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1. Save energy to save money.
   • Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer
   • Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
   • Unplug appliances when you're not using them.
   • Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible.
   • Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.
2. Save water to save money.
   • Take shorter showers to reduce water use.
   • Install a low-flow showerhead.
   • Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet.
   • Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden.
3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).
   • Walk or bike to work.
   • Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work.
   • Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes.
4. Eat smart.
   • If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week.
   • Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can.
   • Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
   • Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain.
5. Skip the bottled water.
   • Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water.
   • Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
   • Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.
6. Think before you buy.
   • Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products.
   • Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
   • When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
7. Borrow instead of buying.
   • Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies.
   • Share power tools and other appliances. ‘
8. Buy smart.
   • Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
   • Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
   • Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products.
9. Keep electronics out of the trash.
   • Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
   • Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes.
   • Recycle your cell phone.
   • Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.
10. Make your own cleaning supplies.
    • The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them.
    • Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.
      
      

1. Raise awareness of Greater Houston’s child abuse problem,
2. Raise funds for ESCAPE through donations, and
3. Cheer runners in the Chevron Houston Marathon (January 18, 2009)

ESCAPE Family Resource Center is an official charity of the 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon through the “Run for a Reason” Program. Last year the marathon raised more than $1.25 million for local and national charities. ESCAPE raised about $20,000 through this campaign. This year’s goal is to double the support generated from this event -- to $40,000!

Supporters of ESCAPE gain access to Personal Fundraising Pages on the marathon's website that allows for online donations through the "Run for a Reason" program.

The Young Ambassadors’ long-term goal is to “support the mission of ESCAPE while serving as community ambassadors in the prevention of child abuse.”

By serving as a Young Ambassador, members learn how to:

1. Communicate ESCAPE’s message,
2. Raise money for the organization in a unique way, and
3. Make a difference in the life of children living across the Greater Houston area.

For More information please visit http://www.learntoparent.org/

ESCAPE Family Resource Center

3210 Eastside
Houston, Texas 77098
Phone: 713-942-9500
Fax: 713-942-0702

1 - Chau Nguyen – Former Reporter/Saturday Morning Anchor, KHOU-TV, Channel 11, Chau was born in Saigon Vietnam, Raised in Houston. Nguyen's decade plus career includes TV news stints in Atlanta, and overseas in the Western Pacific islands of Guam and Saipan.

She is an avid runner, scuba diver, a budding triathlete and during her downtime, travels as much as possible. Her favorite magazines include Triathlete, Runner's World, Outside and the New Yorker. She TIVO's the CBS Sunday Morning Show, Jean Michelle Cousteau's Ocean Adventures, and Grey's Anatomy. She is the proud parent of an English Bulldog, Ally.

After deciding to hang up her "news" hat, Chau spent some time travelling to Southeast Asia and to Vietnam, where she was born and still has family. These days, Chau is focusing her efforts towards the promotion of social and economic justice by pursuing her Masters degree in social work.  Look for Chau working to better her community in the coming years.

2 - Faisal Amin - is the President of Texas Trade Council, an International Trade Facilitation and Development firm. He has over 15 years experience in the areas of human capital, knowledge management, organizational design, sales, marketing and strategic planning.

3 - Yuki Rogers - Yuki is very well-known in the community and many know her on a first-name basis. The majority of the new wave of philanthropists is characterized by their determination to be deeply involved in the causes they choose to support, rather than just writing a check.  Yuki is a prefect example of this.

Strive to help others, Yuki serves as the president, vice president, and board member for over a dozen organizations, such as the Houston Symphony, Asia Society, Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian Pacific American Heritage Association, Dance of Asian America, Japan America Society, Japan Greater Houston of Association, Ikebana International, Asian America Family Service, and International Trade Mission Center, to name a few.

Yuki has received numerous awards for her charity works.



 

4 - Gordon Quan did not end his community service with the end of his term as the first Asian American to serve on the Houston City Council and as Mayor Pro Tem. He has continued to show his commitment to our city and community in active service on several boards and commission. Gordon presently serves as Chair of the Asian Chamber of Commerce and has recently directed its move to a new office in the Bellaire International District area. He continues his work on ending homelessness and affordable housing serving on the board of the Coalition for the Homeless and as a Commissioner on the National Commission for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. He has been selected as the first Asian to serve on the board of his alma mater, the South Texas College of Law where he is working on improving minority enrollment.

As a Board Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, Quan recently merged his firm with another firm to form FosterQuan, LLP, the second largest immigration firm in the country handling global workforce development. Gordon was also named vice chair of the newly created Immigration Section of the State Bar of Texas. He continues to work with non-profit groups on lobbying for comprehensive immigration reform, co-chairing the Immigration Committee for Neighborhood Centers, Inc.Gordon has been named a Texas Super Lawyer and to Best Lawyers in America. www.quanlaw.com



5 – Stephanie Stenzel Talafuse is the owner of Premiere Promotions, Inc, a local promotional modeling agency that staffs models in Texas. Stephanie has been active in the modeling and pageant industry for over 25 years. She is currently the state director for the Miss Texas Galaxy Pageant, Little Miss & Mister Texas Tropics Pageant and the Miss Darque Tan Texas Model Search.

She started Premiere Promotions in June 1992 and has since choreographed numerous local, state and national pageants and produced fashion shows in Mexico and all around Texas.  She has an extensive background in runway, commercials and promotional modeling and in her spare time she loves to karaoke, travel and spend time with her husband and fifteen year old son. www.premierepromotions.net




6 – Dr. Stephen A. Moore – highly respected clinical psychologist, Dr. Moore brings a wide range of clinical expertise to his Psychology clinic in Houston, TX.
 
He has found that unsatisfactory relationships, sexless marriages, irrational lack of self-esteem and feelings of being unfulfilled are all problems that can be solved by changing the types of messages that people internalize.  

Dr. Moore helps clients break free of their ongoing emotional traps in order to help them create a more passionate and productive life.  He extends an uplifting message that your greatest sexual pleasure and emotional fulfillment are possible throughout your life, even in your middle and later years.

Dr. Moore completed his doctorate degree at Texas Tech University and his doctoral internship at Baylor College of Medicine where he helped develop and direct a comprehensive program for adolescents and adults with self-defeating behaviors and sexual addictions.


7 - Chloe Dao - After a long journey of ten months, Chloe Dao emerged as the winner of Bravo’s Emmy nominated Project Runway 2 on March 8, 2006. She competed against 15 designers and was among the three finalists to showcase their Fall 2006 collection at New York’s Fashion Week at Seventh on Sixth. Dao won the hearts of America with her mild honest demeanor but won the votes of judges Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and special guest judge Debra Messing with her consistent display of technical skills, business savvy and creative talent. As the winner of PR2, she received $100.000 seed money to use toward her design business, a 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster, a spread in Elle magazine, and a mentorship with Banana Republic.

Her passion for design and fashion were sparked at the age of 10 when she saw her first episode of CNN’s Style with Elsa Klensch. The passion grew into a career choice, and years later Dao graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a patternmaking degree. Dao left New York in the summer of 2000 a seasoned industry professional and opened up Lot 8, named after the eight Dao sisters. Even with the win of PR2, Dao continues to develop and grow her boutique’s business in Houston. She is debuting her wholesale line DAO Chloe DAO in March, 2008 at the Dallas Market Center. Her collection is now available through online shopping at www.lot8online.com.



8 - John Kuhl - A partner in Sanford & Kuhl, a boutique law firm specializing in Texas government dealings, such as lobbying, public policy, administrative law, and public law. His firm maintains offices in Houston and Austin. www.sklaw.us

9 - Mary E. Yoder - Mary Elizabeth Yoder is a devoted artist, actress and Executive Director and Founder of the Arnold C. Yoder Survivors Foundation. Currently, residing in Los Angeles, CA. she is writing and producing a docudrama about triumphing over tragedy through the healing power of forgiveness. www.theacy.org

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