Misión Milby

Purpose:
The purpose of the Mission Milby Community Development Corporation (MMCDC) is to share the compassion of Christ with a hurting community as it serves as a catalyst for long-term community improvement.

Description:
Misión Milby was created by the Milby UMC, a transitional congregation of nine church members “borrowed” from other United Methodist Churches including Clear Lake UMC. MMCDC serves a neighborhood in which the church lost the right to share the gospel by ignoring the needs of the neighborhood. The church died as it was and is now re-earning the right to share the gospel and someday in the future redevelop as a Latino congregation in Houston’s East End, a community of high poverty and low-educational attainment. Less than a third of the adults in the neighborhood have a high school diploma and the annual per capita income ranges from around $5,400 to $10,000. Over 8000 HISD students attend seven schools within one mile of the facility including Milby High School, two blocks north. MMCDC is redeveloping the Milby UMC building as a community outreach center that provides educational and other services to address community needs. MMCDC Classes include English as a Second Language, GED, Computer classes in English and Spanish, after school tutoring and mentoring with students at Milby High School and Deady Middle School.

Volunteer Roles:

» Construction Volunteers –
The MMCDC building has suffered from years of neglect. To better serve the community the building is gradually being repaired as funds and volunteers are available. MMCDC needs skilled and unskilled construction volunteers.

» Tutor/Mentor Coordinator –
MMCDC would like to start a tutor/mentor program for junior high and high school students. We are looking for a volunteer who can help organize, recruit and train tutors and mentors.

» Mentor/Tutors –
Less than a third of the ninth graders who start Milby HS graduate four years later. MMCDC wants to turn that around and there is a need for persons who can commit one afternoon a week for two hours to develop tutor/mentor students.

» Class Leaders/Teachers –
MMCDC has some free classes taught by staff provided by Houston Community College, but these classes are full with waiting lists. We need persons who can teach or assist one day a week for 12 or 13 week sessions. The biggest need is for teachers who can assist adults with basic computer skills, education and GED instruction.

» Receptionist –
MMCDC has a full-time receptionist who is also assisting with the development of TFA’s social enterprises to employ people in the neighborhood with livable wage jobs. She needs 2-3 hours of relief each day at the MMCDC front desk. Five volunteers are needed who will be trained and serve one day a week as volunteer receptionists, greeting and assisting visitors in person and on the phone.

» Contacts:
Janet Horn, 713.666.9213
Harry Hulen, 281.488.2473
Will Reed,713.454.6411

Mission Milby Community Development Corporation
2220 Broadway, Houston, Texas 77012