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!