It would be easy for Charde Houston to have emerged angry at the world after dealing with some rough and tumble times growing up in San Diego.

But even as she was forced to sleep in the family's car at times during her childhood, Houston vowed that if she was ever able to make the world a better place for others, she would do just that.

It was not just idle chatter. Since being drafted into the WNBA by the Minnesota Lynx, Houston's charitable endeavors have been something to behold. Obviously others have the same opinion as she was named the Houston's charitable endeavors were recognized when she was named the WNBA's Dawn Staley Community Leadership Award.

Back in 2009 Houston was quick to act when she heard the story of 11-year-old Aiyanna Bardwell left homeless after the murder of her mother. That was the same year that Houston founded Project Youth Opportunities Unlimited. Houston holds weekly mentoring sessions with seven Minnesota youths and both 2009 and 2010, the foundation has bestowed gifts on an underprivileged family during the Christmas holiday season.

"It means so much because so many people are recognized for their work on the court," Houston said. "It's not just myself but other WNBA players, we are so involved in the community that means so much to us.

"Throughout my childhood, I did not have a positive youth group I could capitalize on growing up. I just wanted to provide something that the youth could benefit from."

When I spoke with Charde on Friday, of course I took the chance to get her take on tonight's game against the Connecticut Sun which features four of Houston's former UConn teammates (Tina Charles, Kalana Greene, Renee Montgomery and Jessica Moore).

"I am definitely looking forward to playing against some former teammates and see how they are doing especially Tina with her coming off her Eastern Conference (Player of the Week and Month) honors," Houston said.

Houston had this to say about Charles' rapid development and emergence as one of the most dominant players in the WNBA in just the early stages of her second season.

"I'm impressed with her ability to get better," Houston said. "Not a lot of people can get close to 20-plus rebounds in a game. She is constantly improving her game, especially her leadership skills. She is more vocal now and she has just matured as a player."

She also talked about the adjustments Lynx teammate Maya Moore has had to make.

"She came not so much hesitant but trying to find her way and trying to get used to the WNBA game," Houston said. "With Maya, she looks for her shot, she is very vocal, she doesn't play like a rookie. She is starting to (adjust) to the physicality of the game. She has to guard the best players night in and night out so her, I don't think she's struggled but it is more so that she has been tested."

With the arrival of Moore and fellow first-round pick Amber Harris, the return of Candice Wiggins from an injury-shorted 2010 season, addition of veteran Taj McWilliams-Franklin it has been a season of adjustment as well as one of limited participating for the former all-star forward.

Houston was a double-figure scorer both in 2009 and 2010 and in her first three seasons she averaged between 17.6 and 23.3 minutes per game. However, Houston had played 10 minutes in just one of Minnesota's first eight games.

"My role has changed," said Houston, who averaged 2.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 7.1 minutes in the first eight games of the season. "It is probably the least amount of time I have played in terms of minutes but at the same time, Coach (Cheryl Reeve) said you have to be ready. We have a deep, deep bench. Anybody can start for this team and you never know when your number is going to be called. I am just practicing hard and pushing the starters."

The Lynx/Sun game will be televised live on NBA TV beginning at 8 p.m.