HOUSTON, TX – Community members from across the city gathered Saturday at the Montrose Center to take part in the nationwide American Empathy Project, a coordinated day of service led by the American Humanist Association, focused on turning compassion into direct action.
The event brought together a coalition of local organizations including Houston Oasis, Secular Houston, Houston Atheists, and SHORE, all working side by side to assemble snack bags for LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness or unstable housing in the Houston area.
Jennifer Paden, president of Houston Oasis, said the effort was a natural extension of the group’s connection to the Montrose Center. “We meet here every Sunday, so we’re already part of this space. We wanted to give back not just to their community, but to our community as well,” she said. “We worked with them to understand their needs and came up with the idea of assembling snack bags that can go directly to LGBTQ youth and safely housed individuals who still need support.”
Throughout the afternoon, volunteers packed bags with food and essentials that will be distributed through local organizations including Grace Place, Tony’s Place, the Montrose Center, and the HATCH program, which serves transgender youth. The supplies are intended to support young people who are either unhoused or living in unstable conditions.
Wil Jeudy with Secular Houston described the event as part of a broader national effort. “We’re part of a coalition supporting the American Empathy Project. Across the country, groups like ours are stepping up to help their local communities and put humanism into action,” he said, noting that the initiative, previously known as the Secular Week of Action, was condensed into a single day this year.
The American Empathy Project not only coordinates volunteer efforts nationwide but also provides funding to help local groups organize meaningful service projects. Organizers say the initiative distributed roughly $100,000 dollars in grants across the country, with many participating groups receiving around $1,000 dollars to support supplies, outreach, and event coordination. That support helped make events like the one in Houston possible. More information about the initiative can be found at: https://www.americanempathyproject.org
For some groups involved, the day also reflects a larger mission rooted in advocacy. Revel with SHORE explained that the organization formed following the Roe v. Wade overturned, as members sought to take action on reproductive rights and LGBTQ equality from a secular perspective. “We came together wanting to do something meaningful at the local level,” Revel said. “But today is about community making sure people have access to basic needs and support.” Organizers emphasized that while their work is grounded in secular values, they remain supportive of interfaith collaboration and focused on helping anyone in need.
Volunteers and organizers described the turnout as strong, with multiple groups coming together to support a shared cause. “It’s been amazing to see everyone come together,” Jeudy said. “This is what community looks like.”
In addition to the food drive, organizers said their work continues beyond this event, including ongoing outreach efforts and a planned blood drive aimed at further supporting the community.
By the end of the day, hundreds of snack bags were assembled, each one representing a small but meaningful step toward supporting vulnerable youth in Houston. For those involved, the message was simple empathy is more than an idea it is action.
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