2020 Gratitude Report Meeting the Needs in Challenging Times
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
The Way Home is a collaborative model to prevent and end homelessness in Houston, Pasadena, Conroe, Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. Dear Beacon Friends, I am blessed to serve the dual roles of Dean of Christ Church Cathedral and Chair of the Board for The Beacon. In my analogous annual letter to the Cathedral this year, I referred to our whiplash-like pandemic operating shift as “The Great Pivot.” That phrase equally pertains to the remarkable, faithful, and effective operational changes we saw at The Beacon. As news that community spread of the Coronavirus became evident in the Houston area, The Beacon executed a modified operations plan beginning Friday, March 13, 2020. On that day, we moved most of our service provision systems outdoors, which was necessary to preserve public health. Even though it was the right and only decision, it was nevertheless heartrending to restrict indoor access to a place of respite for so many unsheltered individuals during these uncertain times. The Beacon continued providing services in all of its program areas, modifying operations as needed to follow CDC protocols for the health and safety of clients, staff and volunteers. The Beacon remained fully staffed and even added some staff positions to assist with the increased needs in the Ardell Ray Day Center and for the start-up of the Community-wide COVID-19 Housing Program (CCHP). As mentioned, The Beacon shifted its meal delivery operations outside of the facility. Just as we did in 2017 in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and at the urgent request of the City of Houston, The Beacon expanded its operating week from five to seven days while also providing two meals (rather than one) per individual each day. The total number of meals served between March and September 2020 was
129,450 compared to 38,450 during the same time period in 2019. As such, meal distribution increased more than 300% over the previous year during the same time period. Access to showers and laundry services also continued (in a controlled and safe manner), along with housing assessments, status checks and mail pick up. PPE was procured and a requirement for all staff and volunteers working in the facility. Daily health screening questions and temperature checks were also implemented and continue to this day. In late May, we equipped the Day Center with Plexiglass partitions, extra stanchions for controlling traffic flow and markers reminding everyone about social distancing. After six months of this exhaustingly enhanced schedule, on Thursday, September 24th, The Beacon resumed its inside meal service five days a week and is now providing meals and other services to a maximum of 120 individuals experiencing homelessness each operating day. This number allows for proper social distancing within the Day Center facility and all staff, volunteers and clients wear appropriate personal protective equipment. We look forward in hope and expectation to the day when we can resume regular, pre-pandemic operations. All along, The Beacon has continued to offer access to trained housing case managers who provide assessments and regular updates to individuals experiencing homelessness as part of our work in The Way Home community-wide initiative. Last year alone, more than 1,940 housing assessments/updates were completed at The Beacon. These are so important in keeping clients engaged in the process of moving off the streets and into permanent supportive housing. As part of the Great Pivot, other Beacon programs continued to operate with
varying modifications as well. Beacon Law staff worked remotely, following up with clients via phone and email and submitting documents/filings to the courts electronically. The legal aid team opened a web-based referral system to the general public to accept new cases. Our Brigid’s Hope program achieved its goal of increasing capacity to 20 women. This was accomplished by adding housing units to the program inventory. Moreover, this program continued to provide services to the women enrolled, some in person and some remotely. Last year, six women in the program found full-time employment, a major milestone in their journey. The COMPASS program staff continued to sort and distribute mail to clients who have mailbox privileges. These mail deliveries often include important documents and prescription medications that are crucial during this time when there is limited access to other resources and agencies in the community. Vital services to the homeless in Houston could not have continued without interruption but for The Beacon’s stalwart response to the Great Pivot. That is no exaggeration. We rose to the occasion, never forgetting that all of God’s children deserve the acknowledgement of their Godgiven human dignity. We demonstrated that, as daunting and ominous as COVID-19 is, it is not match for the faith and dedication of The Beacon. I am exceedingly proud of our team. Grace and peace,
The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson Chair of the Board
Modified Operations to Keep Everyone Safe
The Beacon has been a vital partner in The Way Home efforts since 2014.
Key findings of the most recent Homeless Count and Survey:
3,055 total number of
persons experiencing homelessness
1 in 7
unsheltered people cited COVID as the reason for their homelessness
21,600
individuals have been placed in permanent supportive housing since 2012 For more information, go to homelesshouston.org/houstonfacts-info
CEO MESSAGE
The Beacon is accustomed to shifting its service model to address the needs of the community and the people it serves. This flexibility is a core strength of the organization in the ever-changing landscape of working to solve homelessness. While we know our staff, volunteers, and supporters could not do the work in isolation, as a collective, we demonstrate resourcefulness and grit to rise and meet the moment. How do we meet the moment during a pandemic? Our Beacon team looked for silver linings during a catastrophic year in 2020. It turns out, we did not have to look far. We leaned on existing relationships and found new ways to engage individuals with lived experience in homelessness. The Beacon built capacity and broadened our reach into the community. As part of the Continuum of Care (CoC) known as The Way Home, we share common goals and outcomes across our CoC. The City of Houston, Harris County, and the Coalition for the Homeless called on partner agencies to respond to the public health crisis, especially to address the impact on our neighbors experiencing homelessness. For those without a safe home, housing is healthcare. With this in mind, the Community-wide COVID Housing Plan (CCHP) was launched in October 2020 and leverages federal CARES Act funding to infuse $65 million dollars into our region.
Through CCHP, The Beacon is one of a dozen organizations funded to serve approximately 5,000 individuals by moving them into housing or helping them to remain housed. We grew our capacity by increasing human resources by nearly 20% for the project, adding a team of housing navigators and using supervision strategies to quickly and effectively advance individuals through the permanent supportive housing pipeline. One of the women who was recently moved into her own home by a Beacon housing navigator continuously expressed her gratitude to the team. She had been the victim of multiple incidents of domestic violence and lived a rough life on the streets of Houston. She was overheard saying “Okay, from this point forward, remember it’s just You versus You and no one else anymore. Not the streets, nothing.” Another initiative that broadened our reach in the community is known as Make it Right and was the result of a partnership with our Beacon Law staff and the Harris County District Attorney’s office. Two Make it Right events were held in 2020. These events provided an opportunity for legal guidance and record clearing services for eligible individuals. Clearing records and when possible, helping individuals achieve a “clean slate” can be essential to securing a better job with a livable wage and provide peace of mind so that they can move
forward as contributing members of society. The second Make it Right event in September was their first-ever virtual format. For that event, our Beacon Law program piloted a new expunction/nondisclosure generator tool. The tool enabled each of the 1,223 applicants to receive a preliminary screening of eligibility and it was determined that 44% percent of those applicants were eligible for record clearing. The number of applications was overwhelming, and several other legal partners joined our legal staff to ensure a timely response. With these and other efforts, we continue to evaluate our progress and reflect on how to best meet the moment and do more to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. We look forward to sharing more about the progress of our work as we continue to shift and grow. As always, we welcome the opportunity to meet with our supporters in person to see the work first-hand and learn more about how we carry out our mission. In service,
Becky Landes Chief Executive Officer
2020 Highlights
Meal Distribution
Women on the Move
Incoming Mail
153,632
9 graduated from the Brigid’s Hope program
2,783 mail checks performed
6 found employment
Legal Aid with Ease
Housing Assessments
A Way Home
637 online requests received for legal services
1,946 housing assessments completed
57 households (individuals/ families) moved into housing
Volunteer Support 12,795 hours were contributed across all programs
Savings Realized $1,038,093 saved in legal fees or direct benefits gained
Spiritual Support 1,186 pastoral care visits in-person or by phone
We wish to thank Chris Kuhlman (ckpro.com) and Alese Pickering (alesepickering.com) for combining their amazing talents in photography and graphic design to make this Gratitude Report possible.
Jerry’s Journey
Jerry utilized the following services on his journey: Support from COMPASS program 40 case management visits Over 19 months Referred and connected to other programs and agencies for services Help from Beacon Law Just over 20 hours with our legal team Between June and December 2020 Petitioned court for legal name change to obtain state-issued identification Services in The Beacon Day Center Received 196 services From April 2019 through March 2021 Connected with building partners who provided group therapy Participated in Bible study regularly
To listen to the song “Chain Breaker” by Zach Williams, you will hear Jerry’s story. It begins with: “If you've been walking the same old road for miles and miles If you've been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies If you're trying to fill the same old holes inside There's a better life There’s a better life” A native Houstonian, Jerry dropped out of his high school in the Heights during the 11th grade. The year was 1983 and he left his childhood home, swept away by the unforgiving freedoms of the streets and down a rugged path of alcohol and drug addiction. To feed his habit, Jerry lied, stole and eventually committed aggravated robbery. After his arrest and conviction, he was sentenced to 27 years in prison and spent those years at the Mark W. Stiles Unit in Beaumont, Texas. While in prison, Jerry knew there was a better life for him. He took it upon himself to find every resource available to himself pull out of the depths of loss and
despair. He accepted Jesus as his Savior. And, he also started singing. “If you've got pain He's a pain taker If you feel lost He's a way maker” In August of 2019, Jerry was released from prison and put on parole. In one of their first meetings, his parole officer told him, “You need to go The Beacon and find ways to get help there.” Without hesitation, Jerry showed up at 1212 Prairie Street that same month and started connecting to as many services as he could. Beyond visiting the Day Center for meals and showers, he started engaging in group therapy, singing at Bible study sessions on Fridays, meeting regularly with his case managers and lawyers to remove the legal barriers preventing him from obtaining his Texas ID. Jerry was determined to be made whole again and worked very hard to get there. “If you believe it If you receive it If you can feel it Somebody testify”
The Coronavirus pandemic brought on unexpected stress for Jerry in his journey, but he remained connected to The Beacon’s services as best as he could, always hopeful that he would find his way through to a new life. He slept outside every night, keeping to himself and staying focused. It was this motivation that landed Jerry a job at Luby’s Restaurant where he currently works 40 hours a week. His dedication to work is just part of his daily purpose. He continues to be well-rounded and resourceful, connecting to people and meetings at The Beacon and beyond who will support his sobriety and goals in life. And, always with his faith in Christ at the center. “Oh, if you need freedom or saving He's a prison-shaking Savior If you've got chains He's a chain breaker”
To listen to “Chain Breaker” you will hear Jerry’s story. To see and hear Jerry sing the full song is a gift. You can experience it by going to: beaconhomeless.org/jerry
Our heartfelt thanks to the following donors who made gifts between January 1 and December 31, 2020 $100,000 and up
Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Anonymous Family Foundation
The Ralph H and Ruth J McCullough Foundation
The Brown Foundation
Catherine and Bruce McDonald
Christ Church Cathedral
Mary Nell and Malcolm Lovett
Timothy A Austin
Philip Easterling
Jarrett Hornsby
Mary Beth and Bill Moehring
Tara Ann Smith-Williams
Ed Ayres
Eaton
Enid Howard
Judith and Rob Mood
Edward J Sorenson
Lyondell Chemical Company
Jack Baber
Mark Edenfield
Sheila and Thomas Howard
Jim Morgan
Mary C Spanjers
Carol Bailey
Barbara and John Edgerton
Elizabeth and Tom Howley
Sallie Morgan
James Spear
Norman Bailey
Michael Effler
Bailey Hudson
Sandra Morgan
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Frank Balch
Elizabeth Eikenburg
Elizabeth R Huerta
Peter Moriarty
St. Thomas The Apostle
Sarah Ballanfant
Ayo Ekisola
Leslie and Mark Hull
Tommy R Morris
Rebecca Sewell Stafford
Sudhir Bandi
Gbolahan Ekisola
Felix Ibegbulam
Elizabeth Muegge
Joy Stapp
Don Barnhill
Adam English
Joseph Walter Ingaharro
Kit and John Muire
Bette A Stead
Richard L Barone
William Enterline
Elizabeth Isle
Charles Stein
Episcopal High School
David M Jackson
Jim Murdaugh and Gary Smith
Christen and Austin Malone
Coalition for the Homeless Houston / Harris County
Cabrina and Steven Owsley
William Robert Mangan
Jack Price
Wayne Duddlesten Foundation
Catherine and William Randall
Mary Lynn and David Mannon
Elkins Foundation
Fairfax and Risher Randall
Episcopal Health Foundation Isla and T R Reckling The Hamill Foundation Harris County Community Services Department Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department Harris County District Attorney’s Office
Judy and Henry Sauer
Bilinda and Brian Matusek
Lisa and Russell Sherrill
Gill and Michael McCord
Joanna Barron
Leah and Ron Fash
Ronnie Wayne Jackson
Murphy Oil Corporation
SolomonEdwards Group
John McCown
Carol and Joseph Base
Caitlin Ferrell
Trennice Jackson
The Music Box Theater
St Francis Episcopal Church/ Linda Sadler Memorial Fund
Eleanor McMurtrey
Michael W Becker
Daniel Fetherston
Maria Anne Jalosjos
Kathryn K Musica
Alisa and Drew Mengwasser
Quanna Darlene Benson
Teresa Fish
Eve Anne Jamieson
Nancy’s Hustle
St Paul’s United Methodist Church
Shelly Merchant
Cullen Berger
Emily Fisher
Stella Jang
Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial
Sanjay Bhide
Jan and Tom Fitzhugh
Mahmood Jawaid
William James Billman
Jeffrey Fleisher
Jeanette and Jay Jenkins
Linda Moore
Clara Binford
Vincent Florentine
Anita Johnson
John K Nau
Sara Bitting
Vibeke Alnor Fong
Antonio Johnson
Mary Ann Newman
Carl Blank
Jarred Foster
Rebecca L Johnson
Evelyn and Roy Nolen
Christine Boden
Roberta Fotter
Charlotte Jones
Daniel Orfield
Fredrich A Boden
Dianne Foutch
Kyle Jude Jones
Katie and Patrick Oxford
Morgan and Wyn Bomar
Melissa Frank
Rosalyn Jones-Waters
Sue and Hobert Plunkett
Marsha Bradley
Catherine and Keith Frazier
Claire E Jordan
Pamela and James Pool
Tonya D Bradley
Cornelia Freeman
Carol Jukes
Sarah and Ben Powell
Cynthia and Jim Brannon
Jon Robert Friedberg
Ruth T Justice
Winnie and Ben Powell
Emily Breazeale
Amelia Friedman
Jeffrey Wilson Kaepernick
Mimi and Charlie Prioleau
Brent Bregenzer
Chris Friend
Ksenia A Kai
Lisa and Mike Puccio
Jennifer Brevorka
Ed Fritcher
Linda Dianne Kallenberger
Cynthia and Jerry Pyle
Catherine and Gary Brock
Kelly and Greg Funderburk
Gloria Kankenga
Diane and Terry Rainosek
Michelle Brockway
Holland Kaplan
John Rangel
Carlie Brown
Catherine and Donald Galletly
Susan Reeves and Rev Dr Brett McCleneghan
Lori and Scott Bruns
William N Gallin
Chris Kastens
Laura Stansbury Galvin
Rohit Kaul
Remnant House Ministries Int.
Jane Buckner Michael Burke
Karie and Duncan Gambrill
Joyce A Keating
Charles Calvit
Jesus Garcia
Kathy Keeney
Phillip Cammack
Rebecca Garcia
Ryan Kindel
Callum Campbell
Tina Marie Garcia
Judith King
Dylan Campbell
Phillippa Gard
Lisa Canida
Houston Endowment, Inc Eileen and Stephen Snider
Bill Stewart
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
Judy and Charles Tate
US Department of Housing and Urban Development $25,000 - $99,000 Leslie L Alexander Foundation Anonymous Individual The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc
Twardock Family Charitable Fund Bess and Matt Wareing Stone and Holt Weeks Foundation $1,000 - $4,999 Sharon and Stephen Adell Edward H Andrews Foundation Anonymous (3) Frances and Tim Arnoult
Carl’s Golfland
Herbert John Ashe, Jr
John S Dunn Foundation
Burke and Elizabeth Baker Family Fund
Emergency Food and Shelter Program The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation
Jessica and Jonathan Barrett Stephen Bingham
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Jessica and Lee Bischoff, II
The Hildebrand Foundation
William G Bowen
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Lawrence Boyd
The Powell Foundation The Sarofim Foundation The Simmons Foundation St Martin’s Episcopal Church Isla Carroll Turner Friendship Trust
Leigh and Christopher Matthews
Monse Barrera
State Bar of Texas Litigation Section
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
Nancy and Earle Martin
Gretchen Bohnert
Alexander Brewer Rena R Bullock The Butcher Fund Mitch Callihan Meredith Canada Meg and Jeff Carroll Coastal Securities
Adam Perlmutter
Robert F Thompson
Kay Pieringer
Cynthia Lynn Thornton
Raymond Pledger
Chuck Thurmon
David Pogue
Adenike Tokan-Lawal
Kate Pogue
Melissa Torbet
Kathleen and Townes Pressler
James Trimble
John Wilson Price
Jason Tullos
Dianne Kirk
Susan S and Gregory W Prickett
Joe Dale Turner
Karen Price Garrett
Linda and Dale Klitzke
Hope Queener
Deborah Cannon
June and James Garrison
Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC
Barbara D Kneisler
Jessica Quentin
Barrett Sides
Dennis Kroeger
Understory, Inc
Camille and Eulogio Cano
Kim Gerrish
Patti and Ben Ramsey
South Main Baptist Church
Keerthana Krosuri
Navjot Singh Randhawa
Clare Fleming Sprunt
Marjoy and Jimmy Carter
Anne C Gibbons and Michael L Eisner
R Hill and Jennifer P Vaden
Thomas Carroll
Elliott Kruppa
Jennifer and Steven Vaughan
Starbucks Foundation: Neighborhood Grants Fund
Patricia N Carter
Kate Gibson
Brandi Ransom
Claire Kugler
Chris Gillespie
Christina Rappazzo
Wesley Veasaw
Christopher Gillis
Michelle L and John A Kutrybala
Florence Hargrove Ray
Claudia and Richard Verm
Latricia Gillis
Alice Laguarta
Loretta and Gary Ray
VM Ware Foundation
Jody Gillit
Michael J Lambakis
Robert E Reeder, Jr
Regina Walker
Leslie and Glen Ginzel
Elizabeth Landes
Susan and Robert Reedy
Mike Wall
Mary Gleason
Michael Anne Lane
Phyllis Renfro
Winston Walp
Amanda Goceljak
Brian Michael Lara
Alysia Renteria
Carolyn and David Warnick
Denise and Steve Godowns
Bonnie Lawson
Michael Robert Rentfrow
Shari and Harold K Watson
Marilyn Golub
John R Lawson, Jr
Heather Reyes
Hudson Safford Wayne
Morna Gonsoulin
Robert LeBlanc
Susannah Lewallen Rials
Carol and Ralph Weaver
Phillip Goodwin
Courtney Leiker
Victoria Ridgway
Dorothy and Hall Webb
Gay L Gordon
Colette and Michael Leonard
Beth Rivera
Chapman Welch
Rebecca and Andrew Gould
Jim Lesyna
Gladys Rivera
Charles Wemple
Jessica Grasl
Ann and Winsor Letton
Lauren Roche
Philip Wetz
Elena Grassi
Gracie Lewis
Anne Rodgers
Lannie Head Whatley
Annette Graves
Charles Ligon
Gail and Nick Roe
Brenna Wheeler
Susan and Hart Green
Amy and Alan Lindsey
Rebecca Roff
Kathleen and Patrick Whelan
Mary Grace Greenwood
Jawching Liu
Wick and Rob Rowland
Kenneth C Whitmore
Mary and Charles Gregory
Stephanie Lominac
Amy L Rue
Regina Whittington
Mariana Grijalva
Julie Long
Charles and Josephine Rurangirwa
Kaki and Kent Grubbs
Ellen Luby
David Sabih
Thad Grundy
Eric and Thad Lueders
Caroline Sabotta
Silvina F Guerrero
Emily Maas
Nelofar Saeed
Munish Gupta
Bob Mace
Carolyn and John Wildenthal
Heather Sasser
Odette and Robert Mace
Paul T Wilhelms
Nisha Guram
LaTiffany Sauls
Peter MacGregor
Dana Williams
Deanna Hagan
Patti Savage
Sandra M Hale
Allison Malcom
Jacob Preston Williams
Judy and John Scardino
Mary Hankey
Marilyn Maloney
Morgan Williams
Karla Schapansky
Julia Hanks
John Manning
Jonathan Witt
Mike Schatz
Virginia Hanning
Deborah Marentette
Jennifer Wizel
Brooke D Scherer
James W Hargrove
Krizzia Mariles
Brittany Young
Brad Schott
Garland Harris, Jr
Bryan Marker
Robert Steven Schultz
Maryann Zaki
Richard F Harris Susan A Harris
Christina and David Marsden Mary and W Berry Scott Samuel W Marsh Scott Sebastian
Allison Hartzell
Alec Martin
David Michael Seeley
Rory Hatch
Rebecca Marvil and Brian Smyth
Sarah Sejoro
Anne and John Ribble James L Roberts Debbie and Andrew Roff Cody Nathan Schneider Jo Ann and William R Scofield
Hally and Gordon Carver
Thomas Cresswell Crystaphase Employees
Jena and Brandan Still
$10,000 - $24,999
Sabrina Damico
Ashley and Dustin Sullivan
The Patrick G Bromley Foundation
Shonnie Daniel
Megan Talley
Danish Inspirations Linnet F Deily
Jill and The Very Rev Barkley Thompson
Esme and Patrick Elkins
Julie and Bob Thurmond
Joy and Tim Ellwood
Anna Timberlake
Jennifer Enos
Aoife Toomey
Gayle and Robert Eury
Hilary Tyson
James David Fairbanks
The Carol Vobach Fund
Julie and Bobby Falcon George and Mary Josephine Debbie and Ron Fash Hamman Foundation First United The Albert and Ethel Methodist Church Herzstein Charitable
W S Bellows Construction Company
The Clayton Fund Marian and Paul Cones Erica and Lorin Crenshaw Vicki and John Crum Trish Freeman and Bruce Patterson Frost Bank
Ashok Chandran Judith Chapman Guy Chason Kirby Chenkin Katherine Bomar Childs Cassie Clark Virginia Clark Tina Clayton Kate Clower Christine and Warren Cole Celeste Conflitti Ellen Cook Sarah and Sam Cooper
Lisa Wallace
Daniel Cowart
Walters and Mason Retail, Inc
James Cox Libbie Craft
Foundation
Cece and Mack Fowler
Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen
Caroline and George Francisco
Diane R Whitfield
Jeff Craig
Susan Whitfield
Evan Crocker
Carolyn Keating
Kristie and John Gibson
Barbara Winston
Sam Crocker
Carmen and John Knapp
Good Earth Foundation
Paula and Paul Yale
Aubrey Crosby
The Lester Napier Foundation
Good Shepherd Episcopal Church
Daniel T Yates
C Craig Crouch and Family
Sherman Yu
Julia K Crowder
Vivie and Chris O’Sullivan
Kristy Greenwood
The Anne and Harry Zarrow Foundation
Juan Sebastian Cruz
Karen and Harry Pinson
Sunny and Mac Haik
Lulu Bryan Rambaud Charitable Trust
Caitlin Halpern
St John the Divine Episcopal Church
Adele Houghton and Fernando Autrique
Eileen and Brandon Hoff
St Philip Presbyterian Church Lyn Houk Texas Methodist Foundation Houston Astros, LLC Carol and Andy Vickery
Houston Bar Association
Karen Cuccia
$999 and below
Andrea L Cupidore
Kulangara Abraham
Gay L Currie
Betty and W Kendall Adam
Antoinette Dao
Modinat Adekoya
Robert Daugherty
AIG
Daughters of Isabella
Madeline Akers
Keith Davis and Rick Newlin
Dawlat Alexander
Rebecca Davis
Harriet and Chris Alexander
Ann Deaton
Douglas Allen
Sydney Paige Deese
Kevin T Allison
Gabrielle Degelia
Owen Amadin
Gayle and Mike Degeurin
Callina Anderson
Al deMoya
Gretchen and David Anderson
Serina Dennis
Haley Anderson
Kim Devine
Libby and John Anderson
Thao Diep
Nury Andhavarapu
Robert Zorich
Andre and Kathy Jackson
$5,000 - $9,999
Sis and Hasty Johnson
Aveva, Inc
Kristen Johnston
Linda and Richard Bischoff
M S Kalsi
Fredricka Brecht
David Karohl
Robin and Mike Bullington
Beverly Kaufman
Harry S and Isabel C Cameron Foundation
Wendy Keitel
Cameron Management
Aju Koshy
CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Madison Kruger and Scott Swain
Kimberly and Bradley Dennison
Prashil Kumar
Aurea Andrades
Kayla D Lail
Rickie and Stacy Duke
Frances and Norman Kittrell
Ann U Stout National Charity League, Inc. June L Strambler Memorial Chapter Barbara Strobel and Paige Navarro George Bement Kimberly Nettles Genevieve Suazo Deserea Noriega Susman Godfrey, LLP Nolan Norred Louise and Will Symmes Joyce O’Connor Cameron Taber Tom Oldham Gail and Bill Taber Ola Otulana Denise Marie Tamayo Briana Marie Owenby Susan and Walker Taylor Katherine Oyegun Mitchell Tedesco Alexander Paden Charlotte Tenbrink Pamela Pahl Antonia Teneyuque Christos Panagos Desencia Thomas
Marcia L Chaney
Vivian L Smith Foundation
Coco Stewart
Janet Paris
State Bar of Texas Labor and Employment Section
The Wortham Foundation
Josh Stephens
Adam Thies
Juan Carlos Castillo
Coxes Corner Charitable Trust
Brianna Helen Steinmetz
Keeli Panter
State Bar of Texas Corporate Counsel Section
The Jack Jr and Nance Foules Wier Endowment
Jay Steinfeld
Tracy and John Dennis
Alice Hatter Ruth and Dan Hawk Kathleen Hayes Monica Mcknight Heal Summer Heard Mary Kay and David T Hedges
Kyle Karinshak
Mary Kay Massie Christopher Matthews Andreas Matzakos Regie Mauricio Mary and Greg Maxwell Michael Shane McCardell Chris and Scottie McCord
Stephen Dockery
Amanda and Richard Hellman
Katherine Shanks Dodd
Caroline Hendryx
Elizabeth A McEldowney
Frances and Vijay Andrandes Carole and Samuel Dodson
Gail and Michael Hendryx
Jeffrey A McGuire
Ann McDonald
Jeremy Selcoe Sandra Hart Shaw Uzair Ahmed Sheikh Nancy B Shelby
Geli Tron
Lynne Whitworth and Ted Dom Grace Wickerson
Tom Zenner Matching Gift Contributors Amazon Smile Bank of America Employee Giving Campaign Chevron ExxonMobil Foundation
Emily W Shepherd
Goldman Sachs Matching Gift Program
Alex Shirsat
Halliburton Giving Choices
Abigail Shulman
Inasmuch Foundation
Sami Siddiqui
Kroger Community Rewards
Anisha Singh Kailash Sivakumar
Patterson + Sheridan LLP
Grace Skaggs
Shell Oil Company Matching Gifts
Rebecca Landes
Anonymous
Roxanne Dolen
Denis Hill
Mary McKerall
Vivette and Lee Graham
Joseph Lawson
Robert Ash
Les and Lesley Douthwaite
Susan Akers Hirtz
Larry D Merkle
Claire Smith and Russell Murrell
Shirley and Mike Grimes
Harriet and Whitney Leavell
Elizabeth Ashton
Davina Drabkin
Brooke Holleman
Connie E Meves
Target Employee Giving Campaign
Nathan Smith
Judith and Charles Duke
Robert Holmes
Collie Michaels
Kirby Attwell
Jordan Dunkerson
Frank Hood
Nigel Millard
Pamela Smith and David Devine
The Benevity Community Impact Fund
H-E-B
Frances Lenora and Paul B Terry Jr
Kendra Atkins
The Jackson Foundation
Mahnoor Liaqat
Nicholas Atwood
Adrien DuPont
Ashley Horn
Heather Miller
Scott Smith
Jason Johnson
Jacob Lipp
Michele M Auderer
Rick Dyson, Jr
Barb Hornbeck
Steven Miller
Mark Anthony Smithers
Guy Hagstette
The Beacon has made effort to ensure the accuracy of names listed in this donor acknowledgement. Please send notice of omission or incorrect listings to jfalcon@beaconhomeless.org
The BP Foundation Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign
Collaborative Efforts During Crisis
LETTER FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT Dear Friends, It feels fitting to be writing to you during the beautiful Houston springtime. As the challenges of 2020 begin to transition to the promise of 2021, I am filled with a sense of hope for the year ahead and a sense of purpose in our mission to lift up those most in need in our community. I am pleased to report that The Beacon rose to meet the challenges of the past year and is strong and prepared – operationally, administratively, and fiscally – to not only continue as a leader in the Continuum of Care initiative known as The Way Home, but also to plan for our future and the future needs of the clients and community we serve. This, of course, is due to your support as well as the steady and capable leadership of The Beacon’s board and staff. Each person brings their best and most innovative selves to the work they do whether they are participating in a committee; helping with an event or making key governance decisions. As we look ahead and aspire to anticipate the changing landscape, we will be guided by key priorities and initiatives during the upcoming year:
CCHP Navigators from The Beacon assisted with move-ins to New Hope Housing Dale Carnegie
EYE ON THE HORIZON Convene a task force to listen, learn, dream and strategize. We will hear from key constituents and community leaders to help guide The Beacon in creating a vision for how we move forward through the next five years. COMMUNICATION Continue to raise agency visibility and educate the community about homelessness and The Beacon’s work to reduce homelessness. VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT Expand and formalize programs to recruit, train and support our volunteer work staff - without whom we could not operate as effectively and efficiently. Thank you SO MUCH for the critical role you play in support of The Beacon’s mission to restore hope and help end homelessness. As you can see in the faces of our clients, The Beacon is changing lives. We simply could not do it without you. Many blessings,
The Community-wide COVID-19 Housing Program (CCHP) is a comprehensive plan organized in collaboration with Harris County, the City of Houston, the Coalition for the Homeless Houston, and several homeless service agencies. Funds from the recently passed CARES Act were pooled together by the county and city to create a large-scale community homeless housing initiative. The Beacon was selected to participate in the Bridge to Permanent Supportive Houston intervention as part of this large-scale plan. Six new Housing Navigators were added to the staff with a goal of providing services to 145 households within a 12-month period. These specially trained navigators are “leasing up” families or individuals experiencing chronic homelessness or who qualify for permanent support
Alisa Stamp Mengwasser Beacon Board President
housing through the Coordinated Access System.
2020 Financials REVENUE*
EXPENSES
In-Kind Contributions
Other Revenue
$37,383
In-Kind
$535,000
$535,000
Special Event Revenue
Fundraising
$246,762
$147,864 Management and General
Grants and Contracts from Government Agencies
$662,598
*Unaudited
$497,400
Total Revenue
$4,454,943
Private Contributions
$2,973,200
Total Expenses
$4,249,845
Program Expenses
$3,069,582
ST ON
We’re celebrating the 10-year anniversary of this special event on Thursday, September 23, 2021! Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience by many of Houston’s notable chefs!
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We are grateful for our event chairs and their host committee members who remained committed to The Beacon in 2020 and will lead the event in 2021! Event Chairs
Vivie and Chris O’Sullivan Host Committee Members Sallie and George Alcorn Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen Nancy Allen Jennifer Arnold Fredricka Brecht Margot and John Cater Linnet Deily Jenny Elkins Cece and Mack Fowler Sis and Hasty Johnson Carmen and John Knapp Hallie and Tyler Moore
Cabrina and Steven Owsley Mimi and Charlie Prioleau Alice and Risher Randall Catherine and Will Randall Fairfax and Risher Randall Elizabeth and Adam Schiffer Judy and Charles Tate Carol and Andy Vickery Bess and Matt Wareing
All of The Beacon’s programs are lifted up during this special evening, but especially Brigid’s Hope when we hear the transformational stories of past graduates.
beaconhomeless.org/come-to-the-table
Board of Directors Executive Committee
You Restore Hope “The lunch bags during the pandemic were appreciated. That’s how I survived. I’m so thankful to be able to shower and also look forward to washing my clothes.”
The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson, Chairman Alisa Stamp Mengwasser, President Bess Wareing, Vice President Andrew Roff, Treasurer Gay Gulledge, Secretary William Randall, Past President Catherine Fowler McDonald Paul Yale Directors Bradley Dennison Ann Tyrrell Cochran Carole G. Dodson Gregory Funderburk
“The Beacon really helped me a lot during the pandemic. They took care of multiple tickets, got some dismissed, some I had to do community service for. They’ve been a wonderful help. I would not have been able to deal with those parking tickets without The Beacon.”
Rev. Alex Graham III Mike Grimes Mary Hankey John Muire Harry C. Pinson Loretta Ray Susan Reeves Brandan Still Alan Stuckert Robert H. Thurmond, III Advisory Board The Right Reverend C. Andrew Doyle Deborah Duncan
“I’m thankful for life! For second chances, for everything that I have, even though I don’t have a lot. I’m not rich, but I’m thankful for the little that I have. In the future, I plan on being more successful in my education, and my attitude, getting along with people and living life.”
Rochon Hall Elena Marks John Nau Matthew Oren Courtney Sarofim Charles Tate
MAKE A DONATION AT: BEACONHOMELESS.ORG
“At The Beacon, we respect everyone who comes to us for help—and many are working toward a fresh start in life. So, while their stories are true, client names and images may have been changed to protect their privacy. Thank you for your understanding.
Physical: 1212 Prairie Street, Houston, Texas 77002 | Mailing: 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas 77002 713-220-9737 | beaconhomeless.org | info@beaconhomeless.org CONNECT WITH US The Beacon (Houston)
@thebeaconhouston