The Blueprint
June 2019 Edition
"As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality; therefore, we can't exist without each other because nothing great is done in isolation."
-Noel A. Pinnock, I,
Bureau Chief of Houston's Youth and Adolescent Health and MBK Houston Director
Pride Houston Festival 2019
Every year Pride Houston seeks input from the community to help identify the top role models for Houston’s LGBTQ+ community. These individuals have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments and are central pillars for advancing our community’s best interests on a local and national level. With record breaking voting for the Grand Marshals and the addition of the new Gender Non-Binary category we are proud to present Harrison Homer-Guy (Male-Identifying), Judge Shannon B. Baldwin (Female-Identifying), Mike Webb (Gender Non-Binary) and Constable Alan Rosen (Ally) as the 2019 Pride Houston Grand Marshals.
As this year marks the 50-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York City, Pride Houston wants to recognize this pivotal event in our community’s history by celebrating four community activist trans women of color as the Pride Houston Honorary Grand Marshals. The 2019 Pride Houston Honorary Grand Marshals are Atlantis Narcisse, Dee Dee Watters, Ana Andrea Molina and Monica Robert.
ABOUT PRIDE HOUSTON
Pride Houston is a 100% volunteer-run organization and is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that works to bring lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender individuals and allies together to educate the world on issues important to the LGBT community, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture and strive for equality.
Serving Traumatized LGBTQ+ Youth
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) is our creditable source agency for Psychological First Aid (PFA) and online PPFA. Check out their resource guide (tip sheet, videos, video resource guide, and upcoming webinar series beginning July 24th) for Serving Traumatized LGBTQ Youth)!
LGBTQ youth experience high rates of trauma including intimate partner and community violence, bullying, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse. In adulthood, untreated and unrecognized trauma often manifests into behavioral, psychological, physical health, learning, and relationship issues. NCTSN offers resources that help professionals provide effective care to LGBTQ youth who have experienced trauma:
- Safe Spaces. Safe Places: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Traumatized LGBTQ Youth (2015) delves into the trauma affecting LGBTQ youth and ways in which providers can offer effective care, i.e., by creating a welcoming and inviting environment.—24-minute video -->Watch Here
- Accompanying Safe Spaces. Safe Places: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Traumatized LGBTQ Youth, is a 2-Page Video Resource Guide (2015) (PDF) to help you use the video as a training tool during a staff meeting or in supervision with staff. -->Download Here
LGBTQ: Voices of Trauma, Lives of Promise (2016) shares the traumatic experiences of LGBTQ youth and how youth-serving professionals can provide adequate and effective care. —13-minute video -->Watch Here
LGBTQ Youth and Sexual Abuse: Information for Mental Health Professionals (2014) highlights issues concerning LGBTQ youth and parents or caregivers of LGBTQ youth in regards to sexual orientation and sexual abuse. This fact sheet also offers recommendations to practitioners and agencies about counseling and treating LGBTQ youth. —tip sheet -->Download Here
In the News and Updates
June 18 is All Ways Up Foundation Day
EHF announces $17 million investment to strengthen the health system and community-based clinics in Texas
Non-medical factors that affect health are often called social determinants of health. They are broadly defined as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. Research shows that 80% of a person’s health is influenced by social determinants of health, and only about 20% of health outcomes result from medical care.
EHF’s $17 million investment includes:
- Grants to support clinic efforts to convert from a volume-based care payment model that’s centered on the number of medical procedures, to a value-based care payment model that focuses on quality and patient health outcomes.
- Grants that help clinics address non-medical factors that contribute to poor health, including funding for EHF’s ongoing Texas Community-Centered Health Homes Initiative with 12 Texas clinics.
- More than $9.1 million in grants to help community-based clinics provide comprehensive care (including primary care, preventive services, dental care, specialty referrals, and behavioral care) to low-income and populations in need.
- More than $500,000 in grants to help expand and strengthen clinics in rural areas.
Along with strengthening clinics, EHF’s investment also includes $1.6 million to organizations that are expanding health insurance coverage and other benefits for Texans with the least resources. These organizations help enroll eligible Texans in programs and then follow up to ensure that these families use the health services covered by their plans.
“Low-income populations are less likely to have health insurance, leaving them at greater risk of poor health,” Marks said. “True access to health services requires a system of affordable coverage. People who are insured have greater access to care and have better health outcomes, including lower mortality rates.”
Save the Date: MBKA Online Town Hall with Geoffrey Canada
Stay tuned on @MBKHouston social media for updated webinar information.
Texas' school safety bill on to the governor's desk
We did it! Senate Bill 11, Texas' leading school safety bill, was signed in the House of Representatives on May 27th and is now on the governor’s desk.
S.B. 11 marks a huge step forward for student safety and Sandy Hook Promise in Texas!
Thanks to your participation in our first Sandy Hook Promise Statehouse Day as well as your emails and phone calls to legislators, S.B. 11 includes critical language around anonymous reporting, suicide prevention training and mental wellness resources. This includes requiring the Texas Education Agency to make available information on school-based programs that provide prevention or intervention services – which is great news!
This bill will help make Texas students and schools safer, and you helped make it happen!
Rep. Greg Bonnen played a major role in this victory. Send him a note to thank him for his leadership in moving S.B. 11 through the House.
Thank you for all you’ve done over the past few months to help make student safety a priority in Texas. We couldn’t have done it without you – thank you!
Sincerely,
The Sandy Hook Promise Policy Team
What We're Reading
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Black-White child poverty
Building a Community of Practice
No Child is Drown Proof
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4. No child is “drown proof.” However, you can significantly reduce the risk by using the following layers of protection:
- Designate a “water watcher.” This adult is responsible for keeping their eyes on all children in the water and should be free of all distractions — including cell phones and socializing. The “water watcher” should be switched every 15 minutes to avoid attention fatigue.
- Teach children to swim. Survival swimming lessons teach children self-rescue techniques to help prevent water accident deaths. Traditional swimming lessons teach children proper swimming strokes.
- Learn CPR. Become certified in CRP and update your skills annually. It could save the life of your child or another person.
- Have proper barriers. Ensure the fence around your pool is at least five feet tall with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Make sure doors and windows to the pool are always locked and alarmed. Have a pool alarm installed to alert you when anyone goes into the water.
Information about free and low-cost swimming lessons, organizations that offer swim lesson scholarships and more water safety resources is available at HoustonHealth.org.
Concerns about the safety of pools in Houston can be reported to Houston Health Department pool inspectors by calling 311.
Happy Father's Day: Fathers' UpLift
Through the work of his organization, Fathers’ UpLift, Charles provides dads with mental health support and mentoring so they can be the best parents they can be for their children. Working with fathers who are overcoming challenges like homelessness, depression, incarceration, or joblessness, Fathers’ UpLift believes everyone has the potential to be a good parent.
Juneteenth Celebrations
Family, friends and neighbors joined together to view more than 100 spectacular entries including marching bands, floats, horses, vintage cars and more.
Special guests included Christina Wells of “America’s Got Talent” and Tobe Nwigwe, a first-generation Nigerian American and visionary from Alief making waves in the hip hop world.
HYPE Freedom School Celebrated on June 19, 2019 with donations of red soda, watermelon chunks and monetary funds from our staff members:
- Francisco Garcia
- Roderick Peoples
- Jacqueline Potter
- Kristi Rangel
- Kesha McNeil
Thank you for your generosity and making this event happen for our HYPE youth.
SANKOFA 400 event on Roseland Plantation
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - People from all over the country came to Van Zandt County Saturday to learn about their heritage and meet members of their extended family. The Roseland Plantation, in Ben Wheeler, has a history dating back to the mid-1800s and those whose ancestors were part of that history met Saturday to celebrate. As amazing grace plays in the background, multiple generations of different families sing or hum along.
“We have grandchildren and great grandchildren and great great grandchildren that will be here today," said Evelyn Collier Holloway, one of the organizers of the Roseland Plantation’s ancestry reunion. "They have no idea of the history that took place here in Redland.”
Those different generations were learning about their families’ past.
About 400 Points of Light
Commemoration of 400 years of survival and resilience in the face of slavery and segregation. Returning African Americans to their traditional greatness and reconnecting with the family and community.Building Black Futures by Promotion of transformative activities to improve the lives of African Americans. This is lead by our Community Involvement Coordinator Omowale Allen and the MBK Area Action Team.Clothing Drive at HHD Warehouse
We want to give a big thanks to the volunteers, partner agencies, and our division partners Mr. Epifanio Martinez, Fixed Asset Manager and the whole team at the Office of Program Support.
Photos Courtesy of Kesha McNeil and Francisco Garcia, Community Involvement Coordinator
YABC Acres Home: HBi Service Project
Photos Courtesy of Francisco Garcia, Community Involvement Coordinator
YABC Gulfton: Jane Long Cohort
Jane Long Academy YABC cohort completed their 16 hour training, identified the service projects and started the plan of action. The top projects identified was a beatification project, community resource kiosks in various parts of Gulfton, and supporting the installment of a volleyball/soccer field and student social space at Jane Long Academy. The students started the first step to collaborate with a group called “Madres Del Parque” in the Gulfton community to coordinate a park clean up at Burnett Bayland Park. The YABC Cohort turned out with the Honor Society of Jane Long and collaborated with Madres Del Parque to make the first service project a success. Despite some of the YABC students going off to college, the others are still active and engaging other agencies and youth to participate to make sure sustainability is a key force in moving forward with other service projects.
--> View Group Graduation Photos
--> View Service Project Photos
--> View Classroom and Group Photos
Photos Courtesy of Francisco Garcia, Community Involvement Coordinator
4th Annual Texas Community Schools Summit-Houston: The Power of Connection
Our Bureau of Youth and Adolescent Health (BYAH) participated in the 4th Annual Texas Community Schools summit-Houston hosting a HISD District Wide workshop on community organizing and coalition building.
Photos Courtesy of Francisco Garcia, Community Involvement Coordinator
About 4th Annual Texas Community Schools Summit
4th Annual Texas Community Schools Summit-Houston: The Power of Connection
Texas is building thriving community schools! Last year we had dozens of schools from across the state come together in support of community schools. Whether you are new to the idea of community schools or already have an effort underway, you’ll find helpful information, ideas and networking opportunities during the 3 day convening. You will participate in workshops led by nationally renowned experts in community schools, learn from panelists and speakers who have been on the front lines of this effort. Join us and come away with a plan for moving your vision of your school and community forward.
Family Access Program
Your family may qualify for Medicaid and/or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Families in Texas without health insurance may be able to get low cost or free health coverage from CHIP or Medicaid. Both programs cover office visits, prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams, glasses, and much more. Ineligibility does not keep us from helping you find the resources for your family!
About Family Access Program
The Family Access Program helps parents and students gain access to care by assisting with enrollment in Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, Gold Card, and connecting to resources provided by the Houston Health Department and more.
MBK Houston Milestone Snapshots
Houston Basics
Bringing Literacy Resources to 11,000+ Families
785 Volunteers Support the Expansion of CMH's Welcome Baby Initiative
It was a big project, but the Houston community made it happen! In fact, the Museum's Welcome Baby initiative is so big that the Houston Food Bank generously donated its warehouse space for 785 volunteers, who gave a total of 2,735 hours of service over the course of 11 days in April. The end result of this outpouring of volunteerism was the assembly of 11,000+ Welcome Baby bags that are being distributed to families with infants, to nurture early brain development and literacy skills.
With the generous support of The Powell Foundation, Episcopal Health Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Herman H. Fleishman Foundation, ECMC Group, and Dr. Kelly Coleman, the Museum is bringing Welcome Baby to 60+ locations across the city, with an emphasis on Houston's Near Northside and Gulfton neighborhoods. The bags are distributed through a community-based network to low-income families in their neighborhoods. Each bag is given by a "person-of-trust" such as a social worker, nurse, or pediatrician, who has a long-term relationship with the family. The person-of-trust explains the resources in the bag and how they can support early brain development. In the months that follow, the person-of-trust continues to provide encouragement as parents engage their infants in activities that support early language and literacy learning. Welcome Baby is presented in partnership with the Houston Health Department, and is aligned with the goals of My Brother's Keeper and Good Reason Houston.
Each of the 11,000+ Welcome Baby bags contains resources that include a board book, rattle, infant-safe mirror, developmental milestones guide, Vroom cards with tips on supporting brain development, and more. Many parents have said that the children's book included in the Welcome Baby bag is their infant's very first book.
Originally piloted in 2017, recent evaluations of Welcome Baby show that 37% of parents increased the rate at which they read to their infants following receipt of a Welcome Baby bag; 76% of parents used the Welcome Baby bags to discover new ways to engage their infants in literacy learning; and 64% of parents shared the ideas they gained from Welcome Baby with others.
Feedback from parents indicates Welcome Baby is empowering them to interact with their infants in new ways. A parent said that as a result of receiving the bag, "I learned to read to my baby. I have never done that before." Another parent stated, "I learned that kids read early on! I thought they developed skills at one or two years, not as babies. So now I read to my baby. I can see my baby looking at me when I read to him." Similarly, a parent who received a Welcome Baby bag at a WIC center commented, "They had cards and it showed how often I should read to my baby and their milestones. That was helpful because not a lot of parents know this."
-->Read more Good News from the Children's Museum of Houston
A Forum for Fathers who want to Enhance their Greatness as parents
Fatherhood Forum
Saturday, Jun 29, 2019, 09:30 AM
Law Elementary School, South Coast Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Out to Learn Technical Assistance Call Reminder
Out 2 Learn is hosting the second and last Technical Assistance Call being held this Thursday morning, 6/27 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. This call is optional to attend but please take advantage of it! Dial in for the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to the 2019-2020 Fall/Spring RFP and overall process. Bring all your questions! In the meantime, please reference attachments as needed.
Technical Assistance Call (optional to attend):
Thursday, June 27th
10:00 am-11:00 am
Dial in: 202.602.1295
Conference ID: 851-950-785 #
HYPE FREEDOM SCHOOL At Bruce Elem.
WHAT ARE FREEDOM SCHOOLS?
Freedom Schools implement a curriculum developed by the Children’s Defense Fund. Freedom Schools provide summer and after-school enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increase their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning. Freedom Schools provide nurturing learning environments using a model curriculum that supports children and families around five essential components:
- High-quality academic enrichment.
- Parent and family involvement.
- Civic engagement and social action.
- Intergenerational leadership development.
- Nutrition, health, and mental health.
WHY ARE FREEDOM SCHOOLS SO IMPORTANT?
Research shows, children from low-income families have more restricted access to books, both in school and at home, than their more advantaged peers. Poor children are read to less often; have a more limited vocabulary; are particularly at risk of school failure, and are 3.5 times more likely to drop out of high school. In Texas, 70% of public school fourth graders read below grade level.
EDUCATION is the single most effective prevention against poverty, and our goal is to RAISE AWARENESS about the effectiveness of Freedom Schools so that even more Texas children may benefit.
Summer HYPE Parent Orientation
The Summer HYPE Freedom School Parent Orientation took place on June 11, 2019. It was a full house and all 50 participant spaces were filled for this summers location at Bruce Elementary School.Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is defined as a multi-disciplinary approach for reducing crime through urban and environmental design and the management and use of built environments.
Check out the 1st day at HYPE Freedom School Summer 2019 at Bruce Elementary School.
Each parent and child received Houston Public Library cards, Children's Museum passes, an spirit sticks.
HYPE Freedom School, Inc. (formerly known as Waymaker Life Strategies, Inc.) is a non-profit organization that has been serving children and families in the Sunnyside/South Park communities for 17 years. HYPE was co-founded by Brandi Brown, an advocate with a long history of partnering with various churches, schools, and organizations in the Southeast Houston.
The partnership with the City of Houston Health Department, Bureau of Youth and Adolescent Health and My Brother's Keepers Houston has helped to expand Freedom Schools to more location; the Bruce Elementary location has been sponsored for Summer 2019.
Check out Houston Public Library's Summer Programs!
- Jelly Belly Schmelly Show: Balloon Pop Art Workshop
- Jelly Belly Schmelly Show: Balloon Show
- Jelly Belly Schmelly Show: The World of Magical Bubbles
- HPL Digizine Project
- Indigo Entertainment: African Dance & Drumming
- Mermaid Storytime
- Wild Things Zoofari: Animal Show
- Wild Things Zoofari: Exotic Petting Zoo
- And much more!
John P. McGovern Summer Reading Program
Explore the Unknown with SRP! Receive a free book and lanyard just for registering. Then earn more free books and pins to decorate your lanyard by reaching reading goals and exploring the world around you!
Urban Scholars Continues...at Wheatley High, Sam Houston High, Attucks Middle, and Clifton Middle Schools
The Urban Scholars program utilizes a social justice curriculum to immerse youth of color in an academic setting to value their cultural heritage and build their knowledge of self, while preparing them for college. The Urban Scholars program will intersect with multiple aspects of a student’s life – in the classroom, community and at home. The program leverages the Building a Lifetime of Options and Opportunities (BLOOM) initiative for boys and young men that was launched by the California Community Foundation (CCF) in 2012. Additionally, the Urban Scholars program incorporates elements of cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma informed care. Below are some longitudinal highlights:
- For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Urban Scholars high school graduation rate was 87%.
- For the 2015-2016 academic year, 93% of graduating Urban Scholars were college bound, while others became gainfully employed.
- For the 2016-2017 academic year, the Urban Scholars program achieved a 100% high school graduation rate.
- For the 2016-2017 academic year, 85% of Urban Scholars were accepted and will attend a 2 or 4-year institution of higher learning, while others became gainfully employed.
The Social Justice Learning Institute is dedicated to improving the education, health, and well being of youth and communities of color by empowering them to enact social change through research, training, and community mobilization. "We teach youth of color to advocate for themselves and their communities, by providing a culturally relevant curriculum and academic support through a social justice lens."
Texas Public Health Association’s Student Scholarship
The Texas Public Health Association’s Student Scholarship is awarded to students for the purpose of providing financial aid and encouragement to attend the college of their choice for the purpose of pursuing a degree in the field of public health. The amount being awarded this year is up to $1,000!
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant or immediate family member of applicant must be a TPHA member in good standing for at least one year at the time of application.
- Scholastic record of not less than a 2.5 average on a 4.0 system. Transcript of last completed semester or high school transcript must accompany application.
- Applicants course of study must be applicable to public health employment. Degree plan or course outline must accompany application.
Texas Family AmeriCorps Program
For questions please contact:
Sara Perez-Klausner
AmerrCorps Program Coordinator
(713) 776-4700 ext 133
Hire Houston Youth: Summer Jobs at HHD
Photos Courtesy of Stacy Harrell, Customer Service Rep III
Workforce Council Meeting Updates - Next Meet: 7/17/19 11-12:30 pm
Houston Health Department, Bureau of Youth and Adolescent Health and Workforce Solutions created the Houston Youth Workforce Council held the second meeting on Wednesday, June 19th, 2019 at the 3rd Ward Multi Service Center. Great discussions took place during the sub-group break out session and much was noted. Groups started to identify priority action items and strategic collaborative solutions. The goal is to build year-round support for all participating agencies to make sure a streamline of services is developed, filling in the gaps agencies identified, and providing a holistic approach for individuals entering the workforce.
The aim of this council is to bring together employer, training, and community partners to identify and align existing and new career resources to help young people (16 – 24) successfully enter today’s complex labor force. Our goal is to establish a model built on collective impact with intentional and measurable synchronized outcomes for area business and the community.
The Council is tasked with addressing the following sub-areas:
- Exposure – expand opportunities for young people to learn career pathways that includes career exploration in nontraditional learning spaces
- Access to Training – Connecting employers and with post-secondary education institutions, access to related resources, and identifying bridge programs for young adult learners
- Work Experience – Increase access to entry-level jobs, pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships, and on the job training opportunities. Identify organizations and businesses to provide mentors to students as they complete or reengage with education and employment opportunities.
- Tracking – Identify baseline data points associated with sub-goals.
Our next HYWC meeting will be July 17th, 2019 from 11 am to 12:30 pm at the Lonestar College North Campus, 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, Houston, TX 77073-3499 (Community Education Building Bldg. #7 Rm#101. See image of Map.
If you would like to inquire more about the Houston Youth Workforce Council please contact Francisco.garcia@houstontx.gov
Photos Courtesy of Francisco Garcia, Community Involvement Coordinator
Hiring Insurance Agent Positions
The Southwest Office of Workforce Solutions is looking to fill Collections Agent Position immediately. Reply to this email NOW with your resume in “MICROSOFT WORD OR PDF” format (ONLY). Also be sure to be fully registered in WorkInTexas.com
Positions: Insurance Sales Agent
Pay: Depends on Experience
Position Description:
Seeking an energetic professional interested in helping our business grow through value-based conversations and remarkable customer experience.
If you are a motivated self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, then this is your opportunity for a rewarding career with excellent income and growth potential.
Responsibilities includes;
- Develop leads, schedule appointments, identify customer needs, and market appropriate products and services.
- Establish client relationships and follow up with customers, as needed.
- Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies.
- Provide prompt, accurate, and friendly customer service. Service can include responding to inquiries regarding insurance availability, eligibility, coverages, policy changes, transfers, claim submissions, and billing clarification.
- Use a customer-focused, needs-based review process to educate customers about insurance options.
- Maintain a strong work ethic with a total commitment to success each and every day.
- Bilingual is a plus -Spanish for communicating purposes
- Must have a HS/GED
- Must have 1-2 years pf insurance experience
- Property & Casualty, Limited Line, or county mutual License preferred but not required.
Candidates must pass background check. Convictions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis; convictions will not necessarily bar a candidate’s employment.
If you have some interest in this position please email Corry.Worrell@wrksolutions.com with:
- Copy of your resume
- If you are Bilingual (Bilingual not mandatory for position, but added bonus)
- If between 18-24 (Accepting candidates all ages, but have added opportunities for individuals ages 18-24)
Secretary / Community Outreach Positions 77074
Positions: Secretary / Community Outreach
Pay: Based Upon Experience
Position Description:
- High School Diploma/GED
- Strong Computer Skills
- Good Communication Skills and Telephone Etiquette
- Must be able to type
- Must be able to express oneself clearly and concisely in oral and written forms
- Ability to answer and maintain multiple phone lines
- Ability to take receive and record messages
- Must be able to use good judgement, demonstrate patience and maintain professional demeanor
- Must be able to work in busy environment
- Data Entry
- May have to travel during business hours when required with company vehicle
- High School/GED required.
- Candidates must pass a drug screen and background check.
If you have some interest in this position please email Corry.Worrell@wrksolutions.com with:
- Copy of your resume
Project Coordinator, Windsor Village (WV) Collaborative
Funded by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health Communities of Care Initiative, led by MHA of Greater Houston and Windsor Village United Methodist Church, this project will support the Windsor Village community and adjacent neighborhoods in cultivating resilience and promoting overall well-being for youth and families.
MAYOR TURNER, GUN SAFETY ADVOCATES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS HOSTED WEAR ORANGE EVENT AS PART OF NATIONWIDE EFFORT
HOUSTON — On Saturday, June 8, as part of Wear Orange Weekend and following National Gun Violence Awareness Day on June 7, volunteers with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, along with Mayor Sylvester Turner, survivors of gun violence and other community partners [hosted] a Wear Orange event and arts showcase at Finnegan Park in Houston to honor the lives of those affected by gun violence and elevate gun violence prevention efforts nationwide.
Those in attendance included:
- Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston
- Rodney Ellis, Commissioner of Harris County Precinct One
- Karlton Harris, Youth Violence Prevention City Lead with the Bureau of Youth and Adolescent Health and My Brother's Keeper Houston
- Calandrian Simpson Kemp, the founder of Village of Mothers and a member of the Everytown Survivor Network whose son, George Kemp Jr. was shot and killed in 2013
- Rhonda Hart, a member of the Everytown Survivor Network whose daughter, Kimberly Vaughn, was shot and killed at Santa Fe High School in 2018
- Izzy Richards, a volunteer with Students Demand Action
- Dre "Self the Poet" Blazion, entertainer and founder of #GoLive Music
- Amy Auzenne, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action
More than 700 Wear Orange events [took] place across the country on June 8 and June 9 for Wear Orange Weekend. More than 1,000 influencers, brands, mayors, partner organizations and buildings and landmarks nearly all 50 states and D.C. [participated] in the Wear Orange campaign.
Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in her honor after she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15 — just one week after performing in President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013. Orange honors the 100 lives cut short and the hundreds more wounded by gun violence every day — and demands action.
American Bar Association Journal's "Second Chances"
Ending mass incarceration won’t succeed without giving people a second chance
As he rode the bus home to Chicago from the Vienna Correctional Center in downstate Illinois, Steve Price told himself that he wasn’t going back. At age 32, he’d already been to prison six times. He’d had enough. This time was going to be different.
This time, Price felt better prepared for re-entry. During his stints behind bars, he learned how to read. He earned a high school equivalency diploma. He trained to be a barber and passed the state licensing exam.
His mom, Eula, met Price at the bus station downtown and drove him to their home on the South Side where she cooked dinner. “I told her, I don’t think I’m going back to jail again,” Price recalls. “And all she would say was that time will tell.”
Her skepticism was well-placed. Price had a rap sheet that began at age 13, around the time he started running with a street gang. As an adult, his convictions were for nonviolent crimes—burglary, retail theft and drug possession. He was a heroin addict, and he stole to support his habit.
Once back home, Price checked in with his parole officer and went looking for a job. “As soon as they found out about my background it was like, ‘No, we can’t hire you,’ ” he says. He talked his way into cutting hair at a couple of barber shops, but he was unable to land a permanent gig.
A Revolving Door
Such stories are common. People like Steve Price—poor, African-American, a high school dropout, raised by a single mom, forced to hustle on the street to survive—fall into a pattern. They get arrested, go to prison and are released with little or no preparation, counseling or drug treatment. Most have no job skills, and few employers are willing to hire them because they have a criminal record. So they wind up going back. Recidivism is a problem that for decades has continued to spin the revolving door of mass incarceration.
While the United States has consistently put more people in prison than any other country, it has come up short in helping rebuild their lives once they’re released. More than 600,000 people leave the nation’s prisons every year with little more than a bus ticket and 50 bucks. Within five years, more than half of former state inmates are back inside.
Peacekeepers Movement: SB 30 News
Our Community Safety Education Act (CSEA) training is state-mandated for police officers, high school students and those acquiring a driver's license, but that does not limit our ability to train everyone in Houston and surrounding cities. We believe that all people have a right to learn more about how to safely interact at a traffic stop to greatly reduce unnecessary casualties and increase the peace in our communities. We will accept training groups from social circles, church families, employing agencies and organizations at no cost for a limited time.
Email Willis.Robinson@houstontx.gov to schedule your free training today!
Upcoming Events
Community Food Pantry: Free Milk, Cereal, and Fruit!
Monday, Jul 1, 2019, 11:00 AM
Wainwright Elementary School, Milwee Street, Houston, TX, USA
After Harvey Resource Fair
Saturday, Jul 13, 2019, 09:00 AM
9126 Jensen Drive, Houston, TX, USA
3rd Ward College Send-Off Celebration
Each registered student will receive a monetary gift and care package to assist with necessities. Guardians, family, and friends are encouraged to attend and support. Participating students must be entering their freshman year of college or trade/technical school and reside in the 77004 zip code. Students must register online to qualify.
If you would like to attend as a family member or friend, be sure to register online. You may also show your support as a sponsor. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Desiree Johnson at 346-980-5635.
Saturday, Jul 13, 2019, 01:00 PM
The El Dorado Ballroom, 2310 Elgin St., Houston, TX, 77004
Cyber Safety Seminar with Crimes Stoppers of Houston
PARENT DISCUSSION: Michelle Sacks, Safe School Institute Director, will cover cyber trends, new apps and games, safety settings and restrictions, and laws as they relate to cyber safety.
STUDENT DISCUSSION: Sydney Zuiker, Community Education Specialist, will cover potential and actual online threats, cyberbullying, and digital reputation.
- Free to attend
- RSVP to tcruz@crime-stoppers.org (Please specify if you are registering for the parent or student discussion)
This seminar is possible in partnership with Sprint and Connectivity Source.
Wednesday, Jul 17, 2019, 06:30 PM
Crime Stoppers of Houston, Main street, Houston, TX, USA
Zero Alcohol for Youth Academy
This includes:
- Youth in grades 6 - 12 and college
- Adults working or wanting to work with youth
- Individuals (youth or adult) interested in helping their community
Attendance is FREE! Pre-registration is required to ensure sufficient food and seating. Registration and agenda HERE
Saturday, Jul 20, 2019, 08:30 AM
303 Jackson Hill Street, Houston, TX, USA
CO-OP Equestrian Clinic
Saturday, Jul 27, 2019, 09:00 AM
Williams Ranch at 5709 Van Zandt Houston, TX 77016
Free YMCA Summer Membership
Please see the flyer for more information and share this opportunity widely with your youth!
Saturday, Jun 1, 2019, 12:00 AM
Your local YMCA Houston
Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest presented by Shell
Families and Students:
Please complete and submit the online form. After clicking submit, you will receive an Email Confirmation. Please be sure to check your email inbox as well as the junk folder. This email contains important information on event location, free event parking and free rides courtesy of METRO.
Volunteers
Register as a volunteer for the Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest. You will be contacted regarding your assignment very soon. All volunteers need to attend the training session.
Saturday, Aug 3, 2019, 09:00 AM
George R. Brown Convention Center, Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX, 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