Christian Community Service Center
Feeding hunger, Fostering Hope, Furthering Success
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
CCSC works to alleviate hunger, homelessness, lack of access to medical care and other symptoms of poverty. Programs in three overlapping areas address fundamental issues: Basic needs addressing hunger, housing, medical and providing longer-term referrals; Employment through three programs addressing vocational training and job readiness skills; and Youth services providing school supplies and uniforms, toys, educational materials and food at Christmas, and a vision care program offering vision screening for low-income students and furnishing prescription glasses. According to the National KIDS COUNT Data Center, 33% of Houstons children live in poverty. The poverty rate for the entire city is 27.3%, higher than the state average of 20.7%. CCSC works to transform lives, providing hope and a sense of renewed possibility to those facing challenging life circumstances. The organization is not just giving a handout, but giving the resources to overcome barriers.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Emergency Services, Central and Southwest sites
Emergency Services offers food, clothing, hygiene items and financial assistance for rent, utilities and medical expenses to those in need. Each site is open 5-6 days per week, including Saturday. Volunteers and staff greet and interview clients to determine their needs while respecting their dignity and life situation. In 2023 the program assisted 12,131 unduplicated individuals.
Back To School
Back To School provides disadvantaged Pre-K through 12th grade students in CCSC's 34 zip-code area with a package of grade-appropriate school supplies, a new backpack and a clothing gift card before the school year begins. Families preregister 3 months before the distribution event to ensure CCSC secures an adequate amount of items in each grade category and that all children in the family receive a comprehensive packet. Approximately 4,000 students are outfitted each year.
Martha's Way
Martha's Way is a unique 42-hour vocational training program that equips students to run their own housekeeping businesses. It is also an opportunity for the struggling mother to contribute to household income while still caring for her family. Training is provided in three primary areas: technical skills, professional development and business skills. Students are also offered optional English as a second language classes as well as computer classes and additional professional development and financial coaching sessions through our JobNet program. Job leads are provided to graduates to help jump-start their new businesses. Since the program's inception in 2003, over 2,200 budding entrepreneurs have graduated from the program.
JobNet
JobNet offers a variety of skill-building services and access to the tools required to search for and obtain gainful and lasting employment. JobNet clients come from a variety of backgrounds and often face challenges in a traditional job search, such as limited computer skills, limited experience, or limited education. The program offers individual job and financial security coaching, skill-building workshops, computer education, and access to business tools such as printers, the internet, and business cards. One of the strongest features of the program is the small, supportive environment that encourages each participant while they navigate the current job market and the ups and downs of searching for employment.
Professional Home Caregiving Training
The Professional Home Caregiving Training program was initiated in 2020 in response to a need in the community for nonmedical caregivers who could tend to older individuals in their homes rather than in group facilities. The 45-hr free program equips individuals to work for themselves or an agency. Graduates receive job leads, coaching, and other support.
Jingle Bell Express
Jingle Bell Express began as one of the first outreach programs of Christian Community Service Center. The program quickly expanded and thanks to the generosity of many wonderful Houstonians, we support about 2,500 children and their families each holiday season. Jingle Bell Express offers three layers of service: toys, books and food to address every child's need for play, literacy and nutritious meals. Children in need (from newborn to age 15) who live in our 34-zip code service area are eligible for enrollment.
Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program
CCSC established the Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program to remove barriers for children needing eyeglasses. Each school year CCSC partners directly with school campuses in particularly underserved parts of our service area and operates the program in two phases. First, CCSC volunteers provide on-site vision screening to students at partner campuses, working collaboratively with school nurses to identify children in need. Then CCSC coordinates follow-up field trips to the University of Houstons University Eye Institute for professional examinations and eyeglass dispensary services.
Where we work
Awards
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of volunteers
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Volunteer numbers shrank during the pandemic. Post-pandemic, our volunteer numbers to continue to rise.
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Emergency Services, Central and Southwest sites
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
In the Emergency Services programs, duplicated numbers are also tracked because many clients require more than one service in a year. In 2020, clients received a total of 109,544 services.
Number of one-on-one coaching sessions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults, Unemployed people
Related Program
JobNet
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
A staff Success Coach, Financial Coach, and volunteers conduct the sessions. Clients have been served in-person and via Zoom during the pandemic based on client preference.
Number of students served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
Back To School
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
The program provides a complete package of new school supplies and a voucher for new clothing to disadvantaged children in grades PreK-12th.
Number of program graduates
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Women and girls, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Martha's Way
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
CCSC is committed to addressing the immediate physical needs of people in crisis and also providing a pathway to greater self-sufficiency. The organization was founded in 1980 as a coalition of churches coming together to meet the needs of the poor in Houston's inner-city community. CCSC's mission has remained steadfast since inception, now including 40 member churches serving 34 Houston zip codes.
-Basic Needs: CCSC assists those who come to its doors in need of crucial everyday living essentials. Volunteers greet, interview, and determine client needs while respecting their dignity and life situation. Depending on need, clients may receive a five-day supply of nutritious food (including fresh produce grown in the CCSC Garden, when available), hygiene products, and financial assistance for rent, utilities, or essential medical needs of prescriptions, urgent dental care, and vision care (eye exams/glasses). Clients are also referred to other CCSC programs and to other agencies committed to helping them break the cycle of poverty given their unique family situation.
-Employment: The Martha's Way program trains low-income women and men to begin a residential housekeeping business. Graduates leave the program with the business acumen, connections, and confidence needed for success. The Professional Home Caregiver Training Program provides hands-on vocational training for those interested in pursuing a career in home caregiving. JobNet assists the unemployed and underemployed find gainful work. The program provides skill-building workshops, computer training, job leads, resume development, and one-on-one coaching. CCSC enhances this program through collaborations with other social service agencies providing complimentary services.
-Children: Through partnerships with local schools and the University Eye Center, the Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program provides vision screenings to approximately 1,600 - 2,000 needy students annually. From these screenings, professional eye exams and new prescription glasses are furnished to 400-500 children. The Back To School program supplies 4,000 disadvantaged children (Pre-K to 12th grade) with comprehensive school supplies, a backpack, and a gift card for new school uniforms. With these tools children are better prepared to achieve academic success and overcome the stigma of poverty. Jingle Bell Express provides 2,500 children from low-income families with new toys and books, addressing both literacy and age-appropriate play. In addition, each family receives a grocery gift card for this special time of year.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
CCSC is mission focused and client-centric. In addition to the following overarching intentional strategies, each program area develops and follows relevant, targeted program-specific strategies to accomplish its unique goals.
- The ministry's focus is to apply core business principles to the accomplishment of its mission so the agency is returning value to the community in an efficient and effective manner. An engaged 12-member Board of Directors including an experienced President & CEO guides CCSC. The organization's Cultural Values statement guides daily operations, coupled with the best practice of data-influenced decision making.
- Our volunteers' hands are the hands that touch the community and change people's lives. CCSC engages volunteers in every area of the ministry. This practice brings invaluable knowledge and skills to the agency, provides an effective path for individuals to serve, and maximizes CCSC's financial resources.
- CCSC maintains a vigorous relationship with its member churches and partner social-service agencies fostering crucial collaboration and cooperation. Member churches are integral to CCSC's success through financial donations covering administrative costs, supplying hundreds of willing volunteers, and working on multiple steering committees and advisory boards. Each program area depends on partnerships to achieve program goals.
-Staff and volunteers are committed to outstanding stewardship of all resources. CCSC's sustainability is in the relationships that it has cultivated over the years and its reputation as a solidly run non-profit with low operating costs. The organization intentionally maintains diverse funding streams which include foundations, individuals, member churches, corporations, clubs, in-kind gifts, and two fundraising events. Auditors consistently return solid reports demonstrating fiscal stability and well-managed funds. One of its best practices is leveraging vendor partnerships and discounts to keep expenditures low.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
CCSC has a proven track record of successfully meeting its goals year after year. Since its inception in 1980, CCSC has prided itself in living up to its mission and core values to deliver basic services with dignity and respect. Using established program policies and procedures, hundreds of volunteers are thoroughly trained and held to high ethical standards while interacting with clients.
CCSC guarantees impartial access to services regardless of race, religion, sex, ethnicity, age, handicap, or sexual orientation. The organization consistently strives to offer high quality services to as many clients as possible, aiming to maximize daily capacity. High client satisfaction ratings validate the extraordinary compassion and care clients experience while receiving services.
From the original six in 1980 to the current 40, member churches have provided significant guidance, spiritual direction, generous funding, numerous volunteers, essential in-kind donations through food, clothing and hygiene product drives, and suitable facilities for program operation. CCSC is especially proud of our recognized ability to recruit, train, engage, and maximize volunteer services. Another significant feature is our ability to minimize administrative costs through volunteerism and securing in-kind donations. For example, in 2022, 1,538 individuals donated 27,202 volunteer hours at an estimated value of $765,478.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
CCSC has accomplished its goals in the areas of basic needs, employment, and children's issues. A capital campaign to build a new facility was completed in 2021, which has already enhanced the organization's mission delivery and integration of services.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to get honest feedback from the people we serve
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Christian Community Service Center
Board of directorsas of 01/22/2024
Deacon Larry Vaclavik
St. Theresa Catholic Church
Term: 2024 - 2024
Judy Agee
St. Michael Catholic Church
Don Miller
The Church of St. John the Divine
Nathan Wiker
Christ the King Lutheran Church
Michelle Shonbeck
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Jeanie Arnold
River Oaks Baptist Church
Lana Peralta-Boutwell
Bellaire United Methodist Church
Stacy Williams
Faith Lutheran Church
Nina Lambright
St. Philip Presbyterian Church
Don Sinclair
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Manju Monga
St. Theresa Catholic Church
Clint Reiff
Rice Temple Baptist Church
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Not applicable -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data