December Newsletter: Happy Holidays from Vox Culture!

a. Recap: Highlights of 2012 
b. 12/20 Vox Holiday Potluck Party @ Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. (TOMORROW!)
c. "Remembered Regained Series" - Partnership with the Houston Arts Alliance / Immigration 
d. Join the Core Team!

As the year comes to a fantastic finish, we take a look back at some of the highlights of 2012 as well as exciting initiatives that are right around the corner for Vox Culture in 2013!

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a. RECAP: HIGHLIGHTS OF 2012

 

Taking a ride down memory lane, Vox is so proud of how much the organization has grown and is grateful for all the supporters that have come alongside us to help reach this success. The 2012 theme, "Home Grown: Local People for Local Causes", was designed to focus on your feedback to care for underpriviledge children, the environment and refugees at home in Houston. Here are some of the memorable moments Vox shared with you:

• Leaped over buildings with children from Salvation Army @ Superhero Party
• Feasted on 500 lbs of crawfish @ Annual Crawfish Boil
• Discovered treasures on the trash scavenger hunt @ The Beach Clean-Up
• Planted an urban garden in our "Vox Box" @ The Last Organic Outpost 
• Designed, discovered and danced with the refugees artisans from The Community Cloth @ Common Threads Series

This year we have doubled our partnerships, tripled our audience and quadrupled our dedicated team members. This has helped us deepen relationships with cause organizations, grow in diversity, expand our social network, host more interactive events, receive new opportunities, think more creativity and live out our mission more effectively. 

 

Amongst the key happenings at Vox this year, the most important was the vast internal development that took place. A revamped mission statement, a redefined focus on poverty and injustice, and a rededicated team are a few examples of significant changes that have been built into our foundation. We have met some of the most amazing people along the way who have poured into the organization through encouraging words, supportive involvement and hopeful investment. Thank you for caring for us so we can better care for our community. 

 

b. 12/20 VOX HOLIDAY POTLUCK @ BUFFALO BAYOU BREWING (5301 Nolda St.)

 

Vox Culture invites you to celebrate the holidays with us at Buffalo Bayou Brewing on TH 12/20 from 6-8PM for dinner and drinks! The theme of the event is festive hats (sombreros, gallon cowboy hats, pirate hats, kentucky derby hats are all welcome)! Please bring a dish to share for the potluck.

 

RSVP and to add your name to the guest list: http://www.punchbowl.com/ parties/5317035-the-vox-holiday-potluck. A special gift is awaiting you! 

 

c. THE REMEMBERED, REGAINED SERIES - PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE (HAA)

 

With the the Refugees at Home Trimester closing out 2012, Vox Culture takes a chiropractic shift to focus on Immigration to kick off 2013. In the coming month, keep an eye out for a series of blogs by Vox's Research & Development Coordinator, Viktor Kopic, on the link between the issues of immigration and refugees as well as insight into his personal story. 

Vox is thrilled to take on the role of Cultural and Community Collaborator in partnership with the Houston Arts Alliance for the Remembered, Regained series, a major project that will be launched by HAA's Folklife + Traditional Arts Program in the first half of 2013. The goal of the series is to celebrate the rich artistic and cultural traditions that reside in Houston’s immigrant communities. The program is comprised of numerous programs, including concerts, workshops, panel discussions, lectures and an exhibition, focusing on the music, visual culture and oral traditions of the diverse communities that exist in Houston. The Remembered, Regained series "addresses the way in which these various art forms connect communities to their homeland and aid them in creating a new life for themselves in this city."

Follow this link to see a full list of upcoming events! More details to come.

 

d. JOIN THE CORE TEAM!

Vox has been steam rolling onto the scene and garnering some serious attention from folks all around Houston - largely accredited to our fantastic team of dedicated volunteers. Some big happenings are right around the corner, and with our full list of causes and expressions lined up for 2013, we are seeking to boost our creativity and support force to continue to make a difference in Houston. It is a great time to be with Vox!

 

Ask yourself, what makes YOU come alive? The opportunity to express yourself in a creative or artistic manner? The chance to open your eyes and give a voice to social causes? We are seeking you! Creativity exists amongst us all and just like every other aspect of humanity, it comes in every shape, all sizes, and different forms. More importantly when it comes to making an impact on an individual or community, even the smallest and simplest of actions can make the biggest impact on someone. Your gifts and talents have the power to give a voice not only to an individual but to an entire community.

Change in this city is possible, but only with your help. It is with your energy and passion, your drive to make a difference that we can continue to light the way for what is yet to come in 2013! More importantly, it is with you that we can continue to connect OUR Houston community to social causes in creative ways! Click here to join the Core Team!

Spotlight: Vox Special Events Advisor!

Introducing Renia Butler, Vox Culture's Special Events Advisor! As we seek to continue to provide high quality events for our audience, Renia is amongst our superstars for helping strategize and organize Vox events. Find out soon about the upcoming events at Vox and keep up with all the ways in which you can help design and participate in creating our events via Renia!

I am an events designer/consultant and I love the challenge, the energy, the peace, the hustle, the madness and the camaraderie that come along with the industry. I am a HUGE foodie who enjoys fine wine, comforting food and uncontrollable laughter, you know the kind that makes your eyes water! I joined Vox by accident but quickly found my niche within this team team as a volunteer and have thoroughly enjoyed serving my community and giving back in a positive way.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? It’s a tie between Lemon Custard & Banana Pudding.

Favorite Food? Crab Legs or anything slathered in melted cheese and Jalapenos.

One food you would never eat? Anything “served” at a gas station (Buc-ee’s is not a gas station), specifically hot dogs. It’s just something about them constantly turning on that little rack that grosses me out.

If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose? My father.

If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose? Richard Pryor, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, Malcolm X, Lauryn Hill and Preston Bailey…can my husband eat with us?? 

November Newsletter: Recap of the "Refugees at Home" Trimester

a. Recap: Common Threads
b. Volunteer Appreciation Bowling Night
c. 12/11 Core Meeting @ 7PM

As Vox brings to a conclusion its "Refugees at Home" Trimester, we take a look back at some of the highlights of the memorable and successful Common Threads series with The Community Cloth!

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a. RECAP: COMMON THREADS

If you could choose one word to describe the Common Threads series what would it be? Interactive...empowering...meaningful? The truth is no amount of words could truly capture the experience achieved by working together with The Community Cloth throughout the Common Threads series.

During Style Scope, on September 15, Vox had a blast with the refugee artisans on an educational field trip to Francesca’s Collections (6514 Woodway, Houston, TX). Thanks to the boutique’s wonderful staff of D'Naya, Thuy and Tatiana, we were all able to learn together with the refugee artisans about the latest fashion trends and styles. While we all learned a little something about hot colors for the fall like purple and hunter green, beautiful fabrics like crochet and lace, and got some informative tips about jewelry and knit accessories, we also had a blast browsing the store and getting acquainted with the artisan women.

For the Design Workshop on October 20, Vox welcomed the artisan women for an instructional wrap-bracelet workshop, led by Julie Tien. Each attendee at the event purchased a bracelet kit, proceeds of which went towards the sponsorship of an artisan from The Community Cloth. The workshop gave participants a refreshing new view of The Community Cloth’s mission, a new skill set and a brand new wrap bracelet.

The Interwoven Mixer on November 3, was the grand finale event held at 55 Bar & Restaurant in Rice Village. With over 130 people in attendance on a rainy day, the attendees enjoyed delicious food, a"traditional meets modern" fashion show sponsored by Langford Market, and cultural dance performances by the Refugee Community Empowerment Association. Furthermore, the audience had the opportunity to purchase handmade products from the bazaar...great gifts for the holidays! This event highlighted the growth of friendships built throughout the trimester. Through these events, our hope was to create a bridge that allowed both the audience and the artisans to connect and learn from each other. Thank you for your support!

b. VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION BOWLING NIGHT

What an amazing trimester! Common Threads was a HUGE success and it couldn't have happened without our amazing, hard-working, compassionate, and dedicated volunteers! In appreciation, Vox went out for a bowling night! A friendly wager was put on the two rounds. Round 1: 25 push-ups. Round 2: 50 sit-ups. Thanks for being great sports, all!

c. 12/11 CORE TEAM MEETING

We are seeking passionate people such as yourselves to spread the word and take part in our next Core Team Meeting at the Vox Culture Warehouse, on Tuesday, 12/11 @ 7:00 PM. A home-cooked 5-star meal by your favorite Vox Team will be served during the meeting!

There has been enormous momentum driving Vox over this past year, and it is all thanks to those of you who have been volunteering and coming out to our Core Meetings to help shape and be the driving force behind Vox’s events. Help shape 2013! This is an amazing time to be a part of Vox, and your input and participation can help make a difference in this city. Be a catalyst to connect our Houston community to social causes in creative ways! Email Viktor.Kopic@voxculture.org for details and to RSVP.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Tying the Threads

Vox Culture recently concluded our Common Threads theme with a celebratory event to unite the entire community.  What a success! The Vox team, the Community Cloth, the Houston refugee community, 55 Bar and Restaurant, Langford Market, and many many more joined forces to make it happen.

"The Interwoven Mixer was a memorable celebration of the rich culture and ethnic identities of the refugee women living in our Houston community.  Without words, their faces transferred a depth of kindness and warmth to the guests and their courage and strength were evidently displayed in the beautifully hand crafted goods sold there.  The informational booths of their history displayed along the walls brought a deeper awareness of their humanity and presence in our city and the "traditional meets modern" fashion show was a fun way to represent how we could all find connection with each other through our differences.  There was a lot of passion and enthusiasm backed behind everyone involved with the event, which made this cause truly inspiring to learn about and be a part of."

-Song Kim, volunteer

Empowering the refugee community the way that the Community Cloth does is truly a cause that Vox supports. We are incredibly thankful to have partnered with the amazing folks from the Cloth and to have met the beautiful souls of all the artisans who are a part of the organization.

the Community Cloth, handmade products by the artisans

The event sought to spotlight the rich culture, tradition, and history of the artisans from the Cloth. We wanted our guests to get talking about refugees and what their roles were in Houston. One of our most important features was a visually and emotionally stimulating refugee display, which served as the centerpiece at the mixer.

refugee display, special thanks to Linda Shelton

We had some great entertainment that really set the mood: a fashion show as well as a cultural dance. Our fashion show incorporated traditional outfits from Burmese and Bhutanese cultures and their currently in-style counterparts.

models in their outfits, special thanks to our volunteers, Houston’s refugee community, and Langford Market

The dancers performed classic Burmese pieces that got the crowd pumped—some even joined in!

dancers, special thanks to John Glenn and the Refugee Community Empowerment Association

Finally, we have to give it up for the amazing raffle gifts donated to us by our supporters, including various local businesses in the Houston area. When our volunteers reached out with an opportunity to do good, we recieved warm welcomes and much enthusiam. We were deeply touched by every donation.

raffle prizes, special thanks to BB’s Café, Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company, Croissant Brioche, Dada's Candy, Kim Son, Melange Creperie, Najite Boutique, Prodigy Hair Salon, Ruggles Green, Texas Rock Gym, Romano's Macaroni Grill, and Yao’s

We are so thankful for the contributions we were able to make to the Community Cloth as a result of such a successful event! Our hope is that our audience left the mixer excited to have found such diversity within the unity of our community, and are willing to spread that excitement to the places we couldn't reach.

 

group photo, special thanks to our volunteers

More Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.425166934216414.103653.144918752241235&type=3

The Community Cloth: http://www.thecommunitycloth.org/

Testimony by Roxanne Paiva from the Community Cloth: http://www.voxculture.org/testimonies/

55 Bar and Restaurant: http://www.55houston.com/

Langford Market: http://langfordmarket.com/

Spotlight: Vox Social Media Voice!

Introducing Celia Houck, Vox Culture's official Tweeter! As our world increasingly utilizies new forms of communication and expression, we want to stay up-to-date by providing our fans yet another resource for arts and advocacy. Find out what Vox is up to and keep up with all the ways in which you can be invovled via Celia, our newest addition into the Vox family!

I am a University of Houston student-turned-oil and gas project coordinator by day, blogger and social media addict by night. I believe in expression of one's self through artistic outlets, whether it is writing, photography, art, or music and hope to help Vox Culture's social media voice grow to reach the masses. I feel that it is important to always learn and to use that knowledge to teach others about about the poverty and injustice that surrounds us as well as invoke a passion and yearning to help.

What is one book everyone should read? Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover should be required reading if not in high school, then at least for first year college students.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? I can't just choose one! Give me a rich dark chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or butter pecan...oh, and you can't forget rocky road!

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Currently I'm addicted to pancake muffins with powdered sugar and a bowl of fruit on the side.

Night Owl or Early Bird? While definitely NOT an early bird, my job prevents me from being a night owl; bed at 9pm and I'm a happy girl!

Follow Celia's adventures via her blog: http://www.unsimplycelia.com/