Alternative Giving Market 2011
The Alternative Giving Market is an opportunity to support organizations that serve those who, in one way or another, are in deep need. Giving generously to improve lives surely expresses the true meaning of Christmas. A donation can be a meaningful part of your year-end giving in several ways: it might replace traditional commercial gifts to family or friends; it could complete your year-end giving program; or a donation could fulfill a wish on your own list. All donations go directly to the organizations you designate.
On Sunday, November 20, you will have the opportunity to visit with representatives from the 17 participating organizations in the Great Hall to get answers to your questions and learn more about their efforts. You may donate online (credit card or electronic check) and in person on November 20 (cash or check). Gift cards describing your chosen organization will also be available in the Great Hall for fifty cents each to give to the person being honored by your gift.
Please join us and make this special event a part of your preparation for Christmas.
— The Mission Outreach Council of Christ Church Cathedral
Make a donation now!
Participating Organizations
At-Risk Youth
At-Risk Youth provides immediate, one-time assistance that supports Houston’s working poor families who have experienced unexpected extreme financial emergencies. These situations threaten their capacity to provide for the most basic necessities and to keep their children in school.
$10 Non-reimbursable prescription drug costs $35 Basic necessities to address catastrophic homelessness $75 One day’s support for a family of four in financial need
The Beacon Day Center
The Beacon Day Center provides hot meals, private shower and lavatory facilities, laundry services and case management to people living on the streets of Houston.
$10 Socks, underwear and toiletries for two homeless people $45 Full laundry and shower services for 10 homeless people $150 A hot, nutritious meal for 125 homeless people
Bering Omega Community Services
Bering Omega Community Services nurtures the well-being and meets the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of persons affected by HIV/AIDS through compassionate health care and social services. Bering Omega offers four programs free of charge: oral health care, day treatment, housing assistance, and residential hospice care at Omega House (founded by the late Eleanor Munger, a Cathedral member).
$50 One day’s visit to the Day Treatment Center $100 Oral health care during a single visit to the Dental Clinic $200 One full day of residential hospice care at Omega House
Brigid’s Hope at The Beacon
Brigid’s Hope at The Beacon provides transitional housing and supportive services to homeless women who have left the Texas prison or jail system, with the goal of giving women the tools needed to become self-sufficient.
$40 One month of education and life-skills resources $125 One week of housing and utilities for one woman $200 One month of licensed mental-health group counseling
Brigid’s Place
Brigid’s Place supports the development of women in mind, body and spirit. The purpose is to promote ecumenical relationships which are mutual, inclusive, and provide unity in diversity — relationships whose basis is love and “power with” rather than “power over” or privilege.
$10 Underwriting of administrative costs $25 Scholarships for interfaith programs $50 Scholarships for women seeking a second start
Casa de Esperanza
Casa de Esperanza, the House of Hope for Children, provides a safe home and comprehensive services including residential, medical and psychological care for young at-risk children from birth to six years of age, as well as support services for their families.
$35 Formula for one infant for one week $60 Car seat for one child $100 Crib for one infant
Cathedral Clinic at The Beacon
Cathedral Clinic at The Beacon combines primary health care, psychiatric treatment and mental-health counseling with intensive case management to address the unique needs of men, women and children living on Houston’s streets.
$20 Antibiotics for five patients $50 Access to a nurse practitioner for an hour $75 Access to a mental-health counselor for an hour
Cathedral Justice Project at The Beacon
The Cathedral Justice Project at The Beacon provides pro-bono legal assistance and advocacy to Houston’s homeless community.
$5 Client transportation to and from meetings with counsel $25 Help clients obtain necessary documents $50 Filing fees, recording fees and other court costs
Christmas at the Cathedral
Christmas at the Cathedral provides a special meal with entertainment and gifts for the community of homeless and less fortunate in Houston.
$20 A meal and gifts for an adult or child $100 A meal and gifts for a family of four $200 A meal and gifts for ten people
COMPASS
COMPASS gives homeless and disadvantaged clients “compassionate direction” toward employment and independence. Caseworkers provide bus fare, the cost of IDs, vocational counseling, job leads, voice mail, reading glasses, toiletries, haircuts, work boots for a new job, and access to county medical and psychiatric care, as well as valuable information and referrals to other resources and agencies.
$15 Reading glasses for 15 clients $40 Metro bus cards for a client with a new job $75 Proper identification for four clients
Emergency Aid Coalition
The Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC) promotes the self-sufficiency of clients by assisting them with basic needs. EAC has a food pantry and clothing center and provides sack lunches. EAC also provides a quality backpack, age-appropriate school supplies and school uniforms to children in Houston.
$50 Groceries for one shut-in $75 School supplies, a backpack and uniforms for one child $150 Groceries for two families of four
Kids Hope USA
Kids Hope USA is a national organization that partners churches with at-risk kids in public schools. Christ Church Cathedral is partnered with The Rusk School. Most of the students live at a subsistence level. Volunteers from the Cathedral are trained to mentor one child for one hour each week during the school year.
$20 One book for the school library $65 A field trip for four children and a sponsor $150 One semester of data support to track development
Lord of the Streets
Lord of the Streets ministers to the spiritual, emotional, physical and social needs of individuals in transition, many of whom are homeless. In addition to weekday Bible study and direct services, where an average of 75 to 100 people per day receive services, over 220 people attend Sunday Eucharist and breakfast.
$35 Texas IDs for five people $200 Sack lunches for 100 individuals $400 Hygiene kits for 100 men and women
Mission Honduras
Mission Honduras serves over 1,000 people each year in El Ocotillo, Honduras. Through a clinic, missioners provide medical care and health education for all ages. In 2012, an expanded team in cooperation with local leadership will continue to address the lack of potable water available to the community.
$25 Medications and vitamins for a family of five $50 Medications and vitamins for an extended family of nine $100 Glucometer kit for a diabetic patient
NetsforLife
NetsforLife empowers communities to eliminate malaria by providing life-saving prevention training and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets in 17 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. NetsforLife mobilizes thousands of community volunteers to distribute nets and teach their neighbors how to prevent and treat malaria.
$24 Two nets to protect a family of six $48 Four nets to protect an extended family of 12 $120 Ten nets, enough to protect a community of 30
New Hope Housing
New Hope Housing’s core purpose is to create life-stabilizing affordable apartment homes with a sense of dignity for adults who live singly on low incomes. The board of directors is committed to developing and operating 1,000 single-room occupancy units.
$35 Welcome baskets for new residents $50 Stock food pantry for residents $100 One hour of life-skills training
Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms has served older adults in the Houston area for over 115 years. Major services include: an Alzheimer’s Day Center, geriatric care management, housing and energy management, and in-home care services. Sheltering Arms’ mission is to promote the dignity of older adults through service, advocacy, and support for caregivers.
$25 Food for an older adult facing a crisis $35 Fill a prescription for a senior’s medication $60 Eight hours of specialized care in the Day Center
Make your Alternative Giving Market donation now!
