August 2022

Feeding Hunger, Fostering Hope,

Furthering Success

Families Thankful

For Back To School Help

New crayons, fresh composition books, pristine pencils, and brightly colored folders—CCSC’s annual Back To School program provides these school supplies and more to low-income students in need.

“My kids are so excited, so happy to have these supplies. This helps a lot,” said Amarica B. “The kids need these supplies to do their schoolwork, and the money this saves me I can use for other bills.”

This year, CCSC helped 3,600 students with grade-appropriate school supplies and clothing/shoe gift cards within its Back To School community event. An additional 2,900 students, pre-K through 12th grade, will be helped through CCSC’s school partnerships.

Since 1986, the Back To School program has provided low-income students with supplies to start the school year right and we could not do it without our wonderful volunteers and supporters.

“I can’t say enough about our great Back To School Committee and the hundreds of volunteers,” said Youth Services Manager Cathy Brown. “The donors and the volunteers, they make Back To School happen. CCSC thanks all of you!”

“And a huge thank you also to the staffs and congregations of Faith Lutheran Church, the host site for our community event, and Bellaire United Methodist Church, the host site for Back To School registration,” Brown added.

“It feels so good to be ready for school,” said 7th-grader Eileen J. “For my parents not to have to struggle to buy supplies.” High school student Roshan J. agreed, “It’s good to have everything I need.”

It’s not too late to support CCSC’s Back To School program. For more information or to donate, visit our secure website here or send a check to CCSC at P.O. Box 27924, Houston, TX, 77227 (with Back To School written in the memo line).

Emergency Services Returning

to In-Person Operations

With many volunteers ready to return to in-person program involvement, the CCSC Emergency Services teams at both our Central and Southwest locations are shifting away from modified pandemic operations on September 1. This means a return to one-to-one interviews, personalized food packages, and increased opportunities to connect clients with complementary services.

“It has been absolutely essential for the well-being of everyone for us to use virtual interviews and quick grab-and-go food packages,” said Director Karen Holloman. “We needed to continue these essential services but err on the side of safety. We made smart adjustments. But we are learning how to better navigate COVID and experience has shown that clients receive an enormously better level of care when we can hear their stories in person and connect on a deeper level.”

That deeper connection means that client needs will be addressed more effectively through referrals to CCSC’s financial stability and youth-serving programs like JobNet and Jingle Bell Express. Clients will also be better connected to other service partners that specialize in areas including healthcare and legal services.

In preparation for the upcoming changes, clients are being reeducated on how to best access services, and volunteers are receiving refreshers on daily practices. “It will be an adjustment period for all of us, but we are prepared and excited to see the results,” said Emergency Services-Central Manager Lydia Bias.

Emergency Services-Central

Taking Clothing Donations

CCSC wants your gently used clothing and shoes.

After a long hiatus (due to both our facility move and the pandemic), we are starting to serve more clients in need through our Clothing Room. The service is in high demand, and we need to regularly replenish inventory.

Are there long-neglected pants, shirts, skirts or dresses hanging in your closet? Have your kids outgrown their shoes or jeans? If you have clothing in good condition and laundered, please consider bringing it to our main campus at 3434 Branard St., 77027. The donations door is accessed on the west side of the building and the best drop-off times are Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Thank you!

JobNet volunteer David Naff assists Carmen G. with an online job application.

One-to-One Help at JobNet

Longtime volunteer David Naff teaches JobNet's "Art of Interviewing” workshop. The two-day workshop provides job seekers with functional knowledge of many aspects of the interview process including what your body language and tone of voice say, how to make a positive first impression, and how to monetize your accomplishments. These tips are extraordinarily helpful, but only if you get to the interview stage.

Despite taking workshops covering job search engines, how to set up your LinkedIn profile, resume tips, and one-to-one resume coaching, JobNet staff noticed that some clients were not applying for jobs. Conversations with these job seekers uncovered that they were feeling intimidated by the process of applying for jobs online and needed more intensive help in that area.

David rose to the challenge of helping these clients become comfortable with online job applications by meeting with them for one-to-one appointments and offering technical assistance and guidance through the entire electronic job application process−from creating a professional networking profile and uploading an application to answering questions on company websites and checking the status of their applications.

One of the job seekers David worked with was Carmen G. Like many JobNet clients, Carmen had the same job for many years before suddenly finding herself in need of a new position. In the time since Carmen last applied for work, the entire job-seeking process has changed, now being almost entirely online.

On one-to-one coaching, David said, "I am happy to connect in person again after COVID.” And Carmen said, “JobNet has been a guiding light for me!”

CCSC is grateful to David for taking on this increased coaching role that is empowering job seekers to meet their online job search goals.

For more information on CCSC's JobNet program contact Manager Theresa Stertzel at [email protected]

Azalea Gala News

Mark your calendar for Friday, September 16 when the 2022 Azalea Gala Auction will go live. All auction items will be open for bidding, and anyone can join in−you don’t have to attend the event to bid on and win an auction item!

Auction Highlights

• Brennan’s of Houston–brunch at the Kitchen Table for six people

• D’Amico’s 4-course wine dinner for a party of 12

• Staycation at The Post Oak Hotel with tickets to Houston Grand Opera

• 7 nights at a beachfront condo in Cozumel

• Stay and Play Golf weekend at a Dormie Network golf resort

• Cast and Blast weekend, fishing and hunting in Refugio for 4

A limited number of tables and ticket packages are available for purchase at https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=nYAke7

If you can’t attend the gala but would like to donate to support the event, use the form at this link:

https://secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=eriZDj

Help support the CCSC Wine Pull with a donation to Houston Wine Merchant!

https://www.houstonwines.com/registry/registry-view.html?rp=r6323pbr84

Connect Kroger, Randalls' Cards

to CCSC

Every year in August, Kroger asks that you reconnect your Kroger card to continue to earn money for CCSC while shopping through its Community Rewards program.

Visit www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com and follow the instructions to connect or reconnect your card. CCSC’s organization number is 80790.

You can also support CCSC when you shop at Randalls by linking your Randalls' card at https://www.randalls.com/yourstore/good-neighbor.html

Once enrolled, you do not need to reenroll your Randalls' card annually.

CCSC Seeks Receptionist

The Receptionist position is a full-time, 35-hour per week nonexempt position (with consideration of a part-time job share). We are seeking candidates who have a passion for fulfilling the agency’s mission and being part of a dynamic team. The Receptionist is integral to CCSC, providing primary office support and being the welcoming face and voice to visitors, volunteers and clients. This position supports the organization by answering the main phone lines and directing callers appropriately and also assisting with data entry and clerical projects.

Requirements for consideration: 2+ years of office experience (preferably at one workplace); proficiency in technology and Microsoft 365; attention to detail and dependability; and a consistent work ethic. Being bilingual in English/Spanish and having experience with data entry is a plus.

CCSC is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all clients, volunteers, staff, and board members feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.

Additional information regarding CCSC may be accessed at www.ccschouston.org.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to: [email protected]

Our mission is to serve the poor, hungry, disabled, and otherwise needy while respecting their religious, ethnic or cultural differences.

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