Our Mission
Hope Center Houston is a faith-based community where compassion meets action. We provide a safe, welcoming place for our homeless brothers and sisters—offering dignity, meeting basic needs, and guiding each individual with love, encouragement, and practical support on their journey toward healing, restoration, and lasting transformation.
OUR History
Since its founding, Hope Center Houston has grown from a local initiative into a vibrant community hub providing meals, hygiene services, spiritual support, and social service connections for Houston’s homeless population. In 2015, members of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church became aware of the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in our area. Forming a task force, they created a 501(c)(3) corporation, found a strip center location, and began a homeless ministry. 1960 Hope Center opened its doors on August 29, 2016.
The ministry quickly grew with support from more than 20 churches. Initially, hospitality was our focus, providing “Dignity Through Hospitality.” As the ministry matured, we increased our services, focusing on life development support, including life-skills classes, support groups, one-on-one mentoring, and spiritual support. “Compassion, Commitment, and Change” is our focus.
More than 3,000 unique homeless individuals were served in the first three years of the Center. Several hundred made significant strides in overcoming addictions, acquiring jobs, and finding affordable housing. In August 2019, we became Hope Center Houston and acquired a new facility, allowing us to provide additional services and opportunities for supporting agencies to come alongside our mission.
Board Of Directors
Br. Allen A. White, OFS
A follower of Jesus in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi, Brother Allen is a life-professed friar with the Order of Saint Francis (OSF) and alumnus of The Center for Action and Contemplation Living School, where he studied with the CAC’s founder, Richard Rohr. In addition, Brother Allen is the Director of the Saint Francis of Assisi Research Library & Spirituality Center. He writes, teaches, and researches Christian mystical wisdom, scripture-based contemplative practices, and the Franciscan Alternative Orthodoxy. As a contemplative activist, he strives to contribute to the healing transformation of the world.
His current ministries include Hope Center Houston, where he is embedded as the Executive Director, lead advocate, and mendicant for those experiencing homelessness, and St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, where he serves as the Lay Worship and Pastoral Care Assistant. Allen and his wife of twenty-five years, LeslieAnn, reside in Houston (Spring), Texas.
Debbie Johnson
Debbie Johnson is one of the founders and the President of the Board of Directors of Hope Center Houston. One of her joys is facilitating the Women’s Bible Study program at Hope Center, which led to housing women overnight.
Before retirement, Debbie served as the Human Resources Office at Allied Bank. After the children arrived, she became a small business owner, allowing her to follow her heart in serving others. Debbie has served on the Vestry of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church and the staff as the Outreach Champion. At her former church, she taught Sunday School (23 years), led Bible studies, and served as the Social Justice Chair. She led the St. Dunstan’s Cheyenne River Reservation (Lakota Sioux) Mission Trip for many years in South Dakota, including constructing and delivering a much-needed medical clinic to the reservation in Takini. She received the Golden Horseshoe Award for service at St. Dunstan’s in 2014 and the Diocesan Bishop’s Award in 2023 for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas for her work with the homeless in Houston.
In 2019, Debbie was selected as the Woman of the Year for the American Association of University Women for Northwest Houston and one of twelve women selected as “Super Ladies” in Houston.
Debbie has been married for 48 years to Andrew (Andy) Johnson, has three grown children (one of whom is a United Methodist minister) and one beautiful granddaughter, Abby, who is the light of her (and Andy’s) life!
Debbie is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. She and Andy serve on the Executive Committee for the Chancellor of the University of Texas System and the Advisory Board of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at UT Austin. Debbie is still in the Alumni Longhorn Band!
Joe Wilson
Mr. Wilson retired and spent his entire career in the oilfield services industry with Hughes Tool, Baker Hughes, Natco, and Cameron. He held senior management positions in research & development, marketing, and operations in the Americas and in other locations internationally. He has been a Director of both Public and Non-profit organizations and has been on the Board of Hope Center Houston since 2020. He is an active member of and liaison to John Wesley Methodist Church. He and his wife, Chris, volunteer weekly to serve meals at the Center.
Manette Maddox
Anais G. Watsky
Since her retirement in 2001, she has volunteered and served on non-profit boards. She likes to make a difference in peoples’ lives in her own small way. She is married to Sheldon Watsky, and they have two grown married daughters and four grandchildren, two granddaughters and two grandsons
John Basel
A former banker and gym owner, John developed a passion for helping the homeless many years ago. He has been with Hope Center Houston since the fall of 2019, when he worked laundry and showers. He moved to doing housing assessments in the summer of 2021. Since then, he has expanded the function to include any and all help our guests might need in obtaining social services and identification. John has played a role in helping over 120 of our guests get into an apartment.
Trish Woodruff
The Reverend Trish Woodruff is on the John Wesley pastoral methodist church staff and previously served as the Pastor of Missions and Outreach at Lakewood MC. Trish also served two years as an Associate Pastor at Cornerstone UMC in Houston in discipleship, missions, care ministries, and stewardship. Trish is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky with a Master of Divinity and Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Business Administration.
Trish serves several ministries in Houston, including the Children’s Activity Center in the Bellaire area, Neighbors in Action (Port of Houston), and Rescue Houston. Trish loves the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, and working in her yard. God has given her a love for people and a love for Jesus. She feels like ministry as a vocation is living in the sweet spot. Trish considers her biggest blessing to be her family.
Mary Wright
A native Texan and graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Mary’s background is in production/management in the oilfield manufacturing industry. Changing directions, she served as Elementary Faith Formation Coordinator at St. Edward Catholic Church in Spring and then at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church for 17 years. Mary has been involved with Hope Center Houston for 9 years, preparing and serving meals, distributing clothing in the Clothes Closet, and processing donations. She and her husband, Deacon Joe, are members of St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Andrew Rey
Andrew Rey came to HCH first as a guest in 2017 and was voted into the board of directors in 2024. He received the ‘Achiever Of The Year’ award in 2018 by the Houston Coalition For The Homeless. Andrew is a licensed journeyman and a proud member of Plumbers Local Union 68. He previously served on the board of directors for The Galveston Club (2019-21). Andrew served in children’s ministry and music teams for both Antioch and Church of the Living God in Galveston, TX. He also leads the worship service at HCH once a month. Much of his work is geared towards helping other homeless addicts recover, and he is asked to speak on this topic regularly.
Carita Thomas
As an independent insurance agent, she specialize in helping individuals and businesses find personalized coverage.
Based in Kingwood, TX, she proudly serve clients across the great state of Texas as well as the following states: AL, MN, NV, IA, LA, GA, and FL. And now helps the underserved population stay healthy through healthcare coverage.
David Horton
Larry Leavell
Mr. Leavell is a retired energy industry executive with decades of experience in the upstream petroleum sector. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University and is a graduate of Stanford University’s Executive Management Program.
He began his career as an engineer with AMOCO before joining Santa Fe Energy Resources and later Devon Energy. Over the years, he advanced through various management roles, culminating in his position as General Manager of Southeast Asia for Devon Energy in Jakarta, Indonesia, retiring from the company in 2002.
Upon returning to the Houston area, Mr. Leavell served as Principal and Chief Operating Officer of Shona Energy Company, which operated in South America until its sale in 2012.
A member of John Wesley Methodist Church since 1982, Mr. Leavell and his wife, Carolyn, have long been active in church life—serving as Sunday School teachers and participating in numerous ministry and administrative committees. He has been a dedicated volunteer and a member of the Hope Center Houston Board of Directors since 2019.
Karen Doolittle
Since retiring over twenty years ago, my hobby is volunteering. Provided new school clothes, fall and spring semesters to children in need in Pinal County, AZ by Kids’ Closet. Moving to Houston began preparing ‘double’ manna bags monthly since 2018 and twice monthly since 2023 for Hope Center; delivering Meals on Wheels for NAM since 2014 and serving clients at NAM’s food pantry since 2023.
Dorie Brannigan
Advisory Board
Paul Kent
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and eventually relocating to Dallas, Texas, West Chester, Pennsylvania, and Los Angeles, California, before settling in Spring, Texas, thirty-three years ago. Married for forty-seven years with two children and seven grandchildren.
Educated in Finance at Howard University in Washington D.C., and an MBA program at Claremont University, Peter Drucker School of Business in Claremont, California. Continued professional development at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Cambridge, UK.
Twenty-two years’ work experience with ARCO (Atlantic Richfield Company) with positions as Audit Director (Domestic and International Chemical Division), Profit Planning Advisor (Corporate Headquarters), and Controller (Pipeline Company). Twelve years employed with BP (British Petroleum) as Controller (Pipeline Company), Controller, Compliance & Ethics Officer (Exploration and Production for the Gulf of Mexico), and Management Development Committee (Finance) member. Extensive domestic and international business travel with both companies.
Affiliated with St Ignatius Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. Previous President of the Accounting Committee – Association of Oil Pipelines, and a prior YMCA Camp Cullen and Hope Center Houston board member. Volunteer history with United Way, Klein Independent School District, MS 150, Children’s Festival, and various mentor programs.
Dr. Frances Stetson
Dr. Frances Stetson is President of an educational consulting firm specializing in supporting schools and special needs students. Dr. Stetson is also the Executive Director of the Inclusive Schools Network, which hosts the Annual Inclusive Schools Week with participation from 240 countries. Frances has been a teacher, state department of education chief consultant, and director of a national research project for the Department of Education. She has been a member of the board of the Hope Center for six years and now serves as a member of the Hope Center Advisory Board.
Bishop Robert Hayes, Jr.
Carol LaBonte
A former registered nurse, she also worked in clinical settings with patients struggling with a wide range of addictions. In addition to her clinical and psychotherapeutic work, she is a trained psychodramatist and has led numerous workshops and therapeutic groups.
Volunteer Leaders & Staff
Josh - Food Services Manager
Nancy - Social Services Assistant
Shirley - Administrative Assistant
Bill - Concierge & Intake
Chris - Volunteer Coordinator
Kathleen - Intern
Adam - Chaplain
Priscilla - Upper Room & WOH
Carolyn - Intake
Suzanne - Clothing Closet
Jodie - Golf Tournament
Beth - Fundraising
Larry - Host
Kathe - Manna Bags, Kitchen
Nathan - Security
Dr. Morris - Encourager
Gary - Showers
Dee - Hearts of Rescue
Andrew - Addiction Recovery
