January 2017
Fall Festival 2016
WHP families kicked off the holiday season at Holy Spirit Episcopal Church for our Fall Festival.  Their amazing volunteers provided crafts, games and fun for all our kiddos while their parents attended a financial management course hosted by WoWs Houston!  A delicious dinner was donated by Texas Mesquite Grill.  Thank you so much to lead volunteers Nancy Moody & Susan Bowen, for putting this whole event together for WHP!
Thanksgiving Dinners
Each WHP family received all the items needed for a delicious Thanksgiving Dinner complements of Bear Creek United Methodist Church and our Breakfast 4 Birds event hosted by LaVaughn Sims, Kimberly Hillman & Gwen Baird.
Wine Tastings for National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness
To highlight National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness, Wine Tastings were held in Spring Branch and in Katy to spread the WHP mission.  Thank you to our gracious hosts, Chris & Qunita LaPorte in Spring Branch and David & Chris Crockett in Katy.  In addition congratulations to WHP client, Amber Vale, for sharing her story with such grace at each event.
Party with a Purpose
For the 4th year in a row, a group of jogger moms from the Memorial area hosted their holiday party, "Believe in the Magic of Giving" benefiting Westside Homeless Prevention.  Families braved the cold evening at Sandalwood Park to enjoy an outdoor movie, hot cocoa, and sweets all while donating to WHP and raising over $14,000.
 
Pictured from left to right:  Heather Springer, Katie Mattingly, Kristi Robishaw, Anita Ramke, Melanie Beck, Amy Hubbard, Mindy Bradley, Heather Halaska.  Not pictured:  Brooke Armbrister, Christy Engvall, Libby Kaska, Regina Lane and Kristin Martin


WHP Holidays
WHP families were matched with sponsors through the Annual "Adopt-a-Family" program.  Volunteers from local families, churches, girl scout troops, and businesses shopped for and delivered gifts to 37 families in December.  A Christmas to remember was had by donors and client families alike.

The Refuge at MDUMC hosted the Annual Client Holiday Party and as usual showed each person so much warmth, acceptance and holiday cheer.  Not only did they provide the space, they also served a tasty meal, made "candy churches" with the children and scheduled a visit from Santa.

Other Santa's Helpers included - Pines Presbyterian, Temple Sinai, Girl Scout Troop 985 and Cub Scout Pack 598.



Join WHP for Lunch with Larry Payne
Author of
The Heart of HoUSton: Lessons in Servant Leadership

April 6, 2017
$35/person | $300/table

For full details or to buy your ticket Click Here

    

WHP Client Success
2016 was a tough year for Amber, Nicholas and their daughters Angelica & Alicia. As devoted members of John Knox Presbyterian Church, attending & teaching Sunday School and volunteering for VBS and the youth group they were blessed when an elder in the church encouraged them to reach out to WHP and apply for entry to our program when they were facing eviction.

Two weeks after being accepted into the program Nicholas found a job and Amber was offered a Quality Control position at her previous employer.  They quickly were able to catch up on the majority of their bills and a couple of family loans.  They faithfully attended WHP family events and graciously offered to speak at community outreach events.

A grateful Amber states, "WHP hasn't only helped us with our finances. Denise and all of the ladies that we have met at WHP have been supportive and just as sweet as can be. From back to school help, to budgeting help and some much needed counseling. The things that we have been able to accomplish along with the help that we have received from WHP have absolutely gotten us back on our feet again. And now that we're both working, our feet can stay planted firmly on the ground."

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