BEAR... BE A Resource for CPS Kids offers help and hope for abused and neglected children and the caseworkers who protect them. BEAR is a unique public/private sector partnership that sponsors programs to support children under the care of Child Protective Services (CPS) in Harris County. There are 70 similar programs operating throughout Texas under the name Greater Texas Community Partners.

There are children in Houston today who are waking up scared and hungry, abused and neglected. These children don't have clean clothes, or maybe any clothes. They are in need of basic necessities such as a toothbrush and toothpaste. They are also in danger of, or are already, being abused or neglected. You can make a difference in a child’s life.

Founded in 1997, with a budget of $7,000 a group of concerned citizens formed BEAR… Be a Resource for CPS Kids, a non-profit public/private partnership that supports CPS. Today, BEAR is an organization with a budget of near $1,000,000 that administers three programs that support children under the care of Child Protective Services. BEAR is governed by a volunteer board of directors.

BEAR has several programs that serve CPS kids. The BEAR Necessities is an emergency supply room that provides necessities and niceties such as food, clothing and toys to children who are served by CPS. We currently serve over 1,000 children a month. BEARing Gifts provides Christmas gifts to CPS kids who otherwise would have no Christmas at all. This past year we provided more than 15,000 new gifts to over 5,000 CPS kids. BEAR Back-to-School where we provide new uniforms, shoes, school supplies and backpacks to over 4,000 CPS children. All BEAR programs are designed to provide support for our children at times when it is most painful to be a CPS child.

BEAR has been granted non-profit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions to BEAR are tax deductible. BEAR operates with four full-time staff members, two who are funded by Harris County Protective Services for Children and Adults and two by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

BEAR is funded by private donations, special events, and grants from foundations and trusts. Many local church and community organizations choose BEAR as a recipient for their community service projects.