Greetings!
It's been said that God works in mysterious ways. One day things look great and then another day it can look like the sky is falling. I've been watching the process of the Texas Legislative Session very closely. As many of you know, Texas faces a huge budget deficit of up to $27 billion dollars and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle may be forced to make significant cuts.
In an environment where the word "tax" is poisonous, it looks like the only way our state leaders will address this crisis will be through major cuts across the broad spectrum of state expenditures. We are fearful that programs funded through the Texas Department of Health and Human Services and the Texas Department of Agriculture may see cuts of 10 - 20% or more. At the same time, the U.S. Congress is seeking similar savings and as they pass fewer dollars down to the states, there may be even fewer dollars to go to IM's two key service projects - Meals on Wheels and Refugee Services.
We serve 4,500 seniors each day and as many as 600 refugees will arrive this year to be resettled by IM. Even though no one knows yet how the budget decisions will play out, we think that being proactive is the best way to go.
So let's announce some good news! Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC, one of Houston's great civic and community leaders, has agreed to be this year's Lead Corporate Sponsor for IM's Meals on Wheels for Greater Houston! This partnership provides significant funding, and hopefully encouragement for others to join them in IM's Adopt-a-Senior program. Thank you, Shell!
We are committed that no home-bound senior in our service area goes hungry and that each refugee receives a great welcome; so in the face of potential cuts we are seeking your support.
To keep the boat from being too shaky, we hope to hear from many of you. Here's how you can help:
Companies, congregations and individuals can participate in our Adopt-a-Senior program for an entire year for just $1,200. That provides one meal per day for a home-bound senior. You can sponsor one, two or as many seniors as possible - and if you can't afford a full year, please do what you can. We will begin listing all those who step forward on our website - and I know you'd like to see YOUR name there! To learn more please contact Perry McAfee, our Business Development Officer at 713.533.4925.
You can also help us with needed furniture and household goods for our new refugees. We accept "gently used" or new furniture such as beds, couches, small kitchen tables and chairs, and all sorts of house wares. For those who would like to go an extra mile, we are seeking rental support for one to four months. Please contact Alva Sanchez, our RCA and MG Coordinator for Refugee Services at 713.533.4931 to learn how you can help.
We are seeking volunteers to help with both Meals on Wheels and Refugee Services. While most of our meals are delivered by paid staff, we are seeking small groups to take on some deliveries each weekday for an extended period of time. Additionally we are seeking volunteers to help our refugees learn English and also find their way around the city. Volunteer hours are counted and help IM receive the maximum amount of federal funding available. To learn more please contact Denise Atkerson, our Director of Volunteer services at 713.533.4922.
We are looking at new business opportunities to fill in the gaps. We have two MBA students spending this semester as interns under the pro-bono supervision of Kathryn Vernau from Huron Consulting. We are looking at new ways to better serve our seniors and refugees while generating more program income. If you are interested in helping with this project please contact me at 713.533.4901.
Great non-profits move with the times and trends and IM will be on the cutting edge as we seek to continue our high level of service.
A THOUGHT TO PONDER
I just celebrated my seventh year anniversary at IM. I've had the blessing to meet hundreds, if not thousands, of people I would have never met. I've seen IM grow in the numbers of people we serve and employ. We've become recognized as one of Houston's great non-profits. Over the years I've learned first-hand how truly good most of us are, no matter what faith or community we come from. Over and over again when things seem low someone steps up to fill the gaps. I am a bit of a control freak - so living by faith (though I am a pretty faithful guy) is not easy for me. I've learned that good things really do happen to good people, especially when you let the low points pass you by.
Here are a few upcoming IM events I'd like to share with you:
The next Women's Spiritual Gathering is coming up on February 24th at the Jade Buddha Center. Join other women for an educational presentation about Buddhist beliefs followed by a vegetarian meal and group discussion. Click here for more information and to register.
Sacred Songs, Sacred Sites "OnSite/InSight" sponsored by IM and the Houston Arts Alliance is February 26th-27th. Explore the artistic and cultural traditions that make each worship experience unique through a series of visits to Houston area faith communities. Click here for more information and to register.
The annual iFaith Youth Dinner Dialogues is March 3rd. Teens ages 13-18 will come together for conversation, dinner and fun! Click here for more information and to register.
Talk to you in two weeks.
Elliot Gershenson
President and CEO
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston
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