Adopt a Family Christmas Program
About
Our Christmas Adopt a Family program helps other families, who might be having a tough time during Christmas, by giving them gifts and food to make their holiday happier.
Have Questions?Who Can Apply to Be an Adopt a Family Beneficiary
Anyone in need who is an active registered member of Prince of Peace or lives within our program’s zip code boundary.
Families can apply for participation in September and then are screened for eligibility with a phone interview.
Learn MoreDonate to Adopt a Family
Beginning in November, individuals and groups may adopt a family and begin buying items for their Adopt a Family beneficiary.
People are always welcome to also donate online or with gift cards from HEB, Walmart, Target, Kroger's or other grocery stores.
Donate OnlineEnrollment of Families
Our Christmas Adopt-A-Family Program can help make Christmas a little brighter for the children by providing gifts for the children and food for the family’s holiday meal.
If you are struggling financially due to the crisis we find ourselves living in, as well as loss of income, medical issues, homelessness, and/or personal emergency situations, please consider Prince of Peace Catholic Community’s Adopt-A-Family Program for Christmas assistance.
We want to help.
You must either be an active registered member of Prince of Peace or live within our program’s zip code boundary (77064, 77065, 77066, 77068, 77069, 77070, and 77014). Only family members physically living in your household are eligible to participate. Two families residing under one roof will be considered one family.
This year we will consider a household with multiple families with children as individual families. Each family must apply and qualify separately.
We have also revised and reinstated the number of times a family can participate. The limit is 3 times from 2018 to present. If a family has been participated in AAF 3 times in the last 5 years, they are no longer eligible to participate. We will provide the family with other resources.
The enrollment period begins in September 5th and ends October 13th. Participation request forms are available at Mercy Center office, at the Adopt-a-Family information table during Fellowship Sondays on August 20th, September 17th and October 1st and by clicking the following button:
Completed enrollment request form.
- Copies of proof of emergency or current crisis.
Copy of your current photo ID.
Copies of proof of identification and residency for all members (both adults and children), living in the household. Identification must display name and current address. Examples include: Lease agreement, utility bill, birth certificates, school records, SNAP/Medicaid award letter, copies of current photo IDs. We do not accept Social Security cards.
Copies of proof of Household income for the last 30 days. This is income from all sources (SSI, SSD, child support, check stubs, etc.) for all 18 years and older who are living in your household and working.
PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINE is OCTOBER 13.
Please submit all documents and completed the request form in one of the following ways:
FAX: 281-571-4143
Scan & email: mcassistance@pophouston.org
Drop off at Mercy Center in the locked mailbox located outside the double glass doors to the Reception area.
Mail: Prince of Peace Mercy Ministry
19222 Tomball Parkway
Houston, TX 77070
ATTN: Adopt-a-Family
NOTE: All completed applications with requested documentation will be reviewed for eligibility. Remember that incomplete applications will not be processed. If after review, you are eligible for participation in AAF Christmas Program you will receive a phone call to complete the registration and provide you with the information on how and when to pickup of the gifts. Space is limited.
If you do not receive a phone within 5 days, please call 281-469-2687.
Volunteer with the Adopt a Family Ministry
Any Safe Environment-certified adult 18 and up.
Ways You Can Serve with Adopt a Family:
- Volunteer on Fellowship Sondays to provide information and applications
- Volunteer to review applications, interview and enroll families for adoption.
- Volunteer to Adoption Weekend to help parishioners select a family
- Donate stocking stuffer items
- Donate Grocery store gift cards
- Dontate toys
- Make a Financial Donation using Push Pay
- Help set-up for distribution day and clean-up after completion of gift distribution
- Sort donations
- Help with data entry
Because it is a great way to spread love and joy, helping families in need to experience a special and happy Christmas season.
- November 18th and 19th: Adoption
- December 15th: Set-up for Distribution
If you are 18 years old and above, our archdiocese requires all adult volunteers to complete safe environment training.
This short one-hour online training teaches people how to create a secure and protected environment for everyone, especially children, by recognizing and preventing potential risks or harm.
Click here to register for Safe Environment Training.
Volunteer Opportunities
Client/Participant enrollment forms will be available at the Fellowship Sonday info table on August 20th, September 17th and October 1st.
Adoptions are held either the 1st or 3rd weekend in November during Fellowship Sonday.
We need help in spreading the word.
Go to our Sign-Up Genius page to see the dates and times:
You can select the Mass you usually attend and help before and immediately after that Mass. Volunteer instructions will be placed on the table, along with a volunteer sign-in sheet.
Enrollment begins September 5th and ends October 13th. All completed participation request forms will be screened for eligibility. Eligible families will be interviewed via phone to complete the enrollment.
If you are interested in helping with the screening the client applications and interviewing the clients for enrollment, please contact Ana Garza-Ibarra at aibarra@pophouston.org
There are many volunteer opportunities for helping with Phase II: Adoption Weekend.
To volunteer with adoption weekend and help parishioners select a family, please email Betty Dupnick at roybets68@att.net and Ana Garza-Ibarra @ aibarra@pophouston.org
We are limiting the number of volunteers for Phase III: Receiving and Distributing the gifts. Teenagers, ages 14 through 17, must be accompanied with an adult who has completed Safe Haven training within the last 5 years. Also, each teenager must submit a completed Release of Medical Waiver.
- Place a reminder call to sponsors on December 11th or 12th
- Set-up St. Andrew Center on Friday, December 15th, evening
- Receive gifts from sponsors from 6 am to 11 am on Saturday, 16th
- Distribute gifts to adopted families from 1:30 am to 4 pm on Saturday, 16th
- Clean up St. Andrew Center after Distribution is complete.
Please email Ana Garza-Ibarra at aibarra@pophouston.org for more information on signing up for volunteer opportunities.
We ask that you not show up on Distribution Day if you have not received a volunteer instruction email.
How to Adopt a Family
Adoption of families will be done in person on the 3rd Fellowship Sonday weekend, November 18th and 19th before and after all Saturday evening and Sunday Masses until the last family is adopted.
We ask that all gifts be delivered to Prince of Peace’s St. Andrew Discipleship Center on the morning of December 16th by 10:30 am.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact Ana Garza-Ibarra at aibarra@pophouston.org.
By Thanksgiving Day 2023 Adopt-A-Family Christmas Program is 2/3rds complete. Sponsors who adopted a family in mid-November will have time almost 3 weeks to shop and purchase gifts for children in their “adopted” family and a grocery store gift card for the holiday meal for the whole family.
Please remember gifts must be delivered to St. Andrew’s Discipleship Center on Saturday, December 16th between the hours of 7 – 10:30 AM.
If for some reason you cannot please drop off gifts the morning of December 16th, contact Ana Garza-Ibarra at 281-571-4111 or aibarra@pophouston.org as soon as possible to arrange a time to deliver the gifts.
Contact Us
Ana Garza-Ibarra (Bilingual)
Associate Director of Mercy Ministry
Manuela Rodriguez (Bilingual)
Mercy Ministry Receptionist
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me."