SO. To try and remedy that, we’ve been highlighting a new cause in Houston each week by showcasing their mission, their impact and all of the different ways one can get involved to create change in Clutch City. It’s called #52Causes and y’all better be paying attention because WOWZA. These folks are getting it done. 

Not content to just be tweeting change, we upped the ante and started ANOTHER charity focused program: Champagne Charity Chats. Last Friday, we welcomed over fifty people into our space for our second #ChaChaCha event, at which we invite five nonprofits to pitch their cause to people who want to be more involved in our community. Check the photos to see what the big deal is.

There was champagne, a well-curated cheese plate, some classy fruit and a lot of community-driven people. We heard from The Buffalo Bayou Partnership, BikeHouston, Houston Area Urban League Young Professionals (HAULYP), Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer and Boys and Girls Harbor. We learned how to be better stewards of our natural spaces (aka they don’t call us the Bayou City for nothing), how two wheels are transforming our city, that a few professional skills can go a long way for local folks and a heck of a lot more. Houston is a metropolis of diversity and energy, and these nonprofits prove it.

On to you guys: Are you waiting for an invitation to get involved in your community? Do you need a little push to roll up those sleeves and get to helping? Consider this your nudge—and your net.

There is nothing than we know better than Houston-based causes and we want to arm you with information so you can go forth and make change. Attend a Champagne Charity Chat (we’ll let you know when) or just read below for some of the #52Causes organizations we’ve covered so far this year and get inspired.

Get involved. There’s work to be done and it’s here in Houston. Some options: hold a drive to collect those (squeaky clean—see also: brand new) pairs of underwear. Or, you can spend some time volunteering. Check out some opportunities here!

Houston Tomorrow’s vision? In 2036, Houston will be home to the healthiest, happiest, most prosperous people in the U.S. DREAMING BIG AND WE LIKE IT.

Bike Houston’s advocacy work focuses on ensuring that bicyclists’ needs are met, from planning, to construction, to law enforcement. Who doesn’t love riding a bike? Wind literally rushing through your hair and the sun beaming down on you. ALL about that.

Bikes bikes bikes. If you’re a fan of wheelin’ around town, check out their websites for rides to join and safety training classes near you.

Every year, there are approximately 2,500 refugees from all over the world resettled in the greater Houston area. They all have their own struggles and hard choices to navigate and we’re lucky that there are organizations like Refugee Services of Texas and Amaanah Refugee Services here in Houston who are operating to provide resettlement services specifically for refugees.

If you’d like to help RST Houston with their mission in this great city, here’s some volunteer opportunities. And we didn’t forget you, Amaanah. They have plenty of ways to help out and work with refugees here.

CONCLUSION:
These organizations are making a huge difference in Houston and they aren’t letting their resources (or lack thereof) dictate what they’ll accomplish. They show up everyday, just like the rest of us, and they dedicate their weeks, months and years to helping make Houston a better place to live and we are PUMPED to help share their impact.

So, stay tuned, world, and we’ll see you next month.