It is the mission of K.I.D.S to bring hope and self esteem to children in need and their families by providing new products donated by retailers and manufacturers, and distributed through our network of community-based nonprofit agencies. Since 1985, K.I.D.S. has provided over $750 million in new clothes, toys, shoes, books, accessories, and children's products to 65 million children served by local partner agencies. K.I.D.S pioneered a unique charity model that aligns hundreds of companies with more than one thousand leading local agencies in the United States and Canada. 85% of donations are distributed to agencies in the U.S. and the remaining 15% to countries abroad. This alliance brings hope to children and families at risk.  

 Houston Area Women’s Center Awarded $20,000 Allstate Foundation Grant

Funding Provides Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors

The Allstate Foundation is partnering with the Houston Area Women’s Center to help survivors build lives free from the effects of domestic violence with a $20,000 grant to support and enhance services offered by the Center's Career Development Program (CDP). For many women, the CDP helps them develop a financial foundation from which they can build a safe and economically independent future for themselves, and oftentimes, their children.

Limited financial access and social isolation are common among domestic violence survivors; therefore, many lack the job skills and financial management tools needed to free themselves from the dependency of their abuser. Within the shelter at the Houston Area Women’s Center, the CDP offers survivors access to tools and resources necessary for achieving economic freedom.

The CDP assists each woman in creating an individualized plan for financial stability. For most, this includes obtaining employment, enhancing job skills and furthering their education. During the initial five months of participating in the Economic Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors Program, 125 Women’s Center residents have participated in "The Allstate Foundation’s Moving Ahead Through Financial Management" workshops, 47 have completed educational courses, job training programs or certificate programs, and 68 have gained new or better employment.

Another factor in achieving financial independence is developing the life skills for creating budgets and managing resources. Clients attend classes that teach the fundamentals of budgeting, credit repair, saving for the future and accessing mainstream assistance. Since May, 74 survivors have met a personal financial goal. With the support and resources provided by The Allstate Foundation, clients of the Houston Area Women’s Center have a better chance at a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Sue L. Nguyen Children's Enrichment Center 

On behalf of our board, staff and volunteers we would like to thank Sue Nguyen and the Nguyen family for their kind contribution to our Children's Enrichment Center. The Children's Enrichment Center bears Sue Nguyen's name in memory of her passionate commitment to help young people positively transform their lives. Sue was a devoted and esteemed guidance counselor in HISD for more than 20 years. Her dedication, compassion and energy influenced many young people of all races and nationalities. On September 18th of last year, Sue passed away, leaving behind a great legacy and an extraordinary gift to the Houston Area Women's Center.

It's only fitting that our Children's Enrichment Center will now bear her name. We share her values and the goals here at the enrichment center -- emotional support, academic achievement and safety planning -- go a long way in helping our kids start to build lives free from the effects of the violence. Through this gift, we will be able to make some much-needed improvements to the center and to sustain the important, future-saving work that happens here. We will be able to purchase two new vans to transport middle and high school students to school and to transport all of our children to exciting, horizon expanding field trips and learning opportunities offsite. The space here in the enrichment center was not originally designed for children, so we’ll have the opportunity to make it more “kid-friendly” and welcoming for them. There are other needs that we’re looking at and we look forward to sharing those as we get a little further along in the planning process.

For 35 years, we've been working diligently to break the cycle of violence for the children we serve and we've done that for thousands upon thousands of them. We know that we can't do this work alone - we have always relied on a generous community for all kinds of support. And, today, we continue to rely on extraordinary gifts of kindness from extraordinary individuals like Sue Nguyen and her family. Thank you so very much for this truly wonderful gift!