The National Trends and Services facet focuses on addressing societal behaviors and conditions that impact local communities. The Missouri City (TX) Chapter of Links, Incorporated in recent years, has chosen to focus primarily on issues related to health and nutrition, anti-bullying, human trafficking and voter education/registration.
“Empowering People; Transforming Lives!”
Partner in National Trends and Services: Cuney Homes
2016-2019
The vision of the National Trends and Services facet is to eliminate disparities by reducing barriers to services through advocacy, education, and service. For over 25 years, the Missouri City (TX) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated (MCCL) has addressed the clothing and food needs of seniors and some families at the Cuney Homes, low-income housing development run by the Houston Housing Authority. African American seniors aged 55 and older continue to face obstacles greater than their Caucasian counterparts. Research indicates that 29% are below the poverty level. As a result, they are not always in a position to travel to get food, clothing or items of necessity. Furthermore, the Cuney Homes development is located in a food desert. There are many corner stores, with their high prices in the neighborhood but no grocery stores in walking distance.
The Missouri City (TX) chapter had a vision of easing the financial burden for seniors and low-income residents living in Cuney Homes. The mission was to host a Rummage Sale at the Cuney Homes providing the residents an easy, affordable way of purchasing new gently used households items and clothing. In addition, the Chapter also wanted to provide food to senior citizens whose income was below the poverty level, so they and their families living with them could enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner, complete with all the fixings. Therefore, funds received from the Rummage Sale was used to provide Thanksgiving baskets of food to seniors. Cuney Homes is a 500 unit family development under the ownership of the Houston Housing Authority. It is the largest housing development in Houston owned by the Houston Housing Authority. It is a family development with over 100 senior residents on property. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the residents are minorities with ties to the Third ward community where the property is located. The Missouri City (TX) chapter had three goals for this program: (1) Provide seniors and residents with needed clothing and household items at a nominal price. (2) Raise funds to purchase food and staples for Thanksgiving Baskets for donations to seniors, without using chapter funds. (3) Donate food to seniors allowing them to enjoy a home cooked Thanksgiving meal.
The Annual Green Elephant Rummage Sale
The Annual Rummage Sale, called the Green Elephant Rummage Sale, is held the first Saturday in November of each chapter year. Through coordination of the National Trends & Services Facet, members of the Missouri City Chapter of the Links, Inc. (MCCL) began collecting items for the rummage sale after the Chapter Retreat, held in August of each chapter year. In partnership with the Cuney Homes Resident Council, which donates a large room to host the Green Elephant Rummage Sale, members of the National Trends & Services facet collect items for months and, on the day of the event, meet early to organize donated items by category (household goods, bedding, clothing, shoes, accessories, etc.) The event generally last 4-5 hours and drawings are held for gift cards to Target, HEB and Walmart, as our way of thanking the residents for their support and purchases. With proceeds from the sale, the National Trends & Services committee purchase food for baskets, i.e. chicken, stuffing, greens, fresh fruits and vegetables. Baskets are assembled and presented to senior residents the Tuesday before Thanksgiving at the Cuney Homes Community Center. Senior residents identified by the Houston Housing Authority, notified to pick up their Thanksgiving Baskets on a specific date. Those unable to attend have their baskets delivered to them by a MCCL member and Cuney Homes volunteer. The Green Elephant Sale is an event the seniors and residents look forward to annually. It is widely attended, with a line of residents waiting before the doors open. Members of the Missouri City (TX) chapter are on hand to assist residents with items, pricing and packaging. Seniors and residents enjoy socializing with MCCL members and are eager to wait for each raffle drawing. The event is a culmination of providing needed items at a low price, social engagement with the seniors and residents, and the raffle drawings provide for a fun, relaxed environment, where MCCL members have developed a respected and trustworthy relationship with the residents of Cuney Homes.
Annually, MCCL’s National Trends & Services Facet hosts the Green Elephant Rummage Sale for seniors and residents at Cuney Homes. On Saturday, November 4, 2017 the Rummage Sale was held at the Cuney Homes development. Funds raised support the Thanksgiving Baskets, filled with food, for seniors to enjoy a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner meal. On Tuesday, November 21, 2017 the MCCL members presented 67 baskets full of food to make a Thanksgiving dinner. The 2018 Rummage Sale was held on Saturday, November 3, 2017 the Cuney Homes Community Building. Over 200 residents passed through the building and participated in the purchasing of items and the hourly raffles. On Tuesday, November 22, 2018 the MCCL members presented 75 baskets to senior residents again filled with food for a full Thanksgiving dinner. The Black Nurses Association partnered with MCCL to offer Blood Pressure Screenings to customers of the Rummage Sale, Cuney Homes and MCCL members.
The MCCL members also setup the beautiful Christmas tree in which was donated to the Cuney community in 2016 by one of our partners.
Plant It Forward at Cuney Homes
2018-2019
Fifty bags of fresh fruits and vegetables were distributed to Senior Citizens. A short presentation on healthy living and palliative care will be presented.
Anti-Bullying
2018-2019
To bring awareness to the growing crisis of bullying, National Trends and Services held engaging workshops on Anti-Bullying.