Wish List: How you can help the community
The Observer understands that these are difficult times for the nonprofits in our community. The need for help is increasing, while resources to help with are becoming harder to come by.
With that in mind, The Observer is looking for groups like yours to benefit. The Wish List is a section of the newspaper where people can find out where to donate items to organizations or people who need them.
If your nonprofit organization has a need for something, email us with the details at observernews@hcnonline.com . Please try to keep your list to five items or less. We will try to share at least three organizations each week.
Family Promise of Lake Houston is a nonprofit that seeks to help homeless families get back on their feet.
The organization welcomes monetary donations, household goods, local housing and day care options, and additional volunteers.
To help out with any of these items, contact Family Promise of Lake Houston at P.O. Box 14368, Humble, Texas 77347-4368, or email presidentfplh@live.com .
LMN Feline Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and volunteer-only animal welfare and rescue group. Adoptions are held at Petco in Atascocita on Saturdays from noon-4 p.m. and most Sundays from 1-3 p.m.
Due to the high number of kittens that are in foster care, LMN mostly needs weaning products such as Gerber baby foods in turkey and giblet or chicken flavors, Fancy Feast kitten canned food and other kitten canned foods, Royal Canin baby cat small kibble and Purina Kitten Chow. Topical flea products such as Revolution, Advantage, Frontline and also Capstar flea pills are always welcome.
Monetary donations to help with veterinary care can be mailed to LMN Feline Rescue, P.O. Box 600, Huffman, TX 77336. Adoptable pets can be viewed on lmn.petfinder.com . Email lmnfelinerescue@hotmail.com for more information.
Pal for Pooches is a nonprofit that provides abused and abandoned canines with medical care, shelter and placement in adoptive homes. Pals for Pooches is in the greatest need of dog food for the many dogs that are available for adoption.
Anyone interested in donating items is asked to please call 281-548-7166 or the thrift shop at 281-354-7166.
Will’s Kids is a pay-it-forward 501(c)(3) venture – the legacy of a man who loved without conditions and helped without strings. The organization subsidizes activities for children that promote self-esteem and success, mentors teens, and provides after-school programs for elementary-aged children.
Texas Foster Care - News
Adoptions are held at Petco in Atascocita on Saturdays from noon-4 pm and most Sundays from 1-3 pm Due to the high number of kittens that are in foster care, LMN mostly needs weaning products such as Gerber baby foods in turkey and giblet or chicken
Rusty Johnson will offer a training: Discussing a Taboo; empowering lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered & questioning youth in care, tonight, Aug. 15, at Jonathan's Place in Garland. Lambda Legal, Jonathan's Place and the Texas Department of Family
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trauma informed care training - Foster in Texas
This is the story of Juna. It is a fictional story that is widely used as a case study in trauma-informed care training to illustrate how trauma-informed care services can change the lives of children with a history of traumatic stress. While some of the material is hard to discuss, Juna’s story demonstrates the need for that hard discussion, especially as Texas mental health providers, advocates, and volunteers work together to provide a stronger trauma-informed care system for children and families in Texas.
Meet Juna
Both of Juna’s parents survived abusive childhoods and became alcoholics as adults. They married and had Juna and her two sisters. Throughout her childhood, Juna frequently witnessed domestic violence during her parents’ alcoholic binges. It was not uncommon for the neighbors to call the police. There was a well-documented history of domestic violence in the marriage. Around the age of four, Juna’s father began to sexually molest her. When Juna resisted, her father beat her.
Within two years, Juna’s maternal grandfather also began to sexually abuse her during his weekend visits. Juna’s mother was aware of the abuse but did not take any steps to protect her. When Juna was in first grade, her teacher noted that Juna had “problems with attention, anger management, poor social skills” and that “she appeared very sad.”
When she was in fourth grade, Juna was socially withdrawn and had no friends. She missed 40 days of school. When she was in school, Juna was frequently sent to the principal’s office because she was “acting out” and was “disruptive in class.”
As Juna reached puberty, she was less isolated, but began to use alcohol and drugs. When Juna was 13, the physical education teacher at her school sent her to the school nurse after noticing bruises on Juna’s back and legs. The nurse notified the local Child Protective Agency (CPS) . Suspecting abuse, CPS removed Juna from her family home and placed her in foster care.
During the CPS investigation, Juna would not admit that she was sexually abused. CPS substantiated physical abuse, and she remained in foster care. While Juna was in foster care, she continued to use alcohol and drugs, ran away repeatedly, and began to cut and burn her upper legs and stomach.
Due to these behaviors, Juna’s placement at the first foster home and two subsequent foster placements failed. At her fourth foster home, Juna hit the foster mother who filed assault charges against her. In court, the juvenile judge ordered Juna’s placement in a residential treatment facility.
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