Women In Community Service Inc.

TO DO, DOING, DONE...

Staying Busy

The following list is not necessarily in order and is not meant to be complete but is here to give you an insight into some of the things that we do to make a difference in our community. We hope you will be inspired and encouraged to "bloom where you are planted."

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*General secreterial type services for local widower who needs much help in settling Estate issues. Referrals to attorneys, CPS's and State agencies.* DOING

*Lost a good friend. Helping family members with funeral, burial, legal issues. *DOING

*Regular visits and support of supplies to elderly. Taking treats and entertainment, letter writing and general keeping up the Good Spirits! DOING

*Emergency situation with local elderly widow. Health care, personal finance support, hospice care * DOING

*Writing letters for citizen needing to file documents with the City* DONE*

*Communicating with City Departments to help an elderly woman with an incorrect water bill* DOING

*Lending support and resources to a family in search of their missing son *DOING

*Helping a working mom re-write her resume *DONE*

* Do-It-Yourselfer was unsure about some electrical work. Got him the information complete with diagrams and printed them for his convenience off of the Lowe's website *DONE*


* Caring family found orphaned Baby Bunnies, found emergency care and shelter within driving distance at Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation www.twrc-houston.org , 595 Wycliffe, Houston, Texas 713/468-8972 *DONE*

*Getting Health related Hardship Permits for elderly in Community *DOING*

* Helping an elderly citizen with land deed and title *DONE*

*Getting street lights repaired to enhance the security of the community *DONE*

*Made doctor's appointment and secured funding for person in need of medical attention. *DONE*

*Passing along information to interested persons concerning government grants for home purchase, real estate investment, business investment, etc *DONE*

*Sharing resources and information with a young family that want to purchase their first home *DOING*

*Lending our experience and information to a private business concerning residential ordinances that may affect their business *DOING*

* Working with elderly citizen who is having trouble communicating with City Government concerning permits *DOING*

* Working with local Citizens On Patrol in getting 'no parking' signs installed at a dangerous intersection. *DONE*

* Young man has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Days became short and we tried to be there to help. He went to be with the Lord on Dec. 31st, 2003. We have helped with arrangements, donated a memorial for the family and remain available to his widow and family * DOING*

* Residents want to donate time to a local charity this Thanksgiving - provided names of several charities that can use the help * DONE

* Helping police with information about juveniles roaming the streets late at night* DOING

* Helping neighbors get heavy trash picked up after weeks and weeks of waiting * Doing..

*Researching information concerning neighboring airport for concerned citizens*DOING*

*Helping local residents clean up and rebuild after recent flooding *DOING*

*Helping elderly resident with property tax dilemma *DONE*

*Collecting and delivering audio and video materials from local churches and volunteers to donate to a local branch of a national Prison Ministry *DONE*

* Gearing up for this weekends ADOPT A BLOCK project *DOING*

*Equipped a hard of hearing person's phone with an amplifing device * DONE*

*Delivering our first wave of meals * DONE*

*Putting together a list of persons who will volunteer to provide meals to certain identified individuals who are not eating everyday * DOING *

*Participating in the Award Ceremonies of the Houston Police Department Positive Interaction Program. Awards are given to citizens across Houston who have been nominated by their divisional PIP members for outstanding volunteerism in the fields of police and civilian relationships and affecting the reduction of crime in general. * DONE*

*Getting a walker for resident* DONE*

* It's tax time again. Have clients needing help with taxes * DOING*

* Elderly client needs help with exemption status on property, working with Harris County Appraisal District and getting in touch with our notary * DONE*

* Apartment resident has been in need of a working refridgerator since the Summer of '99. Has been asking the Management all along and only getting promises while her food spoils. She is on a fixed income. The Apartments are run by the US Department of HUD. In the process of contacting the State of Texas *DONE*

* Went caroling on Christmas Eve to neighborhood residents and a couple out of our area. It was cold and damp but it was WONDERFUL to see the expressions on the faces of the carolers and those being sung to. EVERYONE was blessed! *DONE*

* Participating in the dedication ceremonies of five brand new houses by Habitat For Humanity. The new families cut the ribbons to their new homes after receiving a Home Improvements Book and more importantly, a Bible, the best Home Improvement Book ever written. We had presentations of the WICS baskets full of goodies and an information packet about the neighborhood, including Glen Lee Citizens On Patrol, the Women In Community Service Inc organization and the Houston Police Departments' Positive Interaction Program. *ONGOING*

* Matching up families in need with private and commercial segments of the community that wish to help out this holiday season *ONGOING*

*Working with Private Sector Initiatives/ Home Savers, to get needed repairs on two homes. *DONE*

*Preparing Welcome Baskets for new residents and making preparations for the dedicaton ceremony by Habitat For Humanity *ONGOING*

*Helping a gentleman who had no one to help fix his only vehicle. Found a mechanic, and ran for parts. *DONE*

* Confidential case *DOING*


*Helping find volunteers and materials for a project of one of the COP members* DONE*

*Getting an elderly client to the doctors office this morning.*DONE*

*Cooperating with Adult Protective Services in an investigation of Elder Abuse in our Community.*DONE*

* Putting together our Adopt-A-Block project which will be a joint effort with the Glen Lee Citizens On Patrol. We will be maintaining a LARGE area of our community with the help of Keep Houston Beautiful.*DOING*

* Organizing the material, man power and other resources to replace a small bathroom which is collapsing off the back of a neighbors' house. *DONE*

* Collecting and picking up donations of new underwear and socks in answer to the appeal made by The Star of Hope Mission in downtown Houston. The beginning of the cold season has brought large numbers of homeless into the shelter and they are in need of these items. *DOING *

*Getting information for new residents who need to get their sewer and water lines hooked up.*DOING*

*Volunteering at the local Family Time center for those in need.*DOING*

*Volunteering at the local Pals For Pooches to get new homes for area dogs.*DONE*

* Taking training for Rape Crisis counseling.*DONE*

* Helping a lady catch, spay and neuter and relocate a bunch of abandoned cats and kittens.*DONE*

* Lending out the WICS Spare Wheel Chair to an area resident who needed one unexpectedly. *DONE*

*Helping area residents to get weeded lots cleared *ONGOING*

*Delivering a phone amplifier to an elderly client, donated by the Rodriguez family. *DONE*

* Preparing a resume for a recent high school graduate.* DONE*

* More books for the VA Hospital!! * DOING*

*Looking for phone amplifier equipment for hard of hearing client *DONE*

*Getting a garbage problem resolved for a neighbor. *DONE*

*Speaking with Human Resources Dept. for an elderly resident needing in-home care. *DONE*

Making arrangements for the upcoming National Night Out. *ONGOING EVERY YEAR*

Writing the next hard copy newsletter for the "July/August" issue of "The News Box". *DONE*

*Writing the newsletter* ONGOING*

*Locating and faxing a list of area Alzheimers Support Groups and other helpful numbers to a counselor and family in need.*DONE*

*Writing our new hard copy newsletter "The News Box",a cooperative publication of the Glen Lee Citizens On Patrol and Women In Community Service Inc. * DONE* (If you would like a copy, send me your snail mail address)

*Gathering resources made available by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the aid of Crime Victims at a two day seminar* DONE*

*Filling out paperwork and acquiring documents for an elderly resident who needs his hardship permit renewed* DONE*

*Following up with the City of Houston for an elderly resident seeking sewer and water connections *DONE*

*Making phone calls and securing forms for a recently widowed resident who needs hardship permits for her property* DONE*

* Participating in the month of March/City of Houston "March On Crime" parade in Fifth Ward *DONE*

*Designing and building a pully system for a bedridden resident *DONE*


* Locating a wheel chair for local resident who is bedridden with cancer * DONE*

Collecting baby items for the Childrens Protective Services pantry project of the NE Positive Interaction Program * ON GOING *

* Preparing for "March On Crime", The men and women of Women In Community Service and the Glen Lee COP will be joining in with the residents of the Fifth Ward for the annual march/parade, * DONE*

*Collecting books, magazines, videos and tapes to deliver to the Veterans' Hospital * ON GOING *

* Updating and making personalized shopping lists for our "Grocery Run" clients. * DONE*

Baking goodies for the Veterans at the Houston VA Hospital for St.Valentines Day * DONE

Getting our volunteers ready for the upcoming NE Division Houston Police "Show & Go" Car Show * DONE

*Send "Get Well", "Congratulations", "Birthday","Sympathy", etc. cards to those we know about. * ON GOING

*Keep in contact with elderly citizens who live alone. * DOING

*Client called about getting elderly parent out of sub-standard housing. 1) Get background and history 2)decide if it is "do-able" and make client aware that he must remain a full working partner in this undertaking, WICS believes strongly in "helping by teaching" (Remember the old story about "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day but teach him how to fish and he will eat for a lifetime"?) 3)research with established contacts: Council members office, HUD, Housing and Community Dev., private sector, etc. 3) set up appointments to interview 4)Meet with key people 5)follow-up phone calls 6)firm up commitments 7) watch things start to happen 8)Keep in contact with project managers 9)shack torn down,ground cleaned and leveled, foundation and plumbing in, manufactured house set up,furniture, utility hook-ups,final inspections,complete landscaping 10)dedication day 11) new home owner moves in 12) follow up with all key "movers and shakers". * DONE

* Single parent seeking way to move manufactured home on to her property within the city limits. 1)meet with client and determine that a "Hardship Permit" will be necessary 2)make contacts and prepare way for interviews with city departments (Client is Spanish speaking) 3) client gathers all necessary paper work and evidence to prove need 4) client makes appointments and files paperwork 5) fax machine made available 6)guide client through City legal dept. and the "General Appeals Board" process 7)make client aware of additional permits required for plumbing and electrical and supply contact information 8)found aid for water and sewer hook-ups through grant money 9)Client moves in with children 10) Follow-up with key people who made things happen. * DONE

* Elderly resident needs grocery shopping done for her. * DOING

* Elderly residents need help straightening out property tax situation. DONE

* Elderly resident needs someone to pick up medications. * DOING

* Single parent needs someone to care for child in emergency situation. * DOING

* Citizens need names and numbers of City Departments for reporting service needs. * DOING

* Citizen looking for information on education. 1)Utilized internet for research on Texas Education Code and TEA 2) printed and prepared client copies * DONE

*Mother needing counseling for her child , prefers someone with Christian background who will still qualify for insurance. 1) Research local churches for "professionals" registry 2)made options available to client * DONE

* Prepared photographic evidence of neighborhood trash problem 2) accompanied resident to City Hall for appointment with council member aide 3)lent credability to the meeting with long time relationship we have shared with the City * DOING

* Research for citizen needing information on the "Family Code" of the State of Texas. 1)Prepared client copies of applicable statutes including contacts for further investigation. * DONE

* Research on Metro Bus routes for client needing to transport an elderly, disabled person to and from regularly scheduled medical treatments. * DOING

* Locate "male mentors and tutors" for inner city youth who are currently at risk of failing elementary school. * DOING

* Citizen seeking referrals for legal counsel. 1)determine "type" of help needed 2) locate organization that specializes in that type of legal representation 3) helped client with wording of initial contact letter. * DONE

* Elderly client needed to acquire a clear title to his home for insurance purposes. 1)determined what exactly the insurance was requiring 2)made calls to the State of Texas, Harris County Appraisal District, City and County departments 3) sent required letters 4)ordered and made copies of required documents 5)made fax and long distance available 6)follow-up at pre-determined time 7) reviewed returned documents and kept one copy on file for client at clients request * DONE

* Client wanted to get in touch with his elected Senators, Representatives and Education Boards. 1) Reseached internet 2) printed and made copies available to client * DONE

And the list continues as long as WICS is around and able.....

The varied experience ...

and knowledge of our members makes it possible for us to help in many different areas.

It will work the same for you. You all have something to offer in your experience and the people you know. Keep your eyes and ears open for the opportunity to serve.