Houston P. A. hosted by Laurent

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