Jewish Congregations help SEARCH celebrate our 18th Year Noah Rattler Goes to Washington |
"Houston, We Can Help"18th Anniversary Luncheon January 18, 2008 |
They always say time changes things,
but you actually have to change them yourself.
The Philosophy of Andy Warhol
Since its creation in 1989, SEARCH has experienced rapid growth to keep up with the needs of Houston’s homeless men, women, and children. We worked hard to fill service and housing needs because they were lacking in the community. With dedicated staff, volunteers, community allies, and funders, we were successful in establishing ourselves as an innovative organization that made a difference to the lives of people needing help.
Over the last year, however, it became more difficult to maintain our operations as the growth outpaced our ability to financially support the programs. In order to effectively serve our clients and the community, we had to step back, reevaluate our operations, and ask three questions all businesses must ask: Are we passionate about the services we provide? Are we the best at providing these services? Can they be financially supported? We decided that if we answered no to any of these questions, we had to make some difficult decisions. And we did.
Over the past six months, SEARCH has undergone significant changes. In April, we discontinued parts of our business that did not work or could not be supported. These included The Company Kitchen, a catering business enterprise, and four of our housing programs. Three of those housing programs are in the process of being transferred to our partner agency, AIDS Foundation Houston, so that this valuable resource is not lost to the community.
With the changes completed this month, SEARCH will reduce our budget by almost 30%, going from $7.5 million to $5.3 million. At the end of the month, staffing will have been reduced by 35% from 100 employees to 65. Though the budget is significantly reduced, the number of people being served will remain close to the same; more than 10,000 men, women, and children helped each year. We will continue to offer our core programs that help people get off the streets and into jobs and stable housing. These core programs are: Resource Center, Mobile Outreach, Employment Education Center, House of Tiny Treasures, and 56 units of scattered-site apartments for disabled persons who need our help to have a safe and healthy life.
Responses to these changes by our major funders have been tremendously positive. They recognize the needs of the homeless and the value of our service to the community. Houston Endowment, one of SEARCH’s biggest supporters, took the lead and demonstrated their support for the business plan and redefined SEARCH with a significant multi-year grant. Since then, we’ve received significant support from existing and new supporters including Rockwell Fund, Simmons Foundation, Shell Oil Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, Macy’s, and more.
We greatly appreciate everyone who has supported SEARCH over the years. With your continued investment and SEARCH’s refocused efforts, the agency will achieve greater effectiveness in meeting our mission of providing hope, creating opportunity, and transforming lives.
In the Jewish custom, 18 is a significant number. It is the numeric value of the Hebrew letters Chai, the word “life”. It reflects Judaism's focus on the importance of life and the concept of Chai is important in Jewish culture. The typical Jewish toast is l'chayim (to life). Gifts to charity are routinely given in multiples of 18.
Various activities have occurred and are planned in the Jewish community for our 18th year anniversary.
We have received many checks for amounts in multiples of 18 this month and are so grateful for the fabulous response to our 18th Anniversary from this community!
If you would like more information, please contact Holly Hunsicker at 713-276-3066 or hhunsicker@searchproject.org.
Provide hope, create opportunity, and transform lives.
Learn about what is happening inside SEARCH, the amazing services we provide, and the difference we are making for our community. Join us for a Free One-Hour Event including light refreshments and an insightful tour.
Scheduled One Hour Events:
Thursday, October 18 @ 5:30 pm Thursday, November 1 @ 7:30 am Thursday, November 15 @ 5:30 pm Thursday, December 6 @ 7:30 am Thursday, December 20 @5:30 pm
Please RSVP: 713-276-3066 or hhunsicker@searchproject.org. If these times are not convenient to you, we will be happy to schedule a private tour.
Noah Rattler Goes to WashingtonOn Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at the invitation of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, I went to Washington DC to participate in the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) 37th Annual Legislative Conference and Emerging Leaders Empowerment Series.
The Emerging Leaders Empowerment Series was designed to give its participants a unique opportunity to network with the nation’s most powerful leaders in business, nonprofit, and governmental sectors. I had the opportunity to speak with some of these leaders and gain priceless advice on some of my next steps, and I would not have had such an opportunity otherwise.
As a guest of the Congresswoman I was given the opportunity to speak about the walk for awareness in all of her special sessions. These special sessions included The Language of Hip Hop: A Way of Life, The Child Welfare Braintrust with Representative Danny K. Davis and The Energy Braintrust. The lists of panelists in these sessions ranged from Dr. Benjamin Chavis (Hip Hop Summit) and Atonn Muhammad (Pres/CEO Real Hip-Hop Network), to Kase Lawal (Chairman & CEO CAMAC International) and John Hofmeister (Pres. Shell Oil Company). I even sat next to the Ambassadors of Algeria and Venezuela for a time.
This is my second time attending the conference, but the first time I had the opportunity to participate on this level. It was an experience not easily equaled, and I am thoroughly grateful to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee for inviting me, and SEARCH Founder Shelly Cyprus for sponsoring the trip. Without the two of them, this would not have happened.
Noah Rattler
ExxonMobil and the United Way Day of Caring
Sixty-three employees from Exxon Mobil came to SEARCH on September 12th for the United Way Day of Caring. The employees washed vans, did
yard work,
trimmed the trees,
cleaned the windows on all 4 floors,
cleaned and organized the 2nd and 4th floor storage and clothing rooms,
cooked for and served 180 clients,
helped in the Work Source and Resource Center. They even came back last Friday to paint the 1st floor. Thank you to ExxonMobil and the United Way for helping SEARCH meet the needs of our clients and our organization.
Edge Petroleum
Edge "Awesome Ladies" delivered 200+ sandwiches to SEARCH's Mobile Outreach Program for the fifth time. They are challenging the other three Edge Teams to beat their current record of delivering over 1,000 sandwiches in nutritious lunches.
South Main Baptist Church
SEARCH would also like to thank South Main Baptist Church for donating their time and resources to cook for our clients every 4th Wednesday of the month. South Main Baptist Church has been a long-time supporter of SEARCH, and they continue their dedication to help all those in their community.
Bellaire United Methodist Church
Donna Phillips, President of the Council of Congregations and representative from Bellaire United Methodist Church, presented a check for $1,000 to cover the cost of these lunches until the end of the year. (pictured from left to right: Joseph Benson, Don Hall, Donna Phillips, and Holly Hunsicker)
Houston Chronicle pulisher and President, Jack Sweeney, presented a check for $2,500.00 from their Leadership group to Joseph Benson after he spoke at their United Way Kick Off. |
Mable Benson-Adair presents SEARCH with $500.00 to use for the Resource Center Kitchen. (from left to right: Sylvia LeBlanc, Mable Benson-Adair, Joseph and Cynthia Benson) |
My name is Rick M. I just wanted to tell someone about how Jasque Taylor saved my life. I was about to try suicide, when he worked to get me into treatment at Riverside. They wouldn’t take me, and I called Jasque. He came and got me and called and asked my sister if I could stay there for the night and come see me in the morning. I came back and he took me to the VA for medical and psychiatric treatment where they took me in. I stayed there for 27 days, and am now going to Brazos Place to continue to work on getting my life together. Of course Jasque helped me to get that set up. I think that I really have a chance to have a chance now, and I owe it to Jasque for being there to help.
Jasque Taylor is a Case Manager for SEARCH's Mobile Outreach Program and Resource Center, and has been with SEARCH for over seven years.
Run for a Reason MarathonThe 2008 Chevron Houston Marathon is just around the corner in January. Last year, Chevron's Run for a Reason Charity program raised over $850,000 for 40 charities in Houston. This year, the goal is $1 million dollars. You can participate by registering for the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon or the 5K Fun Run.
How to help:
You can help in a number of ways. You can run for SEARCH! Become a fundraiser. Or you can make a donation to the Chevron Houston Marathon for one of our runners and fundraisers on behalf of SEARCH.
For more information about SEARCH or becoming a fundraiser, please download a Running Club Information Sheet or contect Kamika Hind, khind@searchproject.org, or 713-276-3083.
January 18, 2008
Westin Galleria HotelChairman, John Guess Jr.
Emcee, Melanie Lawson
Keynote Speakers: Authors Ron Hall and Denver MooreSame 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.
May 10, 2008
Hilton of the AmericasChairs, Jan and Alan Selbst
Co-Chairs, Nita and Nolan BedfordFor 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.
For more information about our Annual Luncheon and Gala, please contact Kamika Hind at khind@searchproject.org or 713-276-3083.
Want to donate items to SEARCH, but don't have the time, don't want to make the drive, or just don't know what we need?
From towels and soap for clients of the Resource Center to sheets and cleaning supplies for clients setting up their new homes as part of the Scattered-Site Housing Program, SEARCH's many programs utilize a variety of goods. You can help SEARCH fulfill its mission by providing some of these in-kind needs to our clients. Below is a list of products which will help men, women, and children transition from mere survival to independence.
Visit our In-Kind Online website and shop now!
SEARCH Homeless Center is now making it even easier for you to help our clients become self-sufficient. Without the hassle or paperwork of sending in a check, making a credit card payment, or paying your bank for on-line bill-pay, SEARCH has set up a direct debit program with Sterling Bank. You select the amount of your monthly donation, the day you wish to have the funds transfered, and the account from which you would like your funds drawn. It's easy!
1. Download the Direct Debit Authorization Form
2. Either print, then fill out the fields OR fill out the fields online, then print.
3. Sign the form and attach a voided check.
4. Mail the completed form and voided check to:SEARCH
Attn: Development
2505 Fannin
Houston, TX 770025. You will receive a written confirmation in the mail.
We are in need of magazines and books for our Resource Center. Please call Kamika Hind at 713-276-3083 or email khind@searchproject.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.
Items added recently include:
Prenatal Vitamins, 3 month supply ($40)
New Underwear or Socks ($10)
Microwavable dishes, casserole, and plastic container set ($35)
Small, non-hazardous appliances, rice cookers and crock pot ($75)
Metro tokens fund/Bus Passes ($10)
Telephone ($12)
Air mattress ($100)
The items listed above are available for purchase on our In-Kind Online page.
We curently need monitors for our Resource Center and WorkSource Midtown. To see more volunteer opportunities available, please visit the Volunteer section of our website. If you would like to volunteer or would like more information, please contact Kamika Hind by email at khind@searchproject.org or by phone at 713-276-3083 for more details.
| Dr. and Mrs. Michael F. Appel | The Kincaid School |
| Aquinas Corporation | The Robert W. and Pearl Wallis Knox Foundation |
| Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Aresty | Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Krinsky |
| Mr. and Mrs. Richard Barton | Mr. Kenneth Kuntz |
| Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church | Mr. Charles Lancaster |
| Ms. Janet Becker | Ms. Esther Lewitte |
| Ms. Mary E. Benson | Linbeck Group |
| Bering Memorial United Methodist Church | Ms. Florence Loeb |
| Mrs. Leslie Biggs | Mr. and Mrs. Collin G. Loewen |
| Mr. John R. Boettiger, Jr. | Macy's Foundation |
| Mr. and Mrs. David Brakebill | Mr. and Mrs. Steven M. Marnoy |
| Ms. Joanne Breihan-Wetsel | Ms. Terri Martin |
| Mr. and Mrs. J. Downey Bridgwater | Mr. and Mrs. Hans Mayer |
| Mrs. Sylvia Brody | Mr. and Mrs. Keith McFarland |
| Ms. Barbara E. Butler | Mr. Rahl D. McGlone |
| Ms. Anita Byrd | Ms. Sylvia H. Melendez |
| Mr. John Calaway | Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston | Ms. Sheila Moser |
| Ms. Martha Clark | Mrs. Suzanne Nawrocki |
| Ms. Gwenda K. Clay | Mrs. Nancy Newman |
| Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County, Inc. | Ms. Camilla S. Nichols |
| Dr. and Mrs. Joel Cyprus | Ms. Jan Nierling |
| Data Display | Ms. Heather Pringle |
| Mr. and Mrs. John Dosher | Ms. Sue Radoff |
| Mr. Roger Durand | Ms. Kathleen Redden |
| Mr. William A. Durham and Ms. Susan Gallagher | Ms. Alice Sands |
| Ms. Christie Feeley | Ms. Beth Ann Scher |
| Mr. Avis Field | Mrs. Kay Schwartz-Feldt |
| First Presbyterian Church | Ms. Susan K. Sclafani |
| First United Methodist Church | Mr. and Mrs. William C. Slusser |
| Mr. William W. Fisk | Mr. and Mrs. Bruce D. Smith |
| Mr. and Mrs. Morris F. Friedell | South Main Baptist Church |
| Ms. Joyce Gilbert | Ms. Gina M. Spada |
| Mr. James Glass Jr. | St. Timothy's United Methodist Women |
| Halliburton Global Impact | Sterling Bank |
| Greater Houston Partnership | Mr. Adam Strauss |
| Judge Hillary H. Green | SureTec Financial Corp. |
| Mr. and Mrs. Bill Guest | TelecomPioneers - Airline Club Pioneers |
| Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Guthrie | Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Thomas |
| Mr. and Mrs. Don Harris | Mr. Johnny L. Thompson |
| Harris County Department of Education | Travis Property Management, LLC |
| Ms. Elaine Hickey | Trinity East United Methodist Church |
| Mr. and Mrs. Jerry N. Hoffman | Dr. J. Drew Tucker |
| Mr. Scott M. Holloway | Mr. Edward Menger and Ms. Megan Ullman |
| Houston Chronicle Publishing Company | United Way of New York City |
| Houston Jewish Community Foundation | Unity Church of Christianity |
| Mr. and Mrs. Art Huffman | Vanguard Charitable Endowment |
| Mr. Nicholas D. Hughes | Mrs. Merri Schneider Vogel |
| Ms. Holly Hunsicker | Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Wasserstrum |
| Mr. Steven Johnson | Ms. Elizabeth D. Williams |
| Ms. Vivian Johnston | Ms. Phaedra Williams |
| Karpas Properties, Inc. | Wilson, Cribbs, & Goren, P.C. |
| Katz & Associates, P.C. | Mr. John L. Zipprich II |
| Mr. Robert Kendall | Mr. and Mrs. Richard M. Zoll |
| All Saints Episcopal Youth | Knights of Columbus ( St. Thomas Church) |
| Ms. Anita Byrd | Mr. Jeff Lusk |
| City Coop | Missouri City & Vicinity NACCP |
| Congregation Beth Israel | Southern Lady Catering |
| Congregation Beth Yeshurun | Mr. Adam Strauss |
| Mr. Paul Devera | Mrs. Rita Thomason |
| Mr. Michelle Eaton | Ms. Cynthia Villarreal |
| Mr. David Eisen | Virginia Davis |
| Mrs. Jordan Foley | Mrs. Deborah Wetmore |
| Ms. Eunice George | Mr. John Wood |
| Mrs. Tracy Gourd | Yoni Buht |
| Houston Jewish Community Foundation | |
If you would like to receive our SEARCH Newsletter, 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.
Houston Chronicle
Mable Benson-Adair