United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
This United Methodist organization is a first-line of relief when disaster strikes; UMCOR works locally when Houston experiences such disasters as floods and was a presence following Tropical Storm Allison. UMCOR also is ready on a moment’s notice to mobilize with aid anywhere in the world. UMCOR provides humanitarian aid in places where the need is chronic.
God is in Our Neighborhood Scholarship
Since 2020, St. Stephen’s has offered a minimum of $40,000 in scholarship awards to eligible Waltrip and Scarborough High students. The God is in Our Neighborhood Scholarship has so far been awarded to six deserving students.
Stevens Elementary
Lulu M. Stevens Elementary is public elementary school located just a few blocks from the church. Members donate money, school supplies, books, and time. Additionally, we help tutor and mentor students there.
Playground for All Abilities
The Playground for All Abilities is a planned project for Oak Forest Park. Once funded, a playground will be constructed that all children will be able to use and enjoy together. This is part of an ongoing revitalization of the park by neighborhood groups.
St. Stephen’s has supported this worthy project through money collected at our Christmas musical and our annual Car Show and Shine.
For more information on the playground, please visit:
http://houstonparksboard.org/projects/oak_forest_park/
MANNA
St. Stephen’s is a founding member of MANNA, the outreach arm of the Near Northwest Ministerial Alliance. MANNA has a thrift store, food pantry and provides services including emergency assistance and a successful seniors activity day. Members of St. Stephen’s volunteer time and materials to the various ministries at MANNA and serve on its board.
Spirit Key
Spirit Key, Inc., a 501(c)(3) is a non-profit organization which has been making a difference in Texas since 2005. Last year alone Spirit Key made a difference in the lives of more than 1,500 people. For many people homelessness is a reality. Spirit Key is all about helping the homeless, veterans and ex-offenders.
St. Stephen’s members have donated money, time and talents to assist with Spirit Key’s programs.
Wesley Community Center
In 1904, women from First United Methodist Church here in Houston opened Wesley House. Its mission then was to improve the quality of life for mothers and their young children in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood. Today Wesley Community Center is the only agency in this area that provides comprehensive services to children, youth, adults and seniors.
Located at 1410 Lee Street, Wesley Community Center programs provide children with a safe and nurturing learning environment, and redirect youth away from delinquent behavior to mold them into productive adults. The Center’s programs provide adults and seniors with meals and food assistance, social opportunities, health education and spiritual enrichment. St. Stephen’s supports their mission with prayers, financial and volunteering contributions
Animal Justice League
The Animal Justice League is a local non-profit in the Oak Forest area. Their focus is on fostering animals and finding homes to adopt cats and dogs. Twice a year, St. Stephen’s partners with the Animal Justice League to host a Holiday Artisan Market from which some proceeds go towards their operating costs.
For more information on the Animal Justice League, you can visit their website at:
http://www.animaljusticeleague.org/
YMCA
The Harriet and Joe Foster Family YMCA is located on 34th Street in Houston just under 3 miles away from St. Stephen’s. It is the goal of the YMCA to create positive change in communities by investing in youth, health and their neighbors.
St. Stephen’s has supported the YMCA and their goals through monetary donations and through volunteerism.
Kairos Outside
Kairos Outside provides support to women who have an incarcerated family member. Women and their families can come together and find support from other people going through the same trials that they are. Attendees are able to find a community that supports them and will help them strengthen the family unit.
St. Stephen’s has assisted Kairos Outside with monetary donations, our prayers and support for those families affected.
Books Between Kids
Books Between Kids is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 to serve Houston’s at-risk children by providing them with books to build their own home libraries.
In 2016, St. Stephen’s collected new and gently used books to donate to Books Between Kids as well as making a financial donation to assist with the running costs of their program.
Kids’ Meals
Everyday in Houston, there are 88,740 children, or 1 out of 4 preschool aged children, who may not know where their next meal is coming from. Harris County has the 2nd highest rate of child food insecurity in the nation, meaning our children have limited or unreliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
St. Stephen’s has put together a crew to assemble meals for those in need once every month.
Food Pantry
St. Stephen’s supports the Food Pantry located at MANNA by collecting food donations monthly. The second Sunday of each month is Food Pantry Sunday. If you would like to assist with this important cause, you can bring non-perishable food to the Narthex on these days.