Taking a stand on public policy and legislative issues that affect women, children and families is the heart of NCJW's work. As a nonpartisan advocacy organization, NCJW educates and mobilizes individuals and communities to become a vital force for action on the local, state, national, and international levels.  Advocacy is all about action. Make the most of the opportunity. For Advocacy Tips visit NCJW

AID TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE (AVDA) - A local nonprofit organization established by NCJW in 1980 that provides a unique blend of services, including advocacy, legal representation, batterers' intervention counseling and community education and outreach.

BRIGHTER FUTURES (A program of Planned Parenthood) - this is an after school program for middle school students as they progress through high school.

CALL TO PROTECT - Used cellular phones are collected then sold to be refurbished and reprogrammed. Funds collected have gone to support local community service projects.

CHILD CARE SCHOLARSHIP FUND - Through scholarship dollars, daycare assistance was provided to qualified parents who were working, going to school or in job training.

DONNY WORKMAN MEMORIAL LUNCH PROGRAM - Scholarships and lunch have been provided to HIV positive students who attend this outreach art program.

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS (Dr. Lee K. Feine and Daniel Lee Mattis Scholarships) - Funds raised have provided scholarships awarded to students entering their third year of college or graduate school and who are preparing for careers in the fields of education, health and social welfare or Judaic studies.

EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS IN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS - Members have facilitated for presenters at a one-day Conference to nurture the interest of middle school girls in careers in math, science, and technology. 

FAMILY OUTREACH CENTER - In 1975, NCJW and the Harris County Child Welfare Unit developed this project to offer protective and preventive services for children. After five years, the administration of the project was turned over to the Harris County Child Protective Service.

HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL (HCDVCC) - NCJW underwrote the Councilˇ¦s first bi-annual Adult Violent Death Review Team (AVDRT) report, which was presented to the Harris County Commissionersˇ¦ Court.

HEALTHY MARRIAGE INITIATIVE - A coalition founded in 2004. Its mission is to promote healthy marriages and strengthen family relationships in our community through collaboration and education. A Memo of Understanding was signed.

HILLEL SHABBAT DINNER PROGRAM - Volunteers and subsidies have been provided for the Shabbat dinner program for area Hillel students.

HOLOCAUST EDCATIONAL PROJECT - This was a three day educational program where volunteers and holocaust survivors went into the Katy and Fort Bend high schools to facilitate classes on the Holocaust and tolerance.  An essay contest in coalition with the Holocaust Survivors Group was established and scholarships were awarded to the winners.

HOME INSTRUCTION FOR PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL YOUNGSTERS (HIPPY) - In Houston, our members introduced HIPPY to HISD. It is an internationally recognized family based literacy program whose mission is to empower parents to be the primary educators of their preschool children in order to prepare their children for success in school and beyond.

JCC SENIOR ADULT SHABBAT DINNER PROGRAM (Dora Solomon Fund) - Expenses have been underwritten for the monthly Shabbat dinner program at the Jewish Community Center. 

JOY OF READING - Supplies and books have been donated and volunteers have participated in story-time for children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, of homeless parents who are currently in job training or reentering the work force at House of Tiny Treasures a SEARCH program.

KATRINA ASSISTANCE FUND - This fund was set up, with additional donations received by members and other NCJW Sections, to help families relocated to the Houston area, devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

MEALS ON WHEELS - We have subsidized this program through the Jewish Community Center, and members have participated by delivering hot meals to qualified elderly and disabled individuals in the community.

NATIONAL DAY OF THE WORKING PARENT - NCJW members, nationwide, conducted a campaign to focus attention on the problems facing working Americans who care for children and/or elderly relatives.

NATIONAL FAMILY DAY CARE PROJECT - In 1988, in cooperation with Initiatives for Children, Inc., a nonprofit child care agency, volunteers recruited new family day homes for children in metropolitan Houston. Volunteers arranged advance publicity, conducted orientation sessions for new recruits, and updated information on registered family homes for a referral service.

PATRICE HOUSE - Financial and volunteer assistance was provided for this emergency, temporary rescue shelter for babies and children.

PETPALS ˇV A program in which members who have dogs meeting the requirements of Faithful Paws, an established pet therapy program, have participated by visiting hospitals and nursing homes in the Houston area.

PREPARATION FOR ADULT LIVING (PAL) - This program is designed to meet the needs of formerly abused and neglected teens in foster care or group homes in the custody of Harris County Protective Services. Useful items for the teens have been provided and members have participated at an annual conference.

READ & CHAT AT SEVEN ACRES - Volunteers, through discussion groups and reading sessions, have brought companionship, enrichment, and mental stimulation to residents of Seven Acres.

REFLECTIONS OF YOUNG JEWISH WOMEN - An essay contest established for high school age Jewish girls to encourage their interest in Judaism. Scholarship awards have been given to the top three winners.

REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT - Volunteers worked with Jewish Family Service to assist in the resettlement and orientation of Russian Jews in Houston.

RONALD MCDONALD HOLIDAY PARTY - Volunteers have organized a cookie decorating party for the children and families each year around the holiday season.

SIMCHA (Senior Involvement Motivating Caring Helping Activities) - Volunteers collected, edited and published writings by Senior Adults in the Jewish Community.

STATE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (SCHIP) - is a federally funded, state run program providing health care for children from low income families. Our volunteers have participated in helping to enroll families in SCHIP.

VIPS AND KINDERGARTEN SCREENING - Volunteers continued their commitment towards strengthening public education through assisting in screening process in the public schools of HISD.

WHAM - FOOD COLLECTION - Members have collected non perishable food which was taken to West Houston Assistance Ministry Food Panty for distribution to the working poor.

WOMEN'S SEDER - The NCJW Women's Seder has provided an inspiring, educational, and spiritual experience for members of the Houston community, affiliated and not affiliated, young and old. This intergenerational event celebrates the women's role in the Exodus and emphasizes the women of the Passover story.

YAD B'YAD (Formerly Ship a Box) - We have supported this NCJW, Inc. program based in Israel that funds many projects benefiting women, children, and families.

GREATER HOUSTON SECTION PUBLIC AFFAIRS PROJECTS PAST & PRESENT

BenchMark - This is NCJW's Campaign to Save Roe by educating and mobilizing NCJW members, the Jewish community, and friends and allies everywhere to promote a federal bench with judges who support fundamental freedoms, including a woman's right to reproductive choice.

Hate Crimes - NCJW supported the James Byrd Hate Crimes Act in Texas and the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) in Congress.

Million Mom March - Members joined in the March in support of gun control

Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth (PATHWAY) Act - NCJW launched a postcard campaign to encourage grassroots advocacy for this legislation.

Plan A - This is NCJW's Campaign for Contraceptive Access. The idea is to educate and empower individuals to advocate for women's universal access to contraceptive information and health services.

State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) - SCHIP is a federally funded, state run program providing health care for children from low income families.

Stem Cell Research - NCJW advocates for stem cell research.

Strategies to Prevent Domestic Violence (StoP) - This is NCJW's grassroots network to facilitate education and outreach to the Jewish community and the general public, as well as advocacy and community action to help stop domestic violence.

Violence Against Women Act - NCJW supported this legislation.