The Beacon is a non-profit organization with the mission to restore hope and help end homelessness by providing essential services to the homeless population in the Houston area. These services include hot meals, private showers, full-service laundry, civil legal aid, counseling, and next-step services.
On Labor Day, September 5, 2022, nine volunteers and two parent chaperones from the ALYUS Bellaire Branch volunteered at The Beacon Day Center. The group was split into two groups – seven for lunch service and four for laundry facilities. During lunch service, volunteers would greet the individuals experiencing homelessness and mark off on their wristband before directing them into the lunch line. Volunteers then served the lunch meals as the individuals moved through the cafeteria style serving line. Lunch plates were any combination of choices including burgers, chili dogs, waffle fries, green beans, potatoes, fruit, and salad. After assembling and distributing around 150 meals, the lunch volunteers helped clean both the kitchen and the cafeteria eating area by wiping all surfaces with disinfecting solution and sweeping floors for debris. Volunteers also leveraged large load capacity washing machines to launder and dry the towels, scrubs, and clothes from the clients. Volunteers also folded all the clothes and cleaned the vents of dryers after nearly 30 large loads were done.
We are thankful to have had this opportunity to serve at The Beacon Day Center and be a part of the mission to serve those in most need in the city of Houston.
The following volunteers attended this event (3 hours): Yeong-En (Andy) Shen, Victoria Wang, Helena Wang, Miranda Wang, Megan Wang, Alexander Tang, Andrew Liu, Valerie Yu, and Lucas Wang.
Report by: Andy Shen and Victoria Wang.
