Thanks everyone!

Project Our House wants to thank everyone for their support of this project and Little Rock's working homeless shelter, Our House.

Have a happy New Year and keep following this blog, our Facebook page and Twitter feed for the latest on how you can help Our House.

Happy Holidays!

Project Our House hopes everyone is having a great holiday!

Don't forget, Our House can always use unwanted gift certificates to stores like Wal Mart and KMart. Drop them in the mail to :
Melissa Gardner
Our House Shelter
302 E. Roosevelt Rd.

Did you know?

Did you know that Our House has been recognized as a national model for working homeless shelters? The Our House model has been replicated across the country in 39 states and throughout Arkansas. Most recently, Our House was selected an Arkansas Business Nonprofit of the Year finalist for 2007.

Communities around Arkansas have toured the Our House facilities and learned about the programs, so they can replicate it in their community.

On November 2, 1990, President George Bush wrote, "I was delighted to learn of your outstanding work in behalf of your community. Your generosity and willingness to serve others merit the highest praise, and I am pleased to recognize you at the 290th 'Daily Point of Light.'"

Check out their website for more information on this inspiring local non-profit.

Last call!

This is the last day IO Metro will be donating a percentage of purchases to Our House Shelter. Go by today for last minute holiday gifts. Or, is family coming in town? pick up some accessories to spruce up the house!

IO Metro

Don't forget, this week only IO Metro is donating a portion of all sales to Our House. Check out there website, then go visit them! Their Little Rock location is in west Little Rock at 12911 Cantrell Rd.

Still going...

Everyone,

Project Our House is still going strong, but we're directing all donations to the shelter now. We'll let you know if any donation drop-off locations become available!

Thanks and if you're wondering how to get to Our House, check out the map on the bottom of this page!

Coats needed!

Our House is in need of men's winter coats in 3xl.
Drop off here:
Our House Shelter
302 E. Roosevelt Rd.
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mon-Fri

Tweetup a sucess!

The crowd at IO Metro







Our House staff member, Melissa Gardner with Project Our House members J. Brown and Taylon Cook

LR Tweetup!

Off to tonight's LRTweetup at IO Metro. Will post pictures later! Thanks everyone for your support of Project Our House!

Check out Project Our House events on our Facebook page!

http://www.facebook.com/projectourhouse?v=app_2344061033&ref=ts

IO Metro

Don't forget! From December 11 - 18, 20% of all purchases from IO Metro in West Little Rock will benefit Our House. We're thrilled for this opportunity!

Check out their Twitter account and Facebook page!

IO Metro
12911 Cantrell Rd
Little Rock, AR 72223
501-217-0300

Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture

A great place to get familiar with the homeless population in Central Arkansas is The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Here you will find statistics on people who received a funded service, emergency shelter, or transitional shelter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Click the link and find out just how lucky we are to have Our House Shelter [for the working homeless] here in Little Rock.

www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=4432

Little Rock Homeless Statistics

81% male
19% female

84% black
16% white

78% of Little Rock's homeless are 30-50 years old, 16% are 18-29 years old, and 6% are over 50.

Source: Arkansas Homeless Coalition

A Safer Little Rock

What does 'shelter for the working homeless' really mean? It means a lot for our city and its residents. The residents of Our House have a Job Search Support System, meaning all adults are required to find a full-time job within two weeks of entering the program. They are then put on a savings program to which they are assisted in saving 75% of their total earnings. Our House provides the homeless an option to become an active and productive part of society, in turn creating a safer and healthier community for all of Little Rock's population.

Like free?

Panera Bread is teamed with Project Our House through December 15th. If you donate new socks or underwear to Our House, Panera Bread will give you a free cookie! Keep your sweet tooth in mind the next time you're shopping!

Be A Hero

Our House has coordinated an easy and efficient program so that YOU can be a hero this holiday season. "Stocking Stuffer Heroes" is a Christmas event designed to make sure the working homeless of Our House Shelter don't go without a stocking. You can donate a physical stocking by stopping by the shelter, or you can simply purchase an online version. Both are a wonderful gift. Each stocking will include a detailed list of needed items or gifts for the residents. Become a hero today!

Do You Know About I.O.Metro?!

For the totality of next week, I.O. Metro will donate 20% of profits to Our House. Make sure to stop in while shopping for your loved ones. From December 11th through December 18th, I.O. Metro opens the door for you to make a simple and generous donation for the working homeless. Lets us all do our part in taking care of those in need.
Try checking out I.O. Metro on Facebook to get a heads-up on great deals! www.facebook.com/iometrofurniture

Stocking Stuffer Heroes

Are you ready to play Santa this year while helping out your community?
Our House has the perfect opportunity for you become a Stocking Stuffer Hero. This is great for a group of people to get together and help some one for the holidays.

Each stocking contains a list of items to be purchased for the residents of Our House, such as daily toiletry items and gifts. Stockings include ten items that range from $25.-$250. You can pick up a stocking at the shelter or you can request an electronic version.

If you are interested in becoming a Stocking Stuffer Hero, please contact Melissa for more details:

Melissa, Program Support Specialist
501-374-7383, ext. 214
melissa@ourhouse.org

"Tie One On"

On December 3, 2009, "Tie One On" a fundraiser event benefiting Our House will take place at the Clinton Presidential Library. There will be a live and silent auction and themed packages donated by local artists, celebrities, and vendors. The ticket price of $50. per person includes entertainment, food, and beverages. It's not to late to get your ticket. Go to http://www.ourhouseshelter.org for more information and ticket purchase.

Our House social media

Are you following the Our House Facebook and Twitter pages? Though the UALR semester is almost over, don't worry, we'll still be posting information on Our House and how you can help for a long time to come.

Add us to your favorites and check back for new information every day!

Get All your Deals on Black Friday

Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, which is the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. Black Friday is the busiest retail shopping day of the year! While you are out shopping on this busy day and looking for best deal possible. Pick up a donation for Our Shelter because there is a wealth of benefits to you in donating to Our House Shelter. Your donation could them in ways you couldn't have imagined yourself! For one, you can sometimes benefit by giving a tax-deductible
gift or donation. To find out more on tax deductible donations checkout this site: http://taxes.about.com/od/deductionscredits/a/CharityDonation.htm


“If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded”- Maya Angelou

What is Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. Here are six steps you can do to help share thanks on Thanksgiving Day.

1. Find out the shelters that are located in your area. Do a search online, look in the phone book, call information or ask your city or town clerk.

2. Contact a local shelter and tell them you'd like to help.

3. Organize a group of people from your church, synagogue or local organization who are willing to volunteer on Thanksgiving.

4. Understand that the shelter needs lots of help in other areas besides food service. Offer to pick up donations, do an inventory on them and store them away. You might also set up tables, prepare the food and help clean up after the meal is done.

5. Include your children your efforts. This is a great way to teach them the importance of community service.

6. Consider making this a tradition in your family every year. Counting your blessings and helping people in need is a great way to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Our House social media - stay connected!

Don't forget to follow our twitter feeds and become a fan of our facebook group!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/projectourhouse?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/projectourhouse

Thanks Sync!

Check out the Our House mention in this week's Sync magazine! http://sync.arkansasonline.com/

Thinking of doing a little early Christmas shopping?

Already got Christmas on the mind?

http://www.rockcityoutfitters.com/ has shirts for buy one and get one for FREE!  As a bonus Our House Shelter gets a shirt donation.

While you're out doing your Christmas Shopping or Thanksgiving Dinner Shopping remember to purchase an Our House Shelter need and drop it off at your nearest drop off location or contact us and one of the members of our organization will be happy to meet with you somewhere.

Get into the spirit of giving for the Holidays!

Give a priceless gift or donation to Our House and make the holiday unforgetable!

Thanksgiving is coming!

Thanksgiving is coming and what a great way to give thanks by helping the homeless!  Visit Our House Shelter or find a need of the shelters and visit your nearest drop off location.

Your donation will bless those less fortunate and help someone else give thanks!

Attention Steal a Deal and Know What To Donate!

Remember: Rock City Tee's Buy one get one all week and get another free.  One is also donated to Our House Shelter!   www.rockcityoutfitters.com

Also Our House Shelter still needs Lysol and all purpose cleaner so visit your nearest store and we will meet you to pick up your donation!

Wait...DON'T forget to join us for our tweet up at IO Metro December 10, 2009!!!! 

IO Metro Helping Our House!

Don't forget December 11th-18th IO Metro in West Little Rock will be donating part of their proceeds to Our House shelter! Visit the store during this time and you will be helping out a local non-profit organization. IO Metro is a different kind of furniture store, with lighting, accessories, art and furniture.

IO Metro
12911 Cantrell Rd
Little Rock, AR 72223
(501) 217-0300

Fuller&Sons

Do you live or work near the downtown area? If so, Fuller & Sons is a convenient place for you to donate. You can go by anytime Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. The Our House donation is located right at the front of the store. If you purchase a rake, Fuller & Sons will match your purchase in support of Our House.
Fuller & Sons
900 S. Main St.
Downtown Little Rock
M-S 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.

50 People Needed

Panera Bread needs you! Anytime this afternoon swing into Panera Bread for lunch or dinner. When you order make sure to mention Our House Shelter. If 50 people come through Panera Bread today in support of the shelter we will receive a donation. I'm going to climb Pinnacle this afternoon and get my lunch at Panera Bread, how about you??

Stocking Stuffer Heroes!

Christmas is on the way! One of the many things that Our House has going on is the beginning of Stocking Stuffer Heroes. What is SSH, you might ask? Let me explain: each stocking includes a list of items that need to be purchased for the residents of Our House. Items could range from cleaning supplies to daily toiletry items or gifts. Stockings are stuffed with 10 items ranging in price from as low as 25 dollars up to as much as 250 dollars. You can pick up a stocking at the shelter or simply request an electronic version.
If you are interested in becoming a Stocking Stuffer Hero please contact the Our House Program Support Specialist.
Melissa (501)374-7383 ext. 214

Current Needs

Right now Our House is in need of several cleaning supplies, specifically All-Purpose Cleaner and Lysol. You can make your donation in-person by dropping off supplies to the shelter or you have the option to provide a giftcard. Please keep Our House in mind every time you shop!

THIS WEEKEND! Cozy Toesies and Warm Buns :)

Our House Shelter Cozy Toes-ies and Warm Buns kicks off! This Saturday, November 14th, swing into Panera Bread Co. and see us. We are asking for socks and underwear at this donation so if possible, snag a bag of socks or undies with your shopping this week. Plan on grabbing lunch at Panera where you can make a difference while you eat! We would love to hang out with you guys and tell you all about Our House Shelter [for the working homeless.]

I.O. Metro Supports Project Our House!

I.O. Metro will donate an impressive 25% of profits in the month of December to Our House Shelter. From December 11th-18th, make sure to stop into I.O. Metro for some of your last minute Christmas shopping. Whether you make a purchase large or small, a donation to the Our House Shelter will be made.
I.O. Metro has been closed for renovation and have scheduled their grand re-opening to coincide with the donation time. Cool, right? At 10 a.m. Friday, December 11th, the store will again be open to the public and you can begin shopping that day! Please keep Our House Shelter on your list this year.

Panera Bread and Our House

Our House has a lot of exciting things happening during the holidays and one that can benefit you as well. We posted briefly about this before, but Our House has partenered with Panera Bread for the Cozy Toes-ies and Warm Buns drive. On November 14, if you eat at Panera Bread and mention Our House, a portion of the proceeds from the day will benefit the shelter.

Also, if you donate socks or underwear to Our House, you will receive a free Panera Bread cookie. Socks and underwear for the Coxy Toes-ies and Warm Buns drive may be dropped of at the shelter. Just mention that you are supporting the drive for your free cookie! Our House is located at 302 E. Roosevelt, scroll down for a map!

Well keep posting about various holiday partnerships, so keep checking back for ways to help out during the holidays.

Exciting News

Many businesses have come to help support Our House Shelter. Please visit one or more of these establishments to show your support.

On Saturday November 14, 2009, Panera Bread located in the West Little Rock Pleasant Ridge Shopping Center will donate a portion of its sells to Our House. Make sure you mention that your there to support Our House Shelter.

Go to http://www.rockcityoutfitters.com/ and use the coupon code PROJECT OUR HOUSE and receive $1. off any order and a donation of one tee shirt will be made to Our House.

On December 3, 2009, "Tie One On " a fundraiser event benefiting Our House will take place at the Clinton Presidential Library. There will be a live and silent auction of aprons and themed packages donated by local artists, celebrities, and vendors. The ticket price of $50. per person includes entertainment, food, and beverages.

When I.O. Metro reopens in December it will donate 25% of a weeks profit to Our House Shelter. Thank you to everyone for supporting Our House and making a change in our community.

Great Place to Volunteer

Are you looking for a place to volunteer? Our House has many opportunities available. You can do a one time workshop or you can make a long term commitment. If you have teaching and tutoring skills you can volunteer to help provide training in GED, English for the workplace, computer training,literacy, or lifeskills. If you have any other interests like cooking, gardening, decorating, quilting or fundraising you will have a great time with the men, women, and children of Our House. Any other way that you would like to donate your time Our House has many opportunities available for you to have a great experience. For more information go to http://www.ourhouseshelter.org

Gift a different kind of gift

Our House shelter could use give cards to Wal-Mart, Kroger, Kmart, and any other supermarket type store to buy items for their daily operatin needs. Click here to visit the Wal-Mart gift card page, type in the amount you to want to give and ship it off to Our House at 302 E. Roosevelt Rd, Little Rock, AR 72201. Easy!

Open House

Are you interested in learning more about how your donations help the working homeless at Our House? Would you like a first hand look at how Our House operates? The first Thursday of every month Our House holds an open house from noon to 1pm. During open house you are given a tour of the campus and you are also treated to a free lunch. If you would like to attend give Our House a call and RSVP. We look forward to hearing from you.

Our House Needs

Our House is in need of disinfectant sprays and household cleaning supplies. You can receive a tax receipt for dropping these donations off at Our House Shelter, or you can use one of our many convenient drop-off locations around central Arkansas. Stop by today. Check the side bar to the left of this post for drop-off locations.

Did you know?

Our House is the only shelter in central Arkansas that provides transitional housing to the working homeless. Residents of Our House can participate in the program for up to two years. Residents are required to work and save 75% of their income which they receive when they leave Our House to secure property rental or home ownership. Our House helps its residents to establish themselves as productive members of the community.

Supporting your community

Be Available. Join Our House Shelter and help with their after school program where they provide tutoring, special science and art projects, guest speakers, computer training, nutrition education, and games for their school aged children.

Give back by adopting a room at Our House Shelter. Renovate a homeless family's room in the transitional shelter. Paint, decorate, furnish, and repair. This is the perfect opportunity for a small group or family.

Share the link love. If you have read our remarkable blog postings or view Our House Shelter website (http://www.ourhouseshelter.org) and it change the way you think about things in more ways than you can possibly count. Share them with other people!

Help promote your community. Promote Our House! Become a fan on Facebook or go to our Twitter page (http://twitter.com/projectourhouse) and retweet to share some of Our House Shelter needs/donations or their upcoming events with the people who follow you on Twitter.

These are more visible ways that you can support your community. If you would like to help out in another way, Our House Shelter will work with you to provide a fulfilling and enjoyable volunteer experience!

Give a Treat that Gives Back!

Making a donation to Our House Shelter will provide housing, food, clothing and education for the homeless men, women and children staying at the shelter. Our House Shelter is not like your average homeless shelter because the people staying here are working homeless. Our House Shelter provides the working homeless (families and individuals) with safe, clean, comfortable housing; food; free child care; education; and job training in order that they may return to independence and lead productive lives. Our House also offers additional free services that help people transform their lives. Services include addiction recovery groups, after school programs, parenting classes and job search assistance. Our House programs help people become successful members of the workforce, the community, and their own families.

Trick or Treat!

Halloween is around the corner! Do you have your pumpkins or candy, yet? Did you know Our House Shelter housed kids too? When you are shopping for your candy or pumpkins, pick some up for Our House Shelter. If you would like to do more for the kids at Our House Shelter, they are also in need for someone to do face painting for their child daycare. Give the children at the Our House Shelter the opportunity to celebrate the Halloween weekend in style!

Pumpkins and facepaint needed!

Give the children at the Our House Shelter the opportunity to celebrate the Halloween weekend in style! Drop off a few pumpkins and a face paint set for their fall fest!!

Why are people really homeless?

Homelessness can happen to anyone. Common reasons why people are homeless can vary from drug abuse, money, mental health, rebellion, lack of job skills, medical problems just to name a few. Put yourself in a homeless person’s shoes. Would you feel like you had no hope, no more options or chances?

Have you ever spoken with a homeless person to find out how they got there? Have you asked them if you knew a way out, you could help them? I think you would be surprised at how many times these people are overlooked and even ignored. Maybe next time you notice this homeless person you can just speak to them, or even direct them in a brighter direction, like Our House Shelter.

That meal you couldn’t finish in your car, I’m sure they would love to have that generosity and thoughtfulness (just as a start) which is hard to find in the world today.

Have you ever considered donating goods or your time to Our House Shelter? Not only learn what you can do to help Our House, but follow through with action. Instead of pitying this person you see or meet do something about it. Learn about Our House Shelter and what you can do to help!

It will not only change their life, the generosity could be passed on, and that feeling of gratitude for doing the simplest things will change your life. You may also be the inspiration for others. Our House Shelter needs you and so does this ever-changing world. Do your part. You won’t regret it.

Tough Times

With employment declining, economy doing who knows what, we know that everyone having it a little harder. But we also know that things are worse for others than us.
Do your part to change someone's life.
When you see the tears well up in the eyes of someone because of a stranger's generosity, only then will you understand why us that are more fortunate need to lend a hand.  You may never know that person, or the impact it makes on them, but you will know that you have done something to improve this world.
We all need to take that extra step, and give not money, but what an organization that is changing Arkansas and what they need.

That extra bar of soap may only be fifty cents or less to you, but to someone who doesn't have the luxury to have a daily or weekly bath, it's the world.  Everyone knows the feeling after you get out of a hot shower all fresh and clean.  You feel like a new person, and so will they.

Ever think you're having a bad day?

Just like everyone else we have problems, bad days. I have to admit sometimes I'm a little selfish about that and I am sure that some of you can agree.

Our bad day may be something like not getting schoolwork or making a deadline for work, or coming home and getting into a fight with someone we love. If you really think about it, there is always someone who has it worse.

Imagine waking up without a home, not knowing where you will spend the next night, no hope of a job in sight, a crying baby that you don't know how you're going to feed and even if you got a job who would take care of them?

These are the types of people that Our House Shelter helps. They help them not only by feeding them, but by giving them shelter and hope for a new job. Once they are established with a job, Our House offers Little Learners, a day care program.

Our House is more than a shelter, it is a place that will help to turn someone's life from a nightmare that we cannot imagine to a working part of society who has a chance where their worries can eventually fall to the not so harsh worries that are manageable.

To me Our House is the one and only Little Rock shelter that can turn a life completely around.

The Changing of Seasons

Driving down the road reds, oranges, yellows and the colors of fall are bringing forth the changing of seasons. Fall brings along with it new attitudes and memories of the seasons. Throughout fall comes with it, the spirit of giving.

Whether it is purchasing a t-shirt that makes their t-shirt donation to our house for an early Christmas present from www.rockcitytees.com for a friend or simply making that five minute stop to buy batteries. We need to continue this spirit and tradition, not only to help Our House Shelter and those less fortunate than us, but to show those younger that they can help in a small way too.

Even if you cannot afford to go purchase the current needs clothing is something that Our House can always use. The clothing you give is going to people who are not your average homeless person. They are trying to become more for themselves and their family. That shirt or pair of pants might just be what they wear on their on their first day of their new job, or even more, their new life.

Our generation is changing the world through so many other ways with hybrids and recycling. Let's not only change the world lets change the people in it. Together our kids will admire us for our efforts.

How Common

"I saw a man on the side of the road
with a sign that read 'will work for food'
Tried to look busy, 'til the light turned green"

This is from Dave Matthew's most recent album. The song is called Dive In. This should make our society take a look in the mirror. How many times have you done that? I know I have.

Since you know how easy it is to give to Our House, maybe we can all come together and slowly change those awkward situations. Even though the unemployment rate keeps on going up, we have organizations out there that are changing that. If everyone does their part by simply buying soap, or buying two when you are shopping for yourself. You can make that little difference in someone's life. The things that we are spoiled to, are a luxury. Luckily Our House and everyone that is being involved in this project is changing a life forever. They will never know who did it, but they will know that there is hope in the world and one day when they are on their feet again, they will remember the generosity and pass it on.

Attention Future Doners

Now that we know you are going to donate, we are slowly getting the community involved in helping us get these simple donations, like soap, for example.

Rockcityoutfitters is one of our new partners in helping out house. For every t-shirt you buy from his website not only will you get a dollar off your purchase of each t-shirt he is going to donate a shirt for every one sold in benefit of Our House Shelter. The website is www.rockcityoutfitters.com and the code to get your discount is projectourhouse. They have some pretty great merchandise as well.

We have another organization that is working on making us a specific t-shirt for project our house that will raise money through the purchase of the shirts. We will keep you updated on that as soon as we know more.

As for right now, visit your local grocery store and pick up a bar of soap and some batteries and if you cannot find one of our drop off locations, I am certain that someone on this project can make arrangements to meet you and personally take it to Our House.

New drop-off site

Fuller & Sons at 900 Main St. in downtown Little Rock is our latest drop-off location! Our House is always in need of gardening tools, work boots and work gloves, all items available at Fuller & Sons. Stop by today. For other drop-off locations, check out the sidebar to the right of this post.

Pass It On!

By now, you've heard a lot about Project Our House and you are so amped and ready to find out "How do I get involved?" Well right now we asking that you continue to follow this blog along with our Facebook and Twitter pages (information located to the right) each week to find out the needs of the week and please note the locations where items can be dropped off .
We will soon have a big donation drive where we will set up post at various locations around the city and surrounding areas. This will allow you a chance to meet some of the students who are involved in this project. Until then continue to take your donated items and the "needs of the week" to our drop off locations noted on this blog and please remember to "Pass it on!" Get the word out to your friends, neighbors, cousins, sisters, brothers, frienemies about Project Our House and this blog so that they too can become as socially conscious as you!

The needs for this week are batteries (any kind) and soap. If your out and about tomorrow or during the week, please remember these items and the many locations where you can drop them off.

- PS -

Shout out to our new drop off location Fuller and Sons Hardware on Main in Little Rock! We really appreciate your support!

How Did It Go?!

Now I know this is a very full weekend for most people with all the activity surrounding the Race For the Cure, the Arkansas State Fair, and the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony but did you make time to stop by the grand opening of My Favorite Little Thrift Store in North Little Rock? If so, please leave a comment and tell me about your experience. If you didn't, you can always stop by Our House on Roosevelt RD to drop off donations or take your donations to one of the many drop off locations listed here on this blog.

The weekly needs are batteries and soap. Any type of batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, etc.) and any kind of soap (hand soap, facial or body soap), though you can drop off whatever donation you may have or want to give, the weekly needs are items that are more in demand for the moment.

Hey You! Yes You!

Sometimes when you do more than what is expected of you, it can make you feel better about things you may be going through. In experiencing this project, I've grown more aware of the homeless in our community and the needs of the families who've been affected the most by our current economic state.

I was out running errands for lunch on yesterday and had 20 minutes left to be clocked in but I hadn't had the opportunity to eat, so I stopped by McDonald's for my favorite meal (the #11 chicken selects with honey mustard for the sauce and a sprite to drink). After getting my meal I had only 10 minutes to get back and get clocked in. Mind you, I only have one more tardy to get before I get my verbal warning. So I got my meal, drove off and decide not to eat until I got back to my desk. Hungry as I was, I didn't want to wreck while eating and rushing to get back. I pulled up to my job, parked, got out and was on my way in the building to clock in and that's when I noticed him.

Their was this man, who I'd seen many times in the same location, in the same clothes, but I never thought twice about after passing him by. Well today he looked even more strange than usual but I still decided to pass him by yet again. And that's when my conscious kicked in saying "What about Project Our House?" So I turned around ran back asked him if he was hungry but didn't wait for the answer and handed him my meal, my favorite McDonald's meal. I also told him about Our House and advised him on the directions.

I felt good. Still hungry, but I felt good. So, If I've learned anything, I've learned that the old saying is true "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The blessing came in the fact that I still made it on time with no tardy, no verbal warning, and peace of mind knowing I help someone today,

So...You! Yes You! It's your time to make a difference. Stop by the open house that Our House host every first Thursday of the month and if you have items to give or don't know what to give, take a look at the weekly needs we post here on this blog and be sure to mark in your memory the drop off locations!

Doing the Most!

DID YOU KNOW?

My Favorite Thrift Store is a thrift store that exclusively benefits Our House. This Saturday, October 17, from noon to 2p.m., Our House will host its grand opening of a second thrift store location at 4606 JFK Blvd in North Little Rock.

Come to shop or drop off donations. If you donate items, please make sure that they are in good condition. Also, some items may be tax deductible. Tax receipts can be given at time of donation. If you need more information about the grand opening, please leave a comment. We will make sure to reply to your inquiry.

FELLING ENTHUSED ABOUT OUR HOUSE AND WANT TO GET EVEN MORE UP CLOSE?

If you find yourself enthused by the information you've read about Our House on this blog and you would like an open opportunity to get familiar with the staff and it's residents, then why not partake in the monthly open house offered to the local community, giving a chance to get up close and personal with such an outstanding organization. The open house is held every 1st Thursday in the month from noon to 1 p.m.

Go on, stop by! You'll be glad you did!

"WHO CAN YOU DEPEND ON IN YOUR TIME OF NEED?"

I can't imagine finding myself in a position where I'm one pay check away from being homeless and not have any resources like family, my church, or local community organizations to support me in my time of need. Sure, family is there from time to time but we all know that we can't always depend on them. And there is the Red Cross, a well known organization, but even their help is limited. Some cities have homeless shelters that are also a great resource but they have defined constrictions and don't always provide the needed or resources to help you get beyond your current circumstance.

Our House is one of a kind. It provides the working homeless (families and individuals) with safe, clean, comfortable housing; food; free child care; education; and job training in order that they may return to independence and lead productive lives. Although the give an extraordinary amount of service, we all know that even organizations like this count on the kindness of others to help them stay in a position to provide free services for those less fortunate.

As stated in my previous post, each week Our House presents a "Need of the Week." This week Our House Shelter needs batteries and soap. Any kind of batteries: AAA or C, hand soap or body soap. In the season of H1N1, we want to make sure that we also consider those who are no in the position to obtain even the necessities of life. Please take one or more of these items to one of our drop off locations noted to the right of this page.

Project Our House is in its seventh week and still heading strong into the semester with driving donations for Our House Shelter in Little Rock.

New to the blog and NEED to know more?

Each week we will post the various needs for the shelter and inform you on ways you can submit your donations or your time. If you've missed information you may have heard by word of mouth regarding any old blog post and you would like to view that particular post, you can always check out the blog archives located to the bottom right of this web page.

This week, Our House is still in need of gently used gardening tools and bus passes. Drop off locations for the gardening tools are listed to the right. If you are able to donate bus passes, you may visit http://www.cat.org/bus/pass_sale/html for locations to purchase the tickets. The bus ticket donations can be dropped off at Our House located at 302 East Roosevelt RD or call 501-374-7383.

Continue to follow this blog for more information on how you can contribute to Our House and help pave the road to independence for the working homeless in OUR community.

Follow us and be a fan!

Please visit the Project Our House Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?ref=nf and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/projectourhouse

Drop Off Locations

Drop off your gently used gardening tools and equipment to one of these locations:

Our House Shelter
302 E. Roosevelt Rd.
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mon-Fri

Inviting Arkansas
5501 Kavanaugh Blvd.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Mon-Fri

Crye Leike
123 Audubon Maumelle Blvd.
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Mon-Fri

Nailtorious Nail Spa
1200 John Barrow Rd.
10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Mon-Sat

4th Dimention Salon
4701 Baseline Rd.
9:00 - 12:00 p.m., Mon-Fri

Our House Needs

We still need outdoor gardening tools like rakes, shovels, etc.! Please drop off your items at the shelter on Roosevelt.

Follow us and be a fan!

Please visit the Project Our House Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?ref=nf and follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/projectourhouse

Our House Needs

We still need outdoor gardening tools like rakes, shovels, etc.! Please drop off your items at the shelter on Roosevelt. Our map is below at the very bottom of this page. Thank you in advance for all of your help!

Directions to Our House

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see our map to the Our House Shelter.

Our House Needs

Our House Shelter still needs outdoor garden equipment and tools. They also need bus passes. Please stop by the shelter on Roosevelt Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Also here is the link to find some CAT locations to purchase bus passes: http://www.cat.org/bus/pass_sales.html

Our House Needs

Our House Shelter is in need of outdoor garden tools such as rakes, shovels, etc. Also the need for bus passes continues. We encourage you to make your donations to the shelter Monday - Friday from 8:30 - 4:30 and should be made to Our House staff person, Melissa. Bus passes can be purchased on the UALR campus and at CAT locations.

Exciting News

Our House Shelter is opening a store which will exclusively benefit the shelter called "My Favorite Thrift Store" and will be located in Little Rock. This location will accept donations of furniture and will schedule pick-ups for large scale items. The grand opening event will take place on Saturday, November 15th from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. The store hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Saturday.

Please visit the Project Our House Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?ref=nf and follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/projectourhouse

Our House Needs

Our House Shelter is in need of bus passes for the residents. These passes can be used to provide transportation to and from work, job interviews and school. The passes should be dropped off to Our House between the hours of 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. When donating, please provide the passes to Melissa of the Our House staff.

Also please come out to visit the Our House Shelter Open House today beginning at 12:00 pm. Here you can learn how to make a contribution, volunteer your time or to drop off your much needed and appreciated donation. The address to the shelter is 302 Roosevelt Road in Little Rock.

Thanks and hope to see you there!

Social Media Project

The Project Our House donation effort is being driven by the use of Social Media. This is project is an experiment for students of UALR's School of Mass Communications PR Writing Course for Fall 2009. As such, the students are responsible for using Social Media, i.e. this blog, Twitter and Facebook to encourage and promote donations to Our House Shelter in Little Rock.

If you have not become apart of 'OUR' social media experience, please visit follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/projectourhouse and become a fan of Project Our House on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?v=wall&ref=ts

To gain more insight on the Project Our House, visit their website - http://www.ourhouseshelter.com/

Did You Know....

Did you know that Our House Shelter will be hosting an Open House event on Thursday, October 1st? Please come out to learn how you can make a difference by making a donation or volunteering your time for a worthy cause. The Open House event will begin at 12 p.m.

For further information contact the shelter at 501.374.7383 or visit the shelter location at 302 Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, 72206.

Our House Needs

Our House Shelter needs men, women and children's underwear of all sizes. To receive more information about Our House Shelter, please visit the shelter location at 302 Roosevelt Road in Little Rock.

Please also make donations at one of our many volunteer drop-off locations Monday - Friday:

Inviting Arkansas, Little Rock
Crye-Leike, Maumelle
Nailtorious Nail Spa, Little Rock
4th Dimention Salon, Little Rock
Harvest Food, Benton

Our House/Open House

Hello Everyone,

Our House is having an Open House this Thursday and you are invited! Here are the details:

Our House Shelter Open House
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Noon
Lunch provided
Tour of shelter after lunch
Must rsvp to Our House by Monday morning

Feel free to ask questions in reference to the Open House. Hope to see you there!

LinkedIn

Project Our House is connected; if you are interested in this project and would like to follow our progress through other social networking site, we urge you to visit our pages on:

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?ref=ts
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/projectourhouse

Also take the time to visit the official Our House website. http://www.ourhouseshelter.org

Our House Needs

Just want to reiterate by saying that the needs for Our House are men’s women’s and children’s underwear. We have been informed that there is a greater need for women’s undergarments than the other two mentions previously. Donations of these items can be dropped at any of Project Our Houses’ official donation points or they can be taken directly to the Our House Shelter. Addresses are posted at the bottom of this blog site to properly direct you to whichever you choose.

Connected

I want to make everyone aware that Project Our House is being promoted through Facebook, Twitter and here on blogger. This is a collaboration between the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's public relation writing teams under the supervision of Professor Amy Barnes. Project Our Houses' mission is to use social networking tools to help drive donations to the local working homeless shelter, Our House.
If you are interested in this project and would like to follow our progress through other social networking site, we urge you to visit our pages on:

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?ref=ts
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/projectourhouse

We implore you to take the time to visit the official Our House website. http://www.ourhouseshelter.org

And remember, change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek. So help bring change by helping others in need. Donate to Our House.

Did You Know?

Our House was incorporated in September of 1987 to assist in solving the growing problem of the homeless in Central Arkansas. Through a colaberation by the Arkansas Conference of Churches and Synagogues (the Arkansas Interfaith Conference), the United Way of Pulaski County along with other interested parties, it was decided that the greatest need was to find shelters for homeless families. Hearing this call, two shelters in Little Rock offered shelter for individuals with no place for their families to stay. This only being a short-term fix to a growing issue, Our House set out to fill this gap and to meet the needs of Central Arkansas's working homeless population.
In the last 20 years, Our House has grown from a single emergency shelter to a program that transitions people from homelessness into the workforce and permanent, independent housing.

Our House Needs

Our House needs laundry detergent and underwear for men and women. Scroll down to see available drop off locations Monday - Friday to make your contribution.

To receive Facebook updates for Our House, become a fan of the Project Our House facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Project-Our-House/130957735779?ref=ts

Thanks Channel 7!

Check out the piece that KATV ran on the UALR/Our House project!

Our House Needs

Our House is currently in need of sippy cups, backpacks and laundry detergent. Scroll all the way to see directions to Our House. You can drop off donations at the shelter Monday through Friday.

Did you know?

Our House is a liscenced childcare provider. Their Little Learners Child Development Center serves the children of Our House and the community-at-large. The daycare center features a nursery, early childhood education stations, children's computers, and a large playground and green space. They serve children ages 6 weeks to 12-years-old and are open from 7am to 5pm. Visit their website, www.ourhouseshelter.org for more information.

Our House

Our House shelter is still in need of sippy cups and laundry detergent. Drop them off while you're out running errands this week. Scroll down for a map. We appreciate your help!

UALR team

Did you know?...

Our House still needs sippy cups and laundry detergent. Drop some off tomorrow! See the map below for directions, they're located in downtown Little Rock.

Did you know that Our House always needs volunteers? You can help this Little Rock shelter for the working homeless in so many ways. Visit their website to check into volunteering: http://ourhouseshelter.org/volunteer/index.html

Our House needs

Our House is in need of sippy cups and laundry detergent asap! You can drop off these items from 8:30 am to 4 pm at Our House, located at 302 E. Roosevelt Rd. See the bottom of our page for a map!

How does Our House work?

Our House operates an 80-bed shelter, a 39-bed family housing program (18 family rooms), an education and job training center, a free childcare center, and a feeding program that serves over 45,000 meals per year. Our House also offers additional free services that help people transform their lives. Services include addiction recovery groups, after school programs, parenting classes and job search assistance. Our House programs help people become successful members of the workforce, the community, and their own families.

They rely on the donations of simple, every day items to keep their residents productive, healthy, happy and working. We'll be posting about items they need that you may have at your home or that you can easily pick up at the grocery store.

What you can do

We'll be updating this blog weekly with small items you can donate and tips on how to improve the lives of those at Our House. Sign up to follow our posts!

PR writing team looks to help change lives of those less fortunate.

Our House

Our House Shelter provides shelter, food, job training, child care and education to the working homeless throughout the state of Arkansas. Incorporated in 1987, Our House fills in the gap of needs for homeless by offering a place for families and long-term planning and assistance. A nationally recognized model for shelters, Our House relies heavily on volunteers and donations to provide for the working homeless they take in.

Need

Our House Shelter has a constant and evolving need for the basic necessities, such as clothes and toiletries, which they provide to the working homeless who are sheltered with them.