The Blueprint
January 2020
"Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling."
–Kobe Bryant
In Loving Memory of Kobe & Gigi Bryant
Basketball legend Kobe Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Maria Onore Bryant were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on Sunday, January 26, 2020.
For more on Bryant's life and career, you can...
- Read some of the tributes that poured in for the five-time NBA champion
- Look at his life in photos
- Watch Bryant talk about coaching his daughter
- Read about his legacy and why he gave himself the nickname "Black Mamba"
- Honor Bryant's legacy through the charities he supported
Photo Courtesy: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY via Reuters
What We're Reading
Parenting Responsibilities: 10 Things You Are (and Aren’t) Responsible for as a Parent
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How Fast Food Companies are Priming Your Mentee's Brain to Eat Poorly
Teens who had greater responses in reward centers of the brain when viewing commercials for unhealthy foods—like cheeseburgers and milkshakes—from fast food restaurants ate more junk food in a simulated fast food restaurant.
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The Rights of Adolescents as Research Participants in a Digital Age
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Building a Community of Practice
Houston Mentoring Alliance Design Lab Series 2 of 3
With over 100 youth mentoring organizations in the Greater Houston area, we believe that we can make a greater impact together in the lives of youth than we can working in silos. We understand that nonprofits are driving impact in our community and we want to help those nonprofits impacting youth mentoring and youth development. The space of youth mentoring is a critical component to the future of our great city – our youth are the future.
We thought it would be fitting to kick off this 3-part workshop series focused on youth mentoring in January which is recognized as National #MentoringMonth.
A key expected outcome of this workshop series is a 12-month action plan for Greater Houston to galvanize cross-stakeholder collaboration to increase Greater Houston’s impact in the space of youth mentoring.
This event is hosted by Greater Houston Mentoring Alliance, its partners and The National Mentoring Partnership (NMP).
Don't miss out on our last workshop of the series on February 6, 2020.
It's Time Texas Community Challenge
Mission
We believe that Texas is best when Texans are healthy. That’s why we’re championing the movement to create a culture of health in the Lone Star State. Our programs, events, and partnerships empower all Texans to lead healthier lives, build healthier communities, and contribute to a healthier state.
Why It's Time
Unhealthy has become our new normal.
More than two-thirds of Texas adults and one-third of Texas children are overweight or obese. The situation has led to epidemics of preventable chronic diseases that erode our quality of life while piling on billions in associated healthcare costs. The worsening health crisis is one that we cannot afford and have limited time to fix. Yet, the causes are so complex and widespread that no single intervention will reverse it.
At It’s Time Texas, we recognize that solving the health crisis requires a collaborative, multilayered approach that addresses the individual, cultural, organizational, community and policy factors that influence the extent to which people have access and opportunities to lead healthier lives.
The good news is that there is a growing movement of people, organizations, and institutions committed to creating a culture of health in the Lone Star State. We exist to champion that movement. By uniting and mobilizing our collective efforts, we can create a thriving future for our families, our communities, and our state.
MBK Houston Milestone Snapshots
The Basics Houston
Through a series of free "fun-shops" in neighborhoods around Houston, new parents are encouraged to practice with their babies five fun, simple, yet powerful “basics” which help build an early foundation for their children to be able to read, speak, solve problems, do well in school and have positive relationships later in life.
Source: Children's Museum: The Basics
No Small Matter: Screening & Panel Discussion
Tuesday, Jan 28, 2020, 10:00 AM
The Health Museum, Hermann Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Houston's Baby List for 2019
Read Aloud 15 Minutes
- Bonding
- Vocabulary
- Curiosity
- Routine
- Empathy
- and more!
Click the button below to access handouts, posters and bookmarks to help you kick-start your 21-day challenge today.
"Let's Do This" Small Group Series
On January 23, 2019, we kicked off the first monthly session until April 2020. Each month we discuss different themes:
- January: Workforce Job and Career Readiness, Interviewing skills, First Impressions, Setting a career plan and more
- February: College Readiness and Resume Building
- March: Financial Literacy
- April: Youth Mental Health and Physical Health
It is very important that we reach these students now before its too late!
To get involved and partner with us to serve our modest group of young men for the “It’s That Time” series contact Kesha.McNeil@houstontx.gov.
WHERE OPPORTUNITY WORKS.
SERJobs provides four core services: career coaching, occupational skill development, employment services, and financial empowerment. The staff strives to inspire clients to maximize their personal and professional potential by honoring each person as innately talented and capable of achieving their career and financial goals.
If you’re interested in enrolling in SER’s programs and/or services, we invite you to come speak to one of the Service Navigator
Monday-Friday between 8:30am-4pm
SER’s Workforce Opportunity Center – 1710 Telephone Road, Houston TX 77023.
Students wishing to pursue a certificate or degree program in Houston have numerous options.
Hire Houston Youth Kickoff
Mayor's Youth Workforce Council
Learn more about the MYWC below:
For more information or to get involved with the MYWC contact:
Mayor's Office of Education
SER Job Fair: Second Chance
1st Annual Spring into Action Youth Summit
In accordance with the Houston Peace Strategic Plan, the first Annual Spring into Action Youth Summit is a student led, fun filled day comprised of interactive workshops, a youth panel, performances and local partnerships. The workshops are focused on the three goals of Houston Peace:
- Promote Youth Health
- Prevent Youth Violence
- Provide Youth Opportunities.
It is open to Houston Youth 7th grade through 12th grade students and their parents be held at the historic George R. Brown Convention Center on Monday March 16th, 2020 from 8:00am-5:00 pm.
Implementation of the strategic plan will ensure our youth are safe, healthy and have hope for the future.
Transportation is available for students and their parents.
For more information including registration please visit www.houston4peace.org
Upcoming Events
2020 Rodeo In the Park presented by Houston General Go Texan Committee
Saturday, Feb 8, 2020, 11:00 AM
2727 W Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77025, USA
Black History Houston Culture Fest
Saturday, Feb 15, 2020, 03:00 PM
1002 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX, USA
Regional School Safety Summit 2020
Monday, Apr 13, 2020, 08:00 AM
7200 Northwest Dr, Houston, TX 77092, USA
Follow Us @MBKhouston for more updates
Email: mbkhouston@houstontx.gov
Website: www.mbkhouston.org
Location: 8000 North Stadium Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: 832-393-5169
Facebook: facebook.com/MBKHouston/
Twitter: @MBKHouston