Community Spotlight
RaiseUp Families: Turning Stability Into a Future
For more than 30 years, RaiseUp Families has done something extraordinary in Houston: helping hardworking families step back from the edge of crisis, and stay there.
“These are families who bought into the American dream,” Kate explains. “They work hard, they have leases in their names, they’re raising their kids, and then something happens. By the time they come to us, they’ve usually exhausted what little savings they had.”
Kate Yadan, Executive Director
A Hand Up, Not a Handout
At the heart of RaiseUp Families’ work is the Hand Up Rental Assistance Program, a highly comprehensive nine-month initiative designed to stabilize families while equipping them for long-term success. Participants must meet strict criteria: full-time employment, school-age children, and housing in their own name. RaiseUp Families then fills the gap, covering a portion of rent paid directly to landlords, while walking alongside families as they rebuild. But rental assistance is only the beginning. Participants are paired with a dedicated caseworker and supported through a five-pronged program that includes financial wellness, budgeting, continuing education, family systems support, and mental health care. Peer groups, parenting classes, trauma-informed workshops, and even book clubs help families realize something powerful: they are not alone, and they are capable.“You’re doing the work,” Kate often tells members. “We’re just walking beside you.”
When a House Becomes a Home
Stability doesn’t stop at rent. That’s where partnerships matter. Through its collaboration with The Furniture Bank, RaiseUp Families ensures that families don’t just remain housed, but feel at home. Beds, dressers, and dining tables may seem simple, but Kate sees their impact every day.“Home is our refuge,” she says. “It’s where we recharge. Knowing your kids are sleeping in warm beds, sitting around a table together, having a place to put their things; that creates dignity, pride, and peace.”
Kate Yadan
Stories That Stay With You
Ask Kate what keeps her going, and she’ll tell you about graduation day; when members stand on stage and share how far they’ve come. She recalls one mother who entered the program recovering from a stroke, relearning how to speak and walk while raising her son. Nine months later, she delivered a clear, courageous speech at graduation, and returned to work in her field.“These stories remind you,” Kate says, “that any of us are just a few bad weeks away from needing help.”
Kate Yadan
Why It Matters Now
Many families served by RaiseUp Families earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance, yet not enough to weather setbacks alone. Without organizations like this, they fall through the cracks. And today, the need is growing. With federal funding shrinking and competition for private dollars increasing, RaiseUp Families is being forced to serve fewer families than in years past. Still, Kate remains hopeful. By building a stronger culture of philanthropy and deepening partnerships across Houston, RaiseUp Families aims to steadily expand its reach, helping more families move from survival to stability, and from stability to participation in Houston’s economy.“We’re small but mighty,” Kate says. “And the ripple effect goes far beyond the families we serve.”
Kate Yadan
Learn more about RaiseUp Families, and how you can help, at www.raiseupfamilies.org