More than 40 people gathered last week at Georgia James Steak to celebrate CFTH’s system leadership on addressing homelessness with the goal of raising $100,000 from supporters of the organization. 

CFTH Board of Directors Secretary Annette Garber (Houston Methodist) introduced the organization and its important work as lead agency to The Way Home, the homeless response system in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. Since 2012, more than 30,000 people have overcome homelessness and moved into permanent housing with a 90% success rate over the long term. 

Katina Baldwin (Director of Development, CFTH) spoke about how CFTH drives collaboration forward, highlighting the organization’s nationally recognized leadership on decommissioning encampments through the offer of housing. Since 2021, more than 100 encampments have been decommissioned with more than 450 people on the path to housing. 

Marc Eichenbaum (Mayor’s Office, City of Houston) talked about CFTH’s role in capacity building and how the organization has a unique ability to step in to bring about new programs and strategically fill key gaps. Mike Nichols (President/CEO, CFTH) spoke about CFTH’s expertise at weaving together highly restricted and fragmented public dollars with funds from private philanthropy. 

James Gonzalez (Director of Housing, CFTH) spoke about the often-intangible role CFTH plays in helping people move into housing, made difficult according to Gonzalez because, “… if everything has gone according to plan, they never know who we are.” Gonzalez moved those in attendance with his observation, “What’s so different about CFTH?... At the Coalition we know that often our achievements will be anonymous. And yet here we are every day, quietly dedicating our lives to improve our community.” 

Sara Martinez (VP Communications & Development, CFTH) detailed the benefits of the World Homeless Day Giving Society, which donors can join by pledging $10,000 over one or two years as part of our World Homeless Day campaign. 

If you are interested in learning more about CFTH and this campaign, please contact Director of Development Katina Baldwin at kbaldwin@homelesshouston.org.