CCSC - Christian Community Service Center

01/19/2023

Take a look at how our volunteer team keeps the CCSC Garden producing all year long. https://conta.cc/3ZJiVSS

01/19/2023

Financial Coach Tina Marie Amrhein represented CCSC’s Workforce team at the HISD DREAM Summit. She met with about 75 high school students and provided them with information about our JobNet classes and financial coaching opportunities.

01/16/2023

01/13/2023

WEEKEND EVENTS BENEFITING CCSC
Please SHARE on social media.
--SATURDAY, 1/14, FOOD DRIVE, St. Luke's UMC - Houston, 9 a.m.-Noon, 3471 Westheimer.
--SATURDAY,1/14, SHRED EVENT, St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 8915 Timberside Drive. Texas Security Shredding will be onsite to accept your paper and small electronics (no large TVs or appliances). St. Luke’s is asking for a $10 donation and that you bring along some nonperishable food items for CCSC’s two food pantries.
THANK YOU to all the volunteers and donors!

01/12/2023

CCSC’s JobNet program has a seat just for you in its Computer Lab. Please contact the JobNet reception desk at 713-626-8320 for details and to register for our next Orientation sessions at 9:30 a.m. on January 25 (in Spanish) and January 26 (in English). We hope to see you soon!

01/09/2023

Spring semester is starting and our 6,326 Back To School students are ready with school supplies and clothing thanks to the loyal support of our member churches, individual donors and community friends, including: Agee Family Foundation, Bellaire Southwest Houston Rotary Foundation Inc., CFP Foundation, Charity Guild of Catholic Women, Christian Brothers Automotive Foundation, Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation, Houston Junior Forum, The Kiwanis Foundation of Houston, McGaha Foundation, Richard Stodder Charitable Foundation, SK Foundation, Spindletop Community Impact Partners, and the Stephen M. Seay Foundation.

Charity Guild Shop
Christian Brothers Automotive
Kiwanis Houston

01/05/2023

01/04/2023

Start 2023 with less clutter!
St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 8915 Timberside Dr., 77025, is holding a community shredding event Saturday, January 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., benefiting CCSC. Texas Security Shredding will be onsite to accept paper and small electronics (no large TVs or appliances). St. Luke’s is asking for a $10 donation and that you bring along some nonperishable food items for CCSC’s two food pantries. Go ahead and share on social media!

01/01/2023

01/01/2023

There are just hours left to make your 2022 gift to CCSC! Help us start the new year strong with a tax-deductible gift at bit.ly/ccscyearend22.

12/31/2022

Help CCSC start the new year strong with a tax-deductible gift. Give at bit.ly/ccscyearend22.

12/31/2022

12/30/2022

12/29/2022

Volunteers in CCSC’s Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program have been busy! They’ve screened the visual acuity of 2,387 students from 18 of our partner schools this year and we’ve organized 11 field trips this fall to the University of Houston- University Eye Institute.

Of the 256 students who received comprehensive eye exams from UH professionals this fall, 227 received glasses.

Thank you to all our Vision Care volunteers who delight in helping identify students in need of professional eye care. You’ve truly made this a brighter holiday season for so many. And thank you to the W.T. & Louise J. Moran Foundation for underwriting this important program.

12/27/2022

James Engel, a longtime supporter of CCSC, delivers a carload of food donations he collected from his neighbors. Thank you, James!

12/26/2022

Marcia James, left, and her daughter Rhoda Arnes continue the family's longtime tradition of holding a holiday tea benefiting CCSC. This year, like last year, the celebration was a drive-thru event where guests donated funds or groceries to CCSC's food pantries and received holiday treat bags. Thank you to the James family!

12/25/2022

Merry Christmas from CCSC! We pray that you and your family enjoy a blessed day celebrating Christ’s love. Thank you for your care and compassion for our neighbors in need.

12/23/2022

Thank you to Claire Fuller for organizing her recent family food drive to benefit CCSC’s two food pantries. Families helping families! Thank you, Fullers!

12/23/2022

The Condit Cats did it again! They ran a super successful food drive for CCSC and had a bunch of fun doing it. Thank you to the students, staff and families of Condit Elementary School for their longtime support of CCSC. Go, Cats!



Condit
Elementary

12/22/2022

The Lopez Negrete Communications team’s generous donation to our food pantries will help CCSC to get food on the tables of those in need this Christmas. Thank you!

12/21/2022

2023 could be the year YOU launch your caregiving business!

It’s not too late to share this information or sign up for CCSC’s Professional Home Caregiver Training Program. Email Maureen Brunetti for more information at [email protected]

12/20/2022

Meet the Weddles, CCSC volunteers and winners of a Texans-Community Coffee Community Quarterback award! You can read all about it at https://conta.cc/3YuYmsy

12/19/2022

12/17/2022

We received a special delivery from our friends at Bank of America today! Local bank employee volunteers worked together to fulfill and stuff 150 hygiene kits for the families we serve in the Greater Houston area. These kits help address poverty and crisis-related issues faced by community members. Learn more about how you can help: Support CCSC | Christian Community Service Center (ccschouston.org). Thank you, Bank of America.

12/16/2022

A great project from a great organization. Thank you!

12/14/2022

A Message From Michelle Shonbeck

Hear an update from CCSC President & CEO Michelle Shonbeck on what clients are telling us when they seek help with emergency food and rental assistance and employment coaching. Will you make a gift today so we can serve even more Houstonians in need? To give, please visit ccschouston.org.

https://vimeo.com/780852230

Hear a December 2022 update from CCSC President & CEO Michelle Shonbeck. To make a tax-deductible gift to CCSC, visit ccschouston.org/give.

12/12/2022

CCSC needs manual can openers!
You answered our call a month ago, but we are already almost out of can openers—which our food pantry visitors need in order to open some of the foods we provide. Please drop can openers at 3434 Branard from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays. THANK YOU, CCSC friends!

12/10/2022

Hardworking CCSC volunteers = happy families!

Today was the first day of our Jingle Bell Express gift pick-up and it was filled with smiles and appreciation.

Toys, books, and food gift cards were loaded into the cars of families struggling to make ends meet and give Christmas to their little ones. By the end of tomorrow, CCSC and its dedicated donors, supporters and volunteers will have brought the joy of giving to over 2,500 children.

Thank you to all who helped us brighten the holiday for those in need. Special thanks to the Ladies for Literacy Guild - Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation Foundation for its generous donation and to our hosts, the congregation of Bellaire United Methodist Church and Pastors Seann Duffin and Lataya Simpson.

And a HUGE thank you to all our volunteer elves and our Jingle Bell Express Committee: Julie Gremillion, Manju Monga, Cyndi Coselli, Mylene Bole, Julie Mikkelsen, Beth Cooper, Holly Green, Jenny Vestal, Janice Johnson, Traci Demecs, Sandra Kang, Anna Andrews, Tany James, Keli Luce, and Steve Smith.

12/09/2022

3 Food Drives Before Christmas!
Please SHARE on social media.
Help CCSC to feed hungry Houston families this holiday season. When you and CCSC help feed a struggling family it frees up resources the family can then use to pay a bill. If you can, please drop a can, box or bag of nonperishable food at these upcoming food drives:
--SATURDAY, 12/10, St. Luke's UMC - Houston, drive-thru 9 a.m.-Noon, 3471 Westheimer.
--MONDAY, 12/11, West University United Methodist Church, drive-thru 9 a.m.-Noon, 3611 University Blvd.
--TUESDAY, 12/13, St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 8915 Timberside Drive. Drop your donations in the Red Cart outside the church doors off the parking lot.
THANK YOU to all the volunteers and donors!

12/08/2022

This week our dedicated Jingle Bell Express committee members and volunteers are hefting, moving, sorting and assembling to produce Christmas gift bags to brighten the holiday for 2,500 children in need.

This Friday and Saturday will be filled with smiles, thank yous, and holiday wishes from our happy preregistered families as they receive toys, books and food at our drive-thru community event.

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers and all who have donated toys, books and funds to Jingle Bell Express. YOU are making Christmas bright!

12/07/2022

Oladimeji and Folakemi are loving parents who work hard to provide for their children. When the couple struggled with reduced wages during the pandemic, CCSC provided much-needed food for their family. This year’s rising costs for basic needs have made it even harder for them to make ends meet.

They are committed to building a stronger financial future for their family, which led them to enroll in CCSC’s Professional Home Caregiver Training Program. They are now proud graduates of the program and plan to launch their own caregiver business.

“The Caregiver Training Program will go a long way in helping my family financially,” said Folakemi. “CCSC is a blessing and helps my family live a better life.”

With your help, we can serve even more families when they face a crisis, and equip men and women on their road to financial stability. Donate today to help Houston families in need: https://bit.ly/ccscyearend22

12/06/2022

CCSC Success Coach Stephanie Wen hosts a "Job Search Engines" workshop for job seekers in our JobNet program. In this workshop, participants learn how to create a strong profile and look for jobs on websites such as Indeed.

12/02/2022

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
Your last chance to get in on the joy by donating brand-new nonviolent toys for children and teenagers is Monday, December 5, at Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd. 77401. To drop your toys at the church, please park in the east parking lot (the northeast corner driveway of the church) and bring your gifts into the church gym from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday. Thank you, everyone!

11/30/2022

THANK YOU to all who gave for ! Because of you, families will receive emergency food, financial assistance, and employment coaching from CCSC. Thank you for sending help to Houstonians facing crises!

11/30/2022

Only a few hours left of ! Your gift will help families in need and equip job seekers on their road to success. Gifts made today through December 2 will be doubled, up to $10,000! https://bit.ly/CCSCGivTue

11/29/2022

It’s ! You can double your impact today with a special gift to CCSC. All gifts made through December 2 will be MATCHED by an anonymous donor, up to $10,000.

Demand for CCSC's Emergency Services remains high as our clients struggle to make ends meet due to lost jobs, medical needs or other emergencies.

CCSC also continues to serve those seeking job opportunities through its employment programs, and disadvantaged youth with new school supplies, Christmas gifts, and vision care. These services help men, women and children when they need it most.

This , your gift will go twice as far to help families in need. Give today to double your impact: https://bit.ly/CCSCGivTue

11/28/2022

Tomorrow is ! In honor of this global celebration of giving, an anonymous donor will MATCH all gifts made to CCSC today through Friday, December 2, up to $10,000. Double your impact today! https://bit.ly/CCSCGivTue

11/24/2022

Today, we are celebrating YOU! Thank you for being a part of the CCSC community and for making a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. We wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/2022

Congratulations to the 16 new Martha’s Way entrepreneurs who recently graduated from CCSC’s 42+ hour program. To hire a trained Martha’s Way housekeeper to clean your house weekly, monthly or for the upcoming holidays visit our website at https://ccschouston.org/hire-a-housekeeper/
Thank you!

11/22/2022

The Season of Giving is in full swing making for fun and busy days for CCSC volunteers and supporters.

We thank the following churches and schools for hosting recent food drives to help CCSC fill its pantry shelves: St. Luke's UMC - Houston, St. Luke's Children's Ministries - Houston, TX, St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Bellaire United Methodist Church, St. John's School, St. Mark's Houston, Saint Thomas' Episcopal Church and the Saint Thomas' Episcopal School Water Polo Team, West University United Methodist Church, St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, SaintAnne Houston, St. Anne Catholic School, St. Anne Guild, River Oaks Baptist School, Crosspoint Church - Bellaire, CityRise and Houston Chinese Church.

A special shout-out to Virginia Tubbs and the parishioners, families, students and volunteers involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and St Vincent De Paul Catholic School's super successful two-week food drive.

Our appreciation, as always, to our pantry and warehouse volunteers, and also to our St Thomas high school and EOG volunteers, for sorting and processing all the wonderful food donations.

Thank you also to St Philip Presbyterian Church and St Andrew's Presbyterian Church for inviting CCSC to participate in their alternate giving markets, and to . Luke's UMC - Gethsemane Campus and Westminster Umc for running rice and bean projects.

Every CCSC donor and volunteer makes it possible for us to feed Houston families in crisis. We couldn't do it without you!