Houston P. A. hosted by Laurent: Recent Episodes
KPRC AM 950 (KPRC-AM)
Houston P.A. is a weekly program of conversation hosted by Laurent Fouilloud-Buyat (just call him Laurent, pronounced low-ront). Each week, Laurent invites you to meet the people who make Houston unique: the museum curators, scientists, writers, dancers, musicians, civil servants, the neighbor who used to be an alcoholic but is now in recovery, and the one who has donated two gallons of blood in his lifetime ... they're on Houston Public Affairs, the show about the people of Houston.
Jerry Scott is the COO of the Lone Star Flight Museum & Director of flight operations. He introduces us to Barbara Radnofsky and Ed Supkis who are the authors of “The Astronaut, the Barber and the Golf Ball” which looks into the msytery of the third golf ball that the legendary Alan Shepard took to moon. He did it for his friend Carlos – or did he? It’s an awesome NASA story full of insight into the Houston community that built NASA. Barbara and Ed are speaking at the museum on January 16th: www.lonestarflight.org
Gabriela Gerhart is the founder of Motherhood Center. The Motherhood Center educates expecting parents with classes and socials like the Baby Bump Social and the New Dads Meetup. On top of pregnancy education, the Motherhood Center is also a doula and nanny agency. Go to: www.motherhoodcenter.com
Gabriela is also the author of “After the Fall,” an autobiography about her childhood under communism in Czechoslovakia. It’s a great read and we talk about what it was like immigrating to the US.
Paula Harris is the Senior Vice President of Community Affairs for the Astros and she is the Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. Their primary focus is bringing education &baseball & sports to kids around Houston. They fund sports programs, buy tens of thousands of uniforms, build baseball fields in poor neighborhood and wait to hear what they did for the Uvalde community!
The Astros Foundation also deploys an army of volunteers to help other Orgs like Medical Bridges. Go to: www.mlb.com/astros/community
Elizabeth Elder, is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, a support organization for moms who have kids with special needs. Cindy Mood is their membership chair and Bethany Sauer is a member, artist and vendor at their special events. They share their stories of connecting with other women and finding support among peers – the only people who can truly understand what having a kid with special needs is really like. They also have a meeting for men – father are not abandoned! You can be a part of the group. Joining is free on their website / Facebook page. Go to: www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com
Rick lives with ALS. He and his wife discuss his diagnosis and how their lives have changed. You'll be inspired by their courrage and optimistic outlook.
Danatria Spears is the associate director of development for the ALS Association of Texas. The ALS Walk on Saturday Nov 16th at the University of Houston. www.als.org
Dr. Tadia Diallo is the global health manager for Medical Bridges. We discuss how she came to Texas from Guinea and Medical Bridges' mission to bring medical supplies to healthcare workers across nations in need. These supplies are donated to Medical bridges by our hospital community and volunteers prepare them to for shipment. We also describe the awesome clinics on wheels built by students of A&M University. Go to: www.medicalbridges.org
Lara Mautz is the executive director of the Christ Clinic and Jay Donnella in charge of their Strategic Partnerships. Christ Clinic delivers high quality healthcare to those who are uninsured and underinsured. Most of their services are delivered by volunteers, including the nurses and physicians who donate their time. This means they can help deliver healthcare to those who can’t pay. We also discuss how convenient it is for patients to use Christ Clinic before their symptoms turn into really big problems. To make appointments or to donate to their mission. Go to www.christclinickaty.org. You can also call for an appointment: 281-391-0190
Kenicia Curry is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for Legacy Community Health. Telehealth has become the main way to consult for Legacy Community Healthcare and we discuss the importance of managing medication for older patients. In addition to very important in-person consultations with physicians, constant contact with people like Kenicia through video calls is a helpful tool to help people manage their conditions. www.legacycommunityhealth.org
Dr. Teandra Gordon is the Senior Program Director for BrainAbouts, an organization that has free online tools to help parents raise children to avoid drugs and alcohol. They work through schools, providing access to study packets to go along with the online courses. Online videos are available to all: www.brainabouts.org
Gail Gould is the The CPR and Safety Lady and she teaches us what to do in case of a seizure or chocking, live on the radio. There’s much more to learn on the subject of first aid like knowing how to use the automatic defibrillators every building is supposed to have and even using EKGs to detect heart problems in young men. Go to www.cprandsafetylady.com and Gail can come teach you the course.
Chanelle Omiwade is the Program Director for Communities in Schools of Houston and Adrianne A. Williams is a Student Support Manager at Lamar High School. CIS helps parents and students navigate the school year from making sure they have a great breakfast to giving tips on good sleeping hygiene so students get the rest they need. They also have a mental health initiative that allows students to get help anonymously. They get help from over 300 non-profits in town to provide all the services they need. Go to: www.cishouston.org
Dr. Paul Gerson is the founder of The Periwinkle Foundation (he was also in the air force) and Ann Massey is their Development Director.
The Periwinkle Foundation was founded to provide children at Texas Children's Hospital with the opportunity to "just feel normal" for one week at Camp Periwinkle. They also offer tons of programs to help children and their families get through the harsh cancer treatments such as art fairs and entertainment performed by local arts organizations.
They are also behind the Iron Sommelier event on November 7th where guests can taste wines, dine, be merry and raise funds for the summer camp.
Go to www.periwinklefoundation.org to get tickets and info on this extraordinary Org.
Barry Ward is the executive director of Trees For Houston. They’ve planted more than 750,000 trees to mitigate run off and provide shade to buildings, thereby significantly reducing AC bills. The benefits go on an on and they even help people’s mental health. Trees for Houston also takes requests and distributes free tress to people planning green spaces or their back yards. Go to: www.treesforhouston.org.
Ann Hobing is the Lone Star Flight Museum’s senior director of education and Cameron Hardy is one of their youth ambassador. Cameron is an impressive young man with a great passion for aviation and ambitions to become an Air Force pilot. He wants to fly those awesome jets and we talk about what he does at the museum and how it’s helping him set his path towards the Air Force. Ann tells us about the many events they have in this cool museum like Girls in Aviation and Harry Potter Day. Go to: www.lonestarflight.org and get in on the fun.
Walter Ulrich CEO of Medical Bridges (and a US Marine) and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. Medical Bridges collects medical equipment donations and redistributes them to healthcare workers across nations. They have a new operation in San Antonio and they also work with Texas A&M students who build them several mobile medical exam rooms that also get shipped all over the world.
Go to www.medicalbridges.org to find out more about this extraordinary organization and go meet these people during their 2024 “One People, One World” Gala presented by Chevron. It’s on Thursday, October 17 at the Four Seasons Hotel and they will honor Ms. Paula Harris, the executive director of the Astros Foundation.
Robert Simpson is the founder and artistic director of Houston Chamber Choir and Dr. Betsy Cook Weber Houston Chamber Choir Artistic Director Designate. The Houston Chamber Choir celebrates its 30th anniversary season which will be founder Robert Simpson’s last as he hands over the directorship to Dr. Cook Weber.
"From Startup to Standout" will feature the annual free show at Miller Outdoor Theater: “I Just Want to Celebrate! Songs from the ‘70s” and a world premiere from brilliant English composer Patrick Hawes: "Son of Man."
And don't miss their Christmas show: “Glory in the Highest: Christmas at the Villa” performed at the Chapel at the Villa de Matel.
Go to https://www.houstonchamberchoir.org for tickets and info.
Jacque Daughtry is the CEO of Literacy Now and Jacklyn Wilson is their Chief Operating Officer. They discuss their programs that fight the "summer slide" student experience from being away from school for 2 months and how their other volunteer driven programs, including the Lunch Bunch, help elevate the catastrophically low literacy rate amongst Harris County children. You can get involved: www.literacynowhouston.org
Christian Taylor aka Hertz, Juan Martinez aka Fear Factor, Richard Chavez aka Camelback, discuss F3: a national network of free, peer-led workouts for men. The Fs stand for Fitness, Fellowship and Faith. Their mission is to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. We had a lot of fun talking about how their community has their own way of talking and how every man is welcome, no matter their age or fitness level. Go to www.f3nation.com to find a local program near you.
Pierce Bush is the CEO of Big Brother Big Sisters Lone Star. They help volunteers mentor kids, guiding them to graduate from high school and form valuable connections in life. They are in need of mentors, especially men because they have far more boys on their waiting list and it’s worth getting involved. Their results are impressive. The “Littles” are exponentially more likely to graduate and get a good job, breaking the cycle of poverty they grew up in. We also talk about the lasting bonds Bigs and Littles form and how so many Littles return to be mentors themselves. Go to www.bbbstx.org/greater-houston to sign up.
Gabriela Gerhart is the founder of Motherhood Center. They offer education, support groups and access to experts and doulas for expecting mothers and fathers. The free Baby Bump Social is every 2nd Thursday of the month and just announced: every third Thursday of the month will be a new dad group. Go to www.motherhoodcenter.com for more information.
The Special Olympics Texan East Region is getting a bunch of help from Jersey Mike’s who is conducting a cool fundraiser on March 27th. They will donate all proceeds to Special Olympics nationwide. To tell us how if affects Texas, my guests are: Ainsley Spenser, a Special Olympics athlete with a great story of friendship, AJ Edenzon, the Executive Director of Special Olympics Texan East Region, Carolina Proaño, a marketing specialist for a Jersey Mikes franchise in Houston and John Foster, the area director for Jersey Mike’s. Go to www.sotx.org to see their many programs which brings families and friends together on a weekly basis.
Lisa Tynan is the marketing and special events specialist for Houston PetSet. We celebrate their 20 years of service to Texans by discussing the great success they have had lobbying our city and state government to enact more humane laws. They also offer free chip and vaccine services and we explain how important it is to do this with our pets. And we always talk about their pet transports. They have sent opver 10,000 cats and dogs to states up north so they could be adopted. Their websites have great videos you should check out. They’ll fill your heart with hope and joy! Go to www.houstonpetset.org and also consider donating a few bucks. They’re doing great work.
Sylvia Villalpando is the Homeowner Services Associate Director for Houston Habitat for Humanity. Their success is in large part due to their “Sweat Equity” program, which requires potential homeowners to take financial management classes and to put in some work in helping others with their home needs. We also discuss how Houston Habitat chooses applicants and how they buy land to build houses. They need volunteers and we also discuss the great help they’re getting from big companies in Houston. Go to: www.houstonhabitat.org
Jacque Daughtry is the CEO of Literacy Now and Jacklyn Wilson is their chief Operating officer. Only about 30% of Houston Area 3rd graders can read at their 3rd grade level when they are pushed into 4th grade. This condemns these kids to a life of poverty and, probably, petty crime or worse. That’s what the data tells us. Literacy Now helps those kids catch up to their reading level and it works because there is nothing wrong with the kids! It’s how we allow our public education system to fail them that is wrong. Other programs Literacy Now operates help them achieve this goal: Reading Intervention, The Reading Express and the crucial Parent Partnership because without the parents participating, it’s harder to get the kids to learn. You can volunteer and donate here:www.literacynowhouston.org
Anne Marie Blacketer is the CEO of Lupus Texas Gulf Coast. Lupus is still a relatively unknown disease to most and raising awareness is how we can create more research opportunities. The disease affects black women disproportionately and we still don’t know the cause, nor is there any cure. Lupus Texas Gulf Coast offers support to those living with Lupus, including a summer camp for children that is held at Camp For All in Burton, TX. It’s designed to engage kids between the ages of 5-15 who have lupus. Check out their website: https://www.lupus.org/texasgulfcoast
Sonja Gee is the President & CEO of Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM). They never dropped the ball during the pandemic. They kept their doors as open as legally possible and continuing their services uninterrupted. They are launching a new program: the Innova Community Business Academy, designed to to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in poor communities. Their first graduating class was a great success and they are already expanding which means over twice as many graduates in 2024! MAM also has a great Literacy Advance program and that is on top of all their services supporting in need of long term support. Go to: www.mamhouston.org
Neha Agrawal is a clinical pharmacist at Legacy Community Health and Jose Romero is their Director of Therapy Services. Legacy Health Community Health provides mental health assistance from prescriptions to psychotherapy. Patients are followed and connected to the right providers. We also discuss the misuse diabetes drugs like Ozempic, which people are taking to loose weight. We also discuss the great risk of buying prescription drugs online. Go to www.legacycommunityhealth.org for more information on their holistic programs available to all.
DeJuana Jernigan is the CEO of Arms Wide and this time, she brought some friends. Laura and John Preble are foster parents for Arms Wide and they are living examples of how rewarding fostering can be. They also explain that with the help of Arms Wide, becoming a foster parents is doable for any couple. You just need to want to do it and Arms Wide will help you. The Prebles share their moving stories of loving foster babies and how they get help from Arms Wide. (They choose to care for very little kids but you can choose to foster older kids it’s that’s what you have in mind.) From the terrific training Arms Wide offers to the constant support of case-workers, foster parents are actually the head of a team. They are never alone in dealing with the children, no matter their needs. It’s an incredible organization. There is a great need for foster parents so if it’s something you’ve thought of, listen to the Prebles explain in the simplest terms how to get involved. Go to ArmsWide.org
Samantha Anchia is the Development Director for Northwest Assistance Ministries, one of our non-profits that never stopped serving the community, even at the height of COVID lockdowns. They kept their Meals on Wheels rolling for our seniors – they deliver over 900 meals every day!. They are currently helping people with the rent and mortgage assistance program, programs for our veterans and helping women escape domestic violence. They’re also doing a massive toy drive to provide a Christmas to children that would otherwise go without and they’ll be delivering Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, too.
Help them do all this by going to their website and donating what you can: www.namonline.org
Kaitlyn Dougherty is the Exhibits Development Coordinator for the Children's Museum of Houston and Keith Ostfeld (aka Mr. O), is their director of educational technology and exhibit development. As they do every year, the museum installs their Season of Sharing exhibit, a series of little houses you can visit to learn about the Holiday traditions around the world. They’re also doing an awesome grown-ups only night at the museum. Secret Night Out adults only adult night Friday the 17th and it’s your opportunity to climb their awesome tower with a margarita in your hand. Doesn’t that sound like a good time! Check out their website for info and to see all the other awesome exhibits they have: www.cmhouston.org
Erin Mills is the Education Manager for Houston Botanic Garden and Justin Lacey is their director of communications. Houston Botanic Garden is a beautiful and diverse series of biomes created to take visitors on a journey through our local flora but also take a look at plants from around the world. We discuss the right way of planting and caring for non-native species but we emphasis that for most backyards, going with native plants is the way to go. Especially if one wants to help Monarch Butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico and attract all the millions of migrating bids and pollinators that make nature so awesome to watch.
Another exhibit is “Glass in Flight” by Tucson-based artist Alex Heveri. There is a lot more going on. so check out their website to see the ever-transforming Houston Botanical Garden: www.hbg.org.
Elizabeth Elder is the founder of Steel Magnolia Moms, Tiffanie Williams is serving on then board of directors and Kate Peden is one of the founding board members and a vendor at their upcoming Magnolia Moms Holiday Market. She is a master baker and I know because I got to try her macaroons and so can you, just by going to the event on November 2nd from 11-6 pm at The Powder Keg. There will be vendors who specialize in hiring people with disabilities – or special abilities, as we like to say – and raffle baskets, great, fun people and even a signature cocktail. Magnolia Moms provides group support for parents raising children with special needs. They are a spectacular start-up in Houston’s Non-profit scene and when you hear about how successful their programs are, you’ll understand why. Go to Www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com for all info!
Rachel Poysky is Joel’s mother. Joel is living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and she is raising awareness about this rare genetic disease which affects boys. There has been some progress in the past decade but a lack of awareness of the disease means there is great need for funds and new research. Current progress show that with research, a cure could be found and we talk about the quality of life for those living with the debilitating disease that weakens muscles, including the heart. While you listen to this compelling conversation, go to www.coachtocuremd.org and consider giving a few bucks. It makes a difference.
Retired Lieutenant General Doug Owens is the CEO of the Lone Star Flight Museum, one of the most fun museums in town. Their regular exhibits are beautiful Warbirds and machines from the Space age (in the new Space Gallery) and they’ve acquired a new MaxFlight flight simulator you can “ride.” It’s on a Gimbal and will twist and flip you around as you control an airplane or ride a roller coaster. On September 23 they are celebrating girls in aviation and they’re having the Hanger Bash on Saturday Sept 30. We talk about how important aviation has been to Houston and have fun relating experiences flying in old planes – which is also something you can do. Check out their Warbird Rides on: www.lonestarflight.org
Chris Brown is a member of the board of directors for the Bayou Preservation Association. They work to celebrate, protect, and restore our bayous and waterways. They’re running a water quality testing program including training. Anyone living near one of our 40+ bayous can learn how to test the water and help identify problems. They also celebrate this awesome natural resource which could be a lot more helpful in managing our flooding problems. Human interference (like lining bayou with concrete walls) is slowly being turned around for the better and on Sept 20-21, the Bayou Preservation Association is holding its annual symposium. It’s virtual and therefore open to all. Go to www.bayoupreservation.org to register.
Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Tobi Shonowo is one of their Club Directors. Registering only costs $10 for the whole year and Tobi explains the mountain of awesome opportunities available to campers. 25 clubs in the Houston area are open everyday after school where they feed all comers and don’t take roll! Parents can bring their children once a week or everyday and know there will be great food, education – including homework support and workforce readiness training – and awesome activities in clean, safe facilities. Tobi’s club even has a full-fledged kitchen. There is also a game room with consoles and all that. It's a great place for kids and teens. Go to www.bgcgh.org to sign up or contribute.
Dr. Paul Gerson is the founder of the Periwinkle Foundation and Doug Suggitt is their executive director. They are celebrating 40 years of serving children who are fighting cancer. They’ve built an amazing camp for these special kids and their families. It’s a full-fledged medical facility as well, allowing campers to continue their chemo or receive whatever care they may need while enjoying a most American pastime: summer camp. They are also behind the iron Sommelier event, their big fundraiser which is on November 9th. While you listen to Dr. Gerson tell us how he founded this Org, go their website and see their life-changing work: www.periwinklefoundation.org
Dr. Robert Hilliard is the CEO of Legacy Community Health and Chinelo Nweke is their operations director for senior care. Senior care is one of the expanding areas of services Legacy Community Health has been deploying lately. Expansion is in fact the name of the game as they will also open 3 new clinics in schools. Dr. Hillard also explains how they are implementing value-based healthcare which includes keeping up with patients and helping them stay on their therapies. You can help them reach even more people by donating here: www.legacycommunityhealth.org
Keith Ostfeld, aka Mr. O, is the director of educational technology and exhibit development for the Children's Museum of Houston… at least officially. He’s really their resident mad scientist and he’s hellbent on thinking up of fun ways of teaching kids. That’s the best thing about the Children’s Museum of Houston: it’s a ton of fun, it’s the biggest, most awesome playground in town but it’s first and foremost an educational institution. It’s basically the coolest school in town. The kids won’t even notice they’re leaning useful concepts! Check out their website and see if your kids aren’t interested in visiting: www.cmhouston.org
Walter Ulrich is the CEO of Medical Bridges (and a US Marine) and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. Medical Bridges has clinics built inside of shipping containers! These awesome portable clinics have plumbing, beds, and the tech necessary to perform all sorts of medical exams and procedures. Built by Texas A&M students, they are then shipped to poor communities to serve people who would otherwise have little to no access to healthcare. Medical Bridges also ships tons of surplus medical equipment and Akinyi explains how this process takes place. They have the complicity of our medical centers which are very generous. You can help them do more by going to: www.medicalbridges.org. You can donate, volunteer and just spread the word.
Oli Mohammed is the founder and executive director of The Houston Furniture Bank. You should visit their second hand store where you can buy furniture from major brands at unbeatable prices. It helps to fund their programs. 300,000 kids in the Houston area don’t have their own bend and countless are literally sleeping on the floor. The Houston Furniture Bank helps to bring a little comfort and dignity to their lives. After expanding into Montgomery County, they are now serving Fort Bend County and we talk about the inception of that program. They also operate a matters recycling business that donates thousands of brand new mattresses every year. It also employs ex-convicts. It’s a successful program giving men worthy of a second chance their crucial fist job out of prison. Go to www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org and check out their Adopt a Family program!
DeJuana Jernigan is the CEO of Arms Wide. They provide adoption, post adoption and fostering support to families in the Houston area. We discuss the long processes of adoption and foster care and the consequences to the children in the system. Open Arms helps to protect the children by supporting them and their family and that include partnering with other Organizations. We discuss post-Adoption and post-Permanency programs and the need for new foster families. They have a lot great resources online:www.armswide.org
Kenyetta McGowens is the Program Administrator for Civic Hearts and Marcus Brewer is their development director. Previously known as Change Happens, they help at-risk youth excel in school, stay out of jail and get into great jobs. They also help families deal with hardships like HIV treatment (and prevention) and connecting folks with mental health professionals. They have been successful at helping people break the cycle of homelessness. They placed over 5,800 youth in after-school and summer enrichment and prevention programs and you can help them reach even more by going to their website: www.civicheart.org. They need volunteers – especially males to mentor boys and young men.
Brian Carr is the chief advancement officer for Northwest Assistance Ministries. They currently have a record number of people in need of their services. Homelessness and hunger have become much bigger problems in the past few years. They help people with rent and mortgage assistance and offer learning and vocational training. They also serve over 900 meals a day to our elderly neighbors through their Meals on Wheels program. You can help them serve even more people by donating and volunteering: www.NAMonline.org
Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. They are gearing up for the best summer camps available to Houstonians. Not only is it just $25 for the whole summer, it’s convenient because of all their locations and you’re free to drop in and out of the programs. Going to visit Grandma for a few weeks? Drop back into the program when you get back! We also discuss literacy & math and helping children to keep up with their learning during the summer lull. Their workforce readiness programs help older students obtain valuable on-the-job experiences. They’re one of the best Orgs in town to support: www.bgcgh.org
Dirk Van Tuerenhout is the Curator of Anthropology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science where they have re-opened the John P. McGovern Hall of The Americas. This ever-evolving exposition explores the history of all America’s people and we discuss how we know that they walked to the Artic over coastline which don’t exist anymore. We also talk about how much of our indigenous history is lost when languages aren’t passed down and how the museum is currently recording people to preserve their ancient cultures. It’s a growing collection of oral history. Go to www.HMNS.org to discover this exceptional museum.
Allison Rosen is the director of project Echo at the American Cancer Society. She is also a survivor of colorectal cancer and she is a member of the Colon Cancer Coalition and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. She is spearheading Project Echo which collects evidence-based strategies to improve cancer outcomes. All their resources are available to free online and they will even help you connect to doctors and support groups, no matter where you are in the world. They advocate early detection and now, colonoscopies are available through insurance for people 45 and up. We discuss why the age was lowered from 50 and how Project Echo helps to raise awareness and therefore, helps to save lives. Go to www.Echo.cancer.org
Jacque Daughtry is the CEO of Literacy Now and we talk about how we are hopeful that great teachers and increasing awareness will solve the monumental problem of illiteracy in Houston. Only 3 out of 10 3rd grade students can read at their grade level. Those who are already behind (70%) are not likely to ever catch up and far more likely to end up as dropouts and convicted criminals. Literacy Now sends paid teachers into school to tutor kids and bring them up to speed and guess what? Their success rate is absolute. There’s nothing wrong with the kids, we have the great teachers we need but when it comes to literacy, our society is simply blind to the problem and you can help by donating and volunteering: www.literacynowhouston.org
Lisa Tynan is the marketing and special events specialist for Houston PetSet. They lobbied our state government to improve the lives of pets but changing the minimal legal requirements for care. We discuss what those changes are. They also organize “pet transports” to northern cities that have empty animals shelters, thereby giving Houston strays a new life with good families. Go to www.houstonpetset.org to watch some of their animal transport videos. They will fill you with joy! They also help organize reduced-cost pet adoptions, spay / neuter / microchipping clinics. All info is on their website.
Claudia Gee Vassar is the president & general counsel for Houston Botanic Garden. They opened during the pandemic and are still one of the best kept secrets in Houston. You can walk around the beautifully designed biomes of The Global Collection Garden. Discover 3 acres of themed tropical, subtropical, and arid zones where you can admire plants from around the world that flourish in Houston’s climate. They also have a cool downloadable (or printable) scavenger hunt. Go to: www.hbg.org They are currently showing Steve Tobin’s Intertwined: Exploring Nature’s Networks, a beautiful sculpture garden.
Scott Arthur is the director of public relations for the Star of Hope Mission. We talk about their many successful services helping homeless people get back into productive lives free of substance abuse and violence. They're holding their annual banquet: "Believe" on February 10 and one of the world's greatest gospel singers is performing. We explain why we won't say her name on the air and it's a fun way to encourage you to discover who it is by going to: www.sohmission.org. There are still tickets available for this exceptional private concert.
Dirk Van Tuerenhout is the curator of Anthropology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. In this wide ranging interview, Dirk tells us about how tombs are uncovered around the world, how people figured out how to embalm the dead, how artists help scientists reveal what our ancestors look like and how the museum is home to some of the most beautiful fossils in the world, including a full-sized T-Rex and a Pterodactyl. Dirk also shares his opinion about all constant fascination behind the legends of Atlantis and demonstrates that the archeology we can explore and learn from is far more interesting. Go to www.HMNS.org.
Elizabeth Elder is the Founder of Steel Magnolia Moms and Tiffanie Williams is serving on their board of directors. This Non-Profit has grown to support over 1000 Houston moms who are raising children with special needs. They run several programs and support groups like "Head to Heart" which provides professional psychological support with private and group therapy sessions and a fantastic summer camp program for children with special needs: Happy Camper(s). They also sell Moxie Boxes which are "Hugs in a box," to raise funds and spread a little joy.
Go to: www.Steelmagnoliamoms.com
Kathleen Havens is the director of curriculum & content for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They have created a new exhibit: King Tut’s Tomb Discovery Experience which will allow you to experience what archeologists found when they opened the tomb 100 years ago. You'll get to see what it looked like with some of the burial chambers reproduced at full scale and you'll be able to touch meticulously created replicas of the masks and tombs. HMNS is also showing
Trains Over Texas, a miniature o-gauge train exhibit the size of a tennis court! Go to www.HMNS.org
Scott Arthur is the director of public relations for the Star of Hope Mission. They have been serving Houston's homeless for over 115 years and if you donate just $2.80, you give them the power to serve a full meal. They have great power with our help! They have a Christmas catalogue to make donations easy and these acts of generosity are wonderful Christmas gifts you should consider.
Scott also shares examples of success like the homeless veteran who – before becoming homeless - had had tea with the Queen of England. Star Of Hope's programs helped him out of poverty. Go to www.sohmission.org as you listen along to read more about this great Houston institution.
Sonja Gee is the President & CEO of Memorial Assistance Ministries. They help families obtain what they need with long term support. Starting with basic needs and benefit enrolment help and being there through employment services, financial empowerment and more. They also help with mental and physical health and Sonja explains how COVID changed their operations and how volunteers are harder to keep around. They're going to be busy this holiday season so if you want to donate or volunteer, go to: www.mamhouston.org
Dr. Hanh Trinh is a Team Physician and the Education Liaison for Houston Hospice. Houston Hospice is the only non-profit Hospice in the Houston area. They offer compassionate, end-of-life care for families across 13 counties. We discuss how to talk about our loved ones and how to be compassionate with people who are experiencing recent loss during the holidays.
On December 1st they are holding The Trees of Light Annual Event. They have arranged 100,000 lights in their beautiful garden and all are welcome. Visit www.houstonhospice.org
Felicia Broussard is the Chief Development Officer for Covenant House Texas and Sean Maher is the chair for Sleep Out: Executive Edition. He is also a partner RCH Energy. The Covenant House Sleep Out is an international movement of folks who sleep outside for one night to raise awareness about youth homelessness. Felicia details the powerful programs which are helping youth get and stay out of homelessness. They have also raised over $36 million for a new facility which will double the number of clients they can house. They also a free clinic offering help to youth – no questions asked. Got to www.covenanthousetx.org
Walter Ulrich is the CEO of Medical Bridges and Akinyi Adoyo is their marketing manager. They describe how Medical Bridges is able to distribute donated medical supplies (most are from our medical center) to impoverished regions all over the world. Their mission is even larger than that as they are able to assist in times of crisis. They have sent help to the US when it was necessary and there was an awesome and surprising mask exchange between them and a city in China. People helping people always produces great results.
Akinyi also tells us how she became a Texan which is a cool story unto itself.
Go to www.medicalbridges.org
Devon Anderson is the CEO of Justice Forward. They help people recover their lives while they work through Specialty Courts programs. They help to break the cycle of incarceration by supporting them through these programs: overcoming addiction, securing housing and employment and staying away from past criminal relationships. These programs are very successful in helping individuals re-integrate into working society. Over75 % of them do not go back to prison and remain gainfully employed. We are talking about true rehabilitation and Houstonians can help fund these program here: www.justiceforwardtx.org
Our friend Steve Lufburrow is president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and with him is Barbie Parker, their vice president of Fund Development and Public Relations. The pandemic hasn't slowed Goodwill down as much as you might fear. They moved all their services online, making them even easier to access. In person or online, Goodwill's services are free. They implemented Employability 12 week program – paid !- training program for people with employment barriers. The 2022 Moreton Achievement Awards Luncheon. Honored Rebecca Johnson, an extraordinary woman with a incredible story to share.
Go to www.goodwillhouston.org and consider making a donation. Their services are among the best in the world.
Dave Moss is a McDonald's Owner and Operator and founder of Hire Houston Youth. Juliet Stipeche was the Director of Education for the City of Houston when we talked about the inception of this very successful program which was born out of tragedy, Dave explains how a friend's legacy turned into one of the major job events of the year for young Houstonians. They next big job fair is at the George R Brown Convention Center on June 11th from 10AM to 2PM. All you have to do is show up!
Hundreds of companies are participating in the year-round programs and there are currently well over 13,000 job and internship opportunities on their job board.
Go to www.hirehoustonyouth.org for more information.
Anne Marie Blacketer is the CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America – Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. Lupus is a rare and currently incurable disease that is not benefitting from much media exposure nor is it receiving enough research funding. The Lupus Foundation is changing this by creating support groups and sharing advice on how to alleviate Lupus symptoms. Staying active, taking medicine (although there are currently very few options), staying out of the sun and diet are all important considerations. We also discuss the cruel nature of Lupus which is difficult to diagnose. Often, people suffer for years before being properly diagnosed.
The Lupus Foundation online: www.lupus.org/texasgulfcoast
Christine Holland is the CEO of Rebuilding Together Houston. They are Disaster Recovery Experts they celebrating serving the Houston area for 40 years. They help the most vulnerable among us (the elderly, veterans and others fallen on hard times), with repairs to their homes. Making homes safer, more comfortable and more prideful is their mission. We discuss the importance of homeowner's pride and how their army of volunteers are making enormous improvements to the lives of the people they serve. Volunteering is simple and fun and you don't need any construction experience. Anyone can help out. Go to www.rebuildinghouston.org to get involved.
Jacque (Jacky) Daughtry is the executive director of Literacy Now. Since the pandemic has accelerated the decline in reading abilities among children, Literacy Now has created programs to help kids keep up with their reading levels. From Lunch Brunch Mentoring, Parent Partnerships and the Reading Express Mobile Classroom, these highly successful programs are powered by volunteers. Literacy Now is also sharing their curriculum with other organizations. They keep evolving their programs as the need changes. Go to www.literacynowhouston.org if you'd like to volunteer or donate.
John Huckaby is the CEO of AIDS Foundation Houston. We discuss the beginning of his tenure which coincided with the beginning of the pandemic and how they kept their programs going during lockdowns. There is great news about treatments, including the free B.E.S.T. Box, an at-home HIV Testing kit, STI treatment, the PrEP program which is a Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis treatment that comes in a daily pill that help at-risk patients avoid infections. Finally, the amazing Camp Hope which gives a normal camp experience to kids living with HIV. Go to
www.afhouston.org for more info.
Rana McClelland is the President and CEO of Houston Hospice, and Dr. Elizabeth Strauch is their medical director and vice-president medical affairs. They offer a beautiful and hopeful picture of what it is like to work in hospice care. Houston Hospice is a nonprofit organization that provides uncompromising, compassionate, end-of-life care to patients and families across 13 counties in Texas. Since 1980, they have served patients of all ages, races, ethnicities, with or without insurance. They follow a Nonprofit Hospice Model which includes a Pediatrics program, grief support and Veterans care. Go to www.houstonhospice.org
Barry Ward is the executive director of Trees For Houston. They will plant 1 million trees in Houston in the next decade and we discuss how this is made possible in one of the most philanthropic cities in the world. Houston's can-do attitude is like a superpower.
We also discuss how planting trees restore some natural habitat for the billions of migratory birds who stop over in our area every year and how green spaces improve well-being. Houstonians can also get a tree to plant on their property for free. The application process is very easy. Go to: www.treesforhouston.org
Adam Farris is the founder and President of Younique Abilities and an autism advocate. He lives with Tourette syndrome and autism and he talks about how his company gives opportunities to people living with special abilities and how his dad helped him overcome Tourette by taking him out in public when he was young.
With Adam is his dad, Anthony Farris, who is a case manager for Casa de Esperanza de Los Ninos. He is also certified in metal health first-aid and a peer-recovery support specialist. Anthony discusses how Casa de Esperanza de los Ninos helps parents break the cycle of poverty by providing comprehensive residential and family support programs for the long term. The goal is to help them thrive for good.
Got to www.casahope.org for more info and for Adam's company: www.youniqueabilities.com
Walter Ulrich is the CEO of Medical Bridges and he has vivid stories to tell of operating a non-profit dedicated to exporting medical care to the poorest corners of our planet during a pandemic. He starkly contrasts the challenges of operating in a pandemic versus in normal times. The troubles in our shipping supply chain is literally preventing Medical Bridges from saving lives.
Because the USA's medical community generates nearly $9 billion in surplus product every year (much of it makes sense, as we discuss) but with the help of Medical Bridges, Houston Hospitals can save the surplus and help it save lives in places where there aren't any clinics. In fact, one of the coolest actions Medical Bridges can take involves sending a "Clinic in a Box" built by A&M student. www.medicalbridges.org
Sean Maher is the co-chair for Sleep Out: Executive Edition for Covenant House Texas. He is also a Partner RCH Energy and is the demonstration of how citizens can help their community. The Covenant House Sleep Out Executive Edition is an international movement of individuals sleep outside in the same conditions as the homeless so participants can raise funds and awareness for homeless youths. Sean tells us how his first experience was eye-opening, even if he knew he would be going home after the event. He got a strong impression of the despair the youths experience.
Covenant House is a network of shelters that provides safety and support to homeless young people in more than 30 cities across the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Sleep Out: Executive Edition is on November 18th. Go to ww.covenanthousetx.org for more info.
Maisha Colter is the CEO for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA). She brings a message of hope during the immense surge in crime that has come with the pandemic and the lock downs (domestic abuse is up %40 in the Houston area) but help is available. No one deserves to be abused and we can know the signs – especially isolation. Through education we are able to help each other. However, it will come down to the victim to decide to actually leave the violent relationship and a survivor is at the greatest risk of death at the time of leaving or right after leaving. We discuss how AVDA can help them make a plan to leave as safely as possible and remain safe.
Call 713-224-9911 for immediate help or visit www.avda.org.
Sargent David Miller of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office tells us about the 5th Annual Sharing is Caring Food Drive on October 30th. He founded this food drive which has been a great success. It benefits Mission Northeast which offers job training, adult GED and ESL classes onsite, Thanksgiving and Christmas distributions, monthly home delivery of food and other assistance for senior and disabled persons and much more.
Go to www.missionne.org for info on their programs and check out www.mctxsheriff.org for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office website which has information on how the event is unfolding.
Every day, hundreds of inmates are released from prison in Houston. They often have no place to go, only the clothes on their backs, and $100 to their names. The pandemic made this re-entry into free life even more challenging, which is when services like CrossWalk Center step in to help. They help returning citizens rebuild their lives by giving them the tools to break the cycle of recidivism. They get help finding a home and job and how to keep them. It's also a supporting community where they can make some good friends, away from their past lives and crimes. Go to: www.crosswalkcenter.org to help their mission.
Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust are co-presidents of Houston Petset. They advocate for Animals and their right to live free from cruelty. It's a big problem in Houston where stray dogs are the number one cause for people to call the police. There are so many neighborhoods in our city where people can't get to the bus station, kids can't play in the street, all because stray dogs make it too dangerous. We are not being responsible about keeping the population of strays under control and all it takes is responsible pet owners to spay and neuter their pets.
Strays are often living is squalid conditions. They are famished and in pain because they are also victims of cruelty. And while our shelters are so full that the city of Houston pays $500 to euthanize a healthy, adoptable animal taken into a shelter, up in the North East, shelters are empty. That's why Houston Petset has a program to bus healthy, spay / neutered animals to forever homes in states like Wyoming. The cost of screening, spaying and neutering these animals and then driving a bus load of them to good homes across the country: $100 per animal. That's $400 less than killing it here in Houston.
If it keeps happening, it's because the issue is not well known nor discussed openly. Let's change that. Go to: www.houstonpetset.org
There are over 1 billion people who need eye care and OneSight is building vision centers around the world to help them. They have built permanent, sustainable clinics which train and employ locals in countries like The Gambia, Rwanda, South Africa, China, Vietnam and many more . The result is that the solution becomes locals helping their own neighbors. OneSight also sends technicians and doctors all over the world with all the tech they need to help and they call these "pop-up missions" Charitable Clinics. They're online at www.OneSight.org.
I also talk about the new tech at the Gulf Coast Regional Center which makes the old hemoglobin test obsolete. Gone is the needle prick on the finger!
Additionally, hear about Houston Arboretum's ArBOOretum event for kids and grownups. They're going to have pony rides, a train and a climbing wall on top of their annual Halloween market. Got to www.HoustonArboretum.org
Finally, I explain how you can enjoy audiobooks at no additional cost by borrowing them from the Houston library. And you really should! www.HoustonLibrary.org
The Gary Sinise Foundation, founded by the famous actor, helps our veterans and first responders with a variety of great programs that will give you hope! As America remembers its heroes of 9/11, I tell you how one of them was Betty Ong. Before she died, Betty Ong showed uncommon courage. She helped authorities identify the terrorists who murdered her and the rest of the passengers on her plane. She is a representation of the very best of the USA. I also pay homage to the great Jean-Paul Belmondo, the legendary French actor known internationally for kick-starting the French New Wave in "Breathless". You'll hear how he was the original Tom Cruise, a daredevil stuntman-actor-comedian.
Tom Hardwick is a consulting curator of Egyptology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science where they're world-premiering "Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs" opening on November 20, along with a newly renovated Hall of Ancient Egypt. Tom spends a lot of his time in Cairo and we talk about what it's like arranging big installations like this one. This is a major new event from the HMNS since after premiering in Houston, the exhibit will tour the world. Go to www.HMNS.org for info and tickets.
The Galveston Bay Foundation started an oyster shell recycling program to repair and preserve Galveston Island's oyster shell reef. They've harnessed the help of seafood restaurants to pick up their used oyster shell and clean them up (in the sun). Then, once they are clean, oyster shells are returned to the bay to replenish the reef. www.galvbay.org
Training service dogs and the amazing things they can do for their owners:
www.servicedogs.org
The Women's Fund is holding a fundraiser. Lara Bell, co-chair of 11th Annual Rockin’ Resiliency Luncheon, tells us about the event planned for October 24. Get tickets here: www.thewomensfund.org
Jeffrey Campbell is the chief program officer for AIDS Foundation Houston. They just launched START Now, their rapid start anti-retroviral treatment project. It's designed to link people diagnosed with HIV to the right care and treatment medication within 7 days of diagnosis. It's an ambitious program they launched in the middle of the pandemic and their goal is none other than ending the HIV epidemic in greater Houston. With our help, they'll achieve this goal. www.aidshelp.org
Oli Mohammed is the founder and executive director of The Houston Furniture Bank. They are celebrating 29 years of service and despite the pandemic, they opened a new store in the Woodlands. It is estimated that 300,000 children in Houston are sleeping on the floor or sharing a bed. We feel the main problem is awareness, even amongst our political class. Oli explains how their program Adopt a Family is a way to help the poorest among us to at least sleep in a bed. They are also recycling tens of thousands of mattresses, using the material sales to fund more programs. You can volunteer or donate or just frequent one of their 2 high quality furniture store. They sell new items, too. ww.HoustonFurnitureBank.org
John Bartlett is The Children's Museum of Houston's science educator a.k.a. "Lead Geek” and he has a thing for meteorology. We therefore talk about the incredible weather system we live under and we talk about reopening the Children's Museum of Houston so kids can have some fun learning a ton of stuff at one of the safest and coolest places in town. Flow Works is flowing, the big tower can be climbed and all the science and technology stations are ready to wow and teach kids once again. There's also going to be a slew of live activities. The calendar is packed and you can see it here: www.cmhouston.org
Doug Suggitt is the executive director of the Periwinkle Foundation which supports children suffering from cancer. They organized medically responsible camps so children fighting cancer can get out, lift their moral and have a bit of a normal life. Periwinkle works with Texas Children's Hospital and they also support siblings and parents who are also going through a traumatic experience. We discuss the tremendous and positive emotional impact normal summer activities have for kids and families fighting cancer. You can find out how you can participate and donate to their mission here: www.periwinklefoundation.org
Barry Ward is the executive director of Trees For Houston. They've been giving trees away to Houstonians since 1983 – for free! All you have to do is go to their website and they'll help you get the right tree for your property and they'll even help you with planting and care. The idea is simple: native species of trees are resilient, shade-giving guardians. We discuss how they're great for water retention and absorption and how their root systems keep the ground solid and firm, even when it floods. Trees for Houston is about to open a new campus which will allow them to distribute even more trees – and they're already giving away over 20,000 a year. www.treesforhouston.org
Cissy Segall Davis is the managing director Miller Outdoor Theatre. They're online at www.milleroutdoortheatre.com and you need to see the list of awesome acts they're welcoming back to the stage. After being closed for the pandemic, The Miller is bringing back free shows (all Miller shows are always free) including: The Houston Symphony, Bobby Rush, The Ernest Walker Band, Fly Dance Company and the Houston Shakespeare Festival. All free! You can even get free tickets online a week before the show to sit in the covered area but you can also show up to sit on the lawn for any of these shows. They're been presenting world class entertainers for over 98 years. It's only in Houston that something this awesome – and free – is available to all.
The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center is in need of blood donation and I explain why it's all right to give after getting the vaccine – it's safe for everyone and you should do it. If you've been sick, I explain why your plasma can be life-saving. www.giveblood.org
We have an animal population control problem in Houston and Houston PetSet has established Pet Transports to the Mid-West where animal shelters are empty. Our shelters are overflowing and the city of Houston has to destroy thousands of healthy animals every year. You can help them ship healthy animals to loving families. You're basically helping people adopt a pet from across the country. How great is that! www.houstonpetset.org
When was the last time you went outside in our city and you did not hear a leaf blower roaring from 15 blocks away? Cities around the country are restricting on the use of loud lawn equipment like leaf blowers. I'm in favor of such restrictions like forbidding their use after 5PM on weekends.
Walter Ulrich is the CEO of Medical Bridges, an organization which distributes medical surplus material to crisis-stricken places around the world – or in the US when a pandemic hits. They're like a strike team sending invaluable help in the form of medical equipment and supplies and sometimes, technicians and doctors. They also accept individual donations. You can donate wheelchairs, beds or dialysis machines. All equipment is checked by specialists and refurbished. They're also careful to ship equipment to places which can use them, looking for the facilities and personnel. www.medicalbridges.org
Jacque Daughtry is the executive director of Literacy Now. She explains that school closures have caused children to fall behind academically, especially very young children. It's like they've had a year-long "summer slide". Literacy Now helps little kids catch up on their reading level. They hire teachers to tutor very small groups so that each child can get personal attention. They also work with parents, recognizing how important it is for them to be involved. Parents are the ones who can surround their children with opportunities to read and learn. www.literacynowhouston.org
Becky Lao is the Executive Director at Archaeology Now. We discuss the connection between Egyptology and Agatha Christie (whose husband was an archaeologist). They are having a talk with an Egyptologist beamed in from Cairo in May and you can go to their website to watch it from any device for free. They also have tiny lectures on Youtube that make for quick bites of history. They also have real eats with their "Culinary Adventures!" which teach viewers the history behind traditional dishes like tamales while they watch how to prepare them. Go to: www.archaeologynow.org
Nelly Quijano is a McDonald's Houston owner and operator and one of the founders of the McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship Program. HACER = Hispanic American commitment to education resources. We discuss the clever ideas Nelly and her colleagues used to raise funds (back in the mid-80's) and how the McDonald's corporation came in to match their fundraisers, turning it into a national success that has given away millions of dollars in scholarships. It's a great story of local citizens reaching out to their neighbors and having far more success then they thought was possible. Go to www.serasloquehaces.com.
Dirk Van Tuerenhout is the curator of Anthropology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They opened two new exhibits: Pompeii and Bodyworlds. They're scheduling safe-distanced ticket entries to keep capacity at safe levels. Dirk is a great storyteller and Pompeii is one of the best stories in human history. The city both destroyed and preserved by a volcano eruption is as crazy-interesting as history gets. Go to www.HMNS.org for tickets & info.
Allison Rosen is a survivor of colorectal cancer and a member of the Colon Cancer Coalition and the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. She was diagnosed in her 30s and since recovering, she has been advocating for early detection. She stresses the importance of getting a colonoscopy at 50 but that people who have a history of cancer in their families should have it at 45. There are non-invasive take-at-home tests that are effective as well. By sharing her experience, Allison demonstrates the power of support groups. She now volunteers to help others fight cancer. All of those suffering from the disease - including family members - will find instant support by going to their website. It's an amazing community: www.coloncancercoalition.org\Houston
Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston (aka BGCGH), one of our great non-profits that never let up helping the community. When the pandemic struck, they kicked into high gear so kids in Houston could keep up with their schoolwork and stay in contact with their peers – which was perhaps what was most important. With a remarkably small army of volunteers, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston distributed tens of thousands of meals to thankful families and they continue to help. We also discuss the great help they've been getting from our Houston corporations like Kroger, BP and Comcast. They made big grants to BGCGH and individuals like you and me can also sponsor a kid to attend their entire summer program by donating just $30. Go to www.bgcgh.org for more information on this awesome Org.
Becky Lao is the executive director of Archaeology Now so I get an opportunity I love: to talk about history, teaching history and experiencing history through their programs. They have a great series of micro-lessons and longer lectures on their YouTube channel. Educators should check out their Time Travelers Educator's Materials packets on subjects like Rome, the Maya and Egypt. There's also the Culinary Adventures which go into the history of everyone's favorite foods like Tamales.
www.archaeologynow.org
Emilee Whitehurst is the president and CEO of the Houston Area Women’s Center (HAWC). Their multi-lingual staff is about to decentralize its operations to bring help closer to those who need it most. Emilee explains how with the help of a huge grant from the City of Houston and matching donations and various reinvestments, HAWC will open locations strategically placed around Houston to help women get out of abusive situations and restart their lives with housing help. The goal is to help them become independent and their programs are very successful .
They are overwhelmed by the rise in violence due to the pandemic and now is a good time to give them our support. Small donations matter a great deal!
www.hawc.org
Domestic Violence Hotline: 713-528-2121
Sexual assault Hotline: 713-528-7273
Kelly Young is the CEO of Career and Recovery Resources, one of the non-profit that had to make a lot of changes to keep serving our community during the pandemic. They provide counseling for anyone transitioning to a new job like military veterans. They are able to help deaf and mute people communicate in order to find services and jobs. They also help people overcome substance addictions. With all these programs subject to new health regulations, Kelly discusses their "online conversion" which most organizations have had to implement. Go to www.careerandrecovery.org .
Timothy Williams is the chairman of the board of Because Education Matters, Inc. He is also the General counsel of the Pro Se Legal Studies Institute, a Paralegal Program which helps to fund Because Education Matters. They are going to launch a mobile legal clinic program. People may not even have to step out of their cars to get legal advice on questions such a drafting a will and other probate cases. Timothy ahs inspiring thoughts on how American citizens should reconsider their relationship with the justice system and consider it a useful tool they should interact with. We discuss the barriers to making this a reality. Go to www.takingbackourcourts.com
John Willis is MIAT College of Technology Houston campus president. They offer programs in Airframe & Powerplant Technician Program, Wind Energy and more. These skilled trade are for high-demand employment fields and MIAT Houston also helps its student find a job. They're having great success and riding a new wave of respect for these types of training programs. They're producing high quality candidates for highly skilled jobs. You can go to www.miat.edu for more information.
Steve Lufburrow is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston. They are celebrating 75 years of service to Houston which is a beautiful landmark. For 75 years, they have helped people prepare for a successful career. Whether they are transitioning out of the military, working their way out of a terrible situation or even needing a second or third chance coming out of prison, Goodwill can help with training and job placement. What's more, their stores are so successful that they guarantee the overwhelming majority of your donations will go to fund their services. They are one of the most reliable non-profits in town and we're proud of them. Go to www.GoodwillHouston.org
Theresa Piña is the vice president of operations for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, one of the coolest non-profit organizations in the USA. Their Commit For Life Program which encourages people to donate blood regularly is brilliant success. During the pandemic, they're making their mobile blood centers even safer and they're encouraging people to host virtual blood drives. So they keep adapting and serving the community. Hosting a mobile or virtual blood drive is as easy as going to their website: www.giveblood.org.
Mike Nichols is the president & CEO of Coalition for the Homeless. They've been helping homeless people get tested and treated for COVID and together with local non-profits and local governments, they've raised $65 dollars to permanently house 5000 individuals. Most of it is our federal tax dollars coming back to our area and working to help our neighbors. They are successfully "diverting" homeless people out of poverty by identifying and overcome their financial and healthcare problems. 85% of their clients are successful and exit the program – meaning they have a home and they're supporting themselves.
Mike illustrates what a powerful investment this is and the programs are being copied and other cities are fallowing in Houston's footsteps. Go to www.HomelessHouston.org and donate to this worthy cause or better yet: volunteer!
Brian Carr is the chief advancement officer for Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM). They are a community-based nonprofit, serving basic human needs to their neighbors. The pandemic has not slowed them down one bit. Their Meals On Wheels plan is going strong and in August and September, NAM served nearly 5,000 families during its 3 food distribution events. And they will be doing it again.
They are starting their annual Season of blessings during which they plan to serve over 5200 kids and their families. They will deliver turkey dinners on Thanksgiving and for Christmas, on top of the meal, NAM will give away some 15,000 gifts. All of this is coming from their volunteer and you can help.
www.NAMonline.org
Oli Mohammed is the Founder and Executive Director of The Houston Furniture Bank. On top of never closing down during the pandemic, they just opened a brand new facility in the Woodlands with a challenge for all who live there: let no kid sleep on the floor. This is a major expansion for this organization and they are able to open this facility thanks to the generosity of several other non-profits. Their mattress recycling program has now recycled 100,000 mattresses and they're just getting started. Oli mentions an awesome idea: take the tons and tons of wood used in the port of Houston to ship products and turn it all into furniture for those who have none. The materials could be shipped to prisons where prisoners would learn carpentry while serving the community they owe. It's an idea as of now but I bet Oli is going to make it happen.
Help him by checking out their programs: www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org
Becky Best is the community relations and grant manager for Houston PetSet, an organization that advocates for the safety of animals. They are also bussing and flying stray taken in by our shelters, sending them up to Northern states where there are waiting lists to adopt a pet. Houston has to put down over 200 healthy animals per week and up North, shelters are empty and people have to wait for an opportunity to adopt. Houston Petset is part of the solution. We also discuss the safety and health issues caused by stray dogs and how this is a major issue in some neighborhoods. You'll also hear how wonderful it is to become a foster home for pets. You can become a "temporary" pet owner even if you have a traveling lifestyle. Go to www.houstonpetset.org
Christine Mansfield is the marketing and development manager for the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, one of the coolest places to visit during a pandemic. Naturally full of UV and fresh air, they are about to welcome a bunch of goats who will graze the prairie. These "organic lawn mowers" like to chomp on weeds and other undesirable invasive plants so it's not just for looks or for the tourists. They also have moved their education course online and that includes great courses on how to plant native plants in your backyard to attract "super" birds like hummingbirds and owls. Their annual Fall plant sale is about to happen, too. Go to www.Houstonarboretum.org
Meredith-Leigh Pleasants is the manager of talent and school support for Good Reason Houston. They are encouraging people to become teachers by making training programs and other tools available online. They aim to reform schools in such a way that every school is high performing and full of great, talented educators. We discuss how attractive becoming a teacher can be even if you have another career going – no kidding, it's a great path. You can make the transition with ease and with the help of other educators. We also talk about the new dawn of online teaching. For more information, go to: www.goodreasonhouston.org
Mike McGuff is Alzheimer's Association's Ambassador for Texas' 7th Congressional District. Before the pandemic struck, he was supposed to go to Congress to speak with our representatives. He became an advocate after his mother died of early onset of Alzheimer's, a cruel affliction that killed her while Mike was still in his 20s. Since then, he has worked to raise awareness for the need for research (there is no cure yet) and the importance of support networks. The trip to Washington was delayed but the urgency of the need is still with us and we discuss how donations and volunteering are ways we can help.
Got to: www.alz.org/texas
Retired Lieutenant General Doug Owens is the CEO of the Lone Star Flight Museum. They have reopened with social distancing rules and their website now offers virtual tours and classes. They opened a new exhibit: Fight to the Finish, featuring WWII artifacts, pictures and personal stories of Americans who were there. They also welcomed a visitor: the only F4 Phantom II is now on display. They're about to welcome another rare bird: a restored Avenger TBM like the one George H.W. Bush flew in the Pacific. There is much to do (the simulators are re-opened!) and you can even buy Warbird Rides, one of the coolest experiences you can have, period.
www.lonestarflight.org
Lucy Coady is the campaign director for No Kid Hungry, an organization that helps provide meals to kids living in poverty. They also advocate for legislation like the federal food distribution programs implemented during the pandemic. They are also launching Dine, Shop or Share for No Kid Hungry with the help of big companies who will kick back funds to No Kids Hungry. Check out their website to see which stores participating in your area. www.nokidhungry.org
Maisha Colter is the CEO of AVDA - Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. They are celebrating 40 years of serving Houston. They have helped over 100,000 survivors of domestic violence being new, successful lives by providing free legal representation through protective orders, divorce, child custody, child support and adoption cases. AVDA has also provided state-accredited, group counseling for more than 10,000 abusers focused on personal change to end the cycle of abuse. Maisha discusses serving their clients in a time of pandemic and how it has multiplied the need for their services.
Help is available at: 713-224-9911. This is an anonymous phone call. You can also go online: www.avda-tx.org
Gaye Jackson is Houston's Lemonade Day City Director. Lemonade Day is a youth entrepreneurship program available to all children for free. All parents and kids need to do is go to the website to take part in the program. They'll learn financial literacy with the basics of running a business: supply, demand, the cost of the first and the profit that can me made from the second, it's all designed to prime kids to think independently when it comes to finances. It helps to teach people how to run a household or a business. And they have a great philosophy about making a profit: save some, spend some and share some. Go to
www.lemonadeday.org/houston
Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston. They have been on the forefront of educating children and parents during this pandemic and their efforts are really impressive. They are helping to deliver meals to their kids, they're keeping in touch with all of them and they have reopened their clubs by following the CDC's rule. The rules are stringent. Kevin talks about how seriously all the kids have to follow the directives and how the system works. We also talk about the future and how much will keep changing. The silver lining is that a lot of their digital programs will scale in the future and allow them to serve even more youths in the area. Go to www.bgcgh.org to support their awesome programs.
Charles Rotramel is the CEO of ReVision, an organization that works to break the cycle of isolation among disconnected youth caught up in the juvenile justice system. They do it by matching youths with volunteers and these days, these volunteers are serving meals 5 days a week to keep in touch with their clients. They've served over 6000 meals since the start of the pandemic shut down. The program works. Youths matched with a ReVision mentor are far less likely to get into trouble again. They are getting what they need most: grown ups to show them the way and who don't give up on them.
Go to their website to learn more about this awesome program: www.houstonrevision.org
Bob Stokes is the president of the Galveston Bay Foundation and Haille Leija is their Habitat Restauration manager. The first Annual Houston Oyster Festival is on April 4. It'll be a day of great Texas seafood, and an opportunity to learn about restoring our oyster reefs and how crucial it is to good conservancy in the Galveston area. A single oyster will filter 50 GALLONS of water per day! They are crucial to keeping our gulf coast healthy and restaurants are joining in by recycling their oyster shells.
Traditionally, oyster shells are thrown into landfills. The Galveston Bay Foundation is recycling them instead and after a natural purification process, they put them back in the bay where they serve as a bed for new living oysters. It's so reasonable it's fun to join in. Go to: www.galvbay.org to participate.
Julius Young is the new chairman of the board of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Will Leven is a member of the board of directors of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and he serves on the Executive Committee and Chairs the Development Committee. Their Org is extremely successful in providing after school programs for kids of all background. Their sporting and fun activities they are famous for (the major sport teams in town all help them with great freebies) are actually a hook to get kids into safe after school environments where they work on homework, social behavior and the future. Indeed, their internship program is a great success.
As a proof of concept, we discuss Julius' past since he was once a member of the program. Go to www.bgcgh.org for info and consider making a donation. Big or small, it will be helpful.
Lauren Bair is the marketing coordinator for Child Advocates and Kelly St. Mary is the sponsorship director for the 32nd McDonald's Houston Children’s Festival which is happening on April 4 & 5. They're closing down several blocks of Downtown Houston for the biggest festival of its kind in this country. It all benefits Child Advocates who train mentors to help youths going through our court system.
Child Advocates go to court with these children to inform the judge on how they're doing mentally and physically and to ask for whatever need they may have. We talk about the great training program volunteers go through and we go through the lsit of awesome activities going on at the festival, including an appearance by SpongeBob Squarepants and other child-TV celebrities.
Go to www.childadvocates.org to see how you can help to change a child's life.
Info on the festival is here: www.houstonchildrensfestival.com
Elizabeth Kennedy is the director of development for the University Libraries at the University of Houston. They are creating Open Educational Resources (OER), teaching and learning resources – aka textbooks – that are published in the public domain. This means that anyone can freely use and re-purpose them. When a single textbooks can cost more than $120 and amount to over $1000 of necessary purchases for college students, many are left without the books they need. UH is incentivizing the program to compel professors to create and use open textbooks in their courses. It's been a tremendous success thus far and they're just getting started. It also has the advantage of cutting out the greedy, corrupt academic publishing industry. What's not to love!
Go to www.libraries.uh.edu for info on how you can take advantage of their system and participate in creating textbooks.
Genevieve Keeney is the president of The National Museum of Funeral History. She used to be a medic in the US Army and she is now a licensed mortician specializing in education. The National Museum of Funeral History is opening a new exhibit honoring George H.W. Bush on President's Day. There's a lot that goes into organizing a series of national funerals and we learn about the army of people it takes and why we feel compelled to celebrate people's life the way we do. The museum also has a large collection of hearses used for famous people and their permanent collection: Icons in Ash, Life-Affirming Portraits Made From Cremated Remains is among the most unusual in Houston. Go to: www.nmfh.org
Christine Holland is the CEO & executive director of Rebuilding Together Houston. By repairing homes, they revitalize communities like the Second Ward where they are currently concentrating a lot of their efforts. Most of the work done on houses is by volunteers and you should sign up to help seal the outside of a house or help install safety features. They'll train volunteers and those are two of the kinds of easy-to learn repairs we can all help with. If you're in need of repairs, call them to find out if you qualify for help:
713-659-2511. You can also visit the website: www.rebuildinghouston.org
Cristina Cave is the community relations manager for BakerRipley and she's back to talk about FREE tax preparation services. They've helped over 320,000 households with this awesome program. People qualify if they declare less than $58,000 in yearly income and they'll get top-quality, professional tax preparation advice from certified tax preparers. Cristina also cautions against signing loans against future refunds. Those go from downright dishonest to pretty shady. These loans often "kill you with fees" and it's best to avoid them. Go to www.freetaxcenters.org. Remember that they speak your language! They will find an interpreter so anyone can get help.
Cristina Vetrano is the president and CEO of CanCare, and organization which provides a support group for people fighting cancer (and their caregivers). Megan Vondra is one of their volunteers. She beat Hodgkin's lymphoma which gives her the most powerful tool to help someone going through the same ordeal: she knows just about everything they're going through. Cancare volunteers are like sounding boards and psychologist for those dealing with cancer. Their services also help caregivers: those helping a loved one beat cancer.
Their next training session is in March and you can go to www.cancare.org for info on how to help and how to get help.
Kevin Doffing is the chief operating officer of Combined Arms. They are a once stop shop for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. They can help find employment and access other social services such as mental health. They're also going to be reopening their facility, including their super gym that is open for free to all veterans. It's all possible thanks to their partnerships with organizations like Goodwill Industries of Houston and many others. They literally give you near instant access to 50+ non-profits. Go to www.combinedarms.us where you can even take an assessment test and get going.
Dirk Van Tuerenhout is the Curator of Anthropology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Their new exhibit Stonehenge: Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries presents over 200 artifacts from Great Britain, most of which have never left the Isles. There is also a massive touchscreen table where visitors can do their own research. The stones which are over 5000 years old, are still a mystery. Dirk explores some of the possible explanations for its existence by discussing what we do know and modern science is allowing us to know more than ever. But it still doesn't answer the 2 biggest questions: what was it and how was it built?
Go to www.HMNS.org for information and tickets and don't miss visiting the Gems and Minerals collection – one of the most beautiful exhibits in the world.
Tama Lundquist and Tena Lundquist Faust are co-presidents of Houston Petset. For the second survey in a row, the UTHealth School of Public Health's "Health of Houston Survey" reported that stray animals were the top concern of respondents, outranking crime among other issues. Houston Petset has a "Report Cruelty" link which allows citizens to report any animal they think is being mistreated. They have investigators whose primary job is to educate but they have the power to get mistreated animals out of abusive homes. They also help get stray dogs off our streets. Go to www.houstonpetset.org for information on how they are trying to change local laws dictating what is considered "adequate" shelter for pets. New, fair laws will give law enforcement tools to eliminate a great deal of cruelty.
Danni Dancer is the social studies educator at for the Children's Museum of Houston and Alleigh Stewart is their life science educator. They have a snow machine and that means that every Houstonian can find out what it's like to walk in it, throw it around and marvel at mother nature. That's the Children's Museum is all about. It's one of the best Holliday destinations for kids and parents. We talk about how vast Kidtropolis is. It's a city for kids, run by kids, where kids get ATM cards, spend money, then have to get jobs, demonstrating all those complicated concepts by fun experiences. We also talk the Eco Station which is designed to teach children about their local plants and animals and how they all work best together. Got to www.cmhouston.org for info on all their Holliday events.
John Huckaby is the CEO of AIDS Foundation Houston. They are celebrating World AIDS Day with a luncheon Friday, December 6th and it gives us the opportunity to discuss the state of HIV awareness. The organization has many outreach programs, including one for homeless women. They were able to shelter and serve nearly 300 children and adults in 2018, getting them off the streets and into stable living environments. They also hold Camp Hope every summer for children living with HIV. For info on the luncheon and their services, go to: www.aidshelp.org
Dr. Kelly J. Zúñiga is the CEO of the Holocaust Museum Houston. They just opened the beautiful Mady and Ken Kades Stage inside the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Theater. It's a part of a major reinvention of the museum that includes a complete translation of the exhibits into Spanish. This is a symbol of the museum's purpose: to make the lessons of propaganda and totalitarianism accessible to as many people as possible. They're celebrating the Guardian of the Human Spirit Luncheon honoring the Astros Foundation on November 25th. Got to www.hmh.org for info.
The Nacogdoches Junior Forum’s Holiday in the Pines is their big annual fundraiser which allows the Organization to fund all of its scholarship programs. Katie Rudisill is the Holiday in the Pines Publicity Chair and Carlie Allen is a Holiday in the Pines Chair. They describe the big Holliday market which includes vendors from Houston.
In addition to funding scholarships, Nacogdoches Junior Forum offers grants to other non-profits like
CASA of Deep East Texas (CASA = Court Appointed Special Advocate), Family Crisis Center
Federation of Women's Clubs and PJ Storytime at the Nacogdoches Public Library, just to name a few.
Holiday in the Pines is happening on November 22nd & 23rd. Get tickets & info here: www.nacjrforum.org
Steve Lufburrow is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and with him is Jim Freeze, their vice president of donated goods retail. Goodwill has partnered up with Combined Arms to serve veterans and since Jim served with the US Army in Iraq (2 tours), we spend some times hearing about his experience and then we discuss why sometimes being a veteran is a barrier to employment. Goodwill is making sure veterans get the need they deserve to transition from our armed forces and into civilian life. We also discuss the many other programs Goodwill runs to help our community and how when you donate a dollar, a full 95% goes straight to serving people. Donating makes great holiday gifts, folks! www.Goodwillhouston.org
Dr. Stephen Nesbit is the chief medical officer of HCA Houston Healthcare. The company has spent over $2 Billion on philanthropic causes and they're putting their experts behind Crush the Crisis – Opioid Take Back Days. The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that every day, more than 130 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. The majority are abusing legally distributed prescription drugs like those "left over in grandma's medicine cabinet." HCA Houston Healthcare participated in a very successful anonymous drug take-back program a month ago and future events will be a big part of the solution. For more information, go to: https://hcahealthcare.com/campaigns/crush-the-crisis
Allison Rosen is the lead project coordinator for Baylor College of Medicine in the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center and Dr. Milena Gould-Suarez is an Associate professor at the Baylor college of medicine in gastro ontology. Allison is a colon cancer survivor and she shares her story to inspire young people to get a colonoscopy starting at age 45. Early detection is key and Dr. Gould-Suarez explains what some of the known causes of colon cancer are (processed meat is on the list) and how moderation and good dietary habits can make a healthy life.
The 2019 Get Your Rear in Gear is on Saturday, November 16 at the Baylor College of Medicine (McNair Campus). There's a dog costume contest and the poop emoji will be there for your kids to take pictures with (yep, it's a thing and the kids love it). The event is a 5K timed run, a Kid's run and a 5k walk followed by awards and a family friendly party.
www.coloncancercoalition.org\Houston
Dr. Aisha Siddiqui is the Founder of CHAT - Culture of Health - Advancing Together. She has a PhD in Management policy and community health practice and founded CHAT in the Gulfton area of Houston to help refugees and immigrants become American citizens. Last year, they inaugurated the beautiful Gulfton Story Trail to showcase and inspire the community's pride in our multicultural city. CHAT operates after school homework workshops, women's programs, skill training and job resources and many other services. Go to www.chattx.org for info and consider volunteering for them. They need people to teach in their after school programs, for example.
Ellen Elam is a Komen Houston Board member and Khambrel Marshall is a member of the KPRC2 Severe Weather Team. They are also this year’s race co-chairs. The 2019 Komen Houston Race for the Cure against breast cancer is on Saturday, October 5 and 75% of funds raised will stay in the Greater Houston area to fund breast health screenings and support groups for people going through treatment. The rest is sent to Komen's national office to fund research all over the US and since Houston is on the forefront of the subject, much of those grant dollars come back to Houston's medical community which is one of the best in the world. Go to www.komen-houston.org to sign up for the race and keep in mind that you can just go to hang out. In fact, you're welcome to drop in and register day of.
Mariam Khalili is the Managing Director of Houston Chamber Choir and Robert Simpson is their founder and artistic director. Their new season kicks off with "Annelies: The Diary of Anne Frank."
The performance will christen the new theatre at the Holocaust Museum Houston. The choir was also invited to the World Symposium on Choral Music in New Zealand, a great a rare honor. It's "the Olympics" of choral music. They are also offering Master classes to schools and their free show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre: "Jukebox Saturday Night" pays tribute to the carefree days of Rock ’n Roll. There will be dancing on stage and on the lawn!
www.houstonchamberchoir.org
Tena Lundquist Faust and Tama Lundquist are co-presidents of Houston Petset. They advocate for animals and their right to be treated with respect, from supporting reasonable legislation which would require people to give their animals proper shelter (currently a chain and tree qualifies as shelter for a dog) to reasonable spay and neuter programs and educating the public about animal overpopulation and the misery it causes. Because it's a human problem. The city of Houston spends hundreds of millions of dollars answering calls about stray animals. Most of the animals they trap are then euthanized because there aren't enough people willing to adopt them. But this is not true in the northern states and we discuss Houston Petset's red bus of hope in which animals are bussed up north and adopted out to thankful families.
Go to www.houstonpetset.org and take part in Houston Petset's 15th anniversary gala: Fierce and Fabulous Soirée on September 14th.
Retired Lieutenant General Doug Owens is the CEO of the Lone Star Flight Museum and with him is Marshall Calderon, one of their Junior Ambassadors. He is 12 years old, has a passion for aviation and rocketry and he plans on getting his flying license before his driving license, just like one of his heroes: Neil Armstrong. He's an impressive young man passionate about technology and science and the Lone Star Flight museum is actively recruiting Junior Ambassadors like him, ages 13 to 17. They assist in running the Aviation Learning Center, the Flight Simulators, they lead activities for children, help with special events and assist in classes and camps. And since they're on Elington Field, Houstonians can not only see these old warbirds up close, they can fly in them (you did not misread!).
www.lonestarflight.org is where you need to go to find out more.
Tamara Kasper (aka TK) is the owner of Six 13 Shop. She is a licensed mechanic and philanthropist and also our colleague here at iHeart Media. After Harvey, TK decided she wanted to contribute to the recovery by helping people fix their cars. She identifies people who really need the help and then she does a little fundraising to help pay for parts. She volunteers her work 100%.
She is also welcoming groups of girls in her shop to teach them basics of car care. The idea is not only to expose girls to a professional field they're rarely encouraged to look at, it's also to give them some useful tools to take care of common car problems.
You can contact TK here: Six13shop@gmail.com. She is currently in the process of identifying her next project and she is also looking for more groups of girls to teach. She is also conducting a workshop on August 24th which is open to the public.
Lee Strickland is the general manager of Society for the Performing Arts and they are participating in the 26th annual TC Energy Theater District Open House on Sunday August 25th from 12 – 5 PM. It's an opportunity to visit the backstage areas of Jones Hall and the Wortham Center among other theaters in the district and all the companies will have presentations and great deals on their season subscriptions. Go to www.theaterdistrictopenhouse.com for information. The Lone Star College University Park Percussion Ensemble and Houston Contemporary Dance are performing for SPA. Also, the Houston Symphony is performing a full show from 4-5 PM. It usually fills up!
We also discuss their new season including shows from Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Manual Cinema: Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein, Jay Leno, STOMP and Bon Iver with TU Dance. They close their season with The Spongebob Musical. Go to www.spahouston.org for tickets.
Becky Seabrook is the senior director of guest engagement at The Health Museum and John Arcidiacono is their new President and CEO. The Health Museum opened a new exhibit: Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture at The Health Museum and you better believe that as the Texan from France, I wanted to talk about it! It's about food as a way to explore human culture and science. The exhibit teaches about the exploitation of foods, their distribution and their consumption and therefore, all the waste that goes along.
The Health Museum is celebrating 50 years of service and their permanent exhibits are a ton of fun to visit. They are open for free on Thursday afternoons so take your entire family! www.thehealthmuseum.org
Jeanette De Los Santos is the director and neighborhood relations for Houston Habitat for Humanity
and Christine Abbruscato is their communications and marketing director. We present the Org's mission and discuss in details the help people can get to looking to buy a home. They do not give homes away, they help homebuyers qualify and complete the home buying process. They have extensive training courses because the purpose is to teach people how to be responsible homeowners so that once they sign a mortgage, they can keep the house. This means lots of financial courses, including family planning for inheritance. Go to https://www.houstonhabitat.org.
Genevieve Keeney is the president of The National Museum of Funeral History and a licensed mortician, an awesome unsung hero among museums. They opened a new exhibit: "Icons In Ash" which explores memorial portraits made with the cremated remains of the deceased by artist Heide Hatry. We also talk about other ways of memorializing the dead like using to creating diamonds from cremated remains and planting trees. We discuss the emotional and philosophical challenges of considering alternate ethnic funeral traditions, why the subject is still taboo and how to respectfully teach it to museum visitors.
Go to
www.nmfh.org to visit this unusual and awesome museum and while you're there, check out their resources on writing Obituaries and Eulogies.
Oli Mohammed is the executive director of The Houston Furniture Bank. After over 25 years of services, Oli speaks of diversifying the Org's operations to include mattress recycling and mattress manufacturing. All proceeds from these operations fund the Furniture Bank's programs which help our poorest neighbors obtain basic furniture. Think of how important it is for a mother to own a bed for her child to understand the fundamental need The Furniture Bank is serving. Their goal is making Houston a city where no child sleeps on the floor
They hire ex-convicts to work for the Org and Oli talks about the honor he feels helping these people reform and move onto prosperous lives. It's a very successful program.
Go here to get involved: www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org
Kelly Young is the new CEO of Career and Recovery Resources (CRR) and with her is Dr. Vernus Swisher, retiring CEO of Career AND Recovery Resources. Indeed, our friend Vern is retiring after 23 years of great service. He leaves a healthy and dynamic non-profit in the capable hands of a leader who will not only keep it going strong but also lead it for the next generation.
On Tuesday, June 25th, Career and Recovery Resources is honoring Vern with this year's 23rd Annual Barrier Breaker Award Luncheon and Retirement Tribute to Dr. Vernus Swisher. They also honor JP Morgan Chase & Co as an outstanding corporate Leader and underwriter. You can go to www.careerandrecovery.org to be a part of it and to find out how you can help CRR guide folks back to employment.
Beth Harp is the executive director of Kids’ Meals and Cari Sepulveda is a McDonald's owner and operator and avowed health nut. We should be proud to hear Beth talk about how the state of Texas is actually doing a great job of feeding hungry children through the school system. But during summer months, there is a great need.
Kids' Meals started their Hunger Free Summer initiative to provide hundreds of thousands of nutritious meals to children in poor communities around Houston. With big time financial help from McDonald’s Houston, the program raises funds and awareness for Kids’ Meals. Hunger in Houstonians is an issue we could eradicate. Donating to these Organizations and volunteering is part of the solution. Kinds' Meals has a lot going on outside of summer, too. See their website and consider making a donation. www.kidsmealsinc.org
Cissy Segall Davis is the managing director of Miller Outdoor Theatre. Check out their website to see the awesome list of FREE shows going on all summer long: www.milleroutdoortheatre.com
No other city in the country has such an extensive season of 96 free shows! These are national acts, local acts and big or small, they get to perform for thousands of Houstonians on a world class production stage and it's all…. FREE! You can sit on the lawn or get free tickets to the seating area to enjoy a show with your family and friends. It's a Houston tradition going back 96 years and we're proud of it. See you on the lawn!
Mike Nichols is the interim president and CEO of Coalition for the Homeless. We talk about the Coalition's annual count of unsheltered homeless people and discuss how Houston has been able to reduce it by over 50% in the past years. There are nearly 4000 individuals experiencing homelessness in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties. More than 17,000 people have been housed by The Way Home since 2012 with an 90% success rate at the two year mark. Lots of work remains and Mike has an interesting idea: that homelessness is among the best demonstrations of broken social policies. Go to www.Homelesshouston.org to help out.
Gretchen Schmaltz is the science education manager for the Children's Museum of Houston and Kendra Rodriguez is one of their Resident geeks with a PhD. They're presenting the new Flint Hills Resources Genius Station. It's basically a moving station that shows up in front of the museum's awesome exhibits. It allows kids (and grown-ups) to ask questions from real scientists.
The museum has so many great exhibits it's impossible to see everything in one visit so check out their website for more info and take advantage of their big discount for memberships until the end of May.
www.cmhouston.org
Cristina Vetrano is the president and CEO of CanCare, a support network of cancer survivors and caregivers who volunteer to help those fighting cancer. With her is Lloyd Rachal, the director of marketing for Don McGill Toyota. Lloyd is also a Cancare volunteer after supporting his wife who beat breast cancer. They both found a supporting community in Cancare while she was going through her therapy. It is immensely helpful to be able to speak to someone who understands what it's like to be diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment.
Cancare is celebrating their 25th Silver Anniversary Cancer Survivors Day Luncheon on Thursday, May 9th. The keynote speaker is meteorologist Frank Billingsley who will speak about his own fight with prostate cancer. Got to www.cancare.org
Retired Lieutenant General Doug Owens is the CEO of the Lone Star Flight Museum where you can go see some of the most famous airplanes in the history of aviation. Most planes in the museum are flight worthy and it is indeed possible to buy a "ride" on an old warbird. It's the stuff of great birthday and Christmas gifts, that's for sure.
They are also the home of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame and naturally, the museum is also an educational institution and coming up, they have summer camps for children aged 10-12. To fund these camps and its other programs, the museum is holding the Blue Skies Gala on May 18.
www.lonestarflight.org
Dr. Carolyn Sumners is the vice president of Astronomy for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They are opening "To Defy Gravity", a new exhibit on the Moon, featuring a huge model of the moon Measuring 23 feet in diameter. It is printed with high detailed imagery of the lunar surface taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera. It may be the best way to take a look at the far side of the moon, which you can do by going up to the museum's balcony. There is also a VR experience of the International Space station and a lunar landing. www.hmns.org
Nancy Henderek is the founder and artistic director of Dance Salad Festival which opens this coming Thursday, April 18th and runs through Saturday the 20th at the Wortham Center. Performers include: Maria Kochetkova with Sebastian Kloborg, Ashley Bouder and Joaquin De Luz from New York City Ballet, Spellbound Contemporary Ballet from Rome, Italy and many more. Also part of the festival is the free Choreographers Forum at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston Wednesday on Wednesday, April 17. Check out their website for all the info: www.dancesalad.org Tickets start at just $20.
Stephanie Fitzpatrick is a veteran and the owner of Earthwise Pet The Woodlands and with her is Jennifer Weissbach, a dog trainer and the owner of Puppertory Academy. On April 6th they are holding their first "Proud to Serve Those Who Serve" fundraiser from 12-4 PM at Earthwise Pet / The Woodlands on Kuykendahl and FM 1488, (across the street from HEB). They are donating 100% of their proceeds to The Lone Survivor Foundation which provides therapeutic retreats for veterans and their families affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Chronic Pain, and Military Sexual Trauma.
Our conversation explores the fascinating methods of training service dogs (and how to identify REAL service dogs) and how a small for-profit business can make a difference by helping small non-profit foundations. See their Facebook page for more info: https://www.facebook.com/EarthWisePetWoodlands/
Cristina Cave is the community relations manager for BakerRipley and she gives us an efficient crash-course in filing our taxes for 2018. BakerRipley is offering free tax preparation services to anyone making less than $58,000. They have locations open around town guaranteeing that taxes get done legally. Indeed, Cristina warns us that a lot of "tax preparers" who offer loans based on IRS tax refunds are just ripping people off. BakerRipley also provides a lot of help to our poorest and most vulnerable communities and information on those programs is where you'll also find their tax preparation services: www.freetaxcenters.org
Ashley Brockette is the Communications Director for Child Advocates, here to tell us about one of their major fundraisers: the 30th Annual McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival Saturday and Sunday March 30 & 31, The festival is closing down 16 blocks of Downtown Houston for the biggest Children's Festival in the country. It all benefits Child Advocates and thus far, this festival has raised over 5.5 Million Dollars. It's a Houston-made success and it serves the Advocates – volunteers – who accompany children through our court system. These children have been removed from their homes by Child Protective Services and their Advocates is often the only person on their side for the whole case. The Org trains Advocates and helps them help the children. Their system is extremely successful but they are in dire need of volunteers. www.childadvocates.org Donating is a legitimate way to help when one cannot commit to being an advocate.
Also check out: www.houstonchildrensfestival.com for tickets. You can save a few bucks by buying in advance.
Rodney Waters is the program director for Music Doing Good with Scholarships. The due-date for applications to obtain a MDG scholarship is March 19th so get to it! Students can obtain $500-1500 scholarships to cover music classes and other expenses related to music education. We also discuss the incredible success of Music Doing Good with its students, including a group which started their own non-profit: Music of Harmony, which sends high-school students into retirement homes and civic centers to perform free concerts.
They also have a big show coming up on May 10th at the Hobby Center for the performing arts and you can go see it by visiting their link: www.MusicDoingGood.org – which is also the link to apply for their scholarships.
Susanne Theis is the programming director for Discovery Green, the beautiful park we have in Downtown Houston. It features a huge pond, walking trails, free interactive art installations, free activities like yoga, music classes, and much more, free concerts and free movies and other free classes organized by some of the best non-profit organizations in town like Writers in the Schools and Hester House. They are also the home of the ice skating rink and now, the roller skating rink. You'll need to go to their website to get a hold of all they offer because it is awesome: www.discoverygreen.com.
Casey Kelly is the director of communication for Magnificat Houses, Inc and with her is John Reece, their director of residence services. Magnificat Houses is a famous success story in the world of philanthropy and their programs have been the subject of sociological and psychological studies. Founded in 1968, Magnificat Houses provides shelter, food and programs to help people climb out of homelessness. Loaves and Fishes was Houston's first soup kitchen and in the 70s, the Org started focusing their service on women and children. While you listen to one of the best and most hopeful success stories in Houston, check out their website and help them reach more people: www.mhihouston.org
Marie Jacinto is the director of communications for AVDA: Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and the subject is treated year-round by AVDA's Coaching Boys into Men program. High school coaches are given training to teach their athletes about self-respect and the respect of others and specifically the women they date. For many boys, their coach has the potential to be among the most important male role models in their lives, especially for boys living with their single mother. The program is so successful at reducing teen dating violence that high schools are requesting it for their sports teams. You can find out more about here: www.avda-tx.org
You can also call 713-224-9911, AVDA's Help Line open 8AM – 5PM for help if you or someone you know is the victim of domestic abuse.
Christine Mansfield is the marketing and development manager for the Houston Arboretum and Kelsey Low is their adult education manager. They will be welcoming Houstonians for Tapas on the Trails on Saturday, February 9th. It is, in my opinion, one of the best Valentine's Day events in town and it benefits a great non-profit. We also discuss the end of their masterplan which opens the arboretum to more visitors (still free!) and the Owl Prowls, evening walks in search of some of our most interesting wild, native, winged predators. They have a lot going on and they also offer some of the best children's camps in town. Sign-ups are open now. www.houstonarboretum.org
Eureka Gilkey is the executive director of Project Row Houses and Ryan Dennis is their curator and programs director. The famously artistic social services is celebrating 25 years of history with a beautiful book: Collective Creative Actions: Project Row Houses at 25. The famous 3rd non-profit is now immortalized in the Smithsonian where the Org took a group of kids last year. That's a great story you'll want to hear as we discuss Project Row Houses' efforts to preserve and share the history of the African American experience. They also run a program to help single mothers reach financial independence. The curriculum includes parenting classes, education and of course, arts. They also incubate small business like the extraordinarily successful Workshop Houston which has been featured on Houston P.A. in the past. Go to www.projectrowhouses.org to support their programs.
Juan Garcia is the chairman of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Go Tejano Committee. With him is Adrian Izaguirre, their promotions coordinator. They are both volunteers because the Houston Rodeo is a non-profit organization whose mission is education and it is entirely run by voelunteers. The Rodeo has given out over 400 Million Dollars in scholarships to Texas students and the Go Tejano Committee donates 20 $20,000 scholarships every year. They are also behind the Go Tejano day which is almost always the most attended day of the Rodeo. This year, they're presenting Los Tigres del Norte. We talk about the Go Tejano's Tamale sale, their Mariachi competition and their other programs which are all designed to help families send children to school.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs February 25 through March 17. Get tickets here: www.rodeohouston.com
Barry Ward is the executive director of Trees For Houston. The Org plants over 20,000 trees a year in the Houston area! It’s not just about making Houston a cleaner and more beautiful city, it's also to create reduce ambient temperatures and increase water absorption everywhere it makes sense, aka flood mitigation. They work with architects, the City of Houston and anyone wanting to improve their living spaces. One of the secrets to their success is that they offer their services at cut-rate prices, saving thousands of dollars in the process, thanks to the work of volunteers. They also offer heaps of advice on their website so check it out: www.treesforhouston.org
Dr. Aisha Siddiqui is the founder of CHAT: CHAT Culture of Health - Advancing Together. CHAT specifically targets the Social Determinants of Health: Education, Economic Stability, Community, Healthcare, and Environment. Her organization helps children and teenaged immigrants integrate into American society. They call themselves "Newcomers" and because of language barriers, cultural barriers and poverty, getting along can be difficult. CHAT partnered with the Mayor's office to have 12 new murals painted to highlight the awesome diversity of cultures in the Gulfton area. It's called The Gulfton Story Trail, you can see them all by taking a bus and its success on social media shows it will accomplish what it sought out to do: bring some business into the area and give its community art to be proud of. CHAT is active in Sharpstown HS, Westside High School and Sutton Elementary School help during new student orientation.
Go see The Gulfton Story Trail and check out the website: www.chattx.org
Elizabeth Appleby is the curator of the San Jacinto Museum of History and with her is Amanda Accardo the external relations manager for Shell Deer Park. Shell and the San Jacinto Museum have opened a new exhibit: Big Energy: A Texas Tale of People Powering Progress. It chronicles 9 decades of Deer Park development along the Houston Ship Channel and so much of that came from the people working for Shell that the community and the company's histories are inseparable. The exhibit demonstrates how industries help communities flourish and we also take the time to talk about the Battleship Texas which you can also visit (and you should). Got to www.sanjacinto-museum.org for information and plan an awesome day trip!
Oli Mohammed is the executive director of The Houston Furniture Bank. They are celebrating 25 years of loyal service in the Houston area by starting new programs and helping people continue their recovery from Harvey's flood. They have been a major partner for the City of Houston and have already provided replacement furniture to over 2000 families and counting. They are also forging partnerships with the hotel industry so that when hotels renovate, their used furniture can be collected and donated to deserving families. They will also help you donate your furniture by coming to your home for a convenient pick-up. To find out more and to volunteer, go to: www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org
Steve Lufburrow is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and with him is his son,
Will Lufburrow their director of fund development. They are one of Houston's largest employers and keep winning awards from the Better Business Bureau for how well they manage their donations. When you give $1 to Goodwill, 95% of it goes directly to helping people find employment. They run many programs, including one especially tailored to our armed forces. Lead by a U.S. Marine, Goodwill helps our troops find jobs upon their return from deployment. Steve talks about how ex-military personnel make (unsurprisingly) great employees and Will shares the unique satisfaction of working in the non-profit world and why younger generations choose to do it as career more and more. Go to www.Goodwillhouston.org to take a look at all the great work they're doing.
Brian Carr is the chief advancement officer for Northwest Assistance Ministries. They are doing a big toy drive for the holidays and the toy distribution will come along a full holiday meal for the families. They are also welcoming the Christus Health Foundation's Health Screening Mobile Unit. Free comprehensive health screenings are available and ladies get to schedule a full appointment (men can just walk in as their exam is far simpler and less time consuming).
Go to their website for more info and to find out how you can support their Meals on Wheels program for the elderly, FREE Financial Literacy Classes, FREE GED Classes, FREE English as a Second Language classes, FREE 50+ AARP Safe Driving Classes and much, much more, thanks to Houston's tremendous generosity. www.NAMonline.org
Dirk Van Tuerenhout is the curator of Anthropology for the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They just opened the Fossil Preparation Laboratory which allows visitors to watch paleontologists at work. They cut a hole in a wall, put up a window and a communication device and now, people can see what happens backstage. It's another opportunity to awake a vocation in children. We also talk about a myriad of historical subjects because Dirk is as knowledgeable and passionate as he is fun to talk to.
Check out one of the world's best museums: www.HMNS.org
Barbie Brashear is the director of The Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC - aka The Council) and with her is Maisha Colter, the director of legal advocacy programs for Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA).
They are online: www.HCDVCC.org and www.AVDA-TX.org and these phone numbers are important to have: Call AVDA and get help now 713-224-9911 or the 24 Hour National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
These are anonymous phone calls offering instant help to victims of domestic violence. We discuss the many ways the Orgs work together to not only raise awareness but to help victims escape abusive relationships, recover from the abuse and become independent. Their programs are proven to work and we also discuss when it is appropriate for witnesses to call the police, such as when a neighbors is witnessing domestic violence. Awareness also includes keeping an eye out for each other.
Keith Ostfeld aka Mr. O, is the director of educational technology and exhibit development for the Children's Museum of Houston. It's probably the best place to take your kids for Halloween since it's an awesome Haunted Museum and while they'll have fun, they'll also learn. Keith tells us about their new app that works throughout the museum, how they're working on the next big thing: teaching kids about building big, public places. As for the Halloween festivities, they include: the Mobile Monster Hunt, a Slime-Off on Oct 27th, a Thriller Dance Party on the 31st. The museum will open late until 8PM on that day. Go to their website for more info: www.cmhouston.org
Mike Vance is the program director for The Heritage Society and the co-author of Murder and Mayhem in Houston (with John Nova Lomax). They are bringing back NoTsuOh , once Houston's biggest celebration which rivalled New Orleans' Mardi Gras. This year will feature the Coronation Gala on Friday, October 26 and an animal parade on Sunday, October 28. We also talk about the museum and the historical houses the Heritage Society maintains (they have candlelit tours) and from there, I guarantee you'll learn some interesting historical tidbits about this great city. They are located downtown, you can walk the beautiful park (it's freely open) and their website has the info you need: www.heritagesociety.org
Bryan Kelly is the CEO of Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) and Sam Rangel is a PEP entrepreneur. Prison Entrepreneurship Program is a business program that connects executives, entrepreneurs, and MBA students with convicted felons. PEP is a nine-month "mini MBA" course culminating in a shark-tank style competition. 100% of PEP's graduates land a job within 90 days of release and nearly 100% remain employed after 12 months. Surprisingly, this non-profit receives no tax dollars. They are funded entirely by our community, from every dollar to every volunteer (no volunteers has ever been victimized while serving the program). PEP is a tremendous success and they just started a program in a women's prison. They are looking to replicate the system in other prisons and we can help by going to www.pep.org and giving a few dollars or a few hours of our time.
Roger Bare is the executive director of the Art Colony Association which is organizing the 2018 Bayou City Art Festival Downtown on October 13 & 14. It's one of the biggest open-air art fests in the country and they're closing down over a dozen blocks of downtown Houston so artists can expose their work (some will be creating on-site) while revelers enjoy all the foods and fun activities going on. One of those is their first Halloween costume contest and they'll also have the Rock 'N Roll Mariachis roaming the grounds. And while we have fun at the fest, they'll donate proceeds to 6 local charities, including A Cause to Give Us Paws, Fresh Arts, Recipe for Success and The Arc of Greater Houston. Tickets are cheap and they're even cheaper if you get them ahead of time: www.BayouCityArtFestival.com
Brian Carr is the chief advancement officer for Northwest Assistance Ministries. Since Harvey flooded Houston, Northwest Assistance Ministries has assisted more than 13,000 individuals with more than $5 Million in Relief Funds from generous neighbors. They also operate the second largest Meals on Wheel's programs, which delivers great food to seniors who cannot leave their homes. And they operate a center to help victims of domestic violence. They are a prime example of why this community thrives so prosperously: Houstonians are compassionate and they helps each other. Go to www.NAMonline.org for more info.
Paige Myrick is the executive director of Opera in the Heights and Eiki Isomura is their Artistic Director and Conductor. They made it out of Harvey fairly well and we discuss their beautiful upcoming season. They will perform 4 great classics: Donizatti's "La Fille du Régiment" aka The "Daughter of the Regiment", Mozart's "Cosi Fan Tutte", Piazzolla's "Maria de Buenos Aires" and Puccini's "Madam Butterfly". We also discuss the many challenges facing small performing arts companies, including the interesting cultural challenges of producing modern productions of old stories and how this forces us to consider how cultural perceptions changes. Got to www.operaintheheights.org for tickets and info on their special events.
Jaime Herrero is the executive director of Workshop Houston and with him is Brianna Burns, a poet and rapper known as Lil’ Bri. Bri has found great success with her talent. She has appeared on a couple of national TV shows, including "The Four". She shares her experiences (she is 17) and Jaime points out that while her story is unusual because of the TV cameras, her success is not. This is what the Workshop Houston is all about: helping student achieve their potential. Their programs are educational and include The Dance Shop, the Style Shop and the Scholar Shop. Their programs are so successful that they were able to exponentially improve their services in a new building. Their students are working on a mural for the Third Ward Church and they inaugurated a new summer employment program. Check them out and help support their mission: www.workshophouston.org
Genevieve Keeney is the president of The National Museum of Funeral History. She is also a licensed mortician and an Army veteran and that plays into a great conversation. The National Museum of Funeral History is opening the first exhibit on the History of Cremation in the country. It opens on September 17 and right after, they will celebrate Halloween with a family-friendly haunted house and an Art Car show. Go to www.nmfh.org for more information and go discover this Houston gem where tradition, history and science cross paths.
Toni Capra is the executive director of Da Camera and Perryn Leech is the managing director of Houston Grand Opera. They are participating in the TransCanada Theater District Open House on Sunday, August 26. This free event is an opportunity to visit the Wortham Center, Jones Hall and the other theatres in the district. All the companies who perform downtown, including Houston Ballet and the Theatre Under the Stars, will be performing throughout the afternoon. They will also be offering special discounts on their season tickets. These are often the best prices of the season. Check out the website for all the info and head down there with the family!
www.theaterdistrictopenhouse.com
Robert Simpson is the founder and artistic director of Houston Chamber Choir and Mariam Khalili is their managing director. Houston Chamber Choir is 26 professional singers who are so good they recently won an award from Chorus America. They also have an educational programs and these music classes are among the best way to build a caring community. They have also created a Young Professionals group called Luminary Society. Their subscription package includes an invitation to the after-show party and a drink ticket. Go to www.houstonchamberchoir.org to check out their fantastic new season and hear them perform on YouTube.
Kevin Hattery is the president and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston. He gives me another opportunity to talk about the Houston Area's generous spirit. They will have 20 clubs open this fall, thanks to new funding from some of our major corporations. They also have a long-standing relationship with NASA, providing their club kids with a direct connection to the best science center in the universe.
They are opening the STEAM Center at their flagship location: the John & Cissy Havard Boys & Girls Club and they are celebrating their long-standing relationship with the Astros with the Great Futures Dinner on September 13th. You can be there. Just go to their website which is also where you'll find info on how your kids can join. The annual fee is only $5 and they are currently registering for the Fall. www.bgcgh.org
Aisha Ussery is the creator and director of Music Doing Good in Schools. She has a Masters of Education and is also a playwright. She brings these skills to schools around Houston to teach students like Curslynn Thomson and Monserrat Meza. Not yet teenagers, they both exhibit a lot of maturity, a great sense of humor and are living proof of the pacifying, civilizing influence of art classes on students.
The classes offer students the opportunity to learn how to take criticism, offer constructive criticism and all of this is of course an opportunity to know people better, understand them more broadly and get along. This summer, Curslynn and Monserrat are training to be mentors for Music Doing Good. For everything you need to know about the Org, click here: www.MusicDoingGood.org
Roy Ferretiz is the bilingual youth and outreach specialist for AVDA: Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse. They are online at www.AVDA-TX.org and that's where you can sign up for their free Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM) program which has become a vital part of some area high school athletic programs, providing mentorship tools to coaches so that they can be prepared to not only be great role models to their students, but also help them by talking about important subjects like how men should treat each other and of course, women. The program has been a tremendous success but AVDA has many more programs which aim is to reduce all kinds of domestic violence and bullying. Go to their website to get involved.
Dr. Robert Sanborn is the president & CEO of Children at Risk. We discuss the interactive map they have created to show Houstonians how common illegal brothels posing as massage parlors are and how close they are to their homes and children's schools. They exist mostly in affluent neighborhoods like River Oaks and The Village and downtown and they are trafficking women and children into the sex trade. We discuss the Houston Police Department's efforts to prosecute the buyers – the men creating the demand – and treating the prostitutes like victims, which is almost always what they truly are. These businesses enslaved them. We also discuss what can be done by ordinary citizens and calling your city councilmen and state representatives is the way to go. It is how we can muster the political will to stop this scourge. Get involved by visiting Children At Risk's informative website: www.childrenatrisk.org
Eva Thibaudeau is the vice president Coalition for the Homeless. They've received a grant from JPMorgan Chase & co to kick start the LEAP program. LEAP stands for "Landlord Engagement and Assistance Program," which is designed to help Landlords rent to the homeless, who are likely to by using subsidies. We discuss why landlords like the program and how this kind of work, done by non-profits, aided by private companies and our local government, has helped our Houston area reduce homelessness by over 60% since 2010.
Harvey obviously authored a spike in homelessness which means this is a great time to volunteer for the Org or donate to its programs: www.HomelessHouston.org & The Way Home: www.ThewayHomeHouston.org
Jane Weiner is the founder and director of Hope Stone, Inc. and Ashley Horn is an education specialist who c-teaches with Jane a lot. Jane describes Ashely as "magic with children" and indeed, Ashley provides some of those undeniable examples of how an art class, be it dance or other, can help children socialize, build self-respect. As Jane says, Art imbeds itself and those building blocks make for well-adjusted and prosperous people.Jane is also the artistic director of Hope Stone Dance and they will be performing "Coolest News on Planet Earth, chapter 2" at the Moody art center, 9th-15th of August. Click to get involved: www.hopestoneinc.org .
Dr. Melanie Johnson is the President and CEO for The Health Museum. Her PhD in education so I get to geek out about the awesome exhibits they've built which are all interactive teaching experiences. Think fun like Disneyland but all about biology and science. They are offering summer camps and they have the Teen Summit coming in July. This program allows teens to spend time in the medical center, learning from the best in the world. It's a unique partnership the Health Museum has with our medical community.
Go to www.thehealthmuseum.org for information and their schedule for exhibits, mindfulness classes for adults, mixers for young professionals and their movies, too.
Shellye Arnold is the president and CEO of Memorial Park Conservancy. The Kinder Foundation has helped them capitalize $200 million for projects to be competed in the next 10 years. It's a great example of public (city) and private (citizens) partnership which once again puts Houston on the forefront of such projects. They will build a spectacular natural bridge and water features which will also help to retain flood waters. You need to see their plans to believe them. They are truly spectacular. Go get involved, too: www.memorialparkconservancy.org
Allison Booker Brooks is the CEO of the YWCA of Houston. They are celebrating brilliant Houstonians with their Outstanding Women Luncheon on May 24th. You can get tickets to the event on their website and help fund their Meals On Wheels program (they serve 1500 meals a day to elderly Houstonians) and their brand new service center which will help victims of human slavery. We discuss this important subject since Houston is one of the major centers of human trafficking in the US (the other is Los Angeles). Houstonians are building the political will to fight this scourge and it's happening because of the work of non-profits. Got to www.YWCAhouston.org for information on their many services, many of which are now helping people recover from Harvey's flood.
Juliet Stipeche is the Director of Education for the City of Houston and Dave Moss is a McDonald's Owner and Operator and the Founder of Hire Houston Youth. He runs their On The Spot Hiring Program. They are aiming to hire over 7500 Houston Youths and they are providing them with tremendous resources on top of these employment opportunity (like job clothing and bus passes). It's not just McDonald's and the City of Houston, this program involves a lot of competitors and companies from other industries like bank companies, to provide a holistic approach to hiring young people. The aim is to teach them how to prosper in all areas of life. Go to www.hirehoustonyouth.org to find out the location of upcoming job fairs. They are free to all.
Kevin Myer is the president and chief executive officer for LifeGift and Brian Rothermel is a heart transplant recipient who is about to celebrate being 24 years post-transplant. He was diagnosed with a deadly heart disease when he was in his 20s. After being placed on a waiting list, he received the heart of a young woman. He eventually met with her family and it's as powerful a story as it is moving.
The family's act of kindness and generosity is one we can all make. Signing up to be an organ donor only takes a couple of minutes. To donate a heart, kidney, liver, and other vital organs, can literally save up to 8 people. Countless more are profoundly helped through tissue donations like skin, bones and heart valves.
www.DonateLifeTX.org
Emily Manderson is the conservation director for the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center and Christine Mansfield is their manager of marketing and development. The Houston Arboretum is in the middle of a 3 phase renovation which will include a new Children's playscape. Major improvements have already been made to the nature trails and you should know their Arboretum at Night events to learn about and see some of the awesome animals that live alongside the bayou. People don't realize the bayous are highways for wildlife but you can find out a lot about them just by going to their website: Www.houstonarboretum.org
The Houston Museum of Natural Science opened a new exhibit: Death by Natural Causes and David Temple, their associate curator of paleontology, is on hand for another awesome conversation. We talk about the less obvious causes of natural death, like the red and white amanita mushroom and the assassin bug but we also discuss some of those deadly things we all know about, like rattlesnakes and deadly Japanese hornets. The exhibit has some live animals on display and also beautiful 3D models of various deadly agents. The Houston museum of Natural Science is always worth visiting so check out their website: www.HMNS.org for tickets.
Ashley Brochette is the marketing manager for Child Advocates and Kelly St. Mary is the sponsorship director for McDonald's Houston Children’s Festival. They are celebrating the festival's 30th year on Saturday and Sunday, April 7th and 8th. It is the biggest festival of its kind in the country and it's only $10 to buy tickets online: www.houstonchildrensfestival.com.
The McDonald's Houston Children’s Festival has raised over $5 million for Child's Advocates and we hear about their need for volunteers. Child Advocates are thoroughly trained to work through our court system hand in hand with minors. Beyond the needs of the child in court, Advocates are also help with making sure the children are getting what they need from their foster homes and schools. It is an invaluable service which sometimes forges lifelong relationships between Advocate and child.
There is much to learn and you can begin on their website: www.childadvocates.org
Our friend Dr. Vernus Swisher is back to fill us with optimism. He is the CEO of Career and Recovery Resources (CRR), a United Way of Greater Houston agency, and he and his awesome staff just moved into the Baroness Kandy Kaye Horn Employment & Technology Building. It was finished thanks to a huge and generous gift by the lady whose name is on the building. It allows CRR to help even more people. That's what they do: help people identify and overcome barriers to employment. They offer Veteran services, deaf and hard of hearing services and substance & alcohol abuse outpatient programs. Their website is: www.careerandrecovery.org and everyone in Houston should know it.
Schelika Chisolm is the emergency disaster services statistician for the Salvation Army of Greater Houston and Janae Jones is the education coordinator for the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs. She is administering the program which awards the Youth of the Year which she won years ago, before joining the organization professionally. She is the first person in her family to graduate from college and she is currently obtaining an MBA. Schelika shares her personal experience helping people in the immediate aftermath of Harvey's flood and she reminds us that the strength of the salvation Army comes from its volunteers. They always have a great need for volunteers so go here to sign up: www.SalvationArmyHouston.org
Rodney Waters is the program director for Music Doing Good with Scholarships and Phillip Hall is their director of Music Doing Good In Service, a brand new program. Phillip is providing free coaching and piano accompaniment to students learning how to sing – in their school, as you might have guessed. He helps them pass their important UIL exams. It is a perfect example of a local non-profit identifying a need in its community and helping people deal with it.
Music Doing Good is also giving out scholarships and the deadline to apply is coming up on March 21st. You can find information about that and other programs (like how to get them into your school) by going here: www.MusicDoingGood.org
Cullen Geiselman is a board member of Houston Parks Board and she is the co-chair of Bayou Greenway Day. Doug Overman is the chief advancement officer for Houston Parks Board. Bayou Greenway Day is on March 24th at Tidwell Park in Northeast Houston. It will celebrate the progress of Bayou Greenways 2020 which is on track to be completed on time. This massive endeavor creates a continuous parks system along Houston's major bayous. By the time it's done, most Houstonians will live within less than 2 of miles from a Bayou Greenway. Check out their website for more info.
Cullen is also a bat specialist and she is optimistic about our Houston bat population rebounding after Harvey.
www.HoustonParksBoard.org
Kelly Young is the CEO of AIDS Foundation Houston and Joe Fuentes is the CEO of Avenue 360 Health & Wellness which brings a holistic approach to helping uninsured people obtain the health services they need (physical and psychological). AIDS Foundation works with Avenue 360 Health & Wellness and they will be donating part of the proceeds from their next fundraiser: Rock the Walk, March 4, 2018. A big concert will follow the 29th annual AIDS Walk Houston with Houston musicians Bun B, Paul Wall and Los Skarnales headlining. Go to www.aidshelp.org for info. It's also a great place for information on PREP, the pre-exposure prophylactic, a subject we explain in detail.
Adam Farris is the owner and President of Younique Abilities, a company that sells merchandise like jewelry and keychains manufactured by people with disabilities. Adam is on the autism spectrum and has Tourette syndrome but he sees himself and his partners as "Younique" and in possession of great talents. With him is Eddie Page, the vice president of Younique Abilities. First and foremost, Eddie is Adam's friend. They are roommates and Eddie's son treats Adam like an uncle. Eddie shares his own struggle out of foster care and how his relationship with his brother who is also on the autism spectrum, guides how he treats people.
These two friends have an extraordinary story to tell and you can support their work by going to their website: www.youniqueabilities.com. They donate part of their sales to local Non-Profits.
Cristina Cave is the community relations manager for Baker-Ripley and she's full of advice to help people prepare their taxes for free. Baker-Ripley operates 11 Tax Centers in the Houston area, providing free tax preparation for individuals and families earning up to $58,000. Christina warns us about delays for certain refunds and how this sets the stage for fraudulent loan advance scams based on those refunds. She explains how to avoid those frauds and how Notario Fraud Prevention and Houston Volunteer Lawyers are also helping folks navigate our legal system.
Baker-Ripley offers so many services to their community starting with their helpful website: www.Freetaxcenters.org
Christine Holland is the CEO & executive director of Rebuilding Together Houston. They have been providing home repair services at no cost to senior citizens, people with disabilities and US Military veterans for over 35 years. They were therefore well prepared to help Houston recover from Hurricane Harvey and while government money isn't coming in yet, they were able to get to work immediately with the help of hefty donations from local corporations like AIG and Exxon Mobile. They need volunteers as well and you don't need any experience to lend a hand. Just go to their website: www.rebuildinghouston.org
Carleen Graham is the director of HGOco and Emily Wells is their programs manager and producer of Song of Houston. HGOco is the education-branch of the Houston Grand Opera and it produces shows for families. They are premiering a new child-friendly opera called "Monkey & Francine in the City of Tigers," and the performances are free on February 2 & 3. They will also be filming the pilot episode of a new Internet Video series called "Star-Cross'd" based on the most popular story published by The Moth podcast. And of course, there is the Houston Grand Opera's mainstage season which continues with "Elektra" by R. Strauss (through Feb 2) and "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini (through Feb 10).
Their website is www.HGOco.org. Check them out, they put on some of the best Operas in the world (and I’m not exaggerating one bit).
Oli Mohammed is the executive director of The Houston Furniture Bank. They are celebrating 25 years of service by being on the forefront of Houston's Hurricane Harvey recovery. To date, they have distributed over 8000 pieces of furniture to help families rebuild from the flood. They are working with Houston agencies who refer their clients to the Houston Furniture Bank. It's an ongoing effort in addition to their normal operations, which include their store and their mattress recycling programs. On January 25th, from 5:25PM to 8-25PM, they will celebrate their 25th anniversary. They will honor 25 companies who have helped in the success of The Furniture Bank.
Get involved: www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org
Paul Bernhard of Paul Bernard Exhibits is back to talk about the Houston Museum of Natural Science's new Weiss Energy Hall 3.0: Energy City. It's a massive, state-of-the-art techno-educational installation featuring two motion platforms and the Geovator. We're talking about 30,000 square feet - about the size of a football field – full of new exhibits, including “Energy City,” a 2500 square-foot 3-D model of Houston, the surrounding Gulf coastal waters, and the terrain of southeast and central Texas. Nobody does exhibits like the Museum of Natural Science, they are one of the best museums in the country but you know, built the Texan way so… better. You can see why on their website: www.HMNS.org where you will instantly realize that seeing everything in one trip is impossible.
Keith Ostfeld aka Mr. O is back! The resident Mad Scientist at the Children’s Museum of Houston is also their director of educational technology and exhibit development. Every year, the Children's Museum transform into a Holliday Wonderland set up to share the many cultures of Houston and how they celebrate the holidays. They are open late from the 22nd through the 2nd, celebrating The Season of Sharing. You'll also have the opportunity to take part of the Rockin' New Year's Noon Bash on the 31st and this year, you can visit their Cum Yah Gullah exhibit, one of the great stories of American culture.
There is too much going on to mention it all so go to: www.cmhouston.org
Andy Smith is with Texas Parks and Wildlife and The Battleship Texas Foundation. The Texas is the magnificent battleship commissioned in 1912 which is moored near the San Jacinto Monument. It fought in both world wars and that is merely scratching the surface of her extraordinary history.
To preserve it, Andy and his team pump over 500 tons of water out of it every day and they are constantly making repairs as the structure deteriorates (she's a riveted construction). They are building the funds to put the ship in a permanent dry dock where she will continue to serve as a memorial to the men who sailed on it. So head over to www.BattleshipTexas.org, plan on taking the hard hat tour with your kids and consider donating a few bucks to help the Texas find a permanent, dry dock.
Sarah Flournoy is the program manager of Bird Friendly Communities for Houston Audubon and Richard Gibbons is their Conservation director. We discuss the consequences of the flood on our local sanctuaries. Our area is a "highway" for migratory birds. Millions fly across the gulf coast on their way to warmer climates and urbanization has had catastrophic, damaging effects their habitat. We also talk about building bat houses and how to help Audubon count birds which helps them keep track of their evolution.
You'll be pleasantly surprised by some of the simple, inexpensive steps you can take to make your yard much more bird-friendly.
www.houstonaudubon.org
Kim Tobin Lehl and Philip Lehl are the founders and co-executive directors of 4th Wall Theatre. For the past 7 years they have produced some of the best plays I've seen and this holiday, they aim to make everyone laugh with Craig Lucas' "Reckless". The show opens Friday, December 1st and runs through December 16th.
We talk about the value of art companies and the great difficulties they all face to fund their programs. It is a constant uphill battle to produce great shows and pay the professionals who make them happen.
By the way, there will be a tremendous bit of great news announced at the premiere of "Reckless" on December 1st. I have been forbidden from saying anything more but you can get your tickets and enjoy a great evening out: www.4thwalltheatreco.com
Dr. Melissa Joyner is a radiation oncologist and the chair of the St. Joseph Medical Center Radiation Oncology department and Dr. Daisha Hayden is a radiologist on the medical staff at St. Joseph Medical Center. They discuss the simple steps for women to follow in order to detect any cancerous lumps in their breasts as early as possible. Experts recommend that beginning at age 40, women should get a yearly mammogram. The decision to get one saves the lives of over 6500 women every year who are diagnosed early enough that they can be cured. It's all very encouraging but we must keep up the awareness campaigns.
www.StJosephMammo.com
713-757-7593
Melissa Sanchez is the Texas public policy lead for Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter.
She updates us on a Houston's doctor's research which involve observing fruit flies infected with Alzheimer's disease.
The Walk to End Alzheimer's is on November 19th at the University of Houston and they're inviting Houston to participate in a big, laid back event accessible to everyone.
We also talk about how they serve 37 counties in our area, offering free support groups and advice on how to take part in clinical trials for experimental drugs. They also had the Alzheimer's research Congressional Update in August and the good news is that our politicians are engaged.
www.alz.org/Texas
Vikki Finley is the president and CEO of Arms Wide Adoption and Van Kohrt is a Firefighter who adopted a son a few years ago. He shares his poignant journey into fatherhood with a wonderful sense of humor, demonstrating the great work Arms Wide Open is doing to help children who are in our court system and in foster care, find permanent homes. The Organization offers all the necessary guidance to become a parent and their services are free. Adoptive parents also receive lots of help from the government, including financial assistance for the child's healthcare needs and free tuition to public universities. There is much to learn and you can start with their excellent website: www.armswideadoption.org
Elisa Donovan is the Assistant Director and general counsel for the Katy Prairie Conservancy. They are online at www.katyprairie.org and you should take a look at their programs as you listen to Elisa describe how they cover subjects from restoring your land so that it is once again welcoming to cattle, game, birds and butterflies. They offer workshops and a fun and informative tour: Urban Prairies by Light Rail.
Beth White is the president and CEO of Houston Parks Board. They are hosting their 2017 Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, October 17. Charles Renfrow will be the guest speaker. You'll get a chance to hear updates on the progress of the massive Bayou Greenways 2020 project which is already great success. Beth reports that thanks to their initiatives, the work they've done is merely slowed down by hurricane Harvey's flood. The areas affected faired well since they were designed to help canalize flood waters and are being cleaned up. It's an example of responsible conservation and consequently, Houston Parks Board is still on track to connect more than 3,000 acres along the bayous into parks dedicated to recreation, transportation, and conservation. Once completed, 150 miles of greenspace and trails will crisscross all of Houston. You can get involved and stay up to date by visiting their website: www.houstonparksboard.org
Alene Coggin is the executive director of HSPVA Friends and Dr. Scott Allen is the principal of the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. The school is famous for offering a world class arts education as part of the public school system. Students must audition to attend and their curriculum is demanding since the art courses are essentially tacked onto a standard HISD education.
With the help of the school bonds and The Kinder Foundation, HSPVA will be opening its superb building next year. It will house a large theatre and 3 performance spaces, a recording studio and dance, music and writing studios. It's a Houston achievement like no other.
Find them online: www.HSPVA.org and www.HSPVAfriends.org
Mary Collins is the president and CEO of Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Greater Houston. Jennifer Strich is their vice president of programs and she is a licensed clinician. DBSA provides free support groups to individuals affected by depression and bipolar disorders. The groups are led by licensed mental health professionals and are also there to help the family and friends of those affected by the diseases.
They have 73 locations around the Houston area and they are growing thanks to private donations. Their 6th annual Help…Hope…Healing Luncheon is a great opportunity to show support. The luncheon is on Tuesday, September 26 but you can also donate online. Their website is also where you'll find access to their services: www.dbsahouston.org
Jim Soller is the executive director of Rebuilding Together Houston and Julie Mintzer is their communications and Advancement Manager of Rebuilding Together Houston. For more than 30 years, Rebuilding Together Houston has provided no cost home repair to thousands of low-income elderly homeowners. TO take a look at their program and apply for help, go to their website: www.rebuildinghouston.org
Rich Levy is the executive director of Inprint and the author of a beautiful book of poetry: "Why Me". Inprint just announced a new spectacular season of readings by some of today's best contemporary authors. All tickets are only $5!
The Inprint Margarett Root Brown Reading Series will kick off on September 18 with readings by Nathan Englander & Nicole Krauss. Jennifer Egan & Claire Messud appear on November 6 and Viet Thanh Nguyen will be here on November 13. Next year, Inprint welcomes Jhumpa Lahiri, Paul Auster, Aminatta Forna, Samanta Schweblin, Rigoberto González and Kevin Prufer.
And that's not all. Inprint also presents Cool Brains, its FREE readings for kids. Kids will get to meet Katherine Paterson ("Bridge to Terabithia") and Ann Martin ("The Baby-Sitters Club" novels).
Check out their website: www.inprinthouston.org
Dr. Vernus Swisher is the CEO of Career and Recovery Resources (CRR). With him is Cathy Mitchell, one of CRR's STAR Clients. After a period of homelessness, she overcame an addiction to crack cocaine and became a para-professional at Hastings High School. This fall, she will receive her bachelor's degree from Belhaven University. She is representative of the hard work people are willing to put in to pull themselves out of poverty and how they succeed with the help of Houston's non-profit organizations. Her success is the reason CRR honored her with their STAR Client award.
To support Career and Recovery Resources or to find out about their many programs, go here: www.careerandrecovery.org
Paige Myrick is the executive director of Opera in the Heights, Shayna Schlosberg is the managing director for Catastrophic Theatre and Anthony Brandt is the Artistic Director of Musiqa. They are part of this year's Circle of Fifths aka Co5, Houston's best art pass.
For only $119, you get to choose 5 shows (out of 10) presented by some of Houston's best companies. You also get an extra free ticket to share for one of the shows of your choice and there's a free drink waiting for you at each performance. It's not just about meeting great companies, it's about meeting the great people, too. Want to see all 10 shows? No trouble, that's possible as well.
And who is performing aside from the above three? Ars Lyrica Houston, Da Camera, Houston Chamber Choir, Mercury, ROCO, Main Street Theater and METdance. Check it out: www.Co5Houston.com
Leo Boucher is the director of marketing and audience development for Da Camera of Houston. They are a presenting organization who have been mixing jazz and chamber music with great success for 30 years. They are one of the best examples of how eclectic Houston's art community is, from its performers to its patrons. Check out their incredible season: www.dacamera.com
As they do each year, Da Camera will be a part of Theater District Open House, on Sunday August 27th, from 12 to 5 PM. This is a free event in Houston's world class theatre district. You'll get to tour the Wortham Theater Center, mingle with dancers from Houston Ballet, meet musicians and artists from the Houston Symphony, the Houston Grand Opera, Society for the Performing Arts and Theatre Under the Stars.
Da Camera is presenting a free concert by the New York philharmonic String Quartet and there is a lot more going on. Check it out: www.theaterdistrictopenhouse.com
Anna Dragsbaek is the CEO of The Women's Home and Staci Young is their chief program officer. They are celebrating 60 years of serving homeless women in the Houston area, a great achievement since they are primarily funded by the community. They are one of the reasons Houston has been able to reduce its homeless population by over 60% since 2011. Their success keeps growing. They will open a new facility in the fall to serve the Spring Branch community. Take a look at all their services on their website: www.thewomenshome.org
Mary McIntire is the Dean of Rice University’s Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. They are celebrating 50 years of service to the Houston community as the area's leading program for continuing education. When Mary was named dean of the school, they had several hundred students. They now serve over 20,000 people every year in a beautiful new building on Rice's campus. There are too many courses offered to name them all but chances are, if you're interested in a subject, they have a course for it. They also organize courses for kids in their schools and go out to retirement communities because it's never too late to be curious and learn. Check out their website for their impressive list of courses: www.gscs.rice.edu
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Melissa Sanchez is the Texas Public Policy Lead for the Alzheimer's Association Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter. Being an incurable disease which touches over 5 million Americans, Alzheimer's is starting to receive wider attention and our awareness of the need for research is growing. Melissa explains how the disease leaves families in need of support groups and how the Alzheimer's Association helps to connect people affected by the disease. They also help to match patients with clinical trials, a crucial service which helps to advance research for a cure. Take a look at their informative website: www.alz.org/Texas
Also mark your calendar for their annual Walk to End Alzheimer's on November 4th.
Keith Ostfeld aka Mr. O, is the resident mad scientist and the director of educational technology and exhibit development for the Children's Museum of Houston. It’s one of the best places to take your kids (and yourself) this summer and we get to geek out over their awesome Sci-Fi Summer event which lasts through Labor Day weekend. They’re open for free on Thursday evenings so you can take your whole family to the Robotics Lab and create a Scribble Bot, join the Galactic Ranger Training and see The Galactic Journey Live Production and tap into S.E.C.R.E.T. Discoveries by going on undercover mission and check out the Infinity Mirror and so much more. Check out their awesome website. Better yet, hand it over to your kids: www.cmhouston.org
Katya Dow is the legal program director for the Juvenile and Capital Advocacy Project. She is also a legal practice law professor at the University of Houston Law Center. Two of her students are with her: Tressa Surratt and Lizzie Lawrie.
The Juvenile Records Sealing Project helps individuals with juvenile records to expunge those records. (We are not talking about violent crimes, here.) This is a long process that really needs a lawyer’s experience to get through and Katya discusses how they’re making this happen for more and more Houstonians by tapping into the University of Houston’s renewable pool of talent! Tressa and Lizzie talk about their first experiences in court and with their young clients.
For more information on JCAP’s free services: www.jcaptexas.org
Marilyn Brown is the president & CEO of Coalition for the Homeless of Houston, Harris County and Dr. Cathy Troisi is with the UT Health School of Public Health. Thanks to their annual count, they have measured a 60% reduction in homelessness in Houston, an extraordinary achievement. Lead by the Coalition, the Harris County area coordinated its non-profit organizations and city services. We discuss rapid re-housing and its proven success rate and how success with these programs in Houston means that soon, they will spread to other cities. Marilyn’s responsibilities include sharing their findings and methods. We are not just helping ourselves, we are helping the entire country.
We can all help. Visit their website to get involved: www.HomelessHouston.org
Rodney Waters is the program director for Music Doing Good with Scholarships. Two of their recipients are also on the show: Nathaniel Zhang, a student at Clemens HS and founder the Music Doing Good Volunteer Team and Solomomon Alhakeem, a student at HSPVA who just got accepted into the Houston Grand Opera’s HS Voice Studio. Along with the rest of their peers, they are celebrating their success with a big FREE show on Saturday, June 10th at St. Thomas.
While we talk about how Music Doing Good's curriculum helps student excel in school and in social life, check out their website. You can get tickets to the show or get involved. www.MusicDoingGood.org
Whitney Easterling is the director of development for Young Audiences of Houston and Glenn Bailey is the director of community and school partnerships. Young Audiences of Houston serves 250,000 people in the Houston area every year and with the opening of Levy Park, they have a new platform to share their awesome activities (which are free!). They also put on shows at the Miller Outdoor Theater and are planning a first: a summer camp at Yellowstone Academy. It is all with the aim of civilizing kids, teaching the arts and opening connections in their brains and between each other. Check out their website for all of their programs, available all year long: www.yahouston.org
Dr. Melanie Johnson is the President and CEO for The Health Museum, one of the coolest destinations for families in H-Town. They are open for free on Thursday afternoons which means you can check it out first hand with your entire family. They are signing up children for their summer camps and will welcome their annual Global Teen Summit with teens from all over the world coming to Houston to learn from the biggest medical center on the planet. They also opened the beautiful photographic exhibit Humanae which runs through September. Check out their website which is entertaining unto itself. www.thehealthmuseum.org
Antoine Plante is the conductor, co-founder and artistic director of Mercury, the Orchestra Redefined. They are performing Mozart's Requiem on May 13th at the Wortham Center and this gives us the opportunity to talk about the musical genius's unfinished masterpiece. Mozart died before The Requiem was completed and someone else put the final touches to the composition. It was a great mystery for a long time and Antoine tells us how it was solved.
We also discuss their upcoming season, their Neighborhood Concerts and the big free show they put on at The Miller, at the end of each summer. It's all on their website: www.mercuryhouston.org
Outspoken Bean is a Writers in the Schools (WITS) evangelist and their program coordinator. He is also the head-coach for Meta-4 Houston and the founder of the Space City Slam Series. With him is Analicia Sotelo, the communications strategist for WITS. WITS engages Houston-area youths, ages 13 to 19, to perform in the Space City Slam Series which is the largest youth poetry slam competition in Texas. 6 finalists will represent Houston at the 20th annual Brave New Voices International.WITS also has summer writing camps for children and you might be interested in having one of their teachers come to your children's school to teach workshops. For information, go to their website: www.witshouston.org
Dr. Shaine Morris is a pediatric cardiologist from Texas Children's Hospital. Owen Gray is a youth ambassador for the Marfan Foundation. He speaks from experience since he is living with Marfan syndrome. With him is his mother, Amy Gray who is an advocate for the Marfan Foundation.Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body's connective tissues which hold our cells and organs together. They are also important in how our bodies develop throughout childhood. Owen talk about living with Marfan, how it changed his life and gave it a purpose. As a high school student looking to coach basketball at the college level, he is already a mentor making a difference on behalf of those living with Marfan. Raising awareness increases the amount of research going on but it also forms support groups which is just as important.For information and support, look here: www.marfan.org
Steve Lufburrow is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston, and Will Lufburrow is their director of development and special projects. With them is Nick Bassitt, a Marine now serving as Goodwill's Manager of Veteran Services. We discuss the services available to our veterans and Nick shares some of the experiences common to troops returning to civilian life. Being a veteran is a barrier unto itself and we discuss how it can be overcome by visiting Goodwill. When their programs cannot help directly, they have a network of other non-profits which enables them to find the right place for help. It's a great system and it was encouraging to hear Nick confirm something I've heard before: the Houston community does a pretty good job of taking care of veterans and it is working to improve those services. www.Goodwillhouston.org
Nancy Henderek is the founder and artistic director of Dance Salad Festival, the biggest dance rendez-vous of the year. The show opens on Thursday, April 13th and runs through Saturday the 15th at the Wortham Center.This year's guests include one of the dance world's biggest stars: Mary Agnes Gillot, who will perform and answer questions during the free choreographer's forum on Wednesday, April 11th at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Also performing are Texas Ballet Theater, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the Norwegian National Ballet and Charles "Lil' Buck" Riley and more.Get your tickets! www.dancesalad.org
Allison Booker Brooks is the CEO of The YWCA of Houston. On May 4th, they are celebrating the 31st Outstanding Women's Luncheon. It also marks the organization's 110th years of empowering women and girls in the Houston area. The event is at Royal Sonesta and is open to the public. All the women being recognized have great story to tell and we discuss the high school student who designed and wrote a coloring book in both English and French. This young lady's drive and achievements are worth celebrating, indeed. Go to their website to find out about their many services, including their great Meals on Wheels program for seniors. www.YWCAhouston.org
Liz Vallette is the president of Plant It Forward and Randi Rogers is their farm share Manager. PIFF provides refugees with the opportunity to farm a plot of land and sell their vegetables and make a profit. All the farms have been donated by Houstonians and Houston institutions. There are many ways to participate. You can visit Plant It Forward at local famer's markets and you can buy a farm share. You are then essentially entering in a partnership with a farmer and after each harvests, you get to enjoy the produce collected from your plot of land. Since this is the best way to obtain fresh, flavorful vegetables, several restaurants have bought into the program. It's a foodie's dream.Check out their website: www.Plant-it-forward.org
Carleen Graham is the director of HGOco. Her job is to connect the Houston Grand Opera to its Houston community. Their programs include setting up performances in schools for kids who wouldn't otherwise be exposed to classic music. They are also celebrating the world premiere of Some Light Emerges, a new opera which marks the company's 63rd world premiere. It's a big deal because Houston Grand Opera is one of the few world-class companies commissioning new works, these days. This show is inspired by the famous Rothko chapel and will premiere on March 16.Also coming soon are Wagner's Gotterdammerung which opens on April 22 and Mozart's the abduction from the seraglio, opening on April 28th.www.HGOco.org
Jane Weiner is the president & CEO of Hope Stone, Inc. and the artistic director of Hope Stone Dance Company and The Pink Ribbons Project. With her is Bill Reese, a navy veteran and a member of #Warriors, the Drum Circle you might have seen open Hope Stone's December show. Bill tells us about how hard it is to keep a beat when you're just starting out and how improving brings peace and a sense of accomplishment within the group. He also voices his optimistic opinion on how Houston treats its veterans. Along with other veterans who are memebers of Veterans in Action, he is helping the city's services improve and in doing so, demonstrates that Houston's spirit of generosity - our neighbor's willingness to help each other - is the city's most powerful asset.If you are a veteran, join #Warriors! Just go to their website:www.hopestoneinc.org
Kelly Young is the CEO of AIDS Foundation Houston. The news on the subject of HIV infections is both good and bad. While the rate of infection has gone up in recent years, especially in the poorer parts of the South of the U.S., it is also true that awareness and help are more available than ever. We discuss the availability of life-saving treatments which means being diagnosed with HIV is no longer a death sentence. We also talk about the Org's major fundraiser, The AIDS Walk which is Sunday, March 5th in Sam Houston Park. Go to their website to sign up: www.aidshelp.org. The site is also a great resource for information on the disease both on how to prevent it and how to treat it.
Doug Overman is the park director for The Levy Park Conservancy. The park's grand opening is on Saturday, February 25th. Headlined by Groupo Fantasma who will play a full concert in the evening, the park's many amenities will finally open to the public. The park also functions as a symbol of how Houstonians view the relationship between work, home and the environment and Non-Profits can work hand in hand with For-Profit entities to accomplish great projects.Check out the park's website for info on the grand opening and make sure to keep an eye on their events calendar. Levy Park is going to be a new place for our performing arts companies to put on great shows.www.Levyparkhouston.org
Andrea Simon is the research coordinator for the SPARK study at Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Robin Kochel is an assistant professor of pediatric psychology at the Baylor College of Medicine and associate director for research for the autism center at the Texas Children's Hospital. She is the principal investigator for SPARK. Judy Blake is the Mother of a 21 year old son living with autism and she is the program coordinator for The Family to Family Network. The SPARK study will collect information and DNA for genetic analysis from 50,000 individuals with autism and their families in order to advance our understanding of this condition and to help develop better support systems and treatments. It's a fascinating conversation with a lot of information you can find on their website: www.sparkforautism.org/texaschildrens or text "SPARK" to 555888 and you will receive the information directly on your phone.
Sara Brown is the communications manager for Coalition for the Homeless and Dr. Cathy Troisi, is an associate professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health. Every year, the Coalition's volunteers go out and count the number of homeless people living in the area. They are adding data from Montgomery county as well. The data then allows our non-profits and government agencies to deploy their resources where they are needed. The goal is to get them all in permanent housing. We know there are in excess of 3600 individuals needing help on any given night. We can help by being informed and volunteering: www.HomelessHouston.org
Oli Mohammed is the executive director of The Furniture Bank. They are celebrating 25 years of service to Houstonians. They debuted their "Adopt a Family" program last year and also moved into new facilities (which officially open in April). They have a new store opened to the public and of course, they will come and pick up your used furniture for free, as they always have. They'll also come get your mattresses for a small fee and then recycle them. That's another facet of this Org: they are selling furniture and recycling mattresses, thereby employing people and paying the bills. They are one of the Orgs in town giving ex-convicts a chance to get employment experience and that too is a great success. Check out their website and think about volunteering for them. It's the most powerful gift you can make to a non-profit. www.HoustonFurnitureBank.org
Steve Lufburrow is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston and Will Lufburrow is their director of development and special projects. Goodwill employ nearly 2000 people, making them one of the largest employers in Houston. They have been one of the city's economic engines for decades and their business model is designed to help people find employment. Once hired, they obtain training and experience which allow them to move up the ladder, even if that means moving to another company. That's what Goodwill is here for: to help people build a professional future for themselves. They also help veterans find ways to transfer their military skills to the professional world of civilians. They are also a successful, independent business with dozens of great stores all around the Houston area. Check out their website: www.Goodwillhouston.org
Terry Keane is a tutor with Literacy Advance and Nada Hassan is one of his students. She emigrated from Egypt in 2014 and therefore has a lot interesting observations to make about Texan life in Houston. While she had studied English at the University (She has a degree in Egyptology), this was British English and you can imagine that Texans don't sound anything like that to her! She therefore sought out Literacy Advance to learn how to read and write our way. As Terry mentions, the failure rate among the students of Literacy Advance is zero percent. These are motivated grown-ups doing what they must to get ahead professionally and become contributing members of our community. The organization deserves our help. They are in need of volunteers to tutor so if that's something you think you'd like to get involved with, check out their website: www.literacyadvance.org.
Reginald Hatter is the Executive Director of Workshop Houston and he is one of their ground mentors and educators. With him is 15 year-old Brianna Burns aka Lil' Bri on stage. She is a hip-hop artist and I was extremely impressed with her expertise in Pro-Tools and other professional-standard music and mixing software. She is the embodiment of how successful an Org like Workshop Houston can be by providing great mentorship to children and young adults. They are exposed to the arts and professional training at the same time.Workshop Houston is running a capital campaign to build a new campus that will allow them to quadruple the number of youths they teach. You can donate and find out about their impressive programs on their website: www.workshophouston.org
Hank Rush is the President and CEO of The Star of Hope Mission and Scott Arthur is their director of public relations. The Star of Hope Mission has been caring for Houston's homeless population since 1906. They are now building a superb campus called The Cornerstone Community which will allow them to take in homeless families and provide them with long term psychological counselling, skill training and substance addiction recovery programs. About 95% of their budget comes from donations by Houstonians and Houston companies, demonstrating the power of a community coming together for a worthy cause. You can visit their website for information on their impressive array of programs: www.SOHmission.org
Dr. Melanie Johnson is the president and CEO for The Health Museum, a place filled with hands-on exhibits that are not only a ton of fun, they are also memorable experiences from which children (and parents) can learn a lot about the human body. With exhibits like The Germ Factory, the Grossology Lab (an adventure through the digestive system), and Final 48, their crime solving lab that goes along the DNA & Fear labs, visitors can play and learn. Since they're open for free on Thursday, there is no reason not to put them on your list for the holidays and museum memberships are inexpensive gifts of great value!They also have camps set up for the holidays so parents, check out their website: www.thehealthmuseum.org
Eiki Isomura is the Principal Conductor of Opera in the Heights and Keith Chapman is their Director of Artistic Administration. They are kicking off their new season with Puccini's La Boheme, from November 11th through 19th and the rest of their season includes Bizet's The Pearl Fishers and Mark Adamo's Little Women, a production which was born in Houston. They perform with a full orchestra and it's a unique opportunity to see Opera in an intimate setting. We also discuss one of their most important missions: they represent opportunities for young professional to hone their skills onstage. Check out their season and get tickets online: www.operaintheheights.org