For seven weeks, I opened my eyes at 7:00 a.m. every day. Less than an hour later, I would walk through the glass doors of Memorial Assistance Ministries.
Once inside, I saw dozens of people sitting in the lobby waiting to be called to the front desk. Families would chat and talk to the employees in English and Spanish. Turning right, I walked into the computer lab. Some of my co-workers greeted each other with big smiles, others dived into their laptops.
There I was, inside Houston, Texas’ office of Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) with nearly fifty other employees. To an observer, it would be difficult to find similarities between us; we have different races, ages, and looks. However, we have one thing in common: the wish to better Houston communities.
Although Houston is the fourth largest city and the energy capital, the city has the highest poverty rate among the major U.S. metropolitans. MAM was established in 1981 to make stable families, dynamic workforce, and vibrant communities. Today, with a budget of over 8 million, MAM is one of the largest non-profit organizations in Southeast Texas and serves tens of thousands of families annually.
The service section is separated into two parts. On the left side of the lobby is the Employment Services Department. People can come in for job coaching, mock interviews, or use the computers. The management team is located on the right side of the building. They are responsible for publishing on social media, planning events, and organizing the team’s finances. Next to the service section is MAM’s resale store, which takes hundreds of thousands of donations annually and generates millions of dollars in revenue.
MAM additionally has a team of altruistic volunteers who dedicate hours every week helping the Houston community. Every Wednesday morning, I see Howard diligently checking each computer and on Thursday afternoons, Stan would read each client’s resume by their side. There are tens of other volunteers whom I didn’t get to meet, but they have all changed a handful of people’s lives.
The employees are the driving force behind MAM, working project after project and serving over 15,000 families annually. The staff members embrace MAM’s mission wholeheartedly. They are willing to work extra hours, spend personal money, and stand up during emergencies.
In 2024, Houston experienced an EF3 tornado and Hurricane Beryl in less than two months. MAM had timely responses to its community both times by spending weeks distributing water, ice, and other living necessities. Behind the scenes are the staff members who work tirelessly to help others amid disaster themselves. Many active staff during the disaster response had property heavily damaged by the hurricane.
“Helping the ones in need makes our life meaningful. If we have the power, we must act,” Kathie Hartzog, Director of Volunteer Management, said.
The staff’s fervent attitudes originate from their fond beliefs in MAM’s mission. The job of each person is specific, even simple, but the pieces come together to form a bigger picture.
“We need you whether you are an intern in the storage or the CEO,” Bethlehem Zewede, Vice President of Programs, said adding on, “At MAM, everyone is irreplaceable.”
MAM’s respect for each individual creates a warming work community.
When I attended the team lunch in Employment Services, everyone was laughing, joking, and enjoying the company of one another. After eating, we played Two Truths and One Lie and danced in a circle. When I went out with Kathie and Katy from Volunteer Management, we also had a great time eating Greek-style lunch and shopping for decorations for a volunteer appreciation event. These activities bonded the MAM staff and exposed me to a family-like work environment. I felt a deep connection between the staff members that are rare in the workplace.
MAM’s team spirit shows not only in its daily dynamics but also through genuine care during unexpected times. On the Monday of my second week, I was told that Ruth Iglesias, MAM’s ESL and Citizenship Manager, passed away during the weekend. MAM held a memorial service for Iglesias that morning and provided therapy for people who were coping. In honor of Iglesias, the theme for June’s all-staff meeting was storybook characters. I dressed up as a Gryffindor, and I was happy to later learn that Harry Potter was one of Ruth’s favorites.
Not being able to know Iglesias more is one of my regrets. Other staff talked about her kindness and liveliness, and I was touched by the fond relationships between people.
MAM can care for its community because it has love within itself.
“MAM has an amazing work culture; we always celebrate each other and honor our differences, and that’s what makes us distinct,” Cecile Joblins, Director of Employment Services, said.
Modern world is fast-paced, competitive, and utilitarian. Under this social context, MAM’s simplicity, care and altruism become rare and valuable. Everyone there is dedicated to making Houston better, and their first step is by creating a loving environment for each other.
“If we as a group can make each other flourish,” MAM President and CEO, Sonja Gee, said, adding on, “then we can in turn make the world better.”
