PLATINUM2021

West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc

Caring, Community, and Compassion.

aka WHAM   |   Houston, TX   |  www.whamministries.org

Mission

In the name of Christ, we will serve those who come to us for help regardless of background, belief or circumstance. West Houston Assistance Ministries (WHAM) will be a model of Christian service, utilizing the talents and resources of the community to minister love and support to those in need. WHAM will provide assistance with basic needs and promote independence.

Ruling year info

1982

CEO

Mr Mark Brown

Main address

10501 Meadowglen

Houston, TX 77042 USA

Show more contact info

Formerly known as

Westheimer Ecumenical Social Ministries

EIN

76-0001309

NTEE code info

Family Services (P40)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is not required to file an annual return with the IRS because it is a church.

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Communication

Blog

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

West Houston Assistance Ministries fights hunger and poverty by providing for basic needs like food and financial assistance to prevent evictions and homelessness, so addressing the immediate crisis, complemented by education and employment to promote self-sufficiency and long-term family stability. WHY? Prior to COVID, 22% of the community WHAM served suffered from food insecurity (2018 Map the Meal Gap), with 17% having an income below poverty (2018 ACS Survey). Of those seeking services, 99% of households fell into the Low to Moderate Income (LMI) category. Data gathered before the pandemic by United Way of Greater Houston's ALICE report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) showed that 1 in 2 individuals living in WHAM's service area were employed but not earning enough to support their families and were struggling to make ends meet. 1 of 3 children live in poverty and 95,000 households spend over 30% of their income on rent (Houston Health Department - State of Health).

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry currently serves around 500 families through a walk-up/drive-thru food distribution that occurs three times/week. Families can walk up or drive up once a week and receive up to 90 lbs. of produce, meat, dairy and hygiene products as available, regardless of their zip code. WHAM also provides hot breakfasts and lunches to children, specialty meals, socks, caps, and blankets for the homeless, pet food, and toiletries. Through partnerships, WHAM has created one of the largest food pantries in West Houston and has achieved Platinum status with the Houston Food Bank (highest ranking for Food Pantry partners).

WHAM is one of only 15 organizations (out of 600+ agencies) that serve as a food hub in the Food Bank’s Hub and Spokes Distribution model which allows smaller ‘spokes' (small pantries) to be able to pick up what they need from the pantry. We also recover food from local grocery stores, where on a monthly basis, we receive 38,000 pounds of donated frozen food, meats, dairy deli, eggs and produce. Last year WHAM distributed 2,463,159 pounds of food with an estimated value of $4,409,655 to over 106,000 adults and children.

Families from any zip code can receive food weekly, as well as come to our monthly community food fairs, where they can also receive healthcare and other benefits information. We also provide food to senior citizens, college students, families with school-aged children, and summer lunches to children who lose access to school-provided meals during the summer. In 2020, we opened a Satellite Pantry inside a partner church on Dairy Ashford in order to meet the high demand for food and reach food-insecure families who don’t live near our main food pantry or who are not able to visit it during our weekday, business hours.

Population(s) Served
Age groups
Ethnic and racial groups
Family relationships
Social and economic status
Work status and occupations

The Care Ministry establishes immediate needs and assists clients in long-term planning to get them back on their feet. Assistance includes financial aid for rent, mortgage, utilities and other emergency bills to prevent eviction, homelessness and disconnection; transportation assistance, nutritious food, and clothing. We also provide various seasonal programs like Back to School supplies, holiday gifts for children, holiday meals, spiritual counseling (when requested), case management, and referral services to partner agencies. We help households after compassionate, one-on-one interviews where we learn how to best meet their short-term basic needs and establish a path for long-term financial stability. We helped over 7250 clients thru September 2020 with these services.

Population(s) Served
Age groups
Ethnic and racial groups
Family relationships
Social and economic status
Work status and occupations

Our program for job-seekers provides education and job training to promote independence and connect clients to tools to improve their lives. Clients have access to job leads, workshops, resume building, mock interviews, office support, classes in computing, financial literacy, ESL, GED, and certification classes, legal clinics, job fairs, transportation assistance, and interview-appropriate professional attire. During covid19, all our services are being offered virtually, and over the phone and email. Over 1725 individuals utilized WHAM’s employment resources thru September 2020.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Ethnic and racial groups
Families
Economically disadvantaged people
Work status and occupations

Open to the public and functioning through neighbors’ donations of gently used clothing, furniture, books, artwork, etc., you can find treasures at reasonable prices, while knowing that every purchase and donation made provides funds for programs to benefit families in need, and helps the environment at the same time. Our store makes it possible for us to distribute donated clothing to clients in need and professional attire to those seeking employment through our Employment Services programs. Over 300,000 lbs. of items that would have ended up in landfills were diverted and resold or recycled by our store in fiscal year 2020.

Population(s) Served
Adults
Ethnic and racial groups
Family relationships

Where we work

Awards

Star Award - Best Non-Profit 2001

Houston West Chamber of Commerce

Best Nonprofit in West Houston - Finalist 2006

Houston West Chamber of Commerce

Best Nonprofit in West Houston - Finalist 2007

Houston West Chamber of Commerce

Best of Westchase - Best Charity/Non-Profit 2010

Westchase Business District

Best Places To Work Award 2007

Houston Business Journal

Best Places To Work Award 2008

Houston Business Journal

Best Places To Work Award 2010

Houston Business Journal

Best Places To Work Award 2012

Houston Business Journal

Best and Brightest Companies To Work For 2012

National Association for Business Resources

Best and Brightest Companies To Work For 2013

National Association for Business Resources

Best and Brightest Companies To Work For 2014

National Association for Business Resources

Best and Brightest Companies To Work For 2015

National Association for Business Resources

Best and Brightest Companies To Work For 2016

National Association for Business Resources

Affiliations & memberships

Westchase District Community Impact Award 2021

Videos

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Average number of service recipients per month

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of volunteers

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Holding steady

Context Notes

In 2020, many volunteers were afraid to volunteer due to the pandemic, reflected in the drop in volunteer hours that year.

Number of people within the organization's service area accessing food aid

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Age groups, Ethnic and racial groups

Related Program

Food Pantry

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The Covid19 Pandemic greatly affected Houston residents starting in spring 2020, which is reflected in the almost tripling of our assistance numbers, which continues in 2021.

Number of clients served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of children served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

CARE Ministry

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of children who received school supplies

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

CARE Ministry

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of families assisted with rent or mortgage to avoid eviction

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

CARE Ministry

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

These yearly numbers reflect individuals helped per year. 2020 also includes individuals helped with other bills, not including utilities.

Estimated dollar value of food donations distributed to community feedings programs

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Food Pantry

Type of Metric

Input - describing resources we use

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of low-income households who have received utilities assistance

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

CARE Ministry

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Decreasing

Context Notes

These numbers reflect individuals helped per year with utilities.

Number of families served

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Our Sustainable Development Goals

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Given the growth in our capacity to assist those struggling in our community, the proposed goal for the
coming year is to continue to grow our capacity to help those struggling with poverty.

WHAM seeks to help individuals and families emerge out of crises through our programs targeting hunger, homelessness, and roadblocks to financial stability. In summary, we help clients move on to a better situation in life by: 1. Helping them during their crises by addressing their immediate basic needs first. 2. Then equipping them with skills, education and other connections to improve their long-term well-being. This contributes to achieving our underlying goals, which are to alleviate poverty, build a thriving community, and give hope to the hopeless.

* Build on positive reputation and increase our visibility in in the community
*Expand partnerships and form new ones with churches, schools, businesses and organizations to better serve families and the homeless.
* Increase funding to successfully serve our clients and community in need.
* Continue being flexible and responsive to the needs of our community; for example, we have been
focused mostly on covid19 assistance, but as the Winter Freeze became an additional challenge to our
neighbors, we have also started offering assistance specific to those needs.
* Tweak and expand our Case Management System.
* Adapt staff levels to meet the need and deliver high staff performance

We are already providing over $1 million in financial assistance per year and have nimbly adapted to serve over 115,000 people last year as the pandemic increased the need of an already struggling community, representing close to triple the assistance provided in previous years. Our food pantry, the largest in West Houston, and a Platinum-ranked pantry by Houston Food Bank standards, is well known for offering a variety of programs for various groups, such as college students, seniors, children, pets, and even individuals with food allergies, making it a pantry whose quality and reputation inspires people to come from far to reach and receive food from us, as opposed to using pantries close to them.

We have a highly qualified staff that lovingly and compassionately serves those in need, and who see fulfilling the growing needs in our community as not a job, but as a calling. Together with our board, we are dedicated to increasing funding from local corporate, church, foundation, and individual partners so we can serve our community's needs. Last, but never least, we have a base of loyal, dedicated, and compassionate volunteers that continue to provide their gifts of time and talent to help WHAM attain its goals and providing hope and help to those going through crisis.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • Who are the people you serve with your mission?

    We primarily serve the homeless and families in crisis, so we collect their periodic feedback through surveys and interviews, as well as that of our volunteers, donors, and other supporters.

  • How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?

    Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Paper surveys, Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Case management notes, Suggestion box/email,

  • 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 identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals,

  • With whom is the organization sharing feedback?

    Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners, our online community,

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, 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 act on the feedback we receive,

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback,

Financials

West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build 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.

West Houston Assistance Ministries Inc

Board of directors
as of 02/22/2022
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board chair

Mr. Mike Stovall

Barbara Sebesta

Mike Stovall

Tina Davis

Maria Reyes Bahena

Supplies and Global Logistics, Inc

Pete Anderson

David Boothe

Jonathan Cohen

Phillips 66

Judy Dewey

Mike Duvall

Astaria Global, Inc.

LaFran Franks

Marissa Goette

GC Design Build

Desmond Hully

Craig Kaplan

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

Janice Miller

Rodney Nabors

Allegiance Bank

J. Randle

Randle Law Office Ltd, LLP

Ken Smith

Steve Williamson

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • 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? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 9/9/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Male, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

 

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data

Equity strategies

Last updated: 02/19/2021

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.