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Resources for Teachers and Youth Workers HEALTH INSURANCE If you know of a family with children who have
no health insurance, have the parents call 1-800-647-6558 of 713 439-6105.
A new state program provides coverage for children, regardless of the
legal status of the parents. For further information contact Heather
Kanenberg, LMSW, CHIP Outreach Program Manager, Harris County Public
Health and Environmental Services. ABSTINENCE / TEEN PREGNANCY / Best Friends A national program with a proven 95% success rate, now replicating in 30 locations, Best Friends mentors school age girls, encouraging them to abstain from sex until marriage, say no to drugs and alcohol, and succeed in school through graduation. Starts with sixth graders, and continues with them through high school. Elayne Bennett is the national founder. Girls who succeed can receive scholarships from the royalties of Bill Bennett's The Book of Virtues. Washington D.C. 202. 237.2709 Crisis Pregnancy Centers Directions provides lectures and programs that teach youth to protect their physical, emotional, and spiritual health from the negative consequences that accompany premarital sex (abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and emotional pain). 10250 Bissonnet, Suite 175 He is Victory does HIV education for schools,
churches and families. True Love Waits Telephone: AT-RISK KIDS/MENTORING Communities in Schools Hope for Youth tutors and mentors kids 12-19 years old. They offer a number of activities to get children involved such as movies, bowling, and concerts, while a smaller number of kids are tutored in their college preparation program and Bible studies. HFY also has a summer program called "Jesus in the Hood" and takes a number of children to Kids Across America camp. PO Box 573024 Inner City Youth builds character and leadership in the lives of youth in Houston's 3rd Ward. The faith-based program reaches kids through sports programs, camps, and other activities. Mentors coach the teams while building lasting relationships with the kids. Leadership training and tutoring, as well as residential intervention. P.O. Box 14575 KidsHope USA matches one mentor with one at-risk child for one hour per week. Volunteer mentors are drawn from one church, paired with one elementary school. While the mentoring is focused on reading and math, the most significant change is in the child's behavior and outlook on life. Kids Hope has been replicated in 114 schools nationally, and is being implemented in five Houston schools in partnership with local churches. It's an award-winning program that is exceptionally well run and effective. Kids Hope - A Project of International Aid
Match Point, a new program of Prison Fellowship, matches adult mentors with at-risk adolescents, particularly those likely to become involved in crime unless there is intervention in their lives. Children or siblings of inmates, victims of physical abuse, drug users, first-time offenders, and kids lagging behind in school are candidates. Match Point is just beginning in Houston in partnership with Reach-Across-Houston. Mentoring opportunities are available. 135 North Point Drive Youth-Reach Houston is a Christian-based, inter-denominational long-term residential program designed to change the lives of rebellious boys ages 12 to 21. It establishes among youth a foundation of discipline, respect, honesty, and a strong work ethic. Each person is involved in schooling, work chores, recreation, and discipleship training. PO Box 9631 Search Institute is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance the well being of adolescents through research and evaluation, publications and training materials. They have developed a research-based framework of 40 "developmental assets" or factors that are critical for young people's successful growth and development. Their goal is to assist schools, churches and civic organization in shifting their focus from a negative viewpoint (i.e. combating Crime, pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, etc), to an emphasis on developing the building blocks that youth need to succeed. 700 South Third Street, Suite 210 Soaring Eagles is a faith-based organization
that does TAAS camps, spiritual retreats, and leadership development
programs for junior high and high school students in the Houston area.
HOMELESSNESS Star of Hope: Three main facilities make
up the Houston-based Christian organization. 6897 Ardmore International Union of Gospel Missions: DRUG PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION / GANG INTERVENTION Victory Fellowship reaches gang members, prostitutes, prisoners and drug addicts through the faith-based outreach program. Former addicts and gang members become successful mentors to reach those who want a changed life. There are 65 chapters in the U.S. and five countries. Anyone who genuinely wants leave gangs and drugs will be taken into this faith-based program at no cost to them. PO Box 37387 www.gangstyle.com -- Website for gang members, those thinking about joining, and those who want to get out. Bulletin board communication, resources to help. Restoration Outreach Church / Home is the local Houston chapter of Victory Fellowship (see above). The church supports a home in the area where young men seeking to leave gang activity and drug addiction can live in a structured environment. 3218 Robertson The Office of Anti-Gang Activities is responsible for developing City of Houston initiatives to reduce gang and youth violence in Houston. The office coordinates the various anti-gang efforts of community youth organizations, school districts and law enforcement. The office has implemented numerous programs including: citywide graffiti clean up, enhanced nighttime curfew enforcement, a school campus gang intervention program for the Houston Independent School District and quarterly networking and training sessions for all Houston area youth service providers. Mr. Garcia also acts as a media spokesperson on the issue of gang violence and youth crime for Mayor Brown. The office works closely with the City Council Committee on Gang and Youth Violence and the Joint City/County Commission on Children. PO Box 1562 OTHER LOVE INC Community-based effort in more than 110 cities to meet particular needs by mobilizing volunteers from churches to help their neighbors. Needs are verified, and effectively met. Somebody Cares Houston is a coalition of faith-based organizations in Houston. Deal with crisis intervention, gangs, prostitutes, hunger, homelessness, and other needs. They have a referral hot-line. 4848 Guiton WINGS Outreach Foundation 816 South Main Street, Suite 5 Lifeskills training for unemployed, underemployed, or families transitioning off welfare. Available to do lifeskills training for high school students. Director Kevin Bradley delivers a high-energy presentation. The Center for Student Missions Greg Pennington
City Director 723 Lochnell Houston, Texas 77062 Tel. 713.622.2776 Fax
713.522.6747 Organizes mission trips to urban opportunities for service. Part of national organization offering similar trips in other cities. Habitat for Humanity: 121 Habitat Street Americus, Georgia 31709 Tel. 912.924.6935 Fax. 912.924.6541 Email: [email protected] www.habitat.org Builds affordable housing with local participation of volunteers, who work along side the families who will own the homes. Opportunities for service all over the U.S. The Salvation Army USA Commissioner Robert A. Watson National Commander P.O. Box 269 Alexandria, VA 22313 Tel. 703.684.5500 Fax 703.684.3478 www.salvationarmyusa.org INTERNET RESOURCES Center for Renewal, www.centerforrenewal.org. Resource center for faith-based groups, with a special focus on Houston, with national examples of best practices in other communities. 9525 Katy Freeway, Suite 303 HERN - Houston Education Resource Network, www.hern.org. Community resources. Builds websites for local non-profits. DRUG PREVENTION RESOURCES Focus on the Family - "Masquerade" features hard-hitting interviews with kids on drugs and sex. It is available in a version appropriate for public school use. Focus on the Family Telephone: 800.232.6459 Home Version: Product Code VI190 - $20.00 School Version: Product Code SL113 - $85.00, includes license for public viewing. Learning to Live Drug Free - A curriculum model for Prevention. Available from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20852. Growing up Drug Free -- A Parent's Guide to Prevention - toll free 1-800-624-0100 or available from the National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information, P.O. Box 2345, Rockville, MD 20852. CHARACTER RESOURCES National Guidelines for Sexuality and Character Education. Prepared by the Medical Institute, (512) 328-6268. Provides teachers and parents with a framework for their own sexuality education curriculum. Includes objectives for early elementary, upper elementary, middle school and high school. Recommended by Gov. George W. Bush and Texas Commissioner of Education, Mike Moses, and Texas Commissioner of Health, William R. Archer 30 Ways Mayors and Local Government can Promote Good Character Thomas Lickona, PhD., 607 753-2456. Provides realistic and creative ways for local government to promulgate key messages from the Right Choices campaign. National Fatherhood Initiative Wade Horn,
Director One Bank Street, Suite 160 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878 Tel.
301.948.0599 Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation Ted Melnyck 100 Ross Street, 4th Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Tel. 412.281.3752 Fax.412.281.2312 www.plf.org The Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation has a highly effective "Asset Building" approach to building character in middle and high school students, which is verified with a survey to analyze each school or class' needs. |
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