Executives provide updates on local nonprofit activities

By George Slaughter, News Editor
Posted 12/8/22

Leaders from three local nonprofit organizations gave updates for their respective groups at a Dec. 6 meeting of the Katy Area Economic Development Council.

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Executives provide updates on local nonprofit activities

Posted

Leaders from three local nonprofit organizations gave updates for their respective groups at a Dec. 6 meeting of the Katy Area Economic Development Council.

Tracey Brown is executive director of Amazing Place, which helps people who are suffering from dementia. David Brown is executive director of The Ballard House, which provides temporary housing for patients undergoing medical care and their families. Deysi Crespo is executive director of Katy Christian Ministries, which provides social services, including support for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims, as well as a food pantry.

The meeting took place at the Embassy Suites, 16435 Katy Freeway.

Tracey Brown said Amazing Place, which is governed by 16 churches, has programs for family caregiver support and for community education. While both programs are important, Amazing Place is working to educate the public about dementia.

“We offer a lot of caregiver education and support groups,” Brown said, adding that Amazing Grace partners with churches to help identify and assist older people who need help.

Amazing Grace is working to develop its own facility. Presently, its local office is in The Hub, 5614 1st St., in Downtown Katy. But it is raising money for a new facility. Brown said $12.2 million has been raised, with $14 million being the goal for the groundbreaking. The overall fundraising goal is $20 million, she said.

David Brown recently took over as executive director at The Ballard House, though he was a longtime director before taking on his new assignment. He described The Ballard House is a “home away from home” that has been around since 2006. He said it has offered over 66,000 nights of no-cost lodging for patients and their families.

Brown said The Ballard House has hired a live-in hostess, and is growing its volunteer base to support its guests even better. He said The Ballard House is encouraging more community groups to provide meals and asking more churches to provide worship and fellowship opportunities with its guests.

To support these activities, Brown said The Ballard House is asking businesses to support its mission through sponsoring and attending fundraisers. Also, Brown said, The Ballard House is increased its grant writing activities to secure more funds. He urged the audience to remember corporate matches.

Crespo said KCM, founded in 1984 by nine churches during an economic downturn, has had an active year. Through October, she said, KCM’s social services has helped 12,150 families. The food pantry has provided over 1.2 million meals to 6,861 households. She said this is about 1.5 million pounds of food and fresh produce.

The crisis center has also been active, providing crisis intervention to 1,714 domestic violence and sexual abuse victims, Crespo said.

In addition to the presentations, the Morton Ranch Choir, under the direction of choir director David Van Wyk, singing holiday music before the meeting.

Katy Area EDC, Amazing Place, The Ballard House, Katy Christian Ministries, Morton Ranch High, Morton Ranch choir