NAVIDAD EN EL BARRIO
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Mission Statement
Navidad En El Barrio (NEEB) is a 501(c)-3 non-profit charitable organization founded in 1987. Our mission is making life more pleasant for those less fortunate than others. Diversifying its interest to all age groups has enabled the organization to continue bringing smiles to those who might otherwise have lost all hope.
About This Cause
The Christmas Program will be held at a venue in the Houston metropolitan area where 2000 children from 50 area elementary schools will gather for a Christmas Party. They will enjoy a Christmas Program and receive at least four to five gifts each. In addition, 1 boy and 1 girl from EACH of the fifty schools will receive bikes as door prizes. Children can participate in the “If I had three wishes, I would wish for…” essay contest for a chance to win a bike, gift cards and cash. Realizing our children go hungry at times, each child will be given a 1lb. bag of rice and 1lb. bag of beans. Lastly, each child will receive a book and their families will receive informational resources for low income families such as the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Sites and the Earned Income Tax Credit. !--break--> NEEB fills the gaps in services for low income children, families and seniors. The children we serve are from low income families who would probably not enjoy Christmas gifts for the holiday because their families are struggling to make ends meet. !--break--> This program was founded by a Houston Police Officer, Officer Israel "Izzy" Gomez. He is focused on building a better relationship between the community and police officers. Therefore, he makes sure that police officer volunteers wear their uniform to in turn demonstrate a positive action in the community. !--break--> NEEB implemented a scholarship in 2007 for middle school students. A $500.00 scholarship is given to incoming 9th graders. Each year, after passing, the recipient will be awarded another $500.00 until graduation, ultimately securing a $2,500 college scholarship. Each scholarship recipient will be required to volunteer for NEEB to learn the importance of giving back to the community. !--break--> Every year NEEB donates toys to smaller non-profit organizations and hosts a party for children of female and male inmates of the Harris County Jail. Our Sheriff selects inmates that are working to better themselves while incarcerated and if picked for NEEB's party, their children are registered, received 3 to 5 gifts each, have lunch and best of all, get to spend 2 hours with their incarcerated parent at the facility. Each inmate is given the bag(s) of toys for their family and they have the joy of giving them to their sons and daughters.!--break--> Additionally, NEEB hosts a party for youth who are in state custody due to abuse and neglect from the Houston/Harris County area that includes a hot meal, $100 gift cards and appropriate teenage gifts and books. They are also treated to a day at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that allows them to also enjoy the concert and a meal donated by a rodeo executive. NEEB also delivers food and toys to approximately 175 families on Christmas Eve. These families are selected by police officers, firefighters and educators who know the situations their students live in. !--break--> NEEB has grown tremendously in its thirty three years of existence, reaching over 72,000 children. Since its inception, NEEB has expanded its cheer to include a summer party for 400 senior citizens, which began in 1994, the Senior Citizen Young at Heart Dance. Area senior center attendees are invited to enjoy fellowship with their peers while they dance, enjoy a hot meal, door prizes, a $10 grocery gift card and a dance competition. Our goal is to improve their quality of life by showing them appreciation and that the community cares for our seniors. Many of our seniors are on fixed incomes and also struggle to make ends meet, sometimes feeding their food to their pets and going hungry themselves. NEEB provides a hot meal they can share with their friends and they even have enough to take home. !--break--> Navidad En El Barrio is governed by a working volunteer Board of Directors that consist of 19 members, an Executive Board and an Executive Director. The Executive Director is also the Founder, Retired Houston Police Officer Israel "Izzy" Gomez. We meet on a monthly basis and all board members are expected to participate in the program activities. In addition, members are expected to donate door prizes to our events, sell tables for our gala, assist in all fundraisers by soliciting funds and attending the events. They are also responsible for coordinating and chairing all events. NEEB does not have a paid membership. !--break--> NEEB works very hard to insure that 80% of our funding is spent on direct services for our children, seniors and families. We have been able to accomplish this goal every year with the help of our community and sponsors. !--break--> NEEB has a diverse group of funding sources such as grants, corporate sponsors and individuals. The majority of our funds come from our individual donors and our fundraising activities. We will continue to focus on our current fundraising sources, but will be adding an emphasis on local grants and collaborations with other non-profit organizations. NEEB also depends on local organization toy drives to supplement the needs of our teenagers. !--break--> NEEB provides a glimmer of hope, smiles of happiness and an opportunity for the less fortunate to realize that others care about their well-being. We see the amazement in the faces of children and families, as those that provide hope, may be total strangers.