The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast

Ron Peters, the Executive Director of Katy Responds talks with us about the various disasters they have provided recovery assistance for in this Episode of Meet Houston Missions. Katy Responds is a nonprofit organization that restores homes destroyed or damaged by disaster by seeking funding, and then coordinating the work with local volunteers and staff. They serve homeowners primarily in the greater Katy ISD area. Katy Responds brought widespread flooding to the Katy, Texas area. Homeowners living in places that were not considered “in the flood plain” found themselves completely underwater as excessive amounts of water breached flood control dams and bayous. The extensive flooding from the storm left thousands of people with severely damaged homes that were not covered for hurricane, wind, and/or flood damage. As a result, a number of people were left without the means to repair the damage. Katy Responds was formed shortly after Hurricane Harvey to help to identify and obtain funding through grants and private donors that can be used to repair Katy Area homes after disaster strikes. When a family in need is referred to Katy Responds after a disaster, the organization seeks and obtains the funding and then seeks to engage volunteers from area churches and private volunteers to do the labor required to bring the home back to a livable condition. Volunteer Opportunities Katy Responds needs volunteers as well as financial support in order to succeed in its mission to help its neighbors in the Katy Area. If you would like to be a part of Katy Responds or to donate, please visit KatyResponds.org. Individuals, church groups, organizations, and groups from private businesses are encouraged to sign up on the website to participate individually or as a part of a larger group. Contact Information: Katy Responds KatyResponds.org 22765 Westheimer Pkwy. Katy, TX. 77450 281-305-8545 Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast are brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner.

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions, we meet Mark Martin, the Vice President of Community Engagement for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star--an organization that aims to build relationships between mentors adults, and children in grades K through 12 that will empower the little brothers and sisters to reach their full potential in life. They do this by screening and training big brothers and sisters, matching them with little brothers and sisters with similar interests and/or goals, and placing them in one of three mentor programs that best suits their needs. History Big Brothers Big Sisters was founded in 1904 by a court clerk who saw kids in the criminal system and decided there had to be a way to give them a positive influence to show them a better way. The organization grew beyond kids in the legal system to kids all over the United States with a need for mentoring in their lives. In 1977, A merger with Big Sisters led to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America that continues today and has local divisions across the United States. Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star – Greater Houston Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star – Greater Houston came to Houston in the 1950s and has helped thousands of mentors and youth pair up. The mentors provide a safe outlet for conversation, guidance, and friendship that for many last a lifetime. Opportunities to Get Involved There are several fundraising events and volunteering opportunities for individuals and businesses to get involved. You can learn the full details of these events by visiting the website and selecting “Events” from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. Each of these events has sponsorship opportunities, fundraising opportunities, and the opportunity to participate either individually or as a sponsor team. These include: Each of the above events allows people to form teams and raise money through donations and sponsorships of at least $1,000.00. Those teams then meet and compete for a great time and a great cause. The Annual Gala If you prefer to get dressed to the nines and celebrate as a way of raising support and awareness, An Evening for Potential is the event for you. This annual Gala and afterparty is a great opportunity to get dressed up for a fancy dinner and a great cause. Event Space Rental As a unique way of raising funds, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Lone Star-Greater Houston also offers the use of its event space. Boasting a comfortable 250-person seating space or 300 standing, this space is perfect for weddings, lectures, ceremonies, reunions, anniversaries, and other events. A full kitchen for catering and a balcony overlooking downtown Houston make this space perfect for any nice occasion. Contact: To learn more call 713-860-8226 or visit: https://bbbstx.org/greater-houston/. Mark Martin Vice President of Community Engagement Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star - Greater Houston 1003 Washington Ave. Houston, TX. 77002 Email: Mmartin @bbbstx.org The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C.

In this episode, Paul Talks to Amanda L. Payne, the Developmental Director for Walk MS. Walk MS is one of the two main fundraising organizations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The second one is the Texas MS150. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., has been privileged to be a part of Walk MS Houston and the Texas MS 150 in several capacities from entering teams, sponsoring teams, and sponsoring tents and booths at the events. The National MS Society The National MS Society was born from a sister’s love in 1946 after Sylvia Lawry, whose brother Bernard suffered from MS, identified a desperate need for an organized effort to “encourage and finance research into the cause, treatment, and cure of multiple sclerosis.” Today, the National MS Society has funded more breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of MS than has been accomplished in any other neurological disease. The website also provides a connection for people living with MS to the resources and tools needed to live their best lives. You can research doctors who treat MS as well as publications that provide valuable information on identifying, treating, and coping with MS. Walk MS Houston and Walk MS The Woodlands The Walk MS events are localized fundraiser walks to raise money for research and to raise awareness of MS. Volunteers to help with the walk are always welcome. Teams are needed to sign up to participate in the walk. Corporate sponsors are also needed to sponsor everything from individual tents and stations up to the entire event. Sponsorship levels range from $2,000-$25,000. There is a Walk MS Houston and a Walk MS The Woodlands that take place around the greater Houston area which occurs in March. Texas MS 150 The Texas MS 150 is a bike ride that is an annual event that starts in Austin and goes to a campsite in La Grange for the biggest Bike Ride Party event in the United States. The Ride continues the next day to the finish line in College Station. (Riders may also choose to ride directly to La Grange from their homes.) Volunteers to assist at the water and food tents and other stations are needed as well as corporate sponsors. Contact Information The National Multiple Sclerosis Society can be contacted at the following: 1050 N. Post Oak Rd. Ste. 240 Houston, TX 77055 1-800-344-4867 www.nationalMSsociety.org

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions, we meet with Shauna Huffington, the Campaign Development Director for the Texas Gulf Coast Region of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Leukemia Society was founded in 1949 by the parent of Robbie Roesler de Villiers, a young man who was taken by Leukemia in 1944 at the age of 16. It was later renamed the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or LLS. Today, LLS is dedicated to curing leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, and other blood cancers. The organization funds millions of dollars in research and provides patient services ranging from filing insurance claims to finding doctors. Helping Patients and Their Families For those who have been diagnosed with blood cancer, LLS provides a hotline staffed with masters-level oncology nurses and translators speaking multiple languages. By calling 800-955-4572, patients and their families can access a wealth of patient resources including, doctor referrals, educational resources, mentors, and assistance with appeals. Research Since 1949, LLS has provided over 1.3 billion dollars to researchers studying blood cancers. Currently, there are 11 researchers funded in Houston hospitals including Baylor & UT for a total of 12 million in grants. The LLS also spearheads the Children’s Initiative which is a 100 million dollar worldwide initiative to develop cures for childhood cancer. Since the organization’s inception, the survival rate of childhood cancer for children under the age of 15 has gone from a 3% survival rate to a 90% survival rate. Fundraisers: LLS hosts two major fundraisers. One is in the spring and the other in the fall. These fundraisers rely on teams of individuals as well as private and corporate sponsors. The spring event is The Big Climb. Participants climb up 50 flights of stairs in Downtown Houston to raise money and awareness. You can learn more or sign up here: https://pages.lls.org/bigclimb/txg/bigclimbhou22 The fall event in Houston is their big event which has drawn 5000 plus people at past events. This is their Light the Night event where people gather and walk at night with color-coded balloons that signify supporters, survivors, and victims of blood cancers. At the end, there is a fireworks show. Learn about Light The Night here: https://www.lightthenight.org/events/houston. Galas In addition to the above fundraisers, their Galas include Man/Woman of the Year and Students of the Year. These involve a secret fundraising competition that goes on during the year and winners are then revealed at their Gala. Volunteers and Donors Volunteers are needed for each of the events described above. Additionally, mentors—people who have survived blood cancer—are always needed to speak to people currently walking the walk. You can contact Information Services at 800-955-4572 to get more information on volunteering. Anyone wishing to donate outside of participating in the above events can also call the Information Services number to learn more or visit LLS.org. The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast is brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Founding partner Keith M. Fletcher passed away in 2019 due to Lymphoma. This disease affects the lives of many.

This Episode of The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast features Melinda Stephenson, the Executive Director of Clothed by Faith. Clothed by Faith provides new and gently used clothes via an online request portal to individuals, other missions, schools, and agencies. People submit their various clothing sizes via an online portal and volunteers gather clothes from the warehouse to fill a bag and provide one week’s worth of clothing. Clothed by Faith was founded by Abigale Fourie in 2013. The mission began in the founder’s garage and has grown into a mission with two storehouse locations and clothing closets in schools and churches that span across the entire greater Houston area. Since that time, they have provided clothing to over 79,000 individuals in need. Locations & Contact Clothed by Faith has two primary places of operation. The Katy location is at 802 Dominion Drive, Suite 100, Katy, Texas 77450, and can be reached by calling 281-676-8837. The Deer Park location is at 438 East 8th Street, Deer Park, Texas 77536, and can be reached by calling 346-205-4144. Additionally, they have clothing closets located in many of the Greater Houston Area schools. How to Get Involved Clothed by Faith is in need of donations and volunteers. New or gently-used clothing that has been washed and sorted (see website for details) is always in constant need. School uniforms are also a constant need for area schools. Financial donations so that new undergarments may be purchased are also needed. To make donations, find out more about the needs, and sign up to give, volunteer, or receive assistance, please visit the website: https://www.clothedbyfaith.org/. They are a 501c Charity so all donations are tax deductible. The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. See more missions and/or learn how to get your Houston mission featured.

In Episode 1 of Meet Houston Missions, we hear from Julie Malin, the South Texas Director for Heroes for Children. Heroes for Children is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization that advocates for and provides financial and social assistance to families with children (0-22 years of age) battling cancer. Since 2004, Heroes for Children has provided $6.5 million to over 6,600 Texas families in need through our financial and social assistance programs. There is no other organization that provides direct and immediate assistance to families with such ease when it comes to restoring normalcy and bringing comfort through each family’s journey. Heroes for Children History In October 2004, Larissa Linton (Taylor’s mom) and Jenny Lawson (Allie’s mom) met, soon after the death of Jenny’s daughter Allie. The need for a more comprehensive organization became evident to Co-Founders Larissa and Jenny after they recounted not only the devastating effects of childhood cancer during their daughters’ treatments but also the blessings they each received from their community. Unfortunately, they each saw many other families struggling without the aid and care of others. Families were losing their homes, having their electricity shut off, and struggling to make everyday payments. It was through the desire of these two moms to serve other families battling childhood cancer that Heroes for Children was formed. Events & Fundraisers: Heroes for Children hosts several different fundraisers per year all around the state of Texas as well as a support event for families of children experiencing childhood cancer. Events include a Heroes & Handbag event, Ladies’ Tennis Tournament, Christmas Event, and the Texas Hold’em Tournament. In the Heroes and Handbags Event, luxury handbags are donated by makers and businesses and then auctioned off to raise money. Wine and snacks are served to make it a fun event for all. In the Tennis Tournaments, teams enter and compete to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer. The Texas Holdem Tournament is an evening of card-playing fun with a casino night, auction, dinner, and drinks. Events are held at different times in different cities including Houston, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Visit Events to learn more about the events, dates, and times in your city. Contact: Julie Malin heroesforchildren.org Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner in the firm.

On Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, your host, Paul Cannon, talks with Bob Patton, the executive director of Fulshear Outreach and Development Corporation D/B/A Family Hope Fulshear. Family Hope Fulshear started in 2014 when a group of pastors and community leaders came together to address the need for family services in the Fulshear-Simonton areas. Family Hope Fulshear provides five main types of services, food, furniture, education, assistance, and events, to people who are seeking aid during difficult times. Family Hope Fulshear Projects One of their biggest services is the food pantry and food fairs they host at multiple churches. Their food pantry is located off Fry Road and 1463 and helps feed about 200 families a month. The food pantry is open Monday through Thursday from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. Moreover, Family Hope Fulshear has three locations: Parkway Fellowship, Saint Faustina Catholic Church, and the Knights of Columbus Hall, where they run food fairs once a month that help feed over 1,000 families. Additionally, Family Hope Fulshear runs special events throughout the year to supply various necessities to their community. One event they host is a Back-to-School event where they collect pairs of shoes for children who either do not have any shoes or are wearing old, beat-up shoes to wear for school. Last year, Family Hope Fulshear collected 1,266 pairs of shoes to give to children in need. Another event Family Hope Fulshear runs is the Hope Fair, which brings in businesses and presenters who are looking to hire immigrants seeking jobs. This year, Family Hope Fulshear is holding an event called the Bean-a-Thon--an event where volunteers package bags of rice and beans to give to families in need. Additional Services Family Hope Fulshear also provides services such as education and disaster (storm or serious car accident) relief aid to those in need. The organization holds classes for cooking, parenting, finances, and other courses for people seeking to learn life necessities. Additionally, the organization helps sign up immigrants for English courses at the Houston Community College so they can become contributing members in the United States. Volunteer Opportunities Family Hope Fulshear typically needs about 100 or more volunteers a month. With only five part-time staff members, Family Hope Fulshear relies heavily on volunteers from the community to package beans and rice, run the front desk at the main office, collect groceries, and run events. Some events, such as the food fairs, need around 100 volunteers each in order to ensure everything gets done in time to hand out the groceries to people. Since the organization is always hosting new events, it is a great place to look into if you are a high school or college student who needs volunteer hours for a club. Many of the volunteers at Family Hope Fulshear are kids looking to meet volunteer hour requirements for NHS, NCL, FCA, and Boy Scouts. If you are interested in volunteering, you can reach out on the Family Hope Fulshear website or call their office phone. Financial Needs In order to help as many people and families as possible, Family Hope Fulshear needs donations and support. Last year, they spent about $50,000 a month ($600,000 total) on groceries for people in need. While that may seem like a lot, that budget means that the 1,000 families they help each month only receive about $50 worth of groceries to use. Contact and Info (832)-332-5163 https://www.familyhopefulshear.org INFO@FAMILYHOPEFULSHEAR.ORG.

On this episode of Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher, Local Missions Podcast, Bobbie Mark, the Executive Director of Redeemed Ministries discusses how they have helped over 150 women escape from the bonds of human trafficking. Since 2010, Redeemed Ministries has operated one of the longest-running safe houses for victims of human trafficking in the United States. They work with rescues directly to provide shelter for women ages 18 and older seeking to escape the life of sex trafficking and labor trafficking. History In 2005, Bobbie Mark and her husband began doing outreach to women in the commercial sex industry. In 2010 they saw the need for safe houses and opened the Sparrow House, an 8-bedroom home in Harris County, with the goals of giving survivors a safe place to receive education, empowerment, and healing as well as be introduced to Jesus Christ. The Program Redeemed Ministries has enjoyed success like few other rescues in that their recidivism rate is only 25% whereas the national rate is around 80%. They do this by employing a program that not only educates and empowers survivors, but also rewards survivors for staying longer. The first year is largely an education and rehabilitation phase where they help them see themselves as a valued life. After a year, they are given the opportunity to work outside the rescue while still living there rent-free. When they make it to 18 months, the rescue will match up to $1500.00 to help them purchase a car. Graduates who stay the full 2 years have an extremely high rate of escaping the life forever. Volunteer Needs Redeemed Ministries has 12 regular team members. Everything they do requires volunteer help. Teachers and mentors are needed to help the survivors develop life and employment skills. Volunteers to help upkeep the house and the clothing boutique where survivors can obtain clothes. Additionally, the property is located in Northwest Harris County where they have an 8-bedroom home sitting on some fenced-in property. Volunteers to maintain the property and build a garden are needed. In addition to these opportunities, if you would like to volunteer to help with the fundraiser events, opportunities are posted on their website here: https://www.redeemedtx.org/new-page-2. Donations & Fundraising Opportunities In March, they hold their annual Golf Fundraiser Golf for Good at The Woodlands Country Club. You can join a team, sponsor, or volunteer to help set up. Also in March, Redeemed Ministries hosts Just Ride for a Just Cause which is a cycling event in West Houston to raise funds. Redeemed Ministries also hosts an annual GALA to raise money and awareness of the human trafficking problem. Direct monetary and in-kind donations are also accepted. They can always use toiletries, laundry supplies, and basic needs items. Contact: Volunteer Opportunities: laura@redeemedtx.org Redeemed Ministries 4008 Louetta Rd., Ste. 289 Spring, TX 77388 (832) 447-4130 https://www.redeemedtx.org/ Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. See more missions and/or learn how to get your Houston mission featured by visiting: https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com/meet-houston-missions/

On Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, your host Paul Cannon talks with Allison Meier Madrigal, the founder and CEO of Rescue America. Rescue America started as Rescue Houston in 2014 and in 2019 experienced such an outpouring of nationwide need for their services that they rebranded as Rescue America. They are now based out of Denver, Colorado, but their humble beginnings as a vision of Allison to help human trafficking victims escape the lifestyle started right here in Houston and its roots remain with an abundance of opportunity for people to get involved and truly make a difference in the lives of human trafficking victims who are being exploited across the entire United States. Rescue America is responsible for the 24/7 nationwide human trafficking hotline 833-599-FREE as well as numerous outreach hubs that proactively reach out to pluck human trafficking victims from their captors. Rescue America Programs & Services When a victim calls the Rescue America hotline, this sets into motion a process aimed at rescuing that victim when they are ready to escape. The victim is comforted and educated about how they are being victimized yet there is still hope. When the victim is truly ready to escape the lifestyle, Rescue America makes the arrangements to send an Uber and remove them from their present situation. The victim is provided with a hotel, food, and necessities until a more permanent human trafficking shelter can be coordinated for them to be taken to so they can start the journey toward exiting the lifestyle and healing. In order to encourage the victims to call the hotline, Rescue America scans the internet for ads promoting the sale (prostitution) of the victims and compiles the numbers. They are then delivered to Outreach Hubs run by volunteers across the nation who call and follow up on the leads to give the victims a message of hope and an opportunity to escape. Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers for both the hotline and the outreach hubs are needed as well as funding. Many of the hotline workers are full-time staff. The Hub is entirely volunteer-based and fielded over 2000 calls last year resulting in 225 people being rescued from slavery in America. If you are interested in volunteering, you can learn more on the website. Volunteers can either join existing hubs or create a new one. The typical hub gathers one day a month for 2 hours to make the phone calls and to pray for the victims. You can choose to simply be a prayer team member if you prefer. Men and women alike are needed for the hubs. In fact, there is a better response to men than women calling. Financial Needs Rescue Houston is greatly in need of private funding and support. You can also visit the website to donate towards the cost of Ubers, food, hotel rooms, and other necessities that are required in order to serve the victims as well as for the cost of full-time call takers on the hotline. Contact & Info The website address is https://rescueamerica.ngo/. On the site, you can find out more information on how to sign up to volunteer or how to create a hub. For security reasons, background checks are required on all volunteers. You can also email them at info@rescueamerica.ngo or by calling 888-977-8001. Rescue America is a 501©(3) non-profit organization. All donations made are tax deductible as per the IRS guidelines. Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Injury & Accident Lawyers. Your host, Paul H. Cannon is a partner in the firm.

Today's guest on Meet Houston Missions & The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast is Lea Byrd, the Mobilization Manager, for The Landing. The Landing is an organization dedicated to “walking alongside of victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.” They are located on Bissonnett Street in Houston, Texas in an area where human trafficking is a known problem. Drop in Center The Landing has three main programs to help fight the human trafficking epidemic in Houston. The primary program is their daily open Drop-in Center located on Bissonnet where people trapped in the life can drop in for a meal, clothing, and necessities. In addition to providing for basic needs, The Landing provides a safe space for people trying to escape the life or empower themselves to overcome it. The Landing serves as a resource to help human trafficking victims and sex trade workers get an education, proper identification, find housing, prepare for careers, and ultimately change their lives. The Landing offers a multi-week program to help them prepare themselves for work which includes a graduation, mock job interview, and work attire. They also provide case managers to help them overcome challenges and succeed. Youth Advocacy As part of their program, the Landing provides advocacy for at-risk youth and youth rescued from the human trafficking lifestyle. This includes sending advocates to the police station or hospital to provide the victims with their options on how to change their lives. Outreach Another service that The Landing offers is Outreach. With their location in an area of Houston where sex trafficking is very active, The Landing trains volunteers to send out into the community to raise awareness that they are there to help. In fact, Lea Byrd began her journey with The Landing as a volunteer doing outreach three years ago and is now the Mobilization Manager—in charge of far more than just the volunteer teams. Volunteer Opportunities The Landing has about 20 employees and relies heavily on volunteers for their daily Drop-in Center and their Outreach program. If you want to get involved as an outreach person or something more low-key like hanging out or serving meals at the Drop-in Center, they can use your help. To volunteer, visit the website at: https://thelanding.org/ or call them at 713-766-1111. They offer regular training for outreach. They also invite groups of 5 to come to provide and serve meals during the day for group opportunities. Giving Opportunities There are many ways that you can give to The Landing including their Amazon wish list, donating at their Share the Love collection sites, donating to their events like Back to School, Thanksgiving Dinner, and Christmas wish lists. All of these opportunities can be discovered on their website or by signing up for their prayer text and newsletter on the website. Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast are brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner.

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions & The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, meet Briana McCulloch, Executive Director of the Kailee Mills Foundation. The Kailee Mills Foundation was formed in 2017 to spread awareness of the importance of always wearing your seatbelt while riding in a vehicle at any speed to any place since you never know when a car accident might occur. The Kailee Mills Foundation is based in Houston, Texas but they have evolved into a national campaign acting as the spokespersons for the national Clicket or Ticket campaign. Background Kailee Mills, at the age of 16 was riding as a rear passenger in a vehicle on her way to a neighborhood Halloween Party. She was only about 400 yards from her home when she decided to take off her seatbelt and slide over to take a quick Selfe with her friend. She had every intention of putting the seatbelt right back on as she always wore it. But fate would play out differently on this tragic day when the driver veered off the road going at a slow speed around a sharp curve. The car rolled. Kailee was tossed out of the vehicle. All other occupants were belted and walked away with only minor physical injuries. Kailee Mills was killed in the tragic accident. Kailee’s family and friends realized that the best way to keep Kailee’s memory alive was to spread the word about the importance of always wearing your seatbelt. The mission was born. Advocacy The Kailee Mills Foundation leaders regularly appear at schools to talk to kids about the importance of wearing a seatbelt at all times. They have created an educational program that can be taught in the schools as well as online that they use to teach with. Additionally, they provide family assistance to families who have lost a loved one in an accident due to seatbelt non-use. The Kailee Mills Foundation further provides student scholarships to students active in promoting seatbelt use and awareness. Opportunities to Get Involved The Kailee Mills Foundation raises funds for its awareness campaigns and educational programs through a number of events that allow companies to create sponsorships and individuals to come together as teams and compete in fun events for a great cause. To sign up to volunteer, compete as a team, or be a sponsor, visit https://www.kaileemillsfoundation.org/. Events The Kailee Mills Foundation hosts three separate events including a Purse Bingo event, a golf tournament, and a Repelling event. The Galentine’s Purse Bingo is held near Valentine and gives people a chance to win designer purses while playing bingo for a cause. The Annual Drive to Save Lives Golf Tournament is held in Kingwood in May. Lastly, the new event they are introducing this year is the Kailee Mills Over the Edge Rappelling event where you can rappel down the side of an office building in Downtown Houston! (Or you can just choose to sponsor it and watch others.) Contact: The best way to reach out to the Kailee Mills Foundation is to contact them through the website or via email at info@kaileemillsfoundation.org. Their mailing address is: 25003 Pitkin Road, Suite C100 Spring, TX 77386 Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher Local Podcast are brought to you by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C. Host Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner.

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions & The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, hear from Barry Hart, the Executive Director of Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries a/k/a T.E.A.M. Mr. Hart tells us how T.E.A.M. partners with local businesses to serve low income, individuals and families that live in the Tomball area or are members at T.E.A.M. sponsor churches. Missions Projects T.E.A.M. operates a food pantry and also coordinates food delivery for elderly and disabled qualifying persons in need. They fill over 3300 grocery orders each year. In addition, they operate a resale shop at the Main Street location in Tomball which helps to fund the food pantry. They also offer a jobs ministry to help people find jobs and rebuild their lives. Volunteer & Giving Opportunities T.E.A.M is a large mission operation requiring workers a the food pantry and resale shop as well as volunteer drivers, packers, and stockers. In addition to your time, financial contributions and resale item donations can be made. Additionally, you can participate in giving by their shopping rewards program: https://teamtomball.com/shopping-rewards/. Location & Contact: T.E.A.M. is located at 300 West Main Street, in Tomball, TX 77375. Volunteer information can be found on the website at https://teamtomball.com/volunteer/ You can also get more information on volunteering by emailing team@teamtomball.com. The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner at the firm. visit https://www.simmonsandfletcher.com to learn more.

In this episode of the Meet Houston Missions Podcast, we talk to Dr. Monique Williams the Chief Advancement Office of Bread of Life, Inc. Bread of Life, Inc. has been operating as a mission to help feed and rehabilitate Houston’s homeless for over three decades. They operate in conjunction with a sister mission Tominos, that provides housing in 5 different residences for homeless persons. Background The Bread of Life was started 31 years ago when St John’s United Methodist Church in downtown Houston began feeding and providing assistance to the homeless of Houston. They quickly recognized that the need was greater than could be handled as a side role and the Bread of Life 501c was formed. Bread of Life Now What started as a mission to feed has grown into a comprehensive organization dedicated to not just feeding the homeless, but helping them gain the skills and education they need to escape the cycle of homelessness. Bread of Life today provides education, training toward certificates, food, community outreach, and education via a radio broadcast on 102.5. Educational Opportunities In addition to providing basic education such as life skills and work towards a GED, Bread of Life has several skilled certifications they provide training for. These include a Phlebotomist Certification and a CISCO computer certification thanks to strategic partnerships. Volunteer Needs and Donations Bread of Life has many volunteer opportunities that range from working in the warehouse to prepare food boxes of which hundreds are delivered to the community, drivers to deliver the food, people involved in all levels of education, and other opportunities which can be found on their website: www.breadoflifeinc.com. Financial contributions may also be made via the website. Donations of canned goods are also accepted at their warehouse located at 2019 Crawford, Houston Texas. However, with all they have going on, I would recommend you contact them first via the website and schedule a good drop-off time. Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner at the firm.

Hear from Lisa Modglin, the Administrative Manager of Mesa Outreach as Host Paul H. Cannon interviews her about the various programs Mesa Outreach provides to less fortunate families in Bear Creek and the surrounding zip codes. They are located on the campus of Bear Creek United Methodist Church and like many missions, were born from the church but grew to the point of becoming a separate mission. Missions & Volunteer Opportunities Mesa Outreach is a mission that simply cannot operate without its volunteers. They come from local churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals who have the heart to serve. Last year they had over 820 volunteers in their various missions. They can provide individual or group volunteering opportunities and documentation for service organization requirements. Food Bank Partnership Mesa Outreach partners with the Houston Food Bank to supply non-perishables, frozen meats, and produce to folks with emergency needs through their local food pantry. They serve approximately 600 families a month. Help is always welcome here. They also assist in Food Bank programs such as Share the Table. Childrens Scholastic Programs Books to Kids is a program operated by Mesa Outreach that encourages young children to read by providing them with books of their own. Stuff the Bus is an annual drive by Mesa to provide school supplies to the underprivileged kids in the area. Additionally, Mesa provides 4-year college scholarships to some lucky kids in need each year. Location & Contact To contact Mesa Outreach, please send an email to info@mesa-outreach.org or visit the website: mesa-outreach.org for more information. Mailing address: MESA-OUTREACH, INC. P.O. Box 841075 Houston, TX 77284-1075 Physical address: Bear Creek United Methodist Church 16000 Rippling Water Drive Houston, TX 77084 Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast are produced by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., a group of Christian personal injury attorneys located in Houston, Texas who serve accident victims recovering from the negligent actions of others.

On this episode of Meet Houston Missions & The Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, meet Victor Hay, the Director of Magnificat Houses. Magnificat Houses began in 1968 with one woman dedicating one hose to provide shelter, food, and support for women on the streets of Houston with mental health issues who had nowhere to go. Today, there are 15 houses that house 5-10 adult men and women with mental health care needs per house who would otherwise be homeless. Magnificat Houses provides food, shelter, mental health care access, vocational training, and so much more to people who have nowhere else to go. Volunteer Opportunities House Sponsors Magnificat Houses have 15 homes that all require maintenance and upkeep from basic yard care to remodeling and construction work. Individuals or companies wishing to adopt a home are invited to reach out. Most of the homes are purchased in need of repair and fixed up to make them habitable so anyone with home construction and remodeling skills is highly encouraged to volunteer. Feeding the Homeless Magnificat Houses operates the Loaves of Fishes Soup Kitchen where they provide 300-400 meals Tuesday through Sunday to Houston’s homeless. The Soup Kitchen is located at the 2009 Congress and runs on the love of volunteers who give their time to serve. St. Joseph Clubhouse The St. Joseph Clubhouse is located at 3307 Austin St. It is the only mental health-accredited clubhouse in the entire Houston area. They provide daily activities, support and services to people in need of long-term mental care. Teachers of life skills and vocational skills are always needed. Guests can actually gain help working towards earning their GED here. The Anawim Thrift Store At 2102 Common Street, Magnificat Houses operates a thrift store. Volunteer opportunities and donations are always available. Contact If you are interested in volunteering or assisting, please visit the website: https://mhihouston.org/. For Soup Kitchen volunteering, you can also reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Shun Johnson at 713-529-4231 to discuss how to get yourself or your organization involved. Magnificat Houses, Inc. is a faith-based, non-profit, charitable, 501(c)(3) organization, in adherence with the Federal Internal Revenue Code and chartered by the State of Texas in 1968. Our EIN is 23-7003471. Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner at the firm.

In this episode, Paul H. Cannon talks with The President of Katy Cares, Dr. Dawid J. Pieterse, Th.D., M.M., A.P., Lt. Col.. Katy Cares is a Christian Faith-based mission that provides mentoring, counseling, coaching training programs as well as other essential support services to single-parent families that have been disrupted by unexpected, traumatic, and life-changing events. Many of the people they help come from abusive relationships and are looking to rebuild their lives after escaping the danger. Katy Cares is a non-profit that was founded in 2016 to serve the Katy Area. It has since expanded to Serve Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend Counties. Additional Services If you are a single mother coming from an abusive or otherwise disruptive situation, please feel free to call Katy Cares at 832-517-1636 or email Dr. Pieterse at president@katycares.org. Ready Set Go is a nine-module parenting class aimed at providing counseling and teaching skills for healthy relationships. The Safari Adventure is a social skills development class for children coming from troubled single-parent families. Teens may continue on in the Grow Through Life program which has four modules of teaching. Giving & Volunteer Opportunities Most of the assistance provided by Katy Cares requires trained professionals. However, there are fundraisers that volunteers may be able to assist in as well as participation in the events themselves. Giving Hope Gala The Giving Hope Gala is an annual event put on in November to raise money for the families they support. Information on how to get involved can be found on their website. Contact The business address is 6725 South Fry Road, Ste. 700-507, Katy Texas 77494. However, the meetings and counseling take place through local churches and other undisclosed organizations in order to provide for the safety of the women and families. On the Web, you can follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Katycareshome or visit their website for more information: https://katycares.org/.

In This episode of Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, we meet Lynda Dierker, the Executive Director of Cy-Hope. Cy-Hope serves as a catalyst to bring needs and solutions together for at-risk children. Services provided include: Providing food to underprivileged children in the Cy-Fair area.Operating after-school centers (Hope Centers) in low-income areas.Offering counseling and play therapy to all children, individuals, and families at Cy-Hope Counseling.Helping underprivileged high school students succeed by assisting with Dual Credit, Advanced Placement, and Certification fees.Giving underserved children an opportunity to experience summer fun at Camp Lemonade.Encouraging students through the magic of music by offering band camp, sponsoring a 5th-grade choral festival, and providing private instruction to underserved students.Providing baseball instruction in a family-friendly, positive environment through Dierker’s Champs.Providing skills for life in select secondary schools through the Ambassadors of Compassion mentoring program.Volunteer Opportunities & Donations Cy-Hope operates several mission-oriented services to serve the local community. These include: Hope Chest Resale Market is located at 12015 Barker Cypress Road. (Contact Amy Vern, amy.vern@cy-hope.org) and Hope Chest Katy located at 6545 Stockdick School Rd Katy 77449. (Contact Anne.carruba@cy-hope.org.) The Hope Chest needs groups to help with projects at the resale market and individuals to help on a consistent basis. Backpack Feeding Program (Contact: essence.martin@cy-hope.org.) This program requires volunteers to help with loading vehicles or driving food donations to CFISD schools on a weekly basis during the day during the school year. The Hope Centers (Contact: genna.peard@cy-hope.org.) Hope Centers are located at Longhorn Mobile Home Community, Trails of Windfern Apartments, Pointe at Steeplechase Apartments, and The Enclave at Copperfield. A new Hope Center is planned for the Waller area soon. The Hope Centers provide after-school activities and are open from 4:30-6:30 PM on weeknights. Volunteers are needed to assist and/or teach crafts Fundraisers Cy-Hope holds four main annual fundraisers to raise financial support for their mission. These include: The Cy-Hope Clay Shoot at Westside Sporting Grounds in April.Cypress Market @ Cy-Hope in April.Larry Dierker Celebrity Golf Shootout at Blackhorse Golf Course in November.Gala & Auction in November.In December, they have a Christmas Tree Lighting event to bring the community together which has lots of fun things for the family from cookie decorating to a visit from Santa himself. Cy-Hope is located at 12715-Telge Rd., Cypress, TX 77429. To inquire about volunteer opportunities or obtain more information, please call 713-466-HOPE or visit: https://www.cy-hope.org/. Meet Houston Missions is presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Host Paul H. Cannon is a partner at the firm.

In this episode of the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, Host Paul H. Cannon talks to Diana Willetts, the Katy Area Representative for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). There are several area representatives and numerous opportunities for parents to get involved as sponsors and students to get involved in Bible Studies. About the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) FCA is an organization designed to help unite athletes’ passion for sports with their passion for Christ. Students, hold Bible study meetings in “Huddles.” Each Huddle has student leaders, a parent/adult sponsor, and a teacher sponsor. Members are encouraged and encourage one another to live out Biblical principles both within the Huddle and beyond. The organization encourages faith in action through volunteering and other group activities. Opportunities If you or your child’s school does not have FCA, you can apply for training on how to become a parent sponsor and how to introduce FCA to your school. Visit www.fca.org/get-involved to learn more about who to contact in your area to join or create a Huddle. Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast are presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers are a group of Christian Trial Lawyers who give back to the community by promoting local missions free of charge. Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner at the firm. Support the FCA: https://my.fca.org/dianawilletts

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions and The Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Local Missions Podcast, Ruhamah Rylander, the Founder and Executive Director of Keturah’s Haven, and her husband and cofounder David, tell our attorney Paul Cannon about their Nonprofit which focuses on providing housing for homeless pregnant women. Keturah’s Haven provides a safe place to live for homeless young women who have come from difficult backgrounds and upbringings to give them an opportunity to have their babies in a safe environment and then recover and get back on their feet. They are largely a second chance facility for people caught up in the world of drugs, prostitution, human trafficking, and abusive relationships. Residents are given the opportunity to learn life and work skills so that when they leave they do not have to return to their former lives. Volunteers with the ability to teach various practical skills are needed. To learn more about these opportunities, please sign up for their newsletter via the website: https://keturahshaven.org. Fundraising Opportunities Every February Keturah’s Haven holds its annual Fundraiser Gala, Auction, and Dinner. In October, they also hold an annual games night fundraiser which will feature Bingo this year. Location & Contact Keturah’s Haven is located on the property of Faith West Christian School Academy in Katy, Texas. The mailing address is P.O. Box 5261, Katy, TX 77491. They can be reached by calling 832-437-8529. Website: https://keturahshaven.org/. Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast are presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner at the firm.

In this episode of Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast, Host Paul H. Cannon talks to Sara Struwe, the CEO of the Spina Bifida Association. The Spina Bifida Association is an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people who suffer from Spina Bifida. Their goal is to improve their lives by providing resources and actively educating expectant parents, teachers, doctors, and the public about the effects of this condition and how to improve the lives of those born with it. Spina Bifida is an incurable condition that may affect a person’s mobility and ability to care for themselves throughout their lives. Presently, there are 133 pediatric clinics that provide a variety of doctors who are required to treat the condition. However, once a person is an adult, there are fewer doctors who really know how to treat the condition and make patients’ lives easier. Volunteers to assist with this educational process and training process are needed. Fund Raising Opportunities The first annual Houston Spina Bifida Walk-n-Roll takes place November 4th, 2023 at James Driver Park 10918 Bentley St, Houston, TX 77093 at 10:00 a.m. Walking teams and sponsors can learn more about how to become a part of this event by visiting the website: https://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/. Email: sbaa@sbaa.org Meet Houston Missions and the Simmons and Fletcher Local Missions Podcast are presented by Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., Injury & Accident Lawyers. Paul H. Cannon is the Managing Partner at the firm.