History
During the 1980's, a sudden local economic downturn resulted in the loss of over 100,000 jobs in the Houston area. At that time, houses of worship were faced with unprecedented requests for food, rent, utility assistance and clothing. Since each congregation could assist in only a small way, the congregations decided to pool their resources and create centralized service centers. In 1983, Memorial Assistance Ministries opened its doors to address these needs.
Specialties
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) is a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides emergency financial assistance and other services for families and individuals who find themselves in temporary crisis and in need of assistance to avoid homelessness and attain self-sufficiency. MAM programming is divided into three areas: Family Assistance Programs, Self-Sufficiency Programs, and Programs for Children in School. Our goal is to assist Houston families so they can be stable and healthy, with the means to meet their basic needs and improve their economic security. MAM's programs are supported with proceeds from the MAM Resale Store, which is a distribution point for clothing and household goods for qualifying families, and generates more that one-third of MAM's non-capital revenue. The Resale Store is also a contact point through which MAM touches the whole community including customers, in-kind donors, current clients, and MAM families emerging into self-sufficiency.