United Methodist Church
3rd Base: 11:45 am to 1:15 pmHome Plate: $35 donation, includes all-star lunch with informative and inspirational presentations about SEARCH and its mission of providing hope, creating opportunities and transforming lives!
Dugout: For more information, please download the flyer.
SEARCH always works with all available resources to help someone who is serious about getting, and staying, off the streets. Kisa’s story exemplifies not only how SEARCH employees work together, but how SEARCH works with other agencies to meet the needs of one individual trying to change their life. Kisa’s story also shows the commitment of SEARCH employees to get the job done: to provide hope, create opportunity, and transform this one life.
Kisa came to SEARCH through the Mobile Outreach Program in September of 2007. She began volunteering in the Resource Center to be safe from the terrors of the street. Though mentally challenged, she enrolled in the GED program. Working with Case Manager, Mary Cortez, she obtained housing, with the first two months rent paid by SEARCH. Mary Cortez helped Kisa successfully apply for SSI benefits, and she received her first check in December of 2007.
Unfortunately, shortly after getting her new apartment, the Social Security Administration revoked their approval of her SSI benefits. Mary has helped Kisa appeal this decision twice, and twice she has been denied. They are currently in the process of a hearing, with the support of MHMRA, Dr. Henao, Dr. Buck, Medical Case Managers, Betty Roy, and Cedric Houston.
Kisa has become more engaged at MHMRA, and the Coalition for The Homeless agreed to cover her rent for January and February 2008. No one involved in her case wants to see Kisa lose her home. A United Way Grant paid March’s rent. April, however, was a challenge. She had late fees for her rent and utilities, resulting in Kisa living two weeks without electricity. Lord of the Streets assisted with part of the rent, Harris County Social Services agreed to help with utilities, and Gulf Coast Community Services was also willing to help, but could not see Kisa until later in the month.
Mary Cortez then contacted SEARCH's Human Resource Manager Jaime McMinn and asked if Kisa’s situation warranted using Special Needs funds to cover the remaining portion of her outstanding utility bill. The SEARCH Special Needs Fund is an employee-supported fund for emergency situations. Most requests must go through an approval process, all necessary paperwork must be filed, and the check has to be made and signed. The Special Needs Fund is a way to get support for clients quickly, with all employee donors knowing that their contributions are earmarked for this purpose. Jaime said, “definitely.”
Kisa kept her appointment with Gulf Coast Community, and they sent a pledge to the apartment complex for April’s rent. SEARCH's Resource Center Manager Don Hall also offered to help Kisa with May’s rent through Texas ESG grant money. SEARCH's Case Manager Julie Cunningham met with Kisa to get her started in the Shelter Plus Care housing program. Kisa’s apartment complex decided to waive the late fees because they could see how hard Kisa was working to get legitimate help to keep her apartment.
Kisa’s lights are back on and her rent is taken care of through May. Shelter Plus Care will be able to take it from there. Melissa Gutierrez, a SEARCH Intern, has also been working with Kisa and was able to help her get regular health care and enter into the WIC Program. This is truly a success story of how SEARCH brings together people and resources to transform lives
SEARCH is in need of hygiene kits, or any of the items with which to make them. A hygiene kit contains the following items:
Drop offs may be made at SEARCH’s facility, 2505 Fannin, 7 days a week.
Please call Joseph Bensen at 713-276-3060 or email jbenson@searchhomeless.org for more details.
Also, if you have not visited our In-Kind Online page, you should take a look! We are constantly working with Case Managers, Facilities, and Resource Center and Mobile Outreach staff to assess the in-kind needs of our organization.
The items listed above are available for purchase on our In-Kind Online page.
There are many great opportunities for individuals and organizations to volunteer at SEARCH on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. If you are interested in learning more about those rewarding opportunities, please see the Volunteer section of our website.
Current Volunteer Needs:
Groups interested in visiting SEARCH and/or to identify and plan a worthwhile project, please contact Joseph Benson at 713-276-6060 or jbenson@searchhomeless.org.
Individuals interested in learning more about opportunities can contact Kamika Hind at 713-276-3083 khind@searchhomeless.org to set up an interview.
Road Warrior
Chevron Products Company
John P. McGovern Foundation
Sterling Bank
SureTec
Captain
AIG American General
Shelly & Joel Cyprus
KPMG
Misericordia in memory of Lisa Jan
Wild Hog
Advantage BMW
American Association of Drilling Engineers - Houston
Astros in Action Foundation / The Minute Maid Company
Boyar & Miller
Devon Energy Corporation
The Levit Family/Grocer's Supply
Indo-American Charity Foundation
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System
Jo Ann Petersen
Regina Rogers
Robert & Edith Zinn Foundation
Easy Rider
Alliant Healthcare Solutions
Nita & Nolan Bedford
Michele & John Boettiger
Briggs & Veselka Co.
Pegge & Andy Bogle
Carson Medlin Company Investment Bankers
Vivian & Jerry Cyprus
Deloitte & Touche
Susan and Daniel Diehl
E3 Electric / Steve Jackson
Kay & Sam Feldt
Halliburton
Houston Endodontic Specialist
Laurie & Art Huffman
Investec Advisory Group, L.P.
Memorial City Bank
Ambassador Arthur Schechter
Jan & Alan Selbst
SUEBA USA
Wilson, Cribbs & Goren
| Richard Andersen | Sandy and Don Harris |
| Jennifer Bimeler | Tammy and Timothy Heinrich |
| Michele and John Boettiger | Pauline Higgins |
| Pam and Bill Boyar | Ginger and Russell Hollenbeck |
| Kerri and Downey Bridgwater | Cynthia and Bob Holloway |
| Shelly and Joel Cyprus | Katherine and Sean Keenan |
| Nikki Davis | Anthony Mame |
| Robert Egger | Wallis McMath |
| Andy Bogle and Equipment & Technical Services | Zack Wasson |
| Tom Ewing | Suzette and Stephen Way |
| Catherine Hanslik |
| A Dog's Life | Houston Symphony |
| Advantage BMW Midtown | Houston Texans |
| Alley Theatre | Laurel and Art Huffman |
| Amici's Contemporary Neapolitan Kitchen | Innovative Images Photography |
| Anonymous | Sharlene Jackson |
| Antonio's Flying Pizza | J. Loggins Jewelers |
| Artisan Frame Gallery | Jos.A.Banks |
| Atria of Sugarland | Kaye Marvins Photography |
| Paul Barnett | Lochinvar |
| Bella Rinova Salon and Day Spa | Mancuso Harley Davidson |
| Leslie & Andy Biggs | Paul Marchand |
| Nita and Nolan Bedford | Marquita Masterson |
| Renee Bedford | Marriott Vacation Club |
| Pegge and Andy Bogle | Merle Norman- Royal Oaks |
| Raquel Bone | Messina Hof Winery & Resort |
| Bushwacker Salon | Mockingbird Bistro |
| Susan and Art Byram | Kimberly Morris |
| C&D Scrap / Dennis Lavaige | Mozelle Designs |
| Café La Jadeite | Museum of Fine Arts Houston |
| Chef Scotty Campbell | Norris of Houston Salon & Day Spa |
| Central Market | Omni Hotels |
| Cheesecake Factory | Ouisie's Table |
| Children's Museum of Houston | Piatto Ristorante |
| Class Act Limos | Reiner's Fine Jewelry |
| Contemporary Arts Museum | Residence Inn by Marriott Houston Downtown |
| Courtyard Marriott Downtown | Rice University |
| Richard Haines, DMD, FAGD | |
| Walter Cunningham | Rosenbloom Jewelers |
| Shelly and Joel Cyprus | Ruggles 5115 Grill |
| Jean Davis | Barbara Sadof |
| D'Elegance Salon & Day Spa | Sara Dean, Inc. |
| Susan and Daniel Diehl | Sari Gutman Skin Care |
| Kathy and Mike Eason | SEARCH's Council of Congregations |
| Environs | SEARCH’s House of Tiny Treasures |
| Gabriel Tran Photography | Jan and Alan Selbst |
| Gant's Plants | Amy Schnoll |
| Mike Gentry | Shade Restaurant |
| Gittings Portraits | Sheraton Suites Houston |
| Glass Wall | Southwest Airlines |
| Matthew Goff | Spec’s |
| Sandy and Don Harris | Spritzer Furs |
| Heart's Delight | Sugar Creek Country Club |
| Daynee and Edward Heller | Sullivan’s Steakhouse |
| Hilton Americas | Timberline Fitness |
| Hilton Houston Post Oak | Tony's |
| Ginger and Russell Hollenbeck | Trellis Spa at the Houstonian |
| Hotel Ixtapan Spa & Golf Resort | Urban Retreat |
| Hotel Za Za | Villa del Palmar |
| Houston Aeros Charities | Vivian Osborn Circle at Chapelwood UMC |
| Houston Ballet | Westchase Window Cleaning |
| Houston Jewelry & Distributing Company | Wells Fargo Bank / Andy Yao |
| Houston Rockets Clutch City Foundation | WineMan-David Maggard |
| Mr. and Mrs. Stanford Alexander | Mr. Charles Lancaster |
| Ms. Robin Ann | Leisure Travel w/Freg & Ginger |
| Dr. and Mrs. Michael F. Appel | Marathon Oil Company |
| Mr. Robert Arnold | Ms. Mary Lou Margrave |
| Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Augustine | Mr. Joel Marshall |
| Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bardgett | Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Matthews |
| Ms. Mizba Barkatally | Mr. Arthur McElroy |
| Dr. and Mrs. Brad Beckman | Memorial City Bank |
| Ms. Betty C. Bellamy | Ron and Linda Messner |
| BMC Software, Inc. | Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Meyer |
| Mr. John R. Boettiger, Jr. | Mr. Timothy Mingee |
| Ms. Pegge Bogle | Ms. Alison Mosely |
| Ms. Raquel A. Bone | Ms. Jan Nierling |
| Mr. William Boyar | Ms. Kelly Papinchak |
| Briggs & Veselka Co. | Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Patel |
| Ms. Barbara E. Butler | Mr. and Mrs. Arthur T. Pedersen |
| Carson Medlin Co. Investment Bankers | Ms. Darla Phillips |
| Centrade U.S.A., Inc. | PKF Texas |
| Christ the King Lutheran Church | Mr. and Mrs. Jim Postl |
| Church of Champions | Ms. Mary A. Potthoff |
| Congregation Beth Yeshurun | Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Powers |
| Congregation Emanu El | Mr. Gilbert Prudhomme |
| Dr. and Mrs. Joel Cyprus | Mr. and Mrs. Harold Rabalais |
| Ms. Carolyn David | Ms. Regina Rogers |
| Deloitte & Touche LLP | Ms. Janice Rubin and Mr. Charles T. Wiese |
| Ms. Carolyn Depta | Mrs. Kathy J. Rudy |
| Dr. and Mrs. Patrick Di Iorio | Safeway Inc. |
| Mr. and Mrs. David W. Diehl | Mr. Diptabhas Sarkar |
| Ms. Courtney Donohue | Mr. and Mrs. Herman Schultz |
| Mr. Roger Durand | Mr. and Mrs. Martin I. Segal |
| Mr. William A. Durham and Ms. Susan Gallagher | Ms. Mary Sgro |
| Mr. and Mrs. Raymond S. Eagle | Ms. Lisa Simon |
| Ms. Christie Feeley | Mr. and Mrs. John J. Singleton |
| First Christian Church | Mr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Smith |
| First United Methodist Church | South Main Baptist Church |
| Ms. Kimberly Fleeks | St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities |
| Mr. Charles Foster | St. Luke's United Methodist Church |
| Frees Foundation | St. Paul's United Methodist Church |
| Mr. and Mrs. Bob Fusco | St. Philip Presbyterian Church |
| Mr. Giilbert Gonzalez | Mr. and Mrs. Norbert Strauss |
| Dr. and Mrs. Martin Grabois | SUEBA USA |
| Ms. Patsy M. Graham | Mr. and Mrs. Christopher J. Swift |
| Ms. Pamela Grant | Mr. and Mrs. Albert S. Tabor |
| Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society | The Active Network, Inc. |
| Judge Hillary H. Green | The Brodsky Foundation |
| Ms. Gustavia Hall | Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Thomas |
| Halliburton Global Impact | Trinity East United Methodist Church |
| Mr. Don Hart | Dr. J. Drew Tucker |
| Mr. David Hatcher | Unity Church of Christianity |
| Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence M. Hermes, Jr. | Ms. Karen A. Vinson |
| Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hesterberg | Western Recyclers |
| Mr. and Mrs. David Hetherington | Mr. and Mrs. Michael Whipple |
| Ms. Elise Homer | Ms. Karen White |
| Houston Jewish Community Foundation | Whitewing Investment Management, LP |
| Investec Advisory Group | Ms. Nancy A. Wilfong |
| Jefferies & Company, Inc. | Wilhelm Ventures Inc. |
| Ms. Vivian Johnston | Yancey-Hausman & Associates |
| JP Morgan Chase Bank | Mr. Robert L. Zinn |
| Kroger | Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Zoll |
| Mr. Kenneth Kuntz |
| All Saints Catholic Church | Mr. Ted Kern |
| Ms. Deborah Allen | Knights of Columbus (St. Thomas Church) |
| Annunciation Greek Orthodox | Mr. Horace La Lover |
| Mrs. Adele Barrier | Ms. Janette Lorenz |
| Bellaire United Methodist Church | Ms. Tricia Lynn |
| Ms. Cindy Bender | Mrs. Denise Malone |
| Bering Memorial United Methodist Church | Mr. Williams McNinch |
| Ms. Helen Bonerbach | National Charity League |
| Mr. Todd Brock | Mr. Broderick Palmer |
| Ms. Lena Brown | Project Life Roads |
| Ms. Anita Byrd | Ms. Tona Raissa |
| Chevron | Mrs. Peggy Rathwell |
| Church of Champions | Ms. Pam Rush |
| Church Women United in Houston | Ms. Amy Schnoll |
| City Co-Op | Mr. Matthew D. Shaffer |
| Ms. Angela Clarke | Shell Oil Products US |
| Congregation Beth Yeshurun | Ms. Lisa Simon |
| Mrs. Telisia Crow | Mr. Jordaua Slawin |
| Emerson Unitarian Church | St. Jonh Presbyterian Church |
| ExxonMobil Corp. | St. Phillips United Methodist Church |
| Mr. Steve Foster | Starlight Foundation Of Texas |
| Girl Scout Troop # 12086 | Mr. Joshua Stender |
| Girl Scout Troop #17298 | Ms. Julie Tysor |
| Mrs. Shawn Hardeman | Mr. Edward Menger and Ms. Megan Ullman |
| Houston Can Academy | Ms. Gloria Woldridge |
| Ms. Ann Reva Jacobson | Ms. Pat Wolford |
| Ms. Ruthie Johnson | Ms. Richard Wuollet |
If you would like to receive our SEARCH Newsletter, please send
an email to webmaster@searchhomeless.org or call 713-739-7752.
©2005-2008 SEARCH All Rights Reserved.
SEARCH Homeless Services is a proud member of the United Way.
