Hope Center Houston
April 2020 News
Hope Center Houston has been through trials recently, as has everyone. The closure of our dining room brought many challenges, all of which we met and overcame. We are answering the daily needs of the homeless in our community, even if it is from our front porch. We fear that soon, we will have a new homeless community to serve. #GivingTuesday is May 5 this year. You can help us continue to provide food, clothing, counseling and prepare for the future by donating to Hope Center Houston. Visit our Facebook page Tuesday or go directly to our website to donate. Thank You!
National Day of Prayer
THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. We invite you to explore all the opportunities for prayer listed below, then beginning today and leading up to May 7 th , join us as we pray for Hope Center Houston, our guests, each other and our nation. Explore the National Day of Prayer website, including the most current information, videos, prayers, history, and more at https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/prayforamerica  
DRAW YOUR PRAYER –Scripture invites us to “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). Have you ever drawn a prayer? Go to the Drawing God website at https://www.drawing-god.com/ and click on the Idea Kit menu to download the FREE Draw Near to God Idea Kit . Then join us as we invite everyone to pray more, to write prayers, to recite prayers and draw prayers: children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and adults. Share your prayer inspiration with others by sending a jpeg of your prayers or drawings to the Drawing God Project at drawinggodday@gmail.com . Your prayer intentions or prayer drawings will be featured in the virtual Drawing God Museum on a special Prayer Wall in the Museum.
PRAYER WALL | VIRTUAL DRAWING GOD ART MUSEUM – After drawing your prayer, upload it to the Virtual Drawing God Art Museum where a special, permanent, and on-going exhibit of prayers will live for all the world to see…and pray along with you. Draw near to God and inspire the world by sending your prayer drawing to drawinggodday@gmail.com by May 7, 2020.
NOON DAY PRAYER – A Sign-up Sheet for the National Day of Prayer on May 7 th has been created for all friends and volunteers of Hope Center Houston. Prayer slots are available in 5-minute increments from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Each slot allows for two people to sign up for prayer, so a total of 24 slots are available – first come, first served. Additional time slots will be made available as needed. What a blessing it will be as we set aside an hour to pray for the world, nation, president, state and local government, all first responders, medical employees, law enforcement, military, families, small business owners, and most importantly, those most directly affected by COVID-19.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER  – A reminder that all volunteers, staff, board members, friends of Hope Center Houston and especially all of our homeless friends are invited to utilize our prayer resources 24/7 by emailing your prayer requests to prayer@hopecenterhouston.org or leaving a message on our prayer line at (832) 323-9617. Our dedicated prayer team of more than a dozen people pray daily for all requests received.
Hope Center is a Busy Place!
In spite of our closed building interior, Hope Center has been BUSY! We serve hot meals on the front porch at lunch, provide manna bags for the weekends and even acquired hand washing stations outside the building. Our interior is receiving a major cleaning from top to bottom...chairs, tables, fixtures, door handles, and more are being sanitized for the day we can welcome our guests back inside.
Director Bob Butler and Founder and Outreach Chairman Debbie Johnson are working diligently to stay engaged with the Harris County H.O.T. team, the Coalition for the Homeless, the Houston Food Bank and the Harris County Homeless Task Force to provide the most vital assistance to our homeless guests. We are thankful for their contributions and partnership!
Bob and Henry Killen have worked diligently, staying in touch with our guests and providing the support they need. "D.S. got out of Cenikor last week. I talked with him then and today. He is doing great and staying sober. He borrowed a lawn mower and is going door to door to get work. He stays with a friend who helps him stay sober. He wants to work at the Center to help people follow his sobriety."
"M. is still in rehab in Huntsville. He communicates with his ex-wife by phone due to the virus. She said he had a tough day today, but is still working on his sobriety."
Please keep these guests and our staff serving them in your thoughts and prayers.
May Reopening Goals
Executive Director Bob Butler and Hope Center Board of Directors are working to create a seamless plan for a 'soft' reopening based on guidelines by the Governor of Texas. Our goal is to open in mid to late May, allowing a limited number of guests in at scheduled times to (at least) avail themselves of showers and food. The interior of the building will be reconfigured to maintain 6' social distancing, masks and gloves will be worn and food will still be distributed on the front porch as necessary. We will continue to work on the best possible scenario to protect our guests, our staff, and our volunteers. Please watch for updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages.