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