Thursday, we ate turkey and wore stretchy pants. This Tuesday (Nov. 28) we’re being asked to dig deep into our pockets to give back.
GivingTuesday, held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, was created in 2012 as a day for people to do good.
With the special day upon us, here are some Spring Branch-based organizations that work hard all year to make a difference in our community.
Just as we at the management district encourage everyone to “shop local” and “eat local,” we also urge you to “give local.”
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM)
During the 1980s, a sudden local economic downturn resulted in the loss of more than 100,000 jobs in the Houston area. Houses of worship were faced with unprecedented requests for food, rent, utility assistance and clothing. The congregations decided to pool their resources and create centralized service centers and, in 1983, Memorial Assistance Ministries opened its doors.
In addition to a resale shop open to the public at 1625 Blalock Road, MAM offers a variety of services to area families in need.
Call 713-491-4330, e-mail [email protected] or visit https://www.maministries.org/donate to support.
Spring Branch Family Development Center
Serving more than 12,000 Houstonians each year, the Spring Branch Family Development Center exists to enhance the well-being and development of the families of Spring Branch. The nonprofit provides educational, recreational, health and social services in English and Spanish.
By making a gift to Spring Branch Family Development Center, you enable families to access resources that change lives. Donate here: https://sbfdc.org/donate/
Newspring
Newspring is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to positive social and economic progress in the Spring Branch area.
Newspring Visual Arts programs support academic achievement and career opportunities for high school and college students from Spring Branch, and Newspring’s Business Plan Competition supports social entrepreneurship and economic development in the Spring Branch area.
Donations of any amount help to provide summer and after-school art classes for under-resourced students, help launch young adults to college and beyond, and develop businesses in our area that lead to long-term sustainability and success.
Learn more: https://www.newspringcenter.org/donate-main/
Spring Branch Education Foundation
When school doors opened this year, thousands of economically disadvantaged students had the tools they needed for success due to Spring Branch Education Foundation’s Project School Supplies.
Generous donors provided more than $113,000 to fund backpacks and supplies to more than 40 Spring Branch ISD campuses, from the littlest pre-kindergarten students to high school campuses.
Fifty-nine percent, or nearly 20,000 students, in SBISD are considered economically disadvantaged.
The SBEF needs additional funds to ensure it can meet needs during the school year and begin to make purchases for next year.
Just $15 can provide school supplies for a student, while $330 can provide school supplies for an entire elementary class.
Donate here: https://sbef.ejoinme.org/schoolsupply
SpringSpirit
SpringSpirit was founded in 2009 by Kenny Baldwin. Baseball was Kenny’s ticket out of poverty—he won a sports scholarship to Rice University and went on to briefly play minor league ball before going to work as a business consultant at Accenture. After retiring early, Baldwin wanted to provide more kids with the opportunities he had, so he created an organization that would use sports to teach character and keep kids out of trouble.
SpringSpirit is always seeking mentors and volunteers but also could use monetary assistance. Learn more and give: https://www.springspirit.org/donate.html
Vita Living
Donors to Vita Living have helped create a safe space with critical services for one of the most vulnerable demographics: people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD).
A Houston pioneer in the group home model for individuals with disabilities, Vita Living owns and operates 20 group homes for over 70 residents in Houston’s Spring Branch and Sharpstown neighborhoods.
Vita Living clients receive services through the Texas Medicaid waiver program. But the money falls short of providing full funding for the services.
Learn more about how to donate, including shopping for much-needed supplies here: https://www.vitaliving.org/donate/
Santa Maria Hostel
With facilities at locations such as onJacquelyn Drive in the Spring Branch Management District, Santa Maria Hostel provides critical and life-changing services for low-income, indigent women age 18 and above and their children.
The women served by the hostel face many challenges to their recovery, including their histories of trauma, crime, intervention by Children’s Protective Services, homelessness and/or housing instability. Many also have mental and physical health issues.
Learn how you can help: https://www.santamariahostel.org/give/
Kidz Grub
Kidz Grub, 1827 Bingle Rd., aims to provide a nutritious dinner, ongoing educational assistance, caring support and mentorship in a safe after-school environment for “at risk” children.
Summerhouse Houston
Summerhouse offers community-based day services and supported employment services for students with intellectual disabilities at its location at 1424 Waseca St. Summerhouse is experiencing unprecedented demand for the group’s customized job placement, coaching and employment services, and recently completed a capital campaign to expand its campus.
You may have heard about their document destruction company where young adults with intellectual disabilities learn to work and grow within the community. Utilizing “Shred for Independence” is one way local businesses and individuals can support Summerhouse Houston. The organization also welcomes monetary support: https://summerhousehouston.org/give/
The Source
The Source nonprofit health clinic at 8153 Long Point Road provides Texas women with accessible care that empowers them to make informed choices for their health. Learn more: https://give.thesource.org/give/386065/#!/donation/checkout
Spring Branch Community Health Center
GivingTuesday begins the Spring Branch Community Health Center’s end-of-year giving campaign. For 19 years, SBCHC has worked to meet the needs of uninsured and under-insured patients with affordable, high-quality healthcare and support services.5fg
Last year, SBCHC served more than 25,000 patients. Visit https://givebutter.com/spring-branch-community-health-center to support and learn more.
— by Dorothy Puch Lillig
