William A Lawson Institute For Peace & Prosperity

Walipp senior residence opened in 2005 to address the housing plight of seniors who desire a safe and comfortable community experience. We achieved full occupancy of our 50 units (42 2-bedroom/2bathroom and 8 1-bedroom/1-bathroom) in 2007 and maintained high occupancy rates for these safe and comfortable units. Partnerhsip with the houston police departments' blue star programs insures a drug-free/crime-free facility that rivals the city's finest living establishments. Today, agency management maintains an active wait list and 51% of the units are offered at below-the-market-rents for the benefit of low-income seniors. On-campus beauty and barber services along with effective programming enable our residents to enjoy fellowship and comraderie minutes away from the medical center, downtown and local events.we are not just managing an apartment building, we have created a viable and nurturing community: one with movie & game nights, health and wellness education, legal document and tax preparation, weekly bible studies, and community parties that engage the residents in fun and rewarding experiences.

Walipp public defender - walipp led the advocacy efforts before the harris county commissioners court to confirm alex bunin as chief public defender, the first in our county's history. The office of the public defender steps in when an accused person cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Mr. Bunin's appointment, made possible as a result of the efforts of the walipp and religious leaders of all faiths, marked a major improvement in the system of criminal justice for houston's indigent population. The clergy coalition, which includes rev. Bill lawson, rabbi sam karff and archbishop joseph fiorenza, seeks alternatives to safely reduce the overincarceration of low-level, nonviolent offenders and to support indigent defense.