MEDIA ADVISORY, June 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) --
WHEN: VIP Ribbon Cutting: Thursday, June 3, 2004 at 2:30 p.m.
Community Open House: Saturday, June 5, 2004 from 10:00 a.m.
until 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Both events will be held at The House of Tiny Treasures
located at 1529 Lombardy, Houston, Texas 77023
DIRECTIONS: From the Gulf Freeway (I-45 South), take the
Telephone Rd. exit heading north. Turn left on Baird St.,
going five blocks past Elliott, Lawson, Godwin, Munger and
Sharpe Streets. Make a left turn on Lombardy.
WHO: The Honorable Mayor Bill and Andrea White
Sandy Reese-Kesseler, Executive Director, SEARCH
Harriet Wasserstrum, Executive Director, American Leadership
Forum (ALF)
Other elected officials and dignitaries
WHAT: Three years ago, Tropical Storm Allison destroyed the Baby
House at The House of Tiny Treasures, the first licensed
childcare center in Houston for homeless children ages 6 weeks
to 6 years. Through individuals, public funding, corporate
support and the ALF Class XXI, the Baby House was recently
rebuilt and decorated. The reopening of the facility will
enable SEARCH to once again accept homeless babies.
Two events will be held to celebrate the reopening and
highlight the long-term needs of the homeless in Houston. On
Thursday, June 3, the VIP ribbon-cutting ceremony will be
hosted by Mayor Bill White providing remarks about the
homeless issue in Houston and Mrs. Andrea White, reading The
Purple House to the children of The House of Tiny Treasures.
The ALF Class of XXI and their children will serve as the
official host and the organizers of both events. ALF Class
XXI are: Argentina M. James, John White, Cathy Hevrdejs, Alan
Bergeron, Steve Richter, Steve Trauber, Bishop Joe Vasquez,
Ben Samuels, Rick Barongi, Stacy Methvin, Alton Hall, Mary
Vitek, Victor, Bhatt, Yolando Londono, Syliva Louie, Tammie
Khan, Abel Devila, Carmen Watkins, Kaye Stripling, Harriet
Wassertrum, C.C. Lee, Georgianna Nichols, Kenneth Wells, and
Patricia Cabrera.
On Saturday, June 5, the Community Open House, will provide
interactive activities and free refreshments from 10 am until
1 pm.
CONTACT: Ken Kelly (713) 502-4510 or kenkelly@texas.net
Thao Costis (713) 739-7752 ext. 208 or
tcostis@searchproject.org
Onsite Number: 832-302-2908
AUDIO/VISUALS OPPORTUNITIES:
VIP Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
2:30 pm until 4 pm
Thursday, June 3, 2004
1529 Lombardy, Houston, Texas 77023
-- Mayor Bill White speaking
-- First Lady Andrea White reading to children
-- Ribbon-cutting with Mayor, First Lady and Bishop Joe Vasquez
-- New fence Mural built and decorated by ALF Class XXI
-- House of Tiny Treasures Children's musical performance
-- Young Leaders Host Committee (Children that are hosting this
event)
-- Baby House inside and out
-- House Blessing by Bishop Joe Vasquez
-- Reality Tour...Experience homelessness through the eyes of a
child.
-- Mayor (or other dignitary) taking Reality Tour
-- A Walk in Their Shoes, Growing Up Homeless...Premiere showing of
this educational video, produced by ALF Class XXI and Search
-- Dignitaries viewing video
-- Naming Opportunities...Imagine your name or your company's name
-- on any one of numerous items throughout the House of Tiny
Treasures
-- Baby Quilt...Leave a lasting impression and double the value of
your gift by contributing to the challenge the Ed Rachal
Foundation proposed
The Giving Tree...Created in 2004 by the ALF Class XXI, The
Giving Tree will provide critical funding for the House of Tiny
Treasures for years to come
The Baby Boutique...Purchase diapers, wet wipes, bottles,
layettes and other essential baby items for homeless children
Back To School Shop...Help a homeless child start the new school
year off right with uniforms, backpacks and other needed supplies
-- Kay Stripling, Superintendent of HISD at the "Back to School"
Shop
AUDIO/VISUALS OPPORTUNITIES
Community Open House
10:00am to 1:00pm
Saturday, June 5, 2004
The House of Tiny Treasures
1529 Lombardy, Houston, Texas 77023
-- New fence mural built and decorated by ALF Class XXI
-- Young Leaders Host Committee (Children that are hosting this
event)
-- Baby House inside and out
-- Reality Tour developed by ALF Class XXI...Experience homelessness
through the eyes of a child.
-- A Walk in Their Shoes, Growing Up Homeless...Premiere showing of
this educational video, produced by ALF Class XXI and Search
-- Naming Opportunities...Imagine your name or your company's name
on any one of numerous items throughout the House of Tiny
Treasures
-- Baby Quilt...Leave a lasting impression and double the value of
your gift by contributing to the challenge the Ed Rachal
Foundation proposed
-- The Giving Tree...Created in 2004 by the ALF Class XXI, The Giving
Tree will provide critical funding for the House of Tiny Treasures
for years to come
-- The Baby Boutique...Purchase diapers, wet wipes, bottles, layettes
and other essential baby items for homeless children
-- Back To School Shop...Help a homeless child start the new school
year off right with uniforms, backpacks and other needed supplies
-- Houston Zoo Mobile
The House of Tiny Treasures
HTT is a licensed early childhood development center, serving homeless children ages six weeks to five years and their families. The hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 5:30pm. The center has a licensed capacity for 34 children. HTT opened in 1992 to provide quality childcare services for those individuals attending employment education classes at SEARCH. The program is open to any parent who is homeless and working or participating in a job or educational program. Those parents who are employed pay a small percentage of their income, as mandated by the grant that fund their child's care. In order to allow families adequate time to stabilize and gather necessary resources, children are allowed to stay in the program for two years after achieving self-sufficiency. For more information about the events, please visit http://www.searchproject.org/images/postcard_front.gif.