Last month, our own Monica Jones kicked off her new series for Day & A Dream, ‘7 Ways to Give Back to The 713.’As a champion of philanthropic causes herself, Monica knows there’s no better feeling than serving your community. But for 2018, the self-anointed “Born CEO” is challenging ALL Houstonians to step it up and do something to serve the city.
If you’ve always wanted to help out but didn’t know where to start, you have no excuses now. Plus, we’re certain Drake’s “God’s Plan” music video still has everyone wanting to do SOMETHING to extend a helping hand. If you decide to partake in one of these initiatives, by the way, feel free to tag it on your social media using the hashtag #7Ways.
We’ll let Monica take it from here.
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This year, I’m encouraging you to take your gifts where they are needed most. Spring is officially upon us, and March is the perfect time to “spring” into action by getting involved in the Houston community. There are plenty of ways to make an impact in the H this month; and below, I’ve tracked down my 7 Ways you can do your part and Give Back to The 713 in March.
1. Take pride in your community by volunteering for The Lyons Avenue Renaissance Festival, an annual celebration of the history and culture of Houston’s Fifth Ward. The Festival, now in its fifth year, takes place on Saturday, March 24th, from 12 to 5 PM, and they’re in need of volunteers to help set-up and engage residents over the course of the festivities. Sign up to volunteer either the day of or in the days leading up to the Festival by registering here.
2. Link up with the Fresh Arts team by volunteering at this year’s Bayou City Arts Festival, taking place March 23rd through the 25th at Houston’s Memorial Park. You can help out at The Fresh Arts Kids Zone, where volunteers will assist young festival-goers with creating their own beautiful works of art based on the works of a local Houston artist. As a bonus, those who volunteer with the Fresh Arts team will get a free t-shirt and free admission to the Arts Festival for the entire day of their shift! Sign up to volunteer here.
3. Use the upcoming Easter holiday season to spread cheer to Seniors in Nursing Homes. This is an excellent opportunity to let the elderly in need know that they haven’t been forgotten, and to brighten their lives by brightening their day!
4. Be A Mentor! The Houston Alumni and Youth (HAY) Center is looking for Transition Coaches for youth. The HAY Center firmly believes that one of the most important factors in predicting a young person’s success is a committed, caring adult. Therefore, you can sign up to be matched with a youth, aged 16 or older, to assist them in developing their transitional goals and to offer additional support for them outside of the foster care system. Transition Coaches are required to meet with their youth a minimum of two times per month in the youth’s current placement. Find out more about becoming a Transition Coach at the HAY Center’s website here.
5. Got Social Media Skills? Then put them to work for a good cause! The Houston Food Bank is looking for Social Media Ambassadors to help spread awareness for all that the Houston Food Bank does – and, more importantly, to make others aware of how they can help. Media-savvy professionals interested in helping further the Houston Food Bank’s mission of leading the fight against hunger should consider applying. Find out more about becoming a Social Media Ambassador here.
6. Contribute to March For Our Lives. The grassroots movement, which was organized by teens in the wake of the Parkland tragedy last month, will make its way to Washington, D.C., on March 24th. Consider donating money to sponsor a teen’s travel accommodations from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on to D.C.; or you might want to organize your own demonstration locally, at your child’s school, to demand a change in the nation’s gun laws. You can donate and learn more about March for Our Lives at their website.
7. It’s Crawfish Season! So consider fusing food and philanthropy by hosting a charity crawfish boil in support of your favorite local cause and/or organization? Want to up the ante at your fundraiser even more? Make it a full-on crawfish cook-off.