The Women's Home

I went to the Women's Home about 5 years ago. They opened their doors to a very broken, drug addicted woman that had lost everything. I stayed for 16 months and it changed my life. I have been drug free for over 5 years now and have regained my life. I owe everything to this amazing place.

The Women's Home is one of the most successful programs of its kind in the nation. Its goal is to help women get back on their feet, whether they have been sidelined by drugs or psychosocial illness. They learn skills to find jobs, and they learn how to trust and grow into productive citizens. The staff is wonderful! I volunteer and support TWH because it is full of people who don't need to be "seen" or impress each other. They just want to work to make the world a better place.

I had no idea there was such a place as TWH to help women get back on their feet. I had been struggling for years with substance abuse, not being able to keep a job for very long, I ruined all my relationships and was even cut off from my family. At TWH I was taught about addiction and how I can actually enjoy life without the drugs. I learned that I couldn't keep running from my feelings, and how I am "allright" with feelings today. I still continue to learn about myself and my addiction. Today and everyday I thank God for TWH, they gave me my life back, but even better than I've ever known. I've got 2 years and 11 months of sobriety- this is a miracle in itself! I'll always be grateful for TWH and all the counselors, volunteers, interns etc. They are the ones that saved my life.

I have been involved as a supporter in The Women's Home for about 10 years, The appeal is that their system of responsibility and nuturing successfully works. No government beauracy holds back a deserving candidate. It only takes committment and the Staff provides the needs. The success rate is astonishing. Not only in numbers but within each woman that goes through the program. I salute the dedicated Staff and each woman that enters the program. Both work, hearts blend and success is attained. The numbers may be small but the outcome is huge. This is a program that should be emulated in every town in the country.

I was fortunate enough to be an intern at The Women's Home during the summer of 2011. The wonderful experience and knowledge that I gained during my time was absolutely priceless. I experienced many aspects of The Women's Home, but I will always cherish the moments I had to interact with the women. They were open to change, grateful, honest, hopeful, and high-spirited. I strongly believe in the mission of The Women's Home and experienced the dedication of their staff first-hand.
I truly hope that when I return to Houston, I will be able to volunteer at this worthwhile organization.

During my association with The Women's Home, I have seen the dedication of the staff and the results this produces. The stories are always so inspirational! To my knowledge, there is not another organization for helping women that has the scope and the success rate that The Women's Home has achieved. A first class operation!

I recently joined the Women's Home Board of Directors as a non-voting member and student through Rice University. I was impressed at the organization and dedication of each board member and staff. The organization is not only helping women but truly preparing them to be empowered.

The Womens Home is an amazing gift to our community and especially to the ladies in our program over all these years. As first a volunteer and now a Partnership Board Member, it has been my joy to work with the ladies also in a classroom environment. They are the heart and soul of the entire mission - they are ALL of us, You and Me - by the grace of God go we. They are educated, many times with Bachelor and Masters degrees, with talents just waiting to burst out there after the love, spirituality and guidance of the counsel, inclusion and education of staff, volunteers and board members in our organization. Many of them have been through the worst of times in their lives, often from childhood. In our program, they choose not to be victims but to be soaring eagles, becoming the true champions of change. We are so proud of them and of every outstanding individual who has touched The Womens Home over the years. With the new Jane Cizik Garden Apartments (thank you to the Cizik's); also to Lester and Sue Smith - your light is shining through - these apartments provide homes for our graduates and for others - the environment is just warm and lovely and an oasis in Spring Branch. We are very proud of our ladies, of our staff at The Womens Home, to our volunteers, our contributors, and Board Members.

This organization is amazing and is only as special as it is through the tireless efforts of the employees, administration, volunteers and the women working their way through the program. It is always fantastic to come into the thrift store and see these women who are fighting through addictions, mental illness or whatever life has thrown at them and to see them smiling and putting an awesome life together for themselves. Thrift Store Manager Shelley Bridges cares about each of these women and runs a great, profitable store with tons of cool merchandise organized well. Things are so organized that it is easy to buy high-end items online (follow them on eBay) or come into the store to finnd something perfect.. As a volunteer and as part of the local community, I know a lot of people value the thrift store, whether as that special place to find some totally unique, amazing item or seeing a program that actually works and betters people's lives inside the city. A lot of the programs available to the disadvantaged in Houston are short-term and do not help people in the long-term. The Women's Home changes lives forever and that is great for the women, the community and society at-large.

I work for an organization that provides free financial education for the ladies at The Women's Home, as well as many other organizations and non-profits. I am delighted to say that I am constantly impressed by the quaility of services provided for the ladies at The Women's Home. The uplifiting tone and spirit of this organization is also noteworthy. Recently I attended an event where ladies from The Women's Home shared their stories, and the importance and impact of this organization's work was highly evident. I hold the work of The Women's Home in high regard, as from my perspective this organization consistently strives to provide its clients with the best possible resources, services, and experiences.

For many years I volunteered at The Women's Home to support the work of this extraordinary community. They provide a secure place to live, work training for their clients, educational facilities, guidance and the opportunity to grow in purpose, confidence and understanding. Clients sign an agreement to stay drug and alcohol free, are followed for 18 months after they have completed the 18 months of growing from a supervised living situation to their own apartment. Clients participate in classes that are educational, develop personal character and provide guidance for job interviews, office dress and positive attitude.

When you think no one cares and you feel alone, The Women's Home gives you hope. Women who suffer from abuse, who feel they have no choice and are worthless, need such a place to help them get back on their feet. All organizations that help others less fortunate are admirable. However, the path to self sufficiency that The Women's Home provides its residents is exceptional. By providing a safe and supporting environment for a woman to once again believe in herself and and gain self esteem and the confidence required to face and overcome the challenges that life presents.

The Women's Home literally saved my life. I was 8months sober when I got to the Women's Home and I had only scatched the surface of all the issues and baggage I had carried around for years and year. I couldn't stay sober, in and out of Jail and treatment programs. TWH afforded me the opportunity to heal. Through hours of therapy, classes and lectures I was able to do a real "house cleaning" The safe environment and support from my peers and staff allowed me to share honestly without feeling bad about my experiences. I am forever grateful to them. Today I am comingup on 3 years clean, held a job for over 1 1/2 years and received 2 promotions. My life will never be the same and for that I am truly blessed and grateful.

Homelessness in Houston is a tremendous problem, and resources for women are limited. The Women's Home goes beyond providing shelter. It provides training, encouragement, and support while a woman gets back on her feet.
As a volunteer, I have been witness to the changes worked in TWH clients, and to the extraordinary commitment of the staff and volunteers who work steadfastly to ensure that the needs of the women accepted into the program are met.
As a donor, I am pleased to see my dollars used efficiently and effectively.

The Women's Home gives hope and a second chance to women who have no where to turn. Those who work at TWH are dedicated to helping the women in the program regain their confidence and self-esteem to find jobs and get their lives back on track. We should all support this great organization however we can so they can continue to be successful in helping women realize they are not alone and that help is available for them.

The Womens Home restores lives. There can be no more noble mission.

Women left homeless due to a variety of circumstances ranging from abusive partners to drug abuse to simply the unfortunate convergence of life's hardships, are provided an opportunity to regain self esteem and self sufficiency via a comprehensive counseling and training program offered in a safe, loving environment. Unlike public services which often afford a short term, "band aid" fix, the Women's Home, through the enormous generosity of its donors and volunteers, returns its clients to a productive role in our society.

The Womens Home is unique - truly a special place worthy of everyone's support, providing critical, life-changing counsel and guidance to an important and vulnerable segment of our community.

After 20 years of being chemically depenpent, I was given a second chance at life. TWH provided many resources and a safe environment in which to use them. I stayed the 18 months and was able to find employment with the help of TWH and become self-sufficient.

I would not have spent 20 years volunteering at The Women's Home had I not seen their continuing significant successful track record in creating programs that return women to lives of independence and dignity. The facts and figures are there. Many of these women have experienced abuse from childhood. I cannot imagine what some have survived. I volunteer on the "business" side and am not qualified to counsel the women. I have been amazed to see how the human spirit can come back when a person is treated properly. I hope to continue volunteering for a long time to come.

It is an honor to help with such a worthwhile cause. I thank the many volunteers and emplyees that dedicate their time to help others in need in the Houston Area. The award would go a long way to further helping the women of our area that need our help now. Thanks!

THIS IS SUCH A TERRIFIC ORGANIZATION AND HELPS WOMEN IN MANY WAYS AND GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND LIVE OUT LIFE TO THE FULLEST. EVERY VOLUNTEER POURS THEIR HEART OUT TO HELP THEM ALL AND EVERY RECIPIENT ALL SEEM VERY GREATFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

I am a volunteer at the home and absolutely LOVE what the home stands for. Everyone there is so nice and cordial and goes out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable. They are there to help others succeed in many different ways. I have been volunteering for many years and look forward to many more great years.

I have seen how The Women's Home has changed the lives of women in my community. They receive the support and resources they need to make positive, radical changes in their lives. That is why I volunteer as much time and resources as I can to help out this wonderful organization.

There is nothing more valuable than self worth. To have someone believe in you when you can't believe in yourself is priceless. Often it is that mustard seed amount of faith that makes great things happen.

The people who make The Women's Home and all it offers possible to reach those in their time of need are heros in Houston. Not only do they provide resources, structure, and compassion to other ladies, but they are their only place of refuge.

I have been blessed not to have need of TWH personally. But I have been fortunate to hear other women share their story and how TWH was vital to their existence. Every story unique but all share a common thread - TWH. You never know how much of an impact helping one life actually touches many lives.

You can be assured The Women's Home will be wise stewards of this award.

I was at TWH for 13 months and it has definitely changed my life for the better. It is one of the best decisions that I have ever made and thanks to ernestly seeking for a new way of living and all the support that I received there, all my decisions are good today. I successfully completed the program there and now have my own apartment and a great job with potential for much growth. I still get services from TWH. I have been gone from there for 10 months, now and still meet with my individual therapist and my spiritual mentor. I have such a good life today. I am ever so grateful for TWH and pray that other ladies will take advantage of the opportunity that is offered, with such dignity, integrity and on and on. I can't say enought good things about this program. I am a very special person, today.

The Women's Home is the best!!! They provide exception services to women who are homeless, victims of domestic violence, alcohol/drug abuse, and/or need comprehensive services to improve their lives. Their WholeLife Treatment Model is one of the most successful programs of its kind. We are lucky to have The Women's Home in Houston. Thanks for each and every employee for the hard work they do, every day, to change the lives of women.

As a newcomer to Houston I was thrilled to find The Women's Home as a place where I can volunteer my talents. This organization is professionally run and works hard to make sure volunteers are not just appreciated but also matched well with their skill set. It takes an extra effort on the part of an organization to find a good fit--and I think The Women's Home really does it well. The range of programs and success offered to the clients is impressive--the stories of the women who have found a way out of addiction and despair thanks to this organization are truly moving. Likewise, the organization offers great opportunities for volunteers and donors to get involved in a way that allows them to grow. It is truly refreshing to find a place that values all its constituents!