We often use the analogy of the River to describe how each and every one of us has a unique role to play in supporting the vulnerable children and families of Houston. One of the reasons why we need hands both upstream and downstream, helping from all sides, is because the foster care system does not exist in isolation. It’s shaped by—and deeply connected to—a range of other social challenges.

One such challenge is homelessness and the circumstances that lead to it. The Greater Houston area holds over 3,000 people experiencing homelessness, including those in shelters and those unsheltered. This issue of homelessness has a direct impact on the foster care community—10% of children across Texas enter foster care due to housing issues.

One thing is clear—any effort to support the foster care community is incomplete without also addressing the realities of homelessness. Joining us to discuss this key topic is Doug Meikle.

Doug is a first-generation immigrant from Scotland who loves the city of Houston. A few years ago, he changed the course of his life by leaving behind the world of engineering and management to found a nonprofit along with two of his friends. TrueWorks focuses on integrating Christian faith with the world of work. Doug is now the CEO of Star of Hope, Houston’s largest mission to the homeless, and remains the board chair of TrueWorks.

In this episode, Doug shares the connection our faith should have with the work we choose to do, the circumstances that contribute to homelessness, the importance of collaboration with other organizations and individuals across our city, and much more.

Find the show notes and links to anything we discussed here: riversideproject.org/doug-meikle-37