What comes before Part-B? PART-AYY!!! This partay just happened to be the largest outdoor cocktail…read moreparty in Texas. BOTB has been around in Houston for 37 years now. I only just learned about it this year and wish I had been let in on the secret earlier since this was one heck of a party. Though I would not have been legally old enough to drink at all of those parties. However BOTB had generously funded a large grant to the nonprofit I serve on the board of, so I was more than happy to volunteer my time to help them out at their party to thank them for their generosity. I figured they were going to have me greet people at the gate or something since I am such a people-person, but they actually paid for me to attend a TABC certification class before the event and then put me to work as a volunteer bartender for a few hours - letting me check out the event as a non-volunteer private citizen when I was not pouring up drank. I have more than 20 years in the volunteer game - (and I know volunteering is not all about 'me') but I have never been treated better as a volunteer. BOTB occupied the entire outside Wortham area downtown, mostly headquartered in the Fish Plaza area. The front gate on Smith locked down entrance so IDs could be checked and only 21+ year old people were allowed in through the one controlled point of entry. The side of Fish Plaza running along Texas Ave had gates up also (and the high dollar donor area was along a large part of the gate anyway) so there was strong security in place. As my uber driver was crawling along Texas Ave to drop me off we could hear the loud music from a few blocks away. Party time, alright! While other people were spending their Easter Sunday in church or in quiet contemplation still drunk in a Tim Horton's parking lot this was the alternative: loud music, big crowds, and flowing drinks of vodka, rum, whiskey, gin, and beer types. Pretty much everything sensible you need for day drinking except Jägerbombs. What is BOTB? (From their webpage) Bunnies on the Bayou, Inc. is a 501(c)3, all volunteer organization dedicated to the raising and distributing of funds for various charitable, educational, and cultural programs that seek to improve the quality of life and promote education and awareness of human rights for individuals in the Houston GLBT community. The organization raises money through a series of social events throughout the year, and culminates every Easter Sunday at Bunnies on the Bayou, the largest outdoor cocktail party in Texas. Before my volunteer bartending shift started I collected some drinks of my own for proper drinkin' purposes. All of the first shift volunteers were amazing and polite. The thousands of guests were also respectful. There were cops everywhere, but I didn't see any issues requiring "Sekkurity!" at any point, which is pretty impressive considering that some of my family's weddings needed cops after the True Italian (tm) came out, even at a family wedding - and this was a day drinking party with thousands of strangers. Later when my bartending shift started everyone behind the bar with me was just as nice, as were the guests. All in all a great use of a Sunday. I know where I will be next Easter Sunday for #38 and it is for a good cause! The other benefitting agencies were all doing various types of great work in the community, and the executive directors of those agencies I met were fun to talk with as I learned more about their vision and strategies.

Well look at that - two years later and I've now worked with ESCAPE Family Resource Center (EFRC)…read morein a professional setting, as well as graduated from their Building Confident Families program. From a professional perspective: ESCAPE was accommodating and exceptionally great to work with. Each and every person I communicated with was helpful and attentive. From a student's perspective: I took the Building Confident Families course with about 13 parents in a program though my employer. As a student I had already learned much of what the class discussed in an educational setting. I found the EFRC educator's approach to be easy to understand, enlightening, comical and understanding. Many of the parents seemed to enjoy the classes and I felt that the educator made it easy for the parents to open up and discuss their perspective. EFRC offers courses for children, teens, women who have experienced domestic violence, divorcing/divorced parents, and grandparents. Though many people may refer to the classes as "parenting classes" they're really communication, stress management and informative - I think the people who work at EFRC realize that no1 got a parenting instructional book and really try to give age appropriate information to all of their client/students.

I received my CHW training here, volunteered and attended many events. Bread of Life is a very…read morerespectable organization and is dedicated to improving community needs and giving back to the community. They have amazing programs and resources from free counseling, training and food drives. Bread of Life is a true staple in the community.

Absolutely amazing!! I schedule my mini schnauzer to be neutered, and they took really good care of…read morehim. I was there when they opened so he was the first to get signed in. They weighed him and took him away. They called about 4 hrs later for me to pick him up. I've never had this done to any of my dogs before, but they took really good care of my baby. For the low cost, they also vaccinated him for rabies, and chipped him. I would definitely recommend. My baby is doing great, I followed the instructions to keep his cone on for 14 days and everything went wonderfully.

This organization runs a scam spay and neutering program; they solicit donations but never have…read moreopenings for the low-cost $20.00 service that they claim to provide.

Great business and loved visiting the Artgallery. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. Lots off…read morebooks for sale too.

I got to check our the Jung Center the last time I was in Houston with my cousin…read more I have to say the experience was very peaceful and I have to say I felt like I was in a different world. I can't say I am very artistic, after being in The Jung Center, I do have a very different perspective on art. I'd say anyone that wants to walk away with a new perspective they should check TJC out!