Construction / Capital Campaign Updates
Click here to donate to The Next Step Capital Campaign!
Construction Update: Where can I park during construction?
Construction has begun on the new MAM parking lot and the addition behind the store, which will include added office space, more Resale Store warehouse space, and enclosed courtyard. Additionally, the area that will become the New Center for Family Independenceand new Resale Store sales floor has been fenced off in preparation for the construction.
The Emergency Services entrance is currently not accessible through the front of the building. Please use the temporary sidewalk that connects the new parking lots to the Emergency Services entrance (see image below).
PARKING:
As of January 2012, the new MAM parking lot at the north end of the property will be partially available to MAM clients, volunteers, shoppers, and visitors. We ask that all MAM volunteers utilize this lot while working at MAM. Additionally, during high traffic times, overflow parking is available across Blalock at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, near the thrift shop. Just look for the "MAM Parking" signs.
Click image to view larger version.
Why is MAM Expanding? What is the Next Step Capital Campaign?
Nearly two thirds of families living in the Spring Branch and surrounding communities live below the poverty level and struggle to meet the basic needs for their families. The new expansion at Memorial Assistance Ministries will enable us to continue providing assistance for their basic needs, while expanding employment and support services to help them move beyond assistance to financial self-sufficiency.
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) helps the most vulnerable families of near northwest Houston stay in their homes, feed their families, clothe their children, and obtain medical care. There comes a time, however, when charity through financial assistance no longer meets the needs of the greater community and self-sufficiency becomes the necessary tool for survival.
The building that houses MAM programs is bursting at the seams. The Donation Center is overflowing with items, but there is no room on the sales floor to sell the items and generate valuable revenue for programs. Classrooms designed for teaching English and job skills are being taken over by the many social service collaborations so critical to our clients. Small confidential client and staff spaces are now hosting large groups of students in a cramped environment – hardly an atmosphere conducive to learning. The need for self-sufficiency programs is fast approaching three times our capacity. Our space limitations are competing with our objectives of meeting both the needs of assistance and self-sufficiency. We are making great strides to bridge
the gap between both areas and have become a significant conduit in providing and enabling a variety of services in one central location within the Spring Branch Community. But, we have run out of room.
A $4 million capital campaign will allow MAM to add 17,349 square feet to our existing building. Specific features of the building addition include:
- New Center for Family Independence – an education wing dedicated to teaching skills that will help people provide a stable home and lifestyle for themselves and their families. The wing will contain two large classrooms, a computer lab and private client learning areas.
- Additional client interview and smaller classrooms for the assistance and administrative programs.
- Increase in the size of the Resale Store and Donation Processing Center, which generates valuable revenue for our service programs
Pledges may be offered over a period of up to five years. All gifts and pledges of $10,000 and above will be permanently recognized on a campaign donor wall and gifts at $100,000 and above will be honored by a room naming opportunity within the new MAM facility. And, of course, gifts at any amount are welcome and deeply appreciated.
The MAM Resale Store and MAM Services will remain open during construction, which began in late 2011.
For more information, contact:
Sandy Staffeld, Director of Capital Gifts
713-468-4516 ext. 106 | sstaffeld@maministries.org
Click here to donate to The Next Step Capital Campaign!