Updated
August 13, 2020
In addition to providing programs and services to Houston homeless community, Star of Hope Mission is reaching out to help those who are “nearly homeless.”
The Doris and Carloss Morris Men’s Development Center and the Women and Family Development Center are constantly serving at capacity, while continuing to follow state, local, and CDC guidelines. Our emergency shelter services operate at full capacity, along with our addiction recovery and educational programs for adults and their children, as they seek to end their homelessness and achieve independent living.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Star of Hope is also responding to dozens of calls each week from Houstonians seeking relief from their financial burdens putting them at risk of becoming homeless.
Utilizing almost $300,000 in funds from the C.A.R.E.S. Act, the Extended Services Team of Star of Hope has expanded its reach and is providing homeless diversion and prevention assistance to many by offering help with food, rent, and utilities for those qualified.
Star of Hope’s Love In Action Vans continue to minister to Houston’s downtown street homeless with their immediate needs, and offering them encouragement, program or housing assistance, and current COVID-19 updates. These vans also travel beyond the downtown Houston area to deliver bag lunches and to keep those who are homeless in rural areas informed and motivated.
Star of Hope President and CEO, Hank Rush sums up this stepped-up response to the pandemic: “There has never been a better time for hope!”
Serving with you in Christ,
Hank Rush
President & CEO
Star of Hope Mission
Updated
April 30, 2020
Thank you so much for your prayers and support during this unusual time in our world, nation and city. I pray that during this time you have found comfort in knowing that God is in control, and He has a plan for each of us as we make our way through this pandemic.
At the Star of Hope, God has continued to bless us with peace, comfort and even joy in the midst of some of the challenges we have faced.
In our program facilities, we have implemented City of Houston required social distancing guidelines and are serving “at capacity” based on the new guidelines until the virus threat subsides. With schools closed and the state’s shut-down of day-care facilities, including the one at our Women and Family Development Center, our children’s staff has created a number of inside and outside activities for the moms and their younger children. The staff has also come alongside the parents and the school districts to assist with class time and homework assignments.
We continue to monitor information from The Center for Disease Control (CDC) as well as information provided by local and national government and health authorities regarding COVID-19 and provide regular COVID-19 training sessions for our staff and residents to help them better protect themselves and their families during the pandemic.
I am so grateful for the generous support, both in-kind and financial, that we have received from our donors as it has helped us to weather the storm up to this point. We would not have been able to get through it without you.
As you know, the storm is not over yet, even though restrictions are being lifted in Texas and around the country. We almost certainly will see a surge in homeless men, women and children needing help and care over the next 12-18 months due to the loss of jobs and the depletion of government special aid. With that in mind, I ask that you continue to keep Star of Hope in your prayers. We still need you more than ever!
Our strength comes from the Lord, and together, we can get through these challenging times to fulfill our shared mission of helping those most in need in our community.
Serving with you in Christ,
Hank Rush
President & CEO
Star of Hope Mission
Updated
April 9, 2020
This is a special time in history, as we are in the middle of Holy Week, when our Lord made his journey to the cross of Calvary, was crucified for our sins, and rose again on the third day in victory! Through His suffering, He provided forgiveness for our sins and a future home with Him in heaven for all who believe and follow Him! This is a great week of joy and celebration in our faith!
However, our days are unusual and uncertain at this time, as we are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic in our personal lives and at our mission here at Star of Hope. But God is here with us!
With God’s help and your support, we can share His love and spread hope with the homeless in our community. Because of His sacrifice, we are shown what it looks like to be selfless, and I pray we can show that to others by sharing His beautiful message of hope with them!
To that end, we are “thinking outside the box” to provide our residents an opportunity to celebrate this Easter by watching or listening to Easter worship services electronically, while maintaining social distancing as prescribed by CDC guidelines.
We are so grateful to you … our friends, volunteers and donors … for supporting us with your prayers and gifts. You are the reason we are here and able to serve those in need in our community. Thank you! And, please know that we are praying for you as well during this extraordinary time.
As we walk this journey together and enter Easter Weekend … let us draw our strength through Jesus, our Redeemer, and let his JOY flood our souls and push out every kind of fear and darkness!
He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
May God bless you richly this Easter!
Serving with you in Christ,
Hank Rush
President & CEO
Star of Hope Mission
Updated
April 7, 2020
In-kind Donations: Star of Hope is still accepting in-kind donations. However, in keeping with the CDC guidelines for homeless facilities, we are requesting that in-kind donors not drop off items to either of our Donation and Distribution Centers if they are sick.
Updated
March 23, 2020
As Star of Hope continues to care for men, women and children experiencing homelessness amidst the concerns of COVID-19, the safety and well-being of our residents, clients and staff is, as always, our number one priority. With God’s grace and your support, we are navigating these unchartered waters and continue to serve those who come to us in need. In such time as this, there’s never been a better time for HOPE!
Here is what is happening at our facilities:
Volunteers: Volunteer opportunities have been suspended for now and we are currently not onboarding new volunteers. We will let you know as to when you can begin registering for volunteer opportunities. However, please feel free to complete an application if you’d like to begin the process. Thank you for your patience.
We will provide any Star of Hope updates here on our website, www.sohmission.org. Thank you for your support in helping us keep everyone at Star of Hope safe. We remain committed to serving homeless men, women and children who come to us for help.
