The Blueprint
Bureau of Youth & Adolescent Health
"A healthy relationship will never require you to sacrifice your friends, your dreams, or your dignity."
-Mandy Hale
Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month
Black History Month
Kashmere Elem. Student's Storytime with Author Dr. Kim Brown
On February 21, 2018 Dr. Kim Brown – Author of African American Children books met with students from Kashmere Gardens Elementary school at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center and was able to have a 1 hour storytime and gave away one of two of her books- “Queen Like Me” or “Superhero Like Me.”
Building a Community of Practice
What you NEED to know to PLAN for your VOTE!
Early Vote: Tuesday, February 20-Friday, March 2. Check this list of early vote locations and schedules.
Voter Registration: Check your registration status. If you find that your registration has been put on the suspense list--don't worry! If you're on the suspense list, you are still registered to vote and will be eligible to vote in the upcoming election, but you will have to confirm or update your address when you go to vote.
The best time to vote if your registration has been suspended is during Early Vote because you can vote at any polling location in the county, which is especially helpful for those who have been displaced by Harvey or recently moved.
Mail Ballot Application Deadline: Friday, February 23. Your mail ballot application must be received (not postmarked) by the County Clerk by this date. See instructions here.
Election Day: Tuesday, March 6. To find your polling location and view a sample ballot here.
Voter ID: For information on what kind of ID you need to bring to the polls and alternatives to photo ID if you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining a photo ID, see here.
Hurricane Harvey and Voting FAQ: The Texas Secretary of State has put together a helpful FAQ section for Harvey evacuees who have questions about voting, which you can view here.
Don't wait until Election Day, vote early!
-Source: Com. R Ellis
2018 Spring Break 2-Night CO-OP Camping Event
COOP (Community Outdoor Outreach Program) Goal:
- Campout 1: Monday 3/12/18 thru Wednesday 3/14/18
- Campout 2: Wednesday 3/14/18 thru Friday 3/16/18
Parents and children of all ages are welcome to sign up for one of the two campouts. Parents must accompany children under 10 years old. Provided for each family: Bus transportation, tent, 2 cots, 4 foam pads, lantern, all meals, drinks and water. There is no charge.
Space is limited to first 60 applicants or 20 families Everyone must register & sign up by March 5, 2018!
See More in the Events Section
Houston Bike Racks Program: Embedding Physical Activity in Short Distance Trips
The Houston Bike Racks Program donates and delivers free bike racks to local businesses and non-profit organizations within the city of Houston. The aim of this program is to encourage physical activity by increasing the availability of bike parking at key end destination. Bike parking is a component of a complete streets approach to improve mobility, physical activity and safety in cyclists and pedestrians. End-of-trip facilities like bicycle parking, are recommended as a design strategy to accommodate safety and comfort of pedestrians and bicyclists.
This initiative was launched in the Spring of 2017 through a collaborative effort between the Houston Health Department, the Houston Public Works and Engineering Department, and the Planning and Development Department. Interested agencies may submit a bike rack request online. For more information email bikerackshouston@houstontx.gov
My Brother's Keeper Milestone Snapshots
Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) Graduation (February 2018)
Houston Basics Maximize Love, Manage Stress
To view more Houston Basic videos click here.
Houston Basics shared at the Piney Point Elem. Health Fair
Read Houston Read Volunteer Mimie Taylor
Groom4Literacy
City Builders Event with XY-Zone Girls Group
-Alejandro Cubria, XY-Zone Student Support Specialist
Ambassadors of Compassion (AOC)
There will be a pre and post assessment to see the progress and changes made in the students person, academics, social, and behavioral performances. The students will also have a celebration for the completion of the program with a celebration and a local/national/worldwide celebrity appearances.
MBK Food 4 Change Scholarship Pantry @ 5th Ward MSC
"I cannot say enough how much your presence contributed to the overall success of the very first MBK Food for Change pantry food distribution! I wanted to follow up on an email I sent last week and inquire about anyone’s availability to assist. We are working tirelessly to create a committed pool of volunteers to facilitate the distributions, but in the meantime your support would be priceless." -Sharifa Charles
Our Next Distribution date is:
Tuesday, February 27th 2:30-7pm (particular need between 4-7pm)
See the Volunteer Section Below for more information!
Meet the MBK Houston Wrap Network Systems of Care Team
HHD will be launching the MBK Wrap Network throughout the city, starting with Wheatley High, Fleming Middle, and Bruce Elementary schools as part of a historical collaboration with the Houston Independent School District (HISD), Harris County for Protective Services of Children and Adults (HCPSCA), Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities (MHIDD), and Community in Schools (CIS). The MBK Wrap Network response system components include a systematic review of academics, behavioral, attendance, and other high risk factors that will deploy an interagency interventions team on HISD campuses, a social worker, a service provider network and care coordination to tailor services to fill the potholes in the lives of individual students and families.
These services are designed to address the social, emotional, physical and behavioral health issues that are the root causes for poor academic performance, poor attendance, and unacceptable behavior that leads to a prison or a cycle of poverty.
1st Student from our Momentum Schools is College-bound!
Pathfinders Internships
Y-ABC Registration is Now Open for Acres Homes and Gulfton
HYPE 2018 Summer Internship: Servant Leader Interns
Hire Houston Youth (HHY) Kickoff for Summer 2018
Hire Houston Youth Press Conference Photo Above
Photo Courtesy: David Smith, HR Communications Supervisor (CIty of Houston)
Hire Houston Youth Call To Action!
Youth
Youth can access the application starting February 19, 2018. The deadline for youth applications is March 16. Please distribute the HHY2018Youth flier to your networks to reach as many youth as possible.
Business
We are still recruiting businesses and donations for this summer’s program! Please help us disseminate the following information to your networks to enhance our opportunities for our youth this year. Employers can sign up to hire an intern by creating an account and submitting a job description here. The deadline to sign up and submit a job description is March 12. Please distribute the following to anyone you think may be interested:
- The Hire Houston Youth 2017 Annual Report.
- Letter from Mayor Turner to local business leaders.
- Flier with more information for employers.
Nonprofit Opportunities
We still have opportunities for nonprofit organizations to apply to receive a FREE intern this summer. Nonprofits can apply to receive an intern by creating an account and submitting a job description here. The deadline to submit a job description for this opportunity is March 1. Please distribute the HHY2018Nonprofits flier to anyone who you think could utilize this resource.
Social Media
Please help us get the word out by following Hire Houston Youth on Twitter – @HireHOUYouth and @MBKHouston. We greatly appreciate any retweets, likes, and tags.
Visit www.hirehoustonyouth.org today and get paid for summer work with some of Houston's hottest minds!
City of Houston 2018 Summer Jobs Program (SJP)
The City of Houston 2018 Summer Jobs Program (SJP) online application launched on February 19, 2018 and will remain open to March 16, 2018. Interested SJP participants must be 16-21 years old, reside within Houston city limits and meet eligibility requirements.
-->SEE FLYERS FOR MORE DETAILS
The Bureau of Youth and Adolescent Health’s Positive Youth Development Team is working with the SJP planning committee to develop the application and hiring processes. Constance Carron serves as the liaison for the Houston Health Department. For questions, please contact her 832-393-4801 or email at constance.carron@houstontx.gov.
HCC & MBK Industrial Scaffolding Program
Design the cover of Houston’s Youth Violence Prevention Strategic Plan that promotes safe, healthy and hopeful communities aimed to prevent youth violence, promote youth health and provide youth opportunities
Requirements:
1) Submit artwork on a standard 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper
2) Include a narrative on how your artwork relates to youth violence prevention and teen dating violence
3) Submit artwork, narrative, name, school, email address and phone number to mbkhouston@houstontx.gov
Eligibility:
5th-12th grade students only Deadline: April 15th, 2018 First place $100.00 Second Place $50.00 Third Place My Brother’s Keeper Prize Pack
Commissioner Ellis Partners with MBK Houston for Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) Program Pilot at Attucks Middle School
"5th Circuit Upholds Historic Bail Ruling--It's Time to Settle
It's past time to settle the bail reform lawsuit against Harris County. Harris County's costly and indefensible defense of its discriminatory two-tiered bail system was dealt another blow by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. In an opinion released last week, the 5th Circuit largely upheld federal Judge Lee F. Rosenthal's prior ruling and injunction, writing that "the County's bail system violates both due process and equal protection" and also affirming that "the current procedure does not sufficiently protect detainees from magistrates imposing bail as an 'instrument of oppression,' " which is forbidden by state law.
This ruling from the conservative 5th Circuit marks a pivotal victory for civil rights and criminal justice reform. The decision makes it clear that the fight over bail reform is fundamentally about upholding the Constitution and protecting the rights to fair treatment, due process, and equal protection for all people."
Source: Commissioner Rodney Ellis Newsletter
Harris County DA Kim Ogg Presents: Marijuana program participants given final opportunity to make things right
Hurricane Harvey disrupted countless lives, but prosecutors have a warning for those who have failed to complete a class required to avoid being charged with a crime over small amounts of marijuana. They have until March 1 to complete a program, or warrants will be filed for their arrests, making them subject to prosecution, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Thursday. “There comes a time when everyone must be held accountable,” Ogg said. “That time is now, as the Houston region has largely recovered from a storm of historic proportions.”
The Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program, launched by Ogg last March, gives participants 90 days to complete a four-hour class taught for the district attorney’s office by the Harris County Probation Department.
For the ten years prior to the program, an average of 10,000 people a year were charged for misdemeanor marijuana possession. “This exposed them to a criminal record limiting their job, housing and educational opportunities,” Ogg said. “Our community is safer when we keep people in the work force.”
Since the program began March 1, it has drawn 3,209 participants, according to the district attorney’s office. 1,415 persons have completed the program. 978 people are pending completion of the program, but still within their 90-day period to do so. 816 people have failed to complete the class on time. “People have an opportunity to complete this class and get on with their lives,” Ogg said.
The program saves the county approximately $27 million a year that can be redirected toward fighting violent crimes and other offenses, she said. Those who need to take the class should go to the website to register and pay the required $150 cost of the class.
The Misdemeanor Marijuana Diversion Program Focus Group Photo Above
Photo Courtesy: Bureau Chief Noël Pinnock
AVOID THE WARRANT BY MARCH 1--> CALL YOUR DA TODAY!
THAI Community-based is Partnered with Parks & Recreation
Volunteer Opportunities
Food 4 Change Scholarship Pantry
A wonderful opportunity for you to help those in need living in the Wheatley and Kashmere School Feeder Pattern by assisting MBK scholars and their families in our food pantry!
MBK Food for Change Pantry Locations and Dates:
5th Ward Multi-Service Center
4014 Market Street, Houston, Texas 77020
February 27, 2018 9-7pm (AM, NOON AND PM SHIFTS AVAILABLE)
Kashmere Multi-Service Center
4802 Lockwood Drive, Houston, Texas 77026
March 13, 2018 9-7pm (AM, NOON AND PM SHIFTS AVAILABLE)
March 27, 2018 9-7pm (AM, NOON AND PM SHIFTS AVAILABLE)
Brighter Biters at Ogg Elementary
Brighter Bites; a nonprofit organization, delivers fresh fruits and vegetables directly into our kids’ hands, while also teaching them how to use and choose better foods. They are looking for volunteers to help unload and bag fresh fruits and veggies that we send home to our Brighter Biters each week at Ogg Elementary. You'll get first-hand experience fighting hunger in Houston's food deserts. We cannot operate without the commitment of our wonderful volunteers. If you are interested in coming out to assist us, please see the dates and time below.
Volunteer Time: 12.15 PM - 1.30 PM
Dates: 3/1/2018, 3/8/2018
Upcoming Events
Career Certification Information Session: Industrial Scaffolding @ Kashmere MSC
The industrial Scaffolding Builder program at Houston Community College
is an 80-houst fast-track training program that prepares students for the
ISC certification. 1st session 9-11am and 2nd session 1-3pm
REQUIREMENTS FOR FREE TUITION:
• Be 18 years of older
• Pass a drug test
• Be an adult recipient of TANF and/or SNAP; or at
risk of becoming a recipient of TANF and/or SNAP
• Make $37,000 a year or less, with a dependent
child in or out-of-the-home
THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND THE INFO REGISTRATION SESSION! TRAIN TO BE AN INDUSTRIAL SCAFFOLD BUILDER TODAY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: 713.718.2070
Friday, Feb 23, 2018, 09:00 AM
4802 Lockwood Drive, Houston, TX, USA
Career Certification Information Session: Industrial Scaffolding @ 5th ward MSC
The industrial Scaffolding Builder program at Houston Community College
is an 80-houst fast-track training program that prepares students for the
ISC certification. 1st session 9-11am and 2nd session 1-3pm
REQUIREMENTS FOR FREE TUITION:
• Be 18 years of older
• Pass a drug test
• Be an adult recipient of TANF and/or SNAP; or at
risk of becoming a recipient of TANF and/or SNAP
• Make $37,000 a year or less, with a dependent
child in or out-of-the-home
THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND THERE IS NO CHARGE TO ATTEND THE INFO REGISTRATION SESSION! TRAIN TO BE AN INDUSTRIAL SCAFFOLD BUILDER TODAY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: 713.718.2070
Thursday, Mar 1, 2018, 09:00 AM
4014 Market Street, Houston, TX, USA
COOP: Free Equestrian Event at Williams Ranch
- Trim and Shoe Methods
- Brush and Grooming techniques
- Mount, dismount and riding methods
- Feeding and maintenance routines
- Carriage training
- Harness and saddle selection
- Barbeque Brisket & Links, Patato Salad, Beans, Desert and a Drink
Receive CO-OP T shirt - must register by February 22nd
Directions: 59 North towards Humble, exit & turn right on Little York Rd, cross railroad tracks, turn left on Hirsch, go thru light and crossover Hopper Rd then turn right on Van Zandt
Saturday, Mar 3, 2018, 09:00 AM
5709 Van Zandt Houston, TX 77016
Mental Health First Aid Training
Thursday, Mar 15, 2018, 09:00 AM
575 Anne Preston Street, Prairie View, TX, USA
Houston Parks Board: 4th Annual Bayou Greenway Day
Saturday, Mar 24, 2018, 11:00 AM
Halls Bayou Greenway Trail, Houston, TX, USA
Contact: Send email to Outreach Manager Lisa Kasianowitz, lisa@houstonparksboard.org
HCDE Presents: Restorative Discipline Summit
- Stop the school to prison pipeline
- Keep students from falling through the cracks
- Decrease dropout rates
- Learn a new alternative to student discipline
Join us for a day of information powered by dynamic keynote speakers and trainers.
- Breakout sessions provide powerful strategies
- Close the "discipline gap" impacting our schools
EARLY BIRD $125 UNTIL FEBRUARY 28 (lunch included)
Presented by Harris County Department of Education - Center for Safe and Secure Schools
Thursday, Mar 29, 2018, 08:30 AM
6300 Irvington Blvd, Houston, TX 77022
Y2K Enrichments: 2nd Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt and Basket Give-Away
An event filled day o"GOOD FRIDAY" with games and activities that are intended to challenge youth of all ages. This year, we are introducing the “KIDS’ KARAOKE CHALLENGE” a fun activity that can surely help make reading more fun! We are also searching high and low this year to award the kids who find the “GOLDEN EGGS” stretching their mind, body and soul! In addition, we are giving away small incentive gifts for every game activity which allows everyone a chance to win a prize! Finally, we will raffle off three door entry prizes to lend support to the kids’ endurance and their “GOOD SPIRITS”. At the end of the day everyone will participate in the “Annual Balloon Release” which represents unity in the community!!! Everyone is invited to take part. The location of the event is in Dist. B on the near Northside at Highland Community Center 3316 Desoto Street, Houston, TX. 77091. The fun begins at 1:00 p.m.
“Let’s work together to transform at-risk kids of today into opportunity youth of tomorrow”. “Let’s create a judgement free environment promoting growth, education and change”.
For more information contact:
Vickie Maxwell, Founder
Y2K Enrichments, fka Yes 2 Karate Kids
Office: 832-736-4375 Email: v.maxwell@y2kenrichments.org
Web: Y2KENRICHMENTS.ORG
F/B: Y2KENRICHMENTS
Friday, Mar 30, 2018, 01:00 PM
3316 Desoto Street, Houston, TX. 77091
SAVE THE DATE! Mayor's Family Day in the Park
To help put Houston’s best foot forward, we need you to volunteer and spread the word to your friends, family members, churches, and/or organizations to make this a fun and easygoing celebration. Assignments can include assisting as festival greeters or tending any of the many booths that make up the festival’s infrastructure. In return for your time, volunteers will be treated to world-class entertainment, free parking, prize drawings, great refreshments, and more. We hope to see you on April 14th!
This event is in partnership with Greater North Houston Youth Alliance and produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events.
Saturday, Apr 14, 2018, 02:00 PM
2800 West Little York Road, Houston, TX, USA
It's Official!
Send YOUR Submissions to MBKHOUSTON@HOUSTONTX.GOV!
All submissions must be submitted No Later than the Monday before distribution and will be reviewed by a team member and notified of submission approval.
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