Child Advocates, Inc. (CA) mobilizes court appointed volunteers to aid victims of child abuse. CA…read morevolunteers speak up for abused children who are lost in the system and guide them into safe environments where they can thrive. Volunteer court appointed advocates, once appointed by a court judge to a child's case, serve children involved in the juvenile court system. This means that CA volunteers have the legal status of "guardians ad litem", giving them the power to affect real change in the life of a child. However, you don't have to a be a court ordered advocate if you find you can't committ the time and energy to that. CA also has 'Friends of Child Advocates' volunteers - a membership-based group of volunteers who serve as a fundraising arm and volunteer base for CA's many special events; 'Young Professionals for Children' volunteer - a membership-based social/networking group who provide four annual events for the children served; 'Special Events Volunteer' which gives the opportunity to participate in shorter-term / done-in-a-day volunteer roles. You have to complete a background check in order to work with the kids directly, but there are many fundraising and event opportunities that don't require direct contact (and thus the background check). I served as a YPC (Young Professional for Children) for about a year and a half and it was so much fun! I met lots of interesting people through the volunteer experiences, and had tons of fun with the kids. Check out Child Advocates if you want to make a difference in the life of a child.

Child Advocates really is as good as it gets. Over the years I have been very involved with a…read morevariety of non-profits and this organization from the top down is completely amazing! I have been an active volunteer with Child Advocates Inc. for over 3 years and their efforts and commitment to servicing the needs of children is unparalleled....honestly, I've been so impressed with their services since day one... If you are looking to be a part of a stellar non-profit consider Child Advocates. Depending on the time you have to commit they really have something for everyone. They are so completely tapped in to the City of Houston and can find a place for you to be a part of advocating for the rights of children.

This organization should be ashamed of their selves! My family is not from Houston but a situation…read morehappened with one of my very close relatives that currently lives there. It took me days to encourage this family member to use her local resources to get some help with a situation that happened to her. She even had a terrible suicidal episode that morning because of her PTSD from what happened to her. She finally took my advice and contacted this organization 24/7 hotline. She was laughed at on the phone and was discouraged from reporting her incident. The night shift "supervisor" scheduled her an appointment with a counselor on November 10th to receive some help. That's 10 days later from the date of the phone call. Is that protocol? Is that how you are taught to assist your community members? I decided to call the hotline to speak with a supervisor, but I was met with the same lady. She refused to even provide her name to me so I can properly report her conduct on the phone. I'm not having to stay up tonight to sooth my relative from her experience and encourage to still report her incident. I hope no one has this experience and I hope this organization is shut down for a lack of knowledge and care for their community members. One word, DISGUSTING.

After working as a sub at the holly hall safe house and bringing classroom supplies, gifts and…read moreclothing donations, I saw the need and the benefit that community donations bring to the population served specifically at this location. After my assignment, I was told to bring the car load full of quality donations of children's books and clothing collected from homes in Bellaire (very affluent community in Houston). So I did. Or at least tried to. I walked into the main offices on Waugh and tho I was standing right at the reception window, 18" from some woman sorting mail, I was never acknowledged and it wasn't until another woman came in who was then helped before me, was I told in a dismissively contentious way that only new stuff was accepted. I wasn't asked if my stuff was new, despite 4 full boxes being exactly that, so I took the stuff to The Cottage Shop that serves The Women's Home instead. In addition, my mother tried to partner her non-profit Daughter's of the British Empire with this organization and attempted on 6 different occasions via phone email and letters to offer this group a lump sum cash distribution from their annual fundraisers which would have been over $5,000 but never once received any follow up. As a teacher in Houston ISDvery familiar with the social services offered to my students, I will never again attempt to work with or help this organization for its totally offensive treatment of me and it's disregard of cash donors.

For over three years, my family and I have been dedicated to volunteering and donating to…read moreGracewood. Every moment and every item contributed has been incredibly rewarding. My appreciation extends to the amazing staff, volunteers, and, most importantly, the families we have the privilege to serve. Thank you, Gracewood, for being a phenomenal organization.

I do not recommend this place is a scam, I msg their place couple times and they never got a =n…read moreanswer , I will not spend a penny here

This section was copied and pasted from the Elijah Rising website:…read more ELIJAH RISING was founded in 2012 as a prayer gathering that focused on ending sex trafficking in Houston. Across Houston women and girls were being sold for sex, but there was little outcry. Elijah Rising began hosting Van Tours and showing the public the injustice happening across our city. In 2013 Elijah Rising negotiated the closure of a brothel (Angela's Day Spa) and converted it into its headquarters. In 2014 Elijah Rising launched the Museum of Modern-Day Slavery. Now the same building that used to be a brothel houses one of the nation's few museums dedicated to exposing the brutal realities of sex trafficking and exploitation. The museum allows the public to explore what it looks like inside a brothel, and it displays a collection of artifacts and information from the fieldwork conducted by Elijah Rising staff and volunteers. Elijah Rising also leads volunteers on Interventions in Houston and the surrounding areas multiple times a month. Through outreach into the brothels, sexually oriented businesses, and streets we provide women with resources to leave the sex industry. As Elijah Rising's mission expanded a new facet was added with the purchase of Kendleton Farms: a residential program dedicated to the restoration of survivors of sex trafficking. Kendleton Farms is a faith-based program that provides housing, trauma-informed counseling, and a caring community of support for survivors of sex trafficking. My review: On Tuesday evening I took a Van Tour provided by Elijah Rising. The tour began at 7pm and was about 2 hours long. This can give or take. We first went inside the establishment (which used to be a brothel) and walked through the museum which brought tears to my eyes. You think you may know what's all involved in human trafficking, but just wait until you walk inside Elijah Rising. You just know the tip if the iceberg, Personal stories are depicted on the walls and artifacts are placed in rooms. Information about the Houston issues are depicted in each room. You learn that woman are trafficked here from all over the world. Many are brought to the US in trucks or vans crossing the border from Mexico (however they may or may not be of Mexican decent). Next Micah began the tour in the prayer room presenting us with a slide show and taking questions. Every question that was asked she was able to answer with full knowledge. We then loaded in the van and drove around areas by Chimney Rock between 59 and Richmond. We saw a hand full of "massage" parlors there. She then took us by the Strip Club TREASURES which is a prime location for prostitution and has been sited many times. We then drove down 610 to Telephone road. Parlors are lined up side of the highway along Telephone road. In one section there were about 4 side by side. Along the way we learned how difficult it is to close these facilities. It takes years of investigations and they have to have women who are openly willing to testify. The traffickers are also never ever on site. How you can help: Donte, adopt a project, host a work day, join the freedom circle, helping on Kendeldon Farms, Raise Awareness, come too an intervention. I would highly suggest starting by going to their wevbsite and taking a van tour. This is a must for anyone who lives in Houston! Go to Elijahrising.org for more information.

I've given and received candies, scrubs and lip balm from the Elijah Rising store. The candies…read morelast a long time abs are very fragrant. The lip balms are super moisturizing. But above all, shopping at Elijah Rising provides funds for the amazing work this organization does to help stop human trafficking and help support the victims after they are freed. Please check out their products and the work that they do.

This isn't for the Fondren address. I checked the website…read moreand saw there was a 24 hour donation box in Creekside Park. We were looking for a donation alternative to Goodwill for reasons, and the pick up dates weren't an option for us. After loading everything into the truck and driving to the address on the AOH website, it appears there is no such donation station. Proprietors at the address had never heard of it. Goodwill wins again. I don't know why it has to be so difficult to give things away to a charity.

Really easy to donate at our location in clearlake area. There is a drop off station and usually…read moresomeone is there. If not, you put it in the drop box. The person who is there is helpful and appreciative. Donated clothes and some toys.

The Salvation Army provides many services for people in need. This location is filled with the…read morenicest people I've ever met! I made a prepared and packaged food donation today and met with the donation coordinators. Great things are going on here. If you are interested in donating then seek out the receptionist at the door of 2202 Main. Ask anyone about days and times you can meet with the younger kids to hangout and they will gladly accept your company. Donating food or time couldn't be easier and would be greatly appreciated!

The Houston Area Urban League helps over 10,000 people a year in the Greater Houston Area. Last…read moreweek, I attended a Back To School event at their Griggs Street location, where they provided COVID-19 shots, backpacks, and school supplies for the kids and gift cards for those receiving the shots! What a great event!

Beware of what you put into this organization. They steal ideas, credits, rights and intellectual…read moreproperty from local creative entrepreneurs that use their innovative ideas to make a living & they take full credit for it without consent. They will also try and block you when you address the matter & continue to infringe your trademarked names with no respect or regards. It sucks, because once upon a time I really believed in this organization and put forth effort to donate & attend their events. Only to be slapped in the face with my idea & title being used. NO ONE has resolved the matter as if they could careless. So this is a fair warning to all the local Houston entrepreneurs!

I've donated several times to this place but never have been here. I've went with a friend that's…read morea board member and works there to donate clothes. I was amazed how they take care of the needy and how hard the folks there work. Everyone there had a smile on their face and loves their job. The food, the clothes and medical and dental services they provide are awesome.

Hi Everyone, I've…read morebeen donating food and clothing items to Second Mile Missions for quite a while. They are such a worthwhile non-profit organization. Second mile has an "Opportunity Shop" which resales those clothing donations, producing funds to help the surrounding communities, which are called "neighbors" who are in need. There is also a grocery department where those "neighbors" can shop to help out on their weekly grocery expenses. I have volunteered there on several occasions as time permitted, especially during the recent flooding in the Richmond/ Rosenberg areas that displaced 1,000 families. The need was great and Second Mile, along with other area churches and associations, stepped up to the task of helping out the flood victims in the interim period until they could be made whole again. Second Mile is always in need of volunteers. So if you have some time on your hands and have been looking to volunteer somewhere for a good cause, I cannot think of a better place to make the effort. Give them a call today. Call Shane Hill (Dir. of Operations and Social Enterprise) (281) 261-9199 1135 Hwy. 90A Missouri City, TX 77489 shill@secondmile.org