Change Corps RSS Feed

Human Rights Campaign Issues 2010 Buyer's Guide

Brad Pritchett — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Issues 2010 Buyer's Guide

Every year the Human Rights Campaign issues a buyer's guide, highlighting businesses and corporations that are banning discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In addition, these businesses provide benefits for GLBT employees and their families and do so publicly.

The idea of the guide is to allow individual consumers to support businesses that support equality by doing business with those companies.

With the holiday season fast approaching the Buyer's Guide can come in handy if you're interested in making sure your purchases are supporting companies that support equality for all people.

Go to HRC's website to view the guide online - http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide2010/ .

To download a PDF version you can print out, follow this link - http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide2010/hrc_buyersguide_10.pdf

10-Dec-09 2:00 PM

Announcing "Change Corps Sandwich Club"

Brad Pritchett — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:00:00 GMT

INTRODUCING CHANGE CORPS' FIRST MONTHLY RECURRING EVENT

Change Corps is proud to announce our first recurring, monthly event.

The "Change Corps Sandwich Club" is a monthly gathering, planned for the 2nd Sunday of every month beginning in January of 2010.

Benefitting SEARCH Homeless Services, the idea is we bring the food and goods to put together sandwiches and pack them. We assemble the sandwiches and then provide them to SEARCH, who distribute them to the homeless population in Houston.

Our weekly goal will be to assemble a minimum of 75 sandwiches, just the meat and bread or peanut butter and jelly. We want to avoid anything that can spoil quickly, such as using mayonnaise.

Suggested supplies:

Bread

Peanut Butter

Jelly (any flavor)

Any sandwich meat product

Cheese

Brown paper bags

Zip-lock sandwich bags
Labels

Once a month we can come together, spend an hour or two assembling the sandwiches and packing them and helping to provide someone in need with a meal that will improve their lives in more ways than one.

It's important to know there are people who care and with the economy impacting so many, individuals find themselves performing a balancing act between middle-class and poverty.

We hope you'll take part in this monthly Change Corps activity. Call Brad with any questions at 713.898.9734.

8-Dec-09 0:00 AM

Candidates Who Care - Stephen Costello for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1

Brad Pritchett — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:00:00 GMT

Candidates Who Care

Candidate - Stephen Costello

Running for - Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1

Website - www.costelloforcouncil.com

I met Stephen Costello during the General Election this year. After attending multiple candidate forums it became clear that Stephen was running for Houston City Council for all of the right reasons.

His expertise lies in flooding and drainage issues and that expertise has been used to help write criteria manuals for the Harris County Flood Control District and the City of Houston. Anyone who lives in Houston knows how important it is that we have public officials in elected positions who understand problems like flooding and can work on innovative solutions.

Another focus of Stephen's is green spaces in Houston. As a 13-year board member of the Memorial Park Conservancy and 4-year board chairman, Stephen is dedicated to preserving the park's historic significance and natural green space. He has also been instrumental in coordinating park improvements using a public-private partnership, using NO tax-payer funding.

It was from Stephen that I learned about Memorial Park's history. Originally deemed Camp Logan, Memorial Park was leased by the War Department during WWI and used to train some 25,000 soldiers. In 1924 the city of Houston purchased the land and estabished Memorial Park in memory of the soldiers who had once trained there.

Stephen's dedication for green space came from his love of being outdoors. An avid runner and tri-athlete, Stephen has successfully completed 17 marathons and 6 Ironman triathlons.

With a skillset that is unmatched in his race, and an ability to bring people together for a common good, Stephen Costello is truly a candidate who cares.

Please consider supporting Stephen Costello for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 1.

7-Dec-09 10:00 PM

Give A Day, Get A Disney Day

Brad Pritchett — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Give A Day, Get A Disney Day

HandsOn Network and Disney Parks are celebrating the power of
volunteerism with a brand new program entitled “Give A Day, Get A
Disney Day.” Individuals and families who give their time to help
improve communities will receive a free one-day ticket to a Disney
theme park. The goal is to engage one million volunteers in service in
2010.

Here are the details:
- Who is eligible: Residents in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico

- How volunteers participate: Starting January 1, 2010, volunteers
can go to www.disneyparks.com to search for volunteer opportunities
made available through HandsOn Network, and sign up for a day of
volunteer service.

-Program Dates: Jan. 1, 2010 – Dec. 15, 2010

HandsOn Network is the activator for this program with more than 250
HandsOn Actions Centers across the country in addition to 70,000
community-based partners such as food banks, homeless shelters,
schools and faith-based organizations.

Also, be sure to check out the frequently asked questions here:
http://cts.vresp.com/c/?PointsofLightFoundat/123516ba25/849ac43cab/f5f99c8594.

Thanks for everything you do to help improve communities and celebrate
civic engagement.

10-Nov-09 3:00 PM

Small Change - Shop Your Local Farmer's Market

Brad Pritchett — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Small Change - Shop Your Local Farmer's Market

This month our small change is suggesting that you try shopping at your local farmer's market. The benefits of buying your food locally are multi-fold, from helping the local economy and small businesses, to offering your family the freshiest and most seasonal foods available.

So why buy at a Farmer's Market?

1. Local food tastes better. It is fresher and has been ripened in the field rather than in a shipping container.

2. Local food is better for you. The shorter the time between field and table, the fewer the nutrients lost.

3. Local food preserves bio-diversity. Large scale farming uses a limited number of varieties of plants and animals to maximize uniformity and shelf life. Local farms often grow a greater variety of plants and animals that are well suited to local conditions.

4. Local food has a smaller carbon footprint. Buying organic produce may seem like it would be better for the environment but it can actually have a negative impact due to the use of diesel fuels in hauling it long distances. Local farmers and ranchers travel relatively short distances to bring what they grow to you.

5. Local food supports local families. Local farmers sell directly to their customers, cutting out the middleman and enabling them to support themselves by what they grow. It also means that local dollars stay within the community and have three times the impact on the local economy.

In Houston we recommend visiting - http://farmersmarket.rice.edu/showhome.aspx and the Houston Farmer's Market at Rice University.

6-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Candidates Who Care - Anna Eastman for HISD Trustee District I

Brad Pritchett — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Candidates Who Care

Candidate - Anna Eastman

Running for - HISD Trustee District I

website - www.annaeastmanforhisd.com

I met Anna Eastman during the Democratic Primary last year.

My neighborhood is the Houston Heights, and we were lucky enough to have an Obama office just around the corner from our house.

Every time I would go into that office, I would see Anna Eastman. She was a fixture at that location and one of the hardest workers I have had the priviliege to meet.

After the campaign had come to an end, I had stayed in contact with Anna and what she was doing via social networking sites like Facebook. She had taken up a cause to bring healthier foods to her childrens' school and put her activism to work for kids.

So it is no surprise to me that she has decided to run for HISD Trustee District I.

Anna will bring the same dedication and commitment she brought to her volunteer efforts to the children of HISD everyday on the job.

Anna will work to bring more innovation to our classrooms, increase parental involvement in the education of their children, and work to resolve our drop-out rate.

Anna is truly a candidate who cares.

Please consider supporting Anna Eastman for HISD Trustee District I.

24-Sep-09 12:00 PM

Noel Freeman offers Houston "Solutions, not Soundbytes"

Brad Pritchett — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Noel Freeman offers Houston "Solutions, not Soundbytes"

Houston City Council Candidate Noel Freeman, candidate for Houston City Council, At-Large Position 4, released a new campaign offering Houstonians solutions to some of the problems facing our city, rather than soundbytes with no substance behind them.

The three public policy papers address Flooding and Drainage, Promoting Community Health Clinics and Giving Houstonians a greater voice on our City Council by allowing their representatives to place items on the agenda.

“This campaign season has seen stump speeches and the usual campaign rhetoric, but it’s time to show real leadership by putting policy proposals on the table.” Freeman said. “My policy proposals will show Houstonians I am the candidate in this race who knows more about how our City operates than any of my opponents and I am ready to work toward real solutions on day one.”

Noel Freeman is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a life-long public servant. For the past five-years he has worked for Houston's Department of Public Works on issues related to our infrastructure. He is the only candidate on the ballot in any race who is a member of the Texas Floodplain Management Association.

Noel is also one of the founding members of Change Corps Houston. He has devoted his time to our community service projects as well as helped us plan and coordinate events. Noel was instrumental in helping us to design and create the wonderful mural of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Barack Obama at the Independence Heights Community Health Center.

Noel Freeman has a positive record of experience helping people all across our city and he has more knowledge about how to get things done realistically than any other candidate in the race. He isn't a politician by trade, he's a regular person ready to serve the public interest and has the knowledge and experience to bring fresh ideas and new leadership to City Hall.

If you haven't already, please look at Noel's website at http://www.NoelFreeman.com/

And for all three of his new policy papers, go to www.NoelFreeman.com/solutions

DOWNLOAD all three policy papers here!

/attachments/wysiwyg/1/solutions-agenda.pdf

/attachments/wysiwyg/1/solutions-clinics.pdf

/attachments/wysiwyg/1/solutions-flooding.pdf

24-Sep-09 12:00 PM

Houston BARC - How you can help today!

Brad Pritchett — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Houston's BARC - How you can help today!

If you've been watching the news in Houston, you know that problems with Houston's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control has been under fire for quite sometime.

Animal rights activists have been fighting for the health and wellfare of the animals at BARC for years after mistreatment of the animals by employees and deplorable conditions at the facility. Recently there has been a big push by volunteers to help pick-up the slack at the facility.

Change Corps was able to talk with Robyn Arouty, a volunteer and one of the leading activists leading the charge for change at BARC. Below you'll see our interview with Robyn as well as how YOU can get involved volunteering at BARC starting today.

Robyn -

I started with an organization called Weekends at BARC, walking & playing with dogs every saturday or sunday. soon i was fostering, assisting with adoptions, blogging about my experiences...then was asked to do weekly photography for the houston examiner featuring animals available for adoption. My background is in psychology and I worked in corporate america for several years, so I was quickly struck by the dysfunction of the BARC system as a whole...from an organizational psychology prospective, this system was so broken in every way. The big picture, the past, & the future haunted me & it was obvious that something had to be done on a much larger scale. My efforts turned to reaching out and lobbying for positive changes at BARC on a political level, with other animal welfare agencies & through social networking, especially on facebook.

Change Corps - What are some of the biggest problems you see at BARC?

Robyn -

By history, there have been countless reports of animal abuse and neglect. Puppies being washed down broken kennel drains and dying in trucks with malfunctioning a/c systems. The facility has been unclean, thereby spreading distemper and parvo diseases like wildfire. Staff has been accused of being unfriendly, non-animal loving and incompetent...and many are not properly trained to use the shelter software, putting many precious lives at risk, many owners/pets not being reunited, etc. Vaccinations have not being given, retaliation against volunteers who whistleblow, and the worst thing is that houston has one of the highest euthanasia rates in the entire country...and the list goes, literally, on and on and on!

BUT, the good news is that in the last few weeks there have been some significant changes to the system. Mr. Gerry Fusco was hired as a consultant to turn things around at BARC. Without getting into all of the controversy, let's just say that he comes with an extremely high price tag for the city, which many people are not too pleased about. The city council needs to vote on whether his contract will continue for the remainder of its 6 month proposal. In the meantime, he is the interim bureau chief and answers to Stephen Williams, the director of Houston's Health Dept.

Change Corps - In your opinion how can we start to correct these problems? Do you think more volunteer involvement is the answer or should the city of Houston be stepping up more?

Robyn -
Oh, please pardon the cliche, but it really will take a village. We need volunteers there on a daily basis, we need Houston to step up and fix *all* the problems...they need to make promises and then keep them. For example a new adoption facility has been in the works for several years. Where is it? In 2005, there was a task force that completed a very in depth report of the problems and the changes that needed to take place. The mayor promised...the health dept. promised...and nothing happened...in fact, things got even worse. Here are some photos I took with my cell phone last year. Dogs were forced to sleep in their own urine and feces...then when volunteers complained, many of the staff starved the animals in an effort to eliminate waste to clean up.

Change Corps - How do you think we can work to solve some of the issues that plague BARC?

Robyn -

We have been very lucky lately to receive the media attention on these problems. The Houston Chronicle and all of the television stations have been providing coverage on a weekly basis. We intend to keep BARC in the limelight...they have yet to prove that consistency can exist in this organization. Our main hope is for a solid and strong advocate for the animals to take over as bureau chief in the next 6 months. BARC has had 4 different people in this director position in the last 5 years. Houston, we have a problem! And, I'm also happy to go on record as saying that we will not see permanent change until the mayor and the health dept. director are gone...happy trails to your senate seat Mr. White...there, I said it. Remember...it all trickles down...

Change Corps - You do a lot of promotion of animal adoption yourself, how much of a response have you seen from people in your online efforts?

Robyn -
Facebook has provided an amazing outlet for animal rescue. I have created a network of animal advocates across the country who can immediately see my posts and act on them. I'm so proud of the countless success stories of rescue, support, fundraising, etc. we see on a daily basis. I often post videos and articles about dog fighting and puppy mills and education about the importance of spaying and neutering. Everyday it is something different and there's plenty of work to be done. We completed a rescue transport of a boxer not too long ago...his fostermom contacted me, I posted his story on facebook with a photo, and a friend of one of my friends since the 2nd grade instantly fell in love with him! The hsus wrote an article about this fun event for their website as soon as "Gavin's Travels" completed the Dallas, TX to Buffalo, NY trip. Here's a link to the story:

http://www.hsus.org/about_us/offices_and_affiliates/regional_offices/central_regional_office/facebook_brings_a_dog_and_his_new_family_together_062508.html

Change Corps - How can ordinary people step-up and help out with the situation at BARC and with the overall problem Houston has with animal control?

Robyn -
BARC is located at 3200 Carr Street, near I-10E and 59N, off Collingworth Drive. (http://www.houstonbarc.com) Anyone who is concerned can help. There is a place for your skills in this mix, I promise. For example, We're currently trying to gather people to go out in force to put up posters to combat dog fighting in Houston. Yes, it's still a huge problem here. The United States Humane Society has created a national tipline...and they are offering a $5000 reward for any tips that lead to a conviction. We have narrowed down the zip coded areas and are ready to go. You would be amazed at the lack of education in this city...about spay/neuter, about dogs on chains (illegal!), about proper and responsible pet care. Education is key. Loving and playing with the animals at BARC is crucial to their socialization. Spreading the word about adoption events is very important. So, feel free to contact me anytime to discuss opportunities to assist in this fight. My email address is robyn@project71.com and you can find me on facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/robyn.arouty - love making new animal loving friends!

You can follow the links listed above and help get involved with the volunteers who are working on a daily basis to improve the conditions at BARC and help to adopt out the many loving animals just looking for a home.

Change begins with you.

19-Aug-09 11:00 AM

Houston adds to its Wind Energy Committment!

Brad Pritchett — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Change really does begin at home.

On the Change Corps website we try to suggest small changes you can make in your life everyday that can have big results, so it's so refreshing to see the City of Houston stepping up and making a change that benefits not only its citizens but all of the planet's citizens as well.

On July 1, 2009, Mayor Bill White announced that 32% of the City of Houston's total electricity load will be purchased entirely from wind energy! This is a 5% increase in use of wind energy. Below is a portion of a news release about this big step for an environmentally conscious Houston!

“We begin taking this additional wind power today as a benefit for both today and the future,” said Mayor White. “As the energy capital of the world, Houston is committed to becoming the clean, sustainable energy capital of the world as well. Supporting clean sources of energy means helping put off the time when we’d all bear the cost of adding expensive new power plants and it also helps reduce harmful emissions.”

Houston is key in Texas’ ranking as the leading wind state in the nation. The EPA’s Green Power Partnership previously hailed the City of Houston as the No. 1 municipal purchaser of green power in the nation and as a crucial leader in the alternative energy trend.

Houston recently passed the U.S. Air Force to become the nation’s leading purchaser of wind energy by a governmental entity.

Starting today, 32 percent of the City’s operations will be powered by wind energy from Texas wind farms, mainly located in West Texas. The City expects to use as much as 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of this renewable energy in the next four years, through 2013. This is equivalent to the amount of kilowatt-hours needed to power 26,000 homes each year. It also helps reduce the need to build more expensive power plants for the region’s rising energy needs.

The City, designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as one of its Solar America Cities, also is active in developing its own solar powered sources of energy. At the end of July, Mayor White will flip the switch on a new 100 kilowatt system that will be used to power a portion of the George R. Brown Convention Center. This new system will be in addition to the recently installed systems on the City’s Code Enforcement building (3300 Main), Discovery Green Park and the City Hall Annex building (900 Bagby).

Also, despite double-digit growth, the City has instituted energy conservation and energy efficiency measures that have enabled it to cut its total energy consumption by 6 percent over the past five years.

14-Jul-09 9:00 PM

Community Spotlight - Neighborhood Centers Inc.

Brad Pritchett — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:00:00 GMT

Community Spotlight - Neighborhood Centers Inc.

There are many terrific organizations in the Houston-area that are constantly working to make positive change for a broad range of communities. This month we highlight Neighborhood Centers Inc.

Founded more than 100 years ago by a school teacher named Alice Graham Baker, Neighborhood Centers has existed in many variations, but the organization's overall mission has never changed. Today they have a network of 59 service sites whose mission is to bring resources, education and connection to underserved neighborhoods.

They carry out this task through a series of core values:

Respect and Responsiveness

Leadership and Excellence

Accountability and Integrity

Growth and Innovation

Diversity and Inclusiveness

One the great things about Neighborhood Centers Inc is that they aren't a service organization that simply hands out assistance whenever and wherever, but they're engaging members of the communities they work in and keeping them involved in the process of improving their neighborhoods through interaction.

For more information on Neighborhood Centers Inc, visit their website at http://www.neighborhood-centers.org.

12-Jul-09 1:00 AM

Nationwide Action

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 02:26:37 GMT

Every day more and more people are taking back their corner of the nation by committing themselves to community service and neighborhood involvement. With volunteer groups being created everyday, it's becoming more and more clear that people are ready for real change. To find a volunteer organization near you, use the map below.

Simply click on one of the symbols for more information about that group.

If you don't see a group near you, then START one! Keep in contact with us so we can update others about the work you're doing in your community.

Change Corps Loudoun County, VA

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 04:36:46 GMT

NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE Change Corps Loudoun County is working on helping out at several volunteer events in coordination with the National Day of Service. Community service projects will be engaged in across the country in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the Presidental Inauguration. JOIN Change Corps Loudoun County, VA

Grassroot Resources

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:42:24 GMT

One of the goal of Change Corps is to help empower people all over the country to step-up and take on the roles of community activists. President Elect Obama says that change comes from the bottom-up and we have the opportunity to prove his words true. Here you can find a variety of resources to help you organize your own Change Corps in your hometown. All it really takes is a group of motivated individuals willing to roll up their sleeves and make a difference. Volunteers are always needed by organizations and something as simple a Google search usually can turn-up a variety of opportunities available in your area. DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES The following files are designed if you are interested in starting your own local Change Corps chapter. They include ways to network to find volunteers as well as how to identify and organize volunteer events in your area and...

OFA Offices

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:47:56 GMT

Below you will find offices for the Harris County Coordinated Campaign. Each of these offices are utilized by the OFA (Obama for America) Team to help elect Senator Obama in November. These offices are also the locations of the Harris County Coordinated Campaign and are working to help turn Texas blue by electing a swell of Democratic candidates this year. You can help make change a reality by helping out at any of these offices! 5th Ward Office Deidra Rasheed 4300 Lyons St., Ste. 200 Houston, TX 77020 832)660.6236 Midtown Office Chella Cardona, OFA Organizer 3710 Travis Street (Alabama & Travis) Houston, TX 77002 713)823.8618 East End Office (SD6) Carol Lazard, DFO 201 Broadway Street Houston, TX 77012 713)249.3834 West Side Office Amber Goodwin 13316 Westheimer, Suite 100 (Facing Eldridge) Houston, TX 77077 713)702.4061 Bay Area Office Sanjay Bapat, DFO 568 El Dorado (at Highway 3 & El Dorado) Webster, TX 77598 281)300.4575

Links to Photos and Videos

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:25:21 GMT

Web Sites and Blogs of Interest

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 02:36:52 GMT

1. BarackObama.com - Senator Obama's Presidential Campaign Web site.

2. HopeActionChange.org - Brad Pritchett's blog covering news and other content regarding Senator Obama's Presidential Campaign.

3. Japi's Blog - Javier Avellan's blog which has a variety of topics but mostly political issues.

4. ObamaWorks - Obama Works volunteers intend to implement Barack Obama’s message of change through public service, harnessing the immense energy created by his presidential bid to serve their communities.

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Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:03:21 GMT

File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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File uploaded by Brad Pritchett.

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Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:03:21 GMT

Noel Freeman helping to set-up the pick-up line.

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Volunteers of all ages, shapes and sizes helped out this year.

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Noel Freeman helping organize the line.

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The line of prepared bags waiting for families.

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Brad Pritchett helping sort items.

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Brad Pritchett helps put together the food bags.