Texas Southern University students took a trip to a homeless shelter, “The Star of Hope”, to gain unknown knowledge and open minds towards homeless of Houston.
The Star of Hope is a ministry that offers wonderful services to those in need and looking for a change. Real people with real needs and real stories; being homeless and addiction follows as most backgrounds in some of these families.
There are three facilities Men’s Development Center, the Women and Family Emergency Shelter, and the Transitional Living Center for Women & Families are all shelters, in the downtown Houston area helping those in need.
The Star of Hope is a ministry that offers wonderful services to those in need and looking for a change. Real people with real needs and real stories; being homeless and addiction follows as most backgrounds in some of these families.
There are three facilities Men’s Development Center, the Women and Family Emergency Shelter, and the Transitional Living Center for Women & Families are all shelters, in the downtown Houston area helping those in need.
The Star of Hope is dedicated to meet the necessities of homeless men, women, and their children in hopes of producing life changes that end with positive outcomes through programs which focus on spiritual growth, education, employment, life management and recovery from substance abuse.
Ted Johnson, Development Assistant of the Transitional Living center, served as a tour guide and shared detailed information about the shelter and his reason for the love of his job.
“Just being able to wake in the morning knowing that I’m helping someone, helps me to go through each day”, Johnson said.
The Star of Hope goes far beyond offering food and shelter for those members of society who have had some unfortunate setbacks, what these facilities offer are a way to rehabilitate and become a productive member of society.
Johnson discussed the various programs and requirements to be a member at the shelter, some of the programs include, a supportive environment, childcare facility, financial management, biblical counseling, also sobriety support.
“I feel like God chose me to be here, to help the people who come through these doors, we take pride in welcoming them into a supportive environment,” Tasha said, “we are genuine people and we work from our hearts”.
Tasha Lacy has been the computer instructor at the Star of Hope for over three years and says she wouldn’t trade her job for the world.
Some requirements for the shelter are being clean from substance abuse for a year, being able to follow rules given by the shelter and for each person to have a desire to improve their situation.
Being homeless is something unexpected for most and cannot be overcome without help. Either its personal or just knowing someone in the situation, Star of Hope offers programs and services to accommodate those needs by comforting, encouraging and showing great guidance.
While staying at the Star of Hope members are given the chance to learn skills that will prepare them for finding a job, or even attending college.
For those families who come with their children the Star of Hope has designed after school programs.
Day time instructor for children ages four to eleven gives her account of how working at the Star of Hope has changed her perspective on the education of homeless children.
“Before I began working with the Star of Hope children’s program I didn’t think much about the education of homeless children”, Sara Mclean said “but they need positive mentors who can encourage them to further their education, and that’s what keeps me coming in from day to day,” Mclean explained.
Being able to offer a second chance at life for the members of the Star of Hope is a goal that is carried out daily by the staff and volunteers of this ministry.
Their mission is to bring about positive life changes and encourage through spiritual growth, structured programs. And the moral of the center can be felt by anyone who entered those doors.
“I really enjoy volunteering, I feel inspired 2 help the homeless more and more each day that I come in and see a smile on at least on persons face,” said Ashlee Jones, a volunteer at the center. “I feel like every person should donate clothing, money, or their time to help Star of Hope help transition for their better good.”
This was an experience that allowed for TSU’s students to be open to a new perspective to value what they have.
“After this visit my views towards the homeless have changed a lot,” Ashlan Smith said, “this was not just a homeless shelter in my eyes this was a source of a giving a good deed.”
If you are anyone you know would be interested in giving to the Star of Hope any and all donations are welcome. You can give your time, your talent, or your treasure to help someone in need.
Their mission is to bring about positive life changes and encourage through spiritual growth, structured programs. And the moral of the center can be felt by anyone who entered those doors.
“I really enjoy volunteering, I feel inspired 2 help the homeless more and more each day that I come in and see a smile on at least on persons face,” said Ashlee Jones, a volunteer at the center. “I feel like every person should donate clothing, money, or their time to help Star of Hope help transition for their better good.”
This was an experience that allowed for TSU’s students to be open to a new perspective to value what they have.
“After this visit my views towards the homeless have changed a lot,” Ashlan Smith said, “this was not just a homeless shelter in my eyes this was a source of a giving a good deed.”
If you are anyone you know would be interested in giving to the Star of Hope any and all donations are welcome. You can give your time, your talent, or your treasure to help someone in need.
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