January Newsletter: 2012 Theme = HOMEGROWN

a. Top 11 in 2011
b. 2012 Theme = Homegrown: Local People for Local Causes.
c. Vox Holistic Experience
d. 3/24 Superhero Party benefiting Children of Salvation Army
e. Upcoming Events

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Our team is excited and energized for the new year and look forward to creating memorable experiences with you! To start off, wanted to lay groundwork for 2012 by reflecting on where we've been, setting a theme and process for the year, and inviting YOU to get involved.

a. VOX CULTURE'S TOP 11 in 2011

"You've got to know where you've been to know where you are going." We are so grateful for the partnerships, volunteers and team members that contributed to the growth and success of our organization. Check out our TOP 11 in 2011 as a recap of fun times from last year.

b. 2012 THEME = HOMEGROWN: Local People for Local Causes.

"Charity begins at home, but should not end there." ~Thomas Fuller. Houston is such a vast city and what better place to pour our energy than by starting at home. In 2012, we aim to offer opportunities that draw on grassroots efforts to benefit local causes. Thank you for your input in helping us narrow our focus areas for the year to address the causes YOU care about. After a collaborative brainstorming session, the three main issues of interest include underprivileged children, caring for our environment and refugee/immigration reform. These will be divided into themed trimesters. (Artwork by Jody Lee)

c. VOX HOLISTIC EXPERIENCE

At Vox, our goal is to raise awareness about social issues through creative expression. In an effort to offer a well-rounded experience for our audience, Vox leaders have designed a process that utilizes Head (Conspiracy) / Heart (Culture) / Hands (Imprint) method. By focusing on one cause across a trimester, we aim to provide multiple opportunities for you, as our guest, to learn and get involved with an issue and cause organization. We hope that through this process, you will gain a deeper understanding of the distress in Houston and leverage your creativity to care for our city.

d. 3/24 SUPERHERO PARTY BENEFITING CHILDREN OF SALVATION ARMY


Our first focus of the year will be Children at Home and we will be throwing a Superhero Party in partnership with Salvation Army on Saturday, 3/24.

About Salvation Army Family Residence: The residence opened in 1984 and serves as a safe haven and transitional living for homeless women and children. Some of the residents are victims of domestic violence, substance abuse, crime, illiteracy, or unemployment. Services include home furnishings, financial assistance, case management and classes that include computer instructions, cooking/nutrition/ financial planning, GED/ESL classes, health issues, job readiness, life skills, and parenting for the residents. Benefits are given with the expected goal of independent living. The children are provided with counseling, tutoring, and child-care services as well as school supplies, and uniforms. Occasionally, the children get to participate in field trips, parties and educational summer day camp.

Help put a smile on these children's faces - get an early start by being involved with the planning process! First meeting will be on Tuesday, 2/7 @ 7PM - Vox Warehouse. Contact Johnny Lin for details.
 
e. UPCOMING EVENTS

• 2/18 Free the Captives' 2nd Annual Houston Human Trafficking Conference. | Houston, TX
  
• 2/24-25 Justice Conference "Love is a Thread" | Portland, OR

Vox Culture's TOP 11 in 2011

ELEVEN Interactive Events: Beautiful You, Break for Japan, Crawfish Boil, Speak Hope, Mosaic Madness, Bridgeland Tri, Just Shop, Pack & Deliver Film, Salsa Night, SEARCH Holiday Party, Justice Market

TEN Core Team Members

NINETEEN Artist Showcases + Nine Imprint Creatives

1. TK Ahn (visual)
2. Ayad Fadel (visual)
3. Anne Jensen (visual)
4. Dianne Webb (visual)
5. Morris Molina (visual)
6. Caroline Marcos (visual)
7. Jeff Montgomery (visual)
8. Marlon Lizama (spoken word, dance)
9. Havikoro + bboys (dance)
10. Chris Cortez (visual, dance)
11. Darnell Allen (dance)
12. Ruby Rivera (dance)
13. Erica Fletcher (film-maker)
14. Erock1 (dj, dance)
15. Ad Deum Dance Company (dance)
16. Kristine Hu (photographer)
17. Michael Sun (logo, graphic artist)
18. Naoko Fu (flyer designer)
19. Andrew Fox (flyer designer)

9 x Imprint Creatives: Andrea Wong, Alice Sun, Charlene Quah, Elaine Lau, Grace Chiao, Julie Tien, Sarah Headrick, Shiou Teng, Yvonne Wu

EIGHT Hundred Event Attendees

SEVEN Cause Partners: SEARCH, Not for Sale Campaign, Free the Captives, Chrysalis Mentoring Program, Living Water, International Rescue Committee, Million Crane Project

SIX Creative Expressions: Visual Art, Dance, Film, Crafts, Food, Community Builders

FIVE Social Media Outlets: Vox Website, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Monthly Newsletter

FOUR Year Anniversary

THREE Themed Initiatives: Human Trafficking, Poverty, Homelessness

TWO New Branches: Vox Imprint & Vox Conspiracy

ONE Mission: “Combining the Voices of Creativity and Cause…”

Party on...!

Weeks have passed, but the joy and uplifted spirit from the SEARCH Holiday Party still resonates...


Highlights from the party included: hot food off the grill, holiday beats, chess games, ornament making, football routes, stocking gift-sets, photoboothing and of course...the dance-off! But above all, the conversations and connection with the residents made this event truly memorable.

SEARCH Staff, Phoebe Wong, writes: "Residents have been absolutely RAVING about the party.  Here are some comments that the residents shared with me:

• One woman started tearing up and shared that she was overwhelmed by how far people went to make this such a great party.
• Another man who painted an ornament (it turned out beautifully and got many compliments) said he’d never done anything like that before. I teased him and said maybe he found his next career.
• One woman couldn’t stop laughing during the dancing, and said that this made her day.
• I overheard some residents saying as the volunteers were leaving, “these people were so nice and sweet.”  I think that speaks to the compassion and heart that volunteers brought into their interactions with residents
• The front desk monitor said, “my compliments to the chef” and wrote an incident report to the property manager about how organized and well-run the party was.

There’s so much more I can pass on with you and rave about, but these are just a representation of how appreciative the residents were.  If not for my commitment to confidentiality, I could tell you so much about what certain residents have been going through, and how much of a refreshing and healing quality this party and the volunteers’ presence brought to them."

1. See more photos.

2. See cupid shuffle.

Vox Volunteer, Andrew Fox, writes: "Getting to be a part of this VOX event with SEARCH was definitely special for me. While it was certainly great to bless the lives of the people at Jackson Hinds, it is so much more a blessing to hear their fantastic stories, see their genuine smiles, and learn how these hardy souls have held onto hope..."

SPECIAL THANKS to the following groups/organizations for their support:

- SEARCH Homeless Services
- Jackson Hinds Gardens Staff and Residents
- Vox Holiday Planning Team
- Vox Volunteers
- Gifts in Kind: Kroger (Buffalo Spwy), Randall's, Walmart, Dr.Luk Dental, Philosophy, Panera Bread
- KV3 Photography

Through this event, we have learned more about the issue of homelessness in our city, have seen the generous side of humanity and have been touched by the lives at Jackson Hinds. Vox looks forward to creating more opportunities where we can care for our community in 2012. Join us!

JUSTICE MARKET - This Saturday 12/10

Vox will be participating in the Justice Market, hosted by Not For Sale Campaign. This is a great opportunity to shop fair trade/ethically made goods, enjoy live holiday music, sip on fair trade coffee, enter a raffle to win great prizes and finish the day with the Robbie Seay Band live in concert.

Estimated attendance ~2000+! Come visit our booth!

Date: Saturday, December 10
Time: 1-6PM Justice Market | 5:30-7PM Vendor Dinner | 7-8:15PM Robbie Seay Band Benefit Concert
Location: Copperfield Church - 8350 Highway 6 North
RSVP to Justice Market

THANK YOU Vox Imprint Creatives:

Alice Sun - snack bags and tutu kits
Andrea Wong - handmade cards
Charlene Quah - homemade coco jam
• Elaine Lau - handmade cards
• Grace Chiao - hand-knitted items
• Julie Tien - snack bags
• Sarah Headrick - hand-crocheted items
• Shiou Teng - gift card treat bags and cake-slice boxes
• Yvonne Wu - wristlets and baby burp cloths

SEARCH Holiday Party - Sat 12/3

Meet the Wonderful Residents of SEARCH!

"The site where Vox will be throwing a Christmas Party is a permanent housing facility for formerly homeless people called Jackson Hinds Garden.  Many of the residents, although they have a roof over their heads, continue to struggle with issues that plagued them when they were on the streets: untreated mental illness, substance abuse, financial instability, and lack of social support, to name a few.  SEARCH received a grant a couple of years ago to partner with Jackson Hinds, which allowed SEARCH to place a team of staff on-site to work with the residents on these issues.  SEARCH staff provide intensive case management, life skills and substance abuse recovery groups, crisis intervention, and community-building support to the residents at Jackson Hinds. 

Vox's Christmas Party is going to be a fun, exciting breath of fresh air for the residents at Jackson Hinds!  For a community that has experienced deep trauma, marginalization, and voicelessness in society, having a group of people come in to spend the day with them will mean a lot.  This is a great opportunity for Vox to learn hands-on about the nuances of homelessness and to make a difference in a very personal and creative way!" ~ Phoebe Wong, SEARCH Staff  

Volunteer Sign-up: http://bit.ly/ujtSmp

• Date: Saturday, Dec 3rd
  
• Time: 9AM Volunteer Orientation @ warehouse | 10AM Set-up | 11:30-2PM Party
• Location: Meet at Vox Warehouse: 8570 Katy Fwy, Suite 116 - Orientation required

**Orientation for parents bringing children is 9:15am this Sunday, 11/27 at the warehouse.  Free breakfast tacos provided for all those joining.  RSVP to judy.feng@accesslive.org.

Stocking Gift-Set $10.00:

Hang some holiday cheer for a resident at Jackson Hinds. Each stocking will be filled with toiletries, snacks, and a personalized card, from YOU. These will be gifted at the Holiday Party. Contact Alissa.Kit@voxculture.org to purchase.