A Community Response
for Homeless Families
 Family Promise of Lake Houston (FPLH) is a non-denominational
nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization that ministers to families in transition.
FPLH is part of a national network of more than 135 such programs across
the United States. There are over 4,500 congregations and 110,000
volunteers serving in these programs.
Based on the support of volunteers and host congregations, Family
Promise® programs are funded by donations, grants, and fundraising
initiatives.
Their goal is to have FPLH operational no later than March, 2009.
However, certain criteria must be met before we can open our doors
to help homeless families in our community.
How the program works:
Host Congregations
Four times per year, for one week at a time, as a host congregation
we would provide overnight lodging, meals (dinner, breakfast, and
brown bag lunch), and hospitality for up to three families (no more than
14 people) from 6:00 p.m. until morning, at which time guests leave
for work, school or the day center.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the program, without which Family
Promise would not work. Volunteers provide a variety of services: cooking
and serving meals, playing with children or helping with homework,
and staying overnight. Beyond these services, volunteers interact with
the guests treating them with respect and responding with compassion.
This is an opportunity for the whole family to volunteer on some level.
Board Members
Ideally, each participating congregation will be represented by a
member on the FPLH board. These individuals will promote the program
in the community, assist with fundraising efforts, be advocates for
homeless families and effectively manage the ‘business' activities
of the program.
Day Center
Each day the guests are brought to our day center, which provides
a homelike atmosphere for our guests from morning until 6:00 p.m. The
FPLH director's office is located here. Many of the guests are employed
and will go to work. Other guests work with the director to find jobs
and housing. The day center has showers and laundry facilities for
the guests to use. Children not old enough for school have a designated
area at the center.
What you can do
- Prepare dinner – Provide an evening meal for the guests at
your church.
- Greet & eat – Welcome guests, join them for dinner
and spend a few hours in the evening chatting, listening or helping
with homework, playing with kids, etc.
- Spend the night – Sleep at the church overnight in case
any issues arise that need your attention.
- Buy groceries – Provide items that guests can use to prepare
their breakfast and lunches for adults and kids for school.
- Do laundry – When guests move on to the next church there
will be a pile of linens that need to be laundered and ready for
next time.
- Pray – Keep guests in your prayers to help them get back
on their feet and pray for FPLH's continued ministry.
- Be a coordinator – Help organize the program in your congregation
and round up volunteers for your rotation four times a year.
- Serve on the FPLH Board – The goal is for each participating
congregation to be represented on the board to help administer the ‘business'
of FPLH, provide direction, help with funding, etc.
Contact
if you would be interested in volunteering or donating to our efforts with FPLH. |
 "SOS" - Serve on Saturdays
Join us as we reach out to our community. We will have
a multitude of outreach activities to choose from such as handing
out water to thirsty neighbors, delivering groceries to families
in need, prayer walks in neighborhoods and providing sack lunches
for the homeless and hungry. Simple acts of kindness done in the
name of Christ. Fun for all ages. Supervised and all supplies
provided. Bring a smile and willing heart, we provide the rest.
Contact:
Kenny for dates and meeting places - 281-844-0299 |
 Sunday Morning Radical Hospitality
When we gather for worship, we have a team of people who are sold
out to making every visitor feel welcome. From the front door to
the Coffee/Doughnut table, to the worship space, you won't have to
ask where things are. Church shouldn't be that hard to figure out!
Contact:
Ann - 713-805-7416 |
 Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate
situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the
Good News of God's love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes
have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People
of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project
while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ.
How to Pack a Shoe Box
1. SHOE BOX
PRINT
THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND LABELS
Click to download. Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small
plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not
required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.
2. BOY OR GIRL?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the
child's age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate
boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the
correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top
of your box.
3. FILL WITH GIFTS
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use
the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.
4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION
Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help
cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using
our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan's Purse
(note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the
gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more
than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.
5. DROP OFF
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and bring them
to church by November 23, 2008. Vickie Wilson will collect them.
For more information, click
here. |
At
FaithQuest, "OUT" means risk-taking mission
and service!
Join us as we help feed children and their families
with filled grocery bags of food the first Saturday of every month.
You can provide food donations or perhaps deliver groceries to families
in the Humble area.
We serve an average of 10 families. The families are divided into two
routes. A driver and companion are needed on each route. The following food
donations are provided by volunteers who sign up with Kitty Rice. If you would
like to donate or join us on our Saturday, please call Kitty. 
Harvest Day Ministries