Turning Point Center
About Turning Point Center
Turning Point Center starts with something very concrete: a refurbished apartment complex in Houston where homeless adults ages 50 and above can sleep, eat, and begin again. Residents get housing, three meals a day, clothing, counseling, help replacing documents, and support with benefits, training, and transportation. For donors, that means backing a place that does not stop at a bed, it helps people get back to independent living.
Turning Point Center focuses on homeless adults ages 50 and above, a group with needs that are often overlooked. It also says it is the only homeless shelter in Harris County and the surrounding seven counties that specifically serves the elderly homeless.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Emergency and transitional housing
Provides emergency and transitional housing at a refurbished apartment complex for homeless adults ages 50 and above.
Meals
Provides three meals a day to resident clients and also uses a commercial kitchen to prepare meals for nonresidents who receive support services.
Clothing
Ensures resident clients have adequate clothing through donations.
Counseling and case management
Provides case management and counseling services, including substance abuse education, anger and stress management, chemical dependency counseling, personal and social adjustment counseling, group counseling, and one-on-one volunteer counseling.
Documents and benefits assistance
Helps residents complete applications for state ID cards, driver's licenses, Social Security cards, birth certificates, SSI, SSDI, food stamps, Medicare, Medicaid, Harris County Hospital District Gold Cards, retirement, and other public assistance benefits.
Education and job training
Supports residents with GED completion, college, vocational or trade school, job searches, computer skills, data entry, cooking, dishwashing, facility maintenance, office clerk and secretarial skills, accounting, social services, materials procurement, and lawn and gardening upkeep.
Transportation
Provides transportation to doctor, dental, and benefits appointments, planned group educational and recreational activities, and bus tokens when needed.
Short-term emergency services and referrals
Provides short-term emergency services and referrals to other agencies for other homeless individuals and families.
Medical and wellness partner services
Works with outside agencies to provide services such as a Harris County dental van, wellness checks, a University of Houston mobile eye clinic, TB testing, vision testing, mammograms, blindness prevention, and prescription assistance.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
The mission of Turning Point Center is to help elderly homeless individuals, ages 50 or above, get back on their feet and re-enter society as independent, self-sufficient, and productive citizens.
Who they serve
Homeless men and women ages 50 and above in the Houston metropolitan area, with short-term emergency services also available to other homeless individuals and families.
Their impact
- More than 37,000 senior homeless men and women have received benefits and services over the last 30 years.
- The refurbished apartment complex can provide a safe haven for up to about 90 residents at any given time.
- The organization has served about 180 residents annually.
How your donation helps
- Food and shelter for elderly homeless residents
- Clothing and toiletries
- Basic utilities
- Transportation, including vans, a box truck, and bus tokens
- Postage stamps
- Air conditioner repair and maintenance
- Auto repair, service, and parts
- Plumbing
Our story
Turning Point Center began with a deeply personal decision. In 1988, Isha Salas-Desselle sold her home and used her life savings to buy a dilapidated 34-unit apartment complex as a safe place for elderly homeless people. The mission was incorporated in 1989, the organization was renamed Turning Point Center in 2003, the Resource Center was completed in 2011, and an outreach program for women with children opened in 2015.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Turning Point Center’s services.
Residents come from local churches, hospitals, evictions, homeless shelters, other agency referrals, or directly off the streets. The center provides emergency and transitional housing, meals, clothing, counseling, documents help, benefits assistance, education, job training, and transportation for homeless adults ages 50 and above.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
I sold my house in 1988 and used all my savings to buy a dilapidated 34-unit apartment complex to provide a place for the elderly homeless.
...a second lease on life...
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Turning Point Center has shared.
Current needs
- Powdered milk
- Powdered eggs
- Toilet paper
- Trash bags
- Basic utilities
- Transportation for vans and the box truck
- Bus tokens
- Plumbing services
Volunteer opportunities
- One-on-one volunteer counseling with residents and support for their goals
Recognition & press
Awards & recognition
- 1989, Jefferson Award, KTRK Channel 13 Houston ABC affiliate
- 1992, Mayor's Award, City of Houston, TX
- 1993, President's Volunteer Action Award, President William Jefferson Clinton
- 2016, CNN Hero Award recognition
- 2017, Certificate of Excellence, Indo-American Charity Foundation
- 2017, Women of Distinction, Trademark Women of Distinction
Partners & funders
In the news
Articles featuring Turning Point Center from the Love What You Fund newsroom.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who does Turning Point Center serve?
It serves homeless men and women ages 50 and above in the Houston area. It also offers short-term emergency services to other homeless individuals and families.
What kinds of help do residents receive?
Residents can get housing, meals, clothing, counseling, help with documents, benefits navigation, education, job training, and transportation.
How do people come to the center?
People come through local churches, hospitals, evictions, homeless shelters, other agency referrals, or directly off the streets.
What health-related services are available through partners?
Through outside agencies, the center offers services such as dental van visits, wellness checks, mobile eye care, TB testing, vision testing, mammograms, blindness prevention, and prescription assistance.
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