February Newsletter: Superheroes Team Up for Children at Salvation Army!

a. Focus: Children at Home
b. Figures: At Risk Children in Harris County
c. Facts: Salvation Army Family Residence
d. Fun: 3/4 Cape Making & 3/24 Superhero Party
e. Future: Upcoming Events

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a. FOCUS: Children at Home

"Children are our most valuable resources" ~ Herbert Hoover. Under the umbrella of Vox's 2012 Homegrown theme, our first cause focus will be around underprivileged children. Join us in the following months as we explore more about this social issue in Houston and create opportunities in partnership with Salvation Army to serve our community!

• Vox Imprint (Arts & Crafts): Sun 3/4 Cape Making
• Vox Culture (Social Event): Sat 3/24 Superhero Party
• Vox Conspiracy (Discussion): April TBD

b. FIGURES: At Risk Children in Harris County

The term “at risk” is frequently used to describe children who are subject to factors such as poverty, childhood health concerns, inequitable education and safety issues. According to the Salvation Army 2010 Annual Report, as of 2008, there were 1.1MM children ages 0-17 in Harris County. 264M (23%) live in or near poverty. Children in low-income families have a higher risk of dropping out of school, poor adolescent and adult health, poor employment outcomes, and experiencing poverty as adults. In addition, 229M children live with a mental illness and approximately 10% of whom suffer an emotional disturbance enough to disrupt daily life. 38% of the poor children in Harris County live in a household headed by a single woman. To learn more, check out:

• “Who Are America’s Poor Children?”
•  Homeless Families with Children

"We didn't choose to be what we are. And it could be argued that this life chose us. We live it. With all its changes and challenges. Obstacles. Disappointments. Failures. Its successes. Its joys." ~Wonder Girl

c. FACTS: Salvation Army Family Residence

The Salvation Army is an international 501(c) Christian non-profit organization with a mission to serve the less fortunate. The Family Residence is 1 of 17 SA operation centers in Houston.

The Family Residence provides temporary assistance for needy families. This Federal Grant Program has 4 goals: 1) Assist needy families so that children can be cared for in their own homes, 2) Reduce dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage 3) Prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies, 4) Encourage 2-parent families. The Family Residence also provides behavioral management training for parents and children, psycho-education on childhood mental disorders, domestic violence counseling for survivors, and trauma focused therapy. 88.4 cents of every dollar donated goes to direct services.

d. FUN: 3/4 Cape Making & 3/24 Superhero Party

"Let's show these kids they're not only worth fighting for, but we're fighting alongside them" ~Johnny Lin, Salvation Army Counselor Intern aka Freedom Fighter for Kids

• Volunteer Sign-Up: Power Up, Superheroes!
• Scholarships: For only $10, sponsor a scholarship for a child to attend Superhero Academy. Donation covers alternate identity, training, school supplies and super foods! Donate online or make checks payable to Vox Culture Houston (PO BOX 42535, Houston TX 77242)

e. FUTURE: Upcoming Events

• Texas Salsa Congress 3/9-3/11: Support our instructors from the Vox “Knock Your Socks Off” Salsa Night! Put on your dancing shoes and register here!
  
• The Road to Slavery - A Discussion on International Trafficking: 3/29 @ 6:30-9:00PM | Jerabeck Athletic Center 4000 Mt. Vernon St. | CAMSA

Power Up, Superheroes!

"It is a new age. An age of heroes. An age in which we all have contributions to make, in many and varied ways..." ~The Vision

As we zoom in our cause focus to "Children at Home", Vox is excited to partner with Salvation Army to throw a Superhero Party for the kids!

Setting: Superhero Academy
Mission: Superhero Training
Activities: Create alternate identities, gain skills at training, eat super foods, perform in team fashion show, complete final mission & graduate from Superhero Academy

Vox Imprint Cape Making: Every hero needs an alternate identity. Help create capes and utility belts for the kids in preparation for the Superhero Party! Lunch will be served.
Date: March 4th, 2012 @ 12:30 - 2:30PM
Location: Vox Culture
Contact: julie.tien@voxculture.org

Superhero Party @ Salvation Army: Calling all Superheros and Sidekicks! Interested in helping the children through Superhero training? Sign up!
Date: March 24th, 2012 @ 9AM - 2:30PM
Sign Up: http://bit.ly/zMyWLU
Contact: alissa.kit@voxculture.org

January Newsletter: 2012 Theme = HOMEGROWN

a. Top 11 in 2011
b. 2012 Theme = Homegrown: Local People for Local Causes.
c. Vox Holistic Experience
d. 3/24 Superhero Party benefiting Children of Salvation Army
e. Upcoming Events

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Our team is excited and energized for the new year and look forward to creating memorable experiences with you! To start off, wanted to lay groundwork for 2012 by reflecting on where we've been, setting a theme and process for the year, and inviting YOU to get involved.

a. VOX CULTURE'S TOP 11 in 2011

"You've got to know where you've been to know where you are going." We are so grateful for the partnerships, volunteers and team members that contributed to the growth and success of our organization. Check out our TOP 11 in 2011 as a recap of fun times from last year.

b. 2012 THEME = HOMEGROWN: Local People for Local Causes.

"Charity begins at home, but should not end there." ~Thomas Fuller. Houston is such a vast city and what better place to pour our energy than by starting at home. In 2012, we aim to offer opportunities that draw on grassroots efforts to benefit local causes. Thank you for your input in helping us narrow our focus areas for the year to address the causes YOU care about. After a collaborative brainstorming session, the three main issues of interest include underprivileged children, caring for our environment and refugee/immigration reform. These will be divided into themed trimesters. (Artwork by Jody Lee)

c. VOX HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE

At Vox, our goal is to raise awareness about social issues through creative expression. In an effort to offer a well-rounded experience for our audience, Vox leaders have designed a process that utilizes Head (Conspiracy) / Heart (Culture) / Hands (Imprint) method. By focusing on one cause across a trimester, we aim to provide multiple opportunities for you, as our guest, to learn and get involved with an issue and cause organization. We hope that through this process, you will gain a deeper understanding of the distress in Houston and leverage your creativity to care for our city.

d. 3/24 SUPERHERO PARTY BENEFITING CHILDREN OF SALVATION ARMY


Our first focus of the year will be Children at Home and we will be throwing a Superhero Party in partnership with Salvation Army on Saturday, 3/24.

About Salvation Army Family Residence: The residence opened in 1984 and serves as a safe haven and transitional living for homeless women and children. Some of the residents are victims of domestic violence, substance abuse, crime, illiteracy, or unemployment. Services include home furnishings, financial assistance, case management and classes that include computer instructions, cooking/nutrition/ financial planning, GED/ESL classes, health issues, job readiness, life skills, and parenting for the residents. Benefits are given with the expected goal of independent living. The children are provided with counseling, tutoring, and child-care services as well as school supplies, and uniforms. Occasionally, the children get to participate in field trips, parties and educational summer day camp.

Help put a smile on these children's faces - get an early start by being involved with the planning process! First meeting will be on Tuesday, 2/7 @ 7PM - Vox Warehouse. Contact Johnny Lin for details.
 
e. UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2/18 Free the Captives' 2nd Annual Houston Human Trafficking Conference. | Houston, TX
  
• 2/24-25 Justice Conference "Love is a Thread" | Portland, OR

Vox Culture's TOP 11 in 2011

ELEVEN Interactive Events: Beautiful You, Break for Japan, Crawfish Boil, Speak Hope, Mosaic Madness, Bridgeland Tri, Just Shop, Pack & Deliver Film, Salsa Night, SEARCH Holiday Party, Justice Market

TEN Core Team Members

NINETEEN Artist Showcases + Nine Imprint Creatives

1. TK Ahn (visual)
2. Ayad Fadel (visual)
3. Anne Jensen (visual)
4. Dianne Webb (visual)
5. Morris Molina (visual)
6. Caroline Marcos (visual)
7. Jeff Montgomery (visual)
8. Marlon Lizama (spoken word, dance)
9. Havikoro + bboys (dance)
10. Chris Cortez (visual, dance)
11. Darnell Allen (dance)
12. Ruby Rivera (dance)
13. Erica Fletcher (film-maker)
14. Erock1 (dj, dance)
15. Ad Deum Dance Company (dance)
16. Kristine Hu (photographer)
17. Michael Sun (logo, graphic artist)
18. Naoko Fu (flyer designer)
19. Andrew Fox (flyer designer)

9 x Imprint Creatives: Andrea Wong, Alice Sun, Charlene Quah, Elaine Lau, Grace Chiao, Julie Tien, Sarah Headrick, Shiou Teng, Yvonne Wu

EIGHT Hundred Event Attendees

SEVEN Cause Partners: SEARCH, Not for Sale Campaign, Free the Captives, Chrysalis Mentoring Program, Living Water, International Rescue Committee, Million Crane Project

SIX Creative Expressions: Visual Art, Dance, Film, Crafts, Food, Community Builders

FIVE Social Media Outlets: Vox Website, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Monthly Newsletter

FOUR Year Anniversary

THREE Themed Initiatives: Human Trafficking, Poverty, Homelessness

TWO New Branches: Vox Imprint & Vox Conspiracy

ONE Mission: “Combining the Voices of Creativity and Cause…”

Party on...!

Weeks have passed, but the joy and uplifted spirit from the SEARCH Holiday Party still resonates...


Highlights from the party included: hot food off the grill, holiday beats, chess games, ornament making, football routes, stocking gift-sets, photoboothing and of course...the dance-off! But above all, the conversations and connection with the residents made this event truly memorable.

SEARCH Staff, Phoebe Wong, writes: "Residents have been absolutely RAVING about the party.  Here are some comments that the residents shared with me:

• One woman started tearing up and shared that she was overwhelmed by how far people went to make this such a great party.
• Another man who painted an ornament (it turned out beautifully and got many compliments) said he’d never done anything like that before. I teased him and said maybe he found his next career.
• One woman couldn’t stop laughing during the dancing, and said that this made her day.
• I overheard some residents saying as the volunteers were leaving, “these people were so nice and sweet.”  I think that speaks to the compassion and heart that volunteers brought into their interactions with residents
• The front desk monitor said, “my compliments to the chef” and wrote an incident report to the property manager about how organized and well-run the party was.

There’s so much more I can pass on with you and rave about, but these are just a representation of how appreciative the residents were.  If not for my commitment to confidentiality, I could tell you so much about what certain residents have been going through, and how much of a refreshing and healing quality this party and the volunteers’ presence brought to them."

1. See more photos.

2. See cupid shuffle.

Vox Volunteer, Andrew Fox, writes: "Getting to be a part of this VOX event with SEARCH was definitely special for me. While it was certainly great to bless the lives of the people at Jackson Hinds, it is so much more a blessing to hear their fantastic stories, see their genuine smiles, and learn how these hardy souls have held onto hope..."

SPECIAL THANKS to the following groups/organizations for their support:

- SEARCH Homeless Services
- Jackson Hinds Gardens Staff and Residents
- Vox Holiday Planning Team
- Vox Volunteers
- Gifts in Kind: Kroger (Buffalo Spwy), Randall's, Walmart, Dr.Luk Dental, Philosophy, Panera Bread
- KV3 Photography

Through this event, we have learned more about the issue of homelessness in our city, have seen the generous side of humanity and have been touched by the lives at Jackson Hinds. Vox looks forward to creating more opportunities where we can care for our community in 2012. Join us!