23 Facts about The Mission of Yahweh!

• The Mission of Yahweh is one of only a few shelters for homeless women and their children in Houston. This non-denominational Christian-based shelter was founded in 1961 by Helen Gay (also known as Sister Gay). The Mission became a charitable 501(c) 3 corporation in 1972 when several churches formed a Board of Directors.
• The Mission has grown to an 11-building campus in Northwest Houston. There are currently two emergency shelter dormitories for both single women and women and their children.
• In 2008, The Mercy House was added – a transitional dormitory for single women and families to live up to 2 years. To qualify for long-term housing, the women must be employed or attending school.
• During 2010, The Mission provided 24,420 stays (a bed for one night and three hot meals).
• In 2010, 40% of The Mission’s residents were children under 12.
• In the last three months of 2010, 47 women residents obtained jobs. Another 5 were enrolled in school.
• The Mission employs 10 residents as part-time Resident Assistants (RAs). These women provide much of the labor required to operate. Services include cooking, security, donation intake, Thrift Shop clerks, front office personnel and babysitting. RAs also donate 20 hours a week in volunteer services at The Mission.
• The Mission operates with only eight full-time employees.
• The Mission serves a growing need in our community. From January – December 2010, The Mission was forced to turn away 4,918 women and children due to lack of beds.
• Only 4.2% of The Mission’s food is actually bought. Most food is donated.
• The Mission also shares food with the poor families in the neighborhood. In 2009, 982 individuals/families received food: 170 received holiday turkeys with canned food items, and 230 received hot holiday meals. For The Mission’s 2010 annual Back-to-School drive 438 backpacks were given to neighborhood children. During Christmas, 1139 children’s toys were also given to poor families.
• The average stay for The Mission’s residents receiving emergency shelter is 67 days.
• The average resident family has two children per mother.
• A 26-station computer lab operates daily for the residents.
• The House of Joy building was donated in 2006 for year-round children programs including summer camp and after-school tutoring by Cypress-Fairbanks ISD employees for the resident children.
• There is also a seven-station computer lab for children in the House of Joy.
• The Mission depends on over 100 regular volunteers on a weekly/monthly basis.
• There are over 1000 volunteers that annually do single projects including work groups.
• The vast majority of The Mission’s funding comes from individuals, churches and businesses. Only 25% comes from foundations and government grants. Audited financial statements are available upon request.
• A small part of The Mission’s income comes from a community thrift shop on the campus. It provides income for operations and very affordable items for The Mission’s neighbors.
• Through collaboration with volunteers and other non-profits, weekly classes and services are provided for a large variety of subjects, including parenting, money management, computer skills, self-esteem, etc.
• On-campus chapel services and Bible studies are provided several times a week.
• In 2010, it cost $33.09 per day to house, feed and clothe one homeless woman or child at The Mission of Yahweh.