Focus On FamiliesJ A N U A R Y 2 0 1 9

2 Message From the CEO

3 Board of Director’s Update 4-5 2019 Pillars of Strength

6 Supporters A Note From Jason

7 Event Wrap-Up How to Ask for a Raise

2019: The Year of Not Making a New Year’s ResolutionIt is a new year! Have you set a resolution or two, or five, for yourself? 80% of new year’s resolutions will fail.¹ Your resolution should be to have no resolutions! This year, instead of setting resolutions that are difficult to keep, set attainable goals and create new habits for yourself throughout the year to help you achieve those goals. Most commonly individuals set financial goals for themselves. Continue reading to learn more on how to become financially self-sufficient and independent this year!

If you are dedicated to keeping the goals you have set for yourself, try completing this 21-day challenge provided by Family Houston’s financial coaches. This challenge will help you create financial habits and behaviors to reach your goals. It is a 21-day challenge because it

takes a minimum of 21 days (more often it takes 66 days) to create a habit.2

For the challenge, you will first need to pick a financial goal. When choosing it, make sure you believe you can attain it, and that you are willing to put in the work and time to achieve it. Choosing a S.M.A.R.T. goal will help ensure it is one you can tackle. The S.M.A.R.T acronym stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound. Once you have your goal set, brainstorm a plan of action which should include implementing healthy financial habits in your life. A financial habit is an acquired financial behavior regularly followed until it has become almost involuntary. Some examples are checking your account transactions and balances daily, or making coffee at home and transferring the cost of a cup of coffee to your savings. Once your goal meets the S.M.A.R.T. requirements, write it down along with some steps that will help you reach the goal. While writing your goal down, use positive language. Instead of writing “My goal is to not live pay check to pay check,” write “My goal is to manage my money in a way that I will have money leftover after each check.” Leave this somewhere you will see every day such as on your mirror, fridge, or cell phone background. This will keep your goal forefront in your mind and life and serve as a daily reminder. In addition to writing

your goal down, get a calendar to track your daily progress throughout the challenge (and after!). Create a team of support to accomplish your new habit, or choose an accountability buddy such as a friend, family member, or even your financial coach. Invite others to join in on your challenge, and share your challenge on social media by posting daily updates. As you track your progress, check off each day on your calendar that you accomplish your daily financial habit.

If you have a setback, do not think of it as a failure or a reason to quit. It is merely a reminder to get back on track. With dedication and perseverance, you will attain your goal!

At the end of the 21-day challenge and anytime you reach a goal, celebrate how much you have saved by treating yourself to a small reward, such as buying a coffee or a book you have been wanting to read. But keep your savings for a rainy day or long-term goal! Continue your new financial habits after the 21 days, and soon you will have achieved what you set out to.

Family Houston’s Financial Stability team is here to help you accomplish your 2019 goals. Make your appointment by calling (713) 861 - 4849 or email family@familyhouston.org. Services are provided at no cost to you.

Make 2019 the year you do not make a new year’s resolution, but instead set attainable S.M.A.R.T goals and financial habits for yourself throughout the year!

¹https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2015-12-29/why-80-percent-of-new-years-resolutions-fail2https://jamesclear.com/new-habit

In 2018, almost 4,000 individuals were served through our Counseling program, many of them children who received general counseling, as well as support dealing with trauma from Hurricane Harvey. Last year, Family Houston provided onsite mental health services to students in ten schools, many of them through new campus partnerships. We also increased our reach through collaborations with community partners such as Mabee WholeLife® Service Center and Boys and Girls Clubs, as well as funding to provide a community-based THRIVE counselor who will offer services at some of the THRIVE partner community centers.

Last year, almost 2,000 households received support through our Case Management program. We continue to help our community by addressing basic needs for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. This program also saw community-based growth as we partnered with Boys and Girls Clubs to provide onsite case management services at their John and Cissy Havard campus. And through the Boys and Girls Club partnership, one of our case managers is now providing services at YES Prep for students and their families that are struggling with basic needs.

The Financial Stability program served over 2,050 households through financial and employment coaching and education. Our veterans that receive Case Management also received financial coaching to better understand their financial situation and plan for their future. We are excited to receive funding to add a financial coach who will primarily work with individuals living in subsidized housing. The coach will encourage them to save for emergencies so they can better meet their needs when a dire situation arises. Our financial coach will work closely with them to build on their financial goals through education, resources, encouragement, and accountability.

2018 was a year of growth for our community-based programs. Once a client has visited with a staff member at Family Houston, they have the opportunity to visit any of our phenomenal programs: Counseling, Case Management, and Financial Stability. Thank you for your support of Family Houston. With you, Family Houston is building strong families for a healthy Houston, and we will continue to do so in 2019!

Charly WeldonPresident & CEO

Message From the CEO

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Welcome Stephen Costello We are proud to kick off 2019 with Stephen Costello at the helm as our incoming Board Chair. Since 2014, Stephen has dedicated his time to Family Houston as a Board member. Most recently, Stephen served as the Chair of our Board Development Committee, helping recruit a new group of diverse and enthusiastic Board members. Welcome, Stephen!

Thank You Ron Martin 2018 marked the end of Ron Martin’s two-year term as Board Chair. We accomplished many great goals and are thankful for Ron’s leadership. Ron oversaw our 2017 strategic planning process which resulted in more streamlined programs, as well as an intense focus on diversifying our fundraising sources, and increasing our agency awareness through targeted marketing. Ron encouraged the agency to review our cybersecurity and business continuity plans. He also was instrumental in helping facilitate our inaugural Board Alumni Luncheon and is dedicating his time

stewarding our past Board members. Ron leaves a financially stable agency with a solid plan for the future. Ron will continue to serve on the Board and will be a member of the Board Development and Audit and Finance Committees. Thank you, Ron!

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Julie is a results-driven leader, focused on transformational initiatives in business process, operational efficiency, and technology enablement. Across four management consulting firms, she has led completion of program lifecycles from idea inception through execution, articulating project value, structuring work plans and teams, driving cross-functional alignment, managing delivery quality, and promoting adoption of change. Julie is a native Houstonian and has a Bachelors of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kathryn received her Bachelors of Science in Quantitative Business Analysis (Statistics) from the Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA. She accepted work with Chevron upon graduation and continues to work at Chevron, currently managing a portfolio of IT research & development projects. After her move to Houston in late 2012, she became involved with the Magnolia Grove Civic Club, family Houston’s neighborhood, having held the positions of both President and Vice President.

Julie Shochat

Kathryn Underhill

JoAnn LeeJoAnn Lee joined the Family Houston Board in 2010. She has been a consistent supporter of our annual luncheon, and advocate of the services Family Houston provides. During her nine years on the Board, JoAnn served on the Board Development Committee. She brought ideas to the table about how Family Houston could meet our strategic objective to fill certain Board positions, all while diversifying our membership. We look forward to partnering with JoAnn on Family Houston events in the future. Thank you, JoAnn!

David PluchinskyServing eleven years as a Family Houston Board member, David Pluchinsky has brought invaluable insight and expertise, most recently as a member of the organization’s Audit and Finance Committee. David’s commitment to the clients of Family Houston will continue as he becomes a member of the Family Service Foundation Board. Thank you, David!

Locke BryanLocke Bryan’s commitment to Family Houston is part of his family’s legacy. Locke’s father served on Family Houston’s Board and Locke has dedicated himself to the organization as a Board member since 2010. During that time, he has lent us his expertise in marketing and wore his producer hat, creating remarkable videos for the organization. Locke will continue to be part of Family Houston, as he is becoming a member of the Family Service Foundation Board. Thank you, Locke!

Board Updates

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Join us!05.01.201911:00 am - 1:00 pm

The Briar Club 2603 Timmons LaneHouston, TX 77027

Honoree: Laura JaramilloChair: Bill Gordon

Speaker: Honorable Mayor Annise ParkerEmcee: Bob Harvey

Strength Luncheon2019 Pillars of

Top Luncheon SponsorsSpeaker | $12,500Debbie and Stephen Costello Strength | $10,000Bill GordonJohn P. McGovern FoundationRevenew International/Traci and Kris Westbrook

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Annise Parker is the current Victory Fund and Victory Institute President & CEO. She previously served as a Houston City Council member, the City Controller, and the Mayor of Houston for six years. She is one of only two women to have been elected mayor. She was the first openly LGBTQ mayor of a major American city.

In 2010, Time magazine named Mayor Parker one of the 100 most influential people in the world. She was named top US mayor and seventh ranked world mayor in 2014 by City Mayors Foundation. She has received numerous awards during her career, including Scenic Houston’s Scenic Visionary Award.

In addition to her duties as mayor, Mayor Parker was a member of President Obama’s Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resilience and chaired the U.S. Conference of Mayors Criminal and Social Justice Committee.

Mayor Parker and her wife Kathy Hubbard have been together for more than 28 years and are advocates for adoption, with three daughters, a son and a grandson.

Our Speaker - Honorable Mayor Annise Parker

Strength Luncheon2019 Pillars of

www.FamilyHouston.org/Luncheon(713) 867-7764

Sponsorships andtickets available

Senior Vice President, Laura Jaramillo is the Community Relations Manager in Corporate Philanthropy and Community Relations at Wells Fargo. Laura manages a team of community relations consultants in Texas. She spent ten years at JPMorgan Chase before joining Wells Fargo in 2003.

Laura has a strong commitment to her community as evidenced by her extensive board service and volunteerism. She currently serves on the boards of the Holocaust Museum Houston, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Greater Houston Community Foundation, and the City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity Advisory Board as well as various task forces and committees. Past board involvement has included Board Chair of AAMA and Board Chair of the Houston Housing Authority.

Laura’s passions lie in community/economic development and the various aspects that build communities, especially education and housing, which aligns with her job. Laura is a senior fellow of American Leadership Forum and the Center for Houston’s Future, as well.

2019 Pillars of Strength Honoree - Laura Jaramillo

We could not serve this community without your support. Thank you to all who donated during the last quarter!

Supporters

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underhill, kAthryn

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westbrook, kris

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I was twenty-two years old when I was shot in a random act of violence. That moment changed everything. During my recovery, I became addicted to opioids. My addiction escalated to heroin. I spent time on probation. I was depressed, and people used my kindness and generosity to manipulate me. I wanted to change my life, but nothing was stopping me from relapsing, yet again.

When I first met my counselor, Helen, at Family Houston I was beyond distraught. I was trapped, physically and emotionally drained, and had very little confidence. Helen supported me as we worked through self-love, acceptance, assertiveness, and setting boundaries. My name is Jason and my life has been forever changed because of Family Houston.

As I make my way out of depression, I am more aware of the love I deserve to give myself. Every week at Family Houston, I dedicate that time to give myself the attention I need to better my life, by trusting the process set by my counselor. What happened to me can happen to anyone, no matter your background. Without Family Houston and Helen, my life would not be where it is today. I am lighter, freer, and more self-aware.

A Note From Jason, a Family Houston Client

Donations from September 21 - December 31, 2018

Foundations and Corporations

chApelwood FoundAtion

cullen trust For heAlthcAre

Founding Corporate Sponsor

Thank you to our 2019 Luncheon SponsorsSpeaker | $12,500

Debbie and Stephen Costello

Strength | $10,000Bill Gordon

John P. McGovern Foundation Revenew International/Traci and Kris Westbrook

Power | $5,000Sequitur Energy Resources

Courage | $2,500Julie Shochat

Deborah and Clyde Grabein

Visit www.familyhouston.org/luncheon to become a sponsor today!

*At Family Houston, we respect everyone who comes to us for help. So while their stories are true, client names and images have been changed to protect their privacy.

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Event Round Up

The Young Professionals of Family Houston hosted a Halloween Happy Hour at Bungalow Heights.

We are grateful to everyone who was able to make it out to Magnolia Grove’s National Night Out this year. Pictured above (L-R): Laura Chilton; Charly Weldon, Family Houston President and CEO; Eric Schwartz; Crystal Lai Franks; State Representative Sarah Davis; and Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Thank you to all of the ExxonMobil employees who spent a day volunteering on our campus for United Way of Greater Houston’s Day of Caring. We are appreciative of your hard work!

How to Ask for a Raise and Get It

Our clients are now welcomed with new lobby furniture, which was graciously underwritten by Board Chair, Stephen Costello.

Young Professionals Halloween Happy Hour

United Way's Day of Caring

National Night Out

New Lobby Furniture Underwrittenby Stephen Costello

Family Houston’s Young Professionals recently participated in the Rudolph Run and raised $1,595 for the organization! (L-R) Lama Murad, Liz Green, and Linda Madden

Rudolph Run!

With a new year upon us, numerous individuals have set various goals for the year, many of which are financial goals. Follow these tips for the most effective way to ask for a raise!

• Organize and write down your goals to discuss with your supervisor.• Ensure and provide examples of how you are meeting and exceeding your current

job responsibilities.• Communicate your successes with your supervisor.• Instead of saying “I need it,” the conversation should be about why you deserve the raise.• Complete some research on what the median salary is for your current position.• Make sure your supervisor knows you are invested in the company and your plans to stay with them.• It is okay if the answer is no. Ask for a follow-up meeting in six months to review your performance

level and to discuss the opportunity again.

4625 Lillian StreetHouston, Texas 77007-5544Return service requested

Non-ProfitOrganizationUS Postage

PAIDHouston, TexasPermit No. 682

Board of Directors

Focus on Families is published by Family Houston. Family Houston is accredited by The Joint Commission and is an affiliate of the United Way of Greater Houston.

Our MissionTo create a stronger community for tomorrow by helping individuals and families meet the

challenges they face today.

Charly WeldonPRESIDENT & CEOStephen C. CostelloBOARD CHAIR Kris WestbrookVICE CHAIR Gary L. DaughertyVICE CHAIRJoan Baird GloverVICE CHAIRDeborah Roth GrabeinVICE CHAIRBill PenczakVICE CHAIRDaniel WilliamsSECRETARY & TREASURER

Kevin DunlapJennifer S. GravenorDion HobbsSergio V. LealNelsy Gomez LipfordRonald K. MartinJulie ShochatKathryn UnderhillDavid M. Underwood, Jr.

Our VisionTo be Houston’s premier resource that uses a holistic approach to help people empower themselves, stabilize their lives, and sustain

lasting improvement.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019Pillars of Strength LuncheonSave the Date

The Briar Club

Honoree: Laura JaramilloChair: Bill Gordon

Speaker: Honorable Mayor Annise Parker