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!

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.

I grew up going to Lamb of God church. There is a new pastor and I genuinely believe he is going to…read morelead the church in the right direction. Between outreach in the community to missions overseas, God will continue to bless this congregation to lead them in the direction that it needs to go for his glory to be done. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

This is a church. Well organized VBS and MDO. Location…read moreserves several surrounding communities.

Learning English IS possible! There's no excuse to not be able to adapt, grow, and be a success…read morestory because your native language was not English. There's no reason to feel limited, isolated or judged because the classes are FREE! These classes are available in the morning, afternoon, at night and on the weekends at multiple locations throughout Houston. We MUST get the word out!!! Whether you are a beginner and speak nor understand English or your know a little, there's a welcoming class available for you. Instructors are friendly, polite and patient. Students are all ages and from all over the world. Please tell people about these classes. Also, consider volunteering! They will teach you to teach English. ¡Aprender inglés es posible! No hay excusa para no poder adaptarse, crecer y ser una historia de éxito porque su idioma nativo no era el inglés. ¡No hay razón para sentirse limitado, aislado o juzgado porque las clases son GRATIS! Estas clases están disponibles en la mañana, la tarde, la noche y los fines de semana en múltiples ubicaciones en todo Houston. DEBEMOS correr la voz !!! Si eres principiante y no hablas ni entiendes inglés o sabes un poco, hay una clase de bienvenida disponible para ti. Los instructores son amigables, educados y pacientes. Los estudiantes son de todas las edades y de todo el mundo. Cuéntale a la gente sobre estas clases. Además, ¡considera ser voluntario! Te enseñarán a enseñar inglés.

If you go to the Literacy Advance of Houston (LAH) website, you'll be confronted with a few facts…read morethat should give you pause: * Approximately 52% of adults in Harris County are functionally illiterate in English * Texas ranks 47 out of 50 states, in terms of English literacy levels * 68% of those arrested, 75% of welfare dependents, 85% of dropouts and 72% of the unemployed are identified as functionally illiterate If you're in a self-absorbed mood, the third fact should answer the question, "Why do I care?" quite convincingly. So, who's doing anything about this? LAH is! They are a non-profit organization whose mission is "to teach adults to read, write, and communicate in English so they can achieve their full potential as parents, workers, citizens, and community members." Using strictly volunteer tutors, classes are offered for free at schools, community centers, churches, corporations, and small businesses throughout the Greater Houston area. LAH has been strongly endorsed by a number of local literacy advocates whose names you've heard (some of them are volunteer tutors too): * Author and Houston's First Lady, Andrea White * Former Astro pitcher, announcer and manager, Larry Dierker * Former Oiler quarterback and General Manager of the Houston Dynamo, Oliver Luck * Former Head Coach of the Houston Comets, Van Chancellor * and many more... There are few local charities that are more deserving of some dollars you can leverage into a tax write-off or perhaps even some of your time as a tutor. In addition to the office in Galleria area, they also have an office near Clearlake. Full disclosure: I'm currently not involved with Literacy Advance of Houston in any way but I am a personal friend of its Executive Director and know a member of the Executive Board.

This is my go-to spot for early voting,and this year, Voting Day. The photo I took was taken about…read more90 minutes before polls closed in March 2022 for the primaries. This photo is one for those voting for one particular party, whereas the line for the other political party was quite short. They are well staffed with helpful volunteers who direct, encourage,and thank you for voting. It's so organized. Aside from voting, this center does great things for the community and their changing needs. The avenues of addressing these needs varies as government policies change. This makes me even more committed to voting here. They do so much for Harris county, and the least I can do is show up to vote. Grateful for Ripley and all who actualize it.

A great organization with so many functions and volunteers. This is my go to polling place and…read morelocation for Super Neighborhood meetings. Lots of opportunities to learn about relevant topics regardless of age. The staff is accommodating and you see a lot of positive reinforcement messages for the youth. I even found some classes that I was not expecting to, do stop by and enjoy!

I feel the need to write this because I've heard some FB mommy groups have said not great things…read moreabout this childcare facility. To address the issue: there was a director (who was there about 2 years), and has since been let go (late 2024). She wasn't great. The new director, Kaylen, is fantastic - professional, strives for parental involvement, brings structure. My child attended four years. I can't say enough about the teachers; they give so much of themselves to the students. They work so hard on their curriculum. They love the children. We've found such a sweet little community in this school. I always tell friends that it's a hidden gem, but it shouldn't be! It's centrally located, right by the med center and incredibly convenient for parents who work there. The building has large classrooms, two playgrounds, a gym, a library, a sanctuary, and a large communal area for events. So consider this a review to address the haters. But also one of praise for such a special little place that I would hate to see suffer because people never gave it a chance.

We loved this daycare and only left it after we moved across town! My daughter was there from 8mo…read moreto 2years, so we got to see both the baby room and the 1-2yr old room. All the teachers were wonderful and supportive. They loved my daughter, and you could really tell were as excited about her growth and learning as we were. The campus is great, and they take full advantage of it. They have two playgrounds, one for big kids and one for younger kids. If it's raining, the kids still get to move around by either going on buggy rides through the building or playing in the big gym. They did tons of arts and crafts, and I cherish all the handprint art. After we moved across town we still drove all the way to FCS for 10 months, that's how you know it's good! I recommend the school to my friends.

Excellent Service always staff very helpful, and cooperative best service in town. No long line,…read morewaiting time not more than 15 minutes. I prefer to this clinic for every one. sounds good

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.