Dish-Houston

Residents of the Historic Houston Heights continue to make history this Friday night, December 3rd, as they host their annual Holiday on 19Th Street event. This special evening has been  a Houston area highlight for more than two decades amid a festive atmosphere filled with shopping bargains, refreshments, Santa, carolers and much more. "It's like spending time inside an old traditional post card," said one shopper from last year, "everyone is full of the Christmas Cheer and there’s a lot to see - antiques, clothing, books, original artwork and so many unique gifts." The opportunity to Sip, Shop and Stroll down 19TH Street starts at 6 PM and ends at 10 PM.

But this year is extra special. The 19Th Street Merchant's Association has chosen to give as well as receive. According to Merchant's spokesman and shop owner Dan Long, "We are aware of the growing homeless problem in Houston - this Christmas, more children will be homeless than ever before. So we've decided to help." he said.

And with that, 19TH Street created a miracle of giving. This year, visitors will be given the opportunity to Shop AND DROP for the Star of Hope Homeless Mission. Customers are encouraged to bring a new or gently worn blanket or a new toy to any of the participating 19Th Street merchants and DROP it into the donation box while they shop. In addition, some merchants will be offering discounts or free gifts for the donation - and many will give a portion of the December 3rd proceeds to the Star of Hope Mission.  

The Star of Hope reaches out to about 1,000 homeless men, women and children EVERY DAY. To donate or for more information, visit sohmission.org.

Star of Hope President and CEO, Hank Rush, has announced that the homeless mission’s downtown Women and Family Emergency Shelter at 419 Dowling, has reached a record overflow. “During this last week, each night we have averaged about 100 women and children waiting for beds. This is unprecedented,” he said. The shelter has been at its 256 person capacity, with a waiting list, for two years. “We always experience extra people in the summer – but this year because of the extreme heat and the economy – we’re seeing more children, more families and lots of new faces.” said Rush. The homeless women and children on the waiting list spend the night on a pallet inside the shelter, out of the heat and asleep in the atrium area. The Men’s Center has been at or near its 300 person capacity every night this year.

The record numbers and weak economy have created a major challenge for the homeless mission. “More people mean more food, more utilities and extra staff.  Our donations have dropped considerably. Currently, we’re experiencing about a $700,000 short fall. Soon we won’t be able to deal with the overflow and we’ll have to cut programs and turn people away …we hope we don’t get to that point,” Rush said. The Star of Hope chief is optimistic. “It’s been my experience that Houston is one of the most generous cities in the country. But it’s a historic fact – when the temperature goes up, the donations go down. We need the city to open its “summer heart” and help us help their neighbors in crisis.” said Rush.

Houstonians are encouraged to donate cash, canned, non-perishable food, gently used clothing and even volunteer hours. Specific immediate needs include towels, blankets, diapers, water and toiletries. Star of Hope’s Summer of Hope campaign boast a new “giving” feature- texting. It’s now possible to donate $10 to Star of Hope by safely texting “SOH” to 20222. For more information on “ways to give”, visit sohmission.org. 

If you've ever read DISH you know helping others, supporting others and charity is what really motivates us and The Star of Hope Homeless Shelter has been our pet project for many years, even since before DISH's inception. Needless to say when we heard our very favorite singer in the world, Jon Bon Jovi visited with the homeless in Dallas after two sold-out shows over the weekend, we knew we had to tell the story!

Forget the typical rock star egotystical behavior, Bon Jovi spent Monday afternoon continuing his education on how communities can combat homelessness by taking tours of http://www.citywalkatakard.com/ and the Casa Youth Emergency Shelter.

"It's one soul at a time," Bon Jovi said.

In 2006, Bon Jovi started the nonprofit Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation (formerly the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation) and has since built 250 affordable housing units in Philadelphia.

During this concert tour, Bon Jovi has made a commitment to visit as many homeless shelters and foundations as possible in each of the tour cities to share ideas about the fight against homelessness.

Monday's first stop was CityWalk@Akard, where Bon Jovi talked to John Greenan, executive director of the Central Dallas Community Development Corp., and Larry James, president and chief executive officer of Central Dallas Ministries.

CityWalk had its grand opening last month and provides low-cost housing in Dallas to formerly homeless and low-income residents. The facility offers furnished units in a downtown Dallas high-rise, with rents ranging from $350 to $912 per month, including utilities.

A 7-Eleven will be opening in the mixed use building soon. It also has penthouse lofts and business office space which were pre-sold before the project even started.

"Those folks are cleaning up their own act because no one's pointing their finger," Bon Jovi said.

Money and opposition from the neighborhoods is always the biggest issue when low-income housing projects are being considered. But in the long run, these programs can save taxpayers money.

"We're saving taxpayers $50 million per year in Dallas," James said.

The second stop Monday was the Casa Youth Shelter, a 20-bed haven for runaways and troubled youths operated by the Salvation Army.

The shelter – where youth can stay up to 30 days – is funded through grants, federal dollars and donations and offers group, family and individual therapy. Two Dallas Independent School District teachers provide educational support.

Bon Jovi said he understands that the homeless may not be everyone's cause, but he said it is important to get out there, find a passion and volunteer.

"This moves me," Bon Jovi said.

He said wants he wants the next ten years to be a " 'we' decade not a 'me' decade." 

For more information on how you can help with the homlessness in Houston or Dallas, click on the links above or google your city and homeless shelter to find a way to help nearest you.

On Thanksgiving Day, Houston’s Hard Rock Café will continue a tradition that has spanned 19 years. Although the famous theme restaurant will be closed to the public, the staff, management, friends and families donate their time to cook and serve turkey and all the fixings to homeless Houstonians. DISH-Houston.com is proud to be a sponsor this year. DISH Publisher Lori Freese,

I've been blessed enough to have had the opportunity to participate in this wonderful tradition for the past 5 or so years so it was only natural to become a sponsor. The Star of Hope is an amazing organization. The folks who are in residence there work very hard to change their lives for the better. To get to serve them in this way that helps them to feel special during a time when feeling special isn't a daily experience is just an honor.

About 250 residents of Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center and the downtown Women and Family Emergency Shelter will be treated to the meal along with a visit from Santa – complete with gifts. Around half of the 250 attending will be children.

Hard Rock Café General Manager Alfred Cardenas loves this time of the year:

“Our motto is Love All, Serve All – I can’t think of a better way to express that philosophy than by helping homeless families during the holidays.”

THanksgiving is so much more than the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, football....Gig 'Em Aggies....and stuffing yourself silly. It's actually about giving thanks for the blessings in your life. Yellow Cab of Houston is showing their gratitude by giving back. About fifty independent contractor drivers from Houston’s largest taxicab fleet will give up their Thanksgiving morning to transport over 125 homeless women and children from Star of Hope’s Transitional Living Center to the downtown Hard Rock Café.

“These Yellow Cab drivers are tremendously important to The Star of Hope Mission, to our clients, and to the community at-large,” said Mike Spears, Marketing Director of Yellow Cab. “Our volunteer drivers really make a difference and they have the opportunity to experience the joy and satisfaction of providing a valuable service in their own community on Thanksgiving Day.” 

One of DISH'S favortie people in the world, Marilyn Fountain, Star of Hope’s Community Relations Manager likes the idea as well. 

 “This is such an exciting opportunity to bring the heart of Thanksgiving to our clients. And now it seems to be becoming a tradition – our Second Annual Yellow Roads of Texas.” she said.

Make sure to take the time to focus on your blessings....real ones not your newest labeled shoes....and tell those that made a difference in your life hwo much you appreciate them.

Many Blessings on this Thanksgiving to you DISHIES!