Greater Northside Management District
April 9, 2021
Dear GNMD Friend,

There are so many events and opportunities happening in the Greater Northside Management District, and we're pleased to highlight them in this newsletter.

If you are a small business, you can help the Greater Northside THRIVE! The Greater Northside Management District and Avenue CDC are launching a program called the 2021 Greater Northside Business Revitalization Program, which will offer businesses development support to continue to thrive despite challenges in today's environment. You will be able to register your business for this opportunity from April 15 to May 15, 2021. Read more about this exciting program in this newsletter.

We are continuing cleanup efforts in the Greater Northside through our participation in Trash Bash 2021, Keep Houston Beautiful and other projects. As always, volunteers are welcome.

Are you an artist? Consider submitting your work(s) of art to the Eastex/Jensen Happening. Crate Houston is creating a virtual art gallery to showcase art and place QR codes around the Eastex/Jensen neighborhood so that visitors and passersby can see your beautiful works! For more information, pick up a package at the Art Bus Pop Up this Saturday, April 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the old Granada Theater. Submit your artwork (in all visual styles and media) by Saturday, April 17.

Are you looking for employment with an exciting, innovative team? The Greater Northside Management District has the following job openings:

Thank you for being part of the Greater Northside Management District community! 

Please be sure to read about some of the new and not-so-new businesses in the Northside and be sure to #ShopNorthside and #SupportLocal!

Sincerely,
Rebecca Reyna
Executive Director

#NorthsideStrong 
Meetings and Events
Keep Houston Beautiful
Saturday, April 10, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Save the Date for Westcott Cemetery:
"Springing into Sharing our Vision"
Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m.
This onsite event at the Historic McDaniel Street Cemetery
in Eastex/Jensen is planned with COVID safety foremost in mind.

Saturday, April 10, 2021 (Rain date April 17th)
10 - 11:30 a.m.
Eastex/Jensen Art Bus Pop Up
Saturday, April 10, 1 - 3 p.m.
Submit Your Eastex/Jensen Art
by Saturday, April 17
Calling all art students and creative minds in the Eastex/Jensen community! Would you like to see your artwork displayed in the Eastex/Jensen neighborhood?
Crate Houston will be creating a virtual gallery to showcase works of art. They will place QR codes around the Eastex/Jensen neighborhood so that visitors and passersby can scan the code and see the gallery. The gallery will also be on the Crate Houston website.

Art in all visual styles and media may be accepted. The deadline for submissions is April 17, 2021.

Click here for more information.
Greater Northside
Business Revitalization Program
If you are a small business, you can help the Greater Northside THRIVE! The Greater Northside Management District and Avenue CDC are launching a program called the 2021 Greater Northside Business Revitalization Program.

Sign up now to receive notifications once applications are available for you to register your business:

You will be able to register your business for this opportunity from April 15 to May 15, 2021.
Clean Up the Bike Lane at Cavalcade & Edison
Thursday, April 22 (Earth Day), 9 a.m.
Group Ride Leaves Market Square at 8:30 a.m.
Complete Communities Initiative Meeting
Tuesday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.
Virtual via Microsoft Teams
The goal of Complete Communities is to improve neighborhoods so that all of Houston’s residents and business owners can have access to quality services and amenities. 

During the April 27 meeting, we will discuss which short-term project to work on/implement from the Near Northside Complete Communities Action Plan.

To prepare for this meeting, here are helpful links:

To join the Microsoft Teams meeting:
  • Click here to join on your computer or mobile app
  • Call in (audio only): +1 936-755-1521, 500023179# United States, Huntsville
Phone Conference ID: 500 023 179#
Attend the Northside Market & Family Movie Night at the MD Anderson YMCA
Friday, April 30, 5 - 9 p.m.
Help Clean Up the 5th Ward/Northside
Saturday, May 1, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Houston Public Works
Semiannual Rain Barrel Sale
Order by 11 p.m., Sunday, May 16
City of Houston Water Customers:
For a limited time, and while supplies last, purchase a 50-gallon Ivy Rain Barrel at a discounted price. First come, first serve up to 600 rain barrels available at $52 for Houston residents. 

NOTE: Limit of two per household and only available while supplies last. This is a one-time only discount and is not guaranteed at future sales. 

Non-Houston Water Customers:
$72 (40 percent off retail)  
No limit (Houston water customers can purchase at this price for a third or fourth rain barrel)

Order Online at:

Pickup Information:
Saturday, May 22, 2021 
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Houston Botanical Garden
Garden Entrance (One Botanic Lane)
8210 Park Place Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77017
Help Rank the Greater Northside's
Planning Projects by Monday, May 17
Please fill out the new GNMD Area 2021 Planning Project Ranking survey by May 17. Results will be shared at the GNMD Capital Improvement Program meeting. Rank projects from short term to long term for planning project priorities for new capital pedestrian, bicycle transit, beautification and urban design/art improvement projects.

Click here to access the survey.
Click here to review the new GNMD Area Project Map.
Run to Attack Poverty with Friends of Northside
Saturday, June 19
Friends of Northside are kicking off the celebration of their 10th Anniversary with the annual 5K Run to Attack Poverty on Saturday, June 19th. You are invited to join the Northside team. Runners can participate in the 10K or 5K and children can join the Kids K.
 
Click here for more information and to sign up for the Friends of Northside Team.
Trash Bash 2021 Pictures
Volunteers from the Greater Northside Management District recently participated in the 2021 River, Lakes, Bays ‘N Bayous Trash Bash. Approximately a ton of trash was collected along the Little White Oak Bayou!
Other Programs
Free Spay/Neuter Your Pet
Houston Public Works Re-opens Applications
for the 2021 Smart Utility Checkup Program
This program provides one year of free professional monitoring and analysis of water, electricity and gas consumption for all participating buildings. Past participants have saved millions of gallons of water and tens of thousands of dollars in overhead costs in less than one year.

The program is offered on a first-come-first-served basis. Click here to apply!
 
These services, provided by Imperial Utilities & Sustainability, Inc., include:
  • Guidance on potential cost savings.
  • Recommended practices.
  • Rebate recommendations as applicable.

Assessments will consider utility data from January - December 2021.
Paycheck Protection Program
The SBA's Paycheck Protection Program remains available until May 31, 2021. For more information, click here.
Winter Storm Relief
Houston Harris County
Winter Storm Relief Fund Established
The Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund, established by the City of Houston and Harris County, and overseen and administered by United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation, is helping our region’s most vulnerable neighbors during this critical time of need.

The Fund is focused on relief and recovery efforts across Houston and Harris County.

Because of the immense needs, The Fund is focused on grant making to local nonprofits that will meet unmet needs of families who need additional help to recover, including help with plumbing and home repairs, temporary housing and other basic needs relief. The Fund is dedicated to filling the gaps that may not be met by other local and federal efforts.

TO DONATE TO THE FUND

Give now or text HOUSTONFREEZE to 51555 to donate.

FOR THOSE SEEKING HELP

If you were impacted by the storm and reside in Houston or Harris County, take these steps to be connected with available resources:

Home Repair Assistance
Complete the Connective Home Repair Application at https://www.connectivetx.org/winterstorm/home-repair.

If you do not have access to technology to fill out the survey, contact the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE to be connected with The Alliance, who will assist you in the application process. To contact 211, dial 211 or 713-957-4357.

Financial Assistance
Contact the 211 Texas/United Way HELPLINE to be connected with a nonprofit partner providing assistance in your area. To contact 211, dial 211 or 713-957-4357.

You may also get recovery resources and information on the Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund funding that may be available to assist with plumbing and home repairs by texting HOUSTONFREEZE to 898211. As soon as additional information is available on funding eligibility and criteria, we will text you with the information needed to apply. Regular data rates apply.

También puede obtener recursos de recuperación e información sobre los fondos del Houston Harris County Winter Storm Relief Fund que puede estar disponible para ayudar con las reparaciones de plomería y el hogar, enviando un mensaje de texto con HOUSTONAYUDA al 898211. Tan pronto como haya información adicional disponible sobre la elegibilidad y los criterios de financiamiento, le enviará un mensaje de texto con la información necesaria para postularse. Se aplican tarifas de datos regulares.
FEMA Announces Emergency Aid
FEMA announced federal emergency aid is available to the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm beginning on February 11, 2021, and continuing.

Individuals and business owners who sustained losses in the designated area can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
FEMA anuncia ayuda de emergencia para Texas
FEMA anunció que se ha puesto a disposición del estado de Texas ayuda federal de emergencia para complementar los esfuerzos de recuperación estatales, tribales y locales en las áreas afectadas tras la severa tormenta invernal que comenzó el 11 de febrero de 2021 y posteriormente.
 
Las personas y los dueños de negocios que sufrieron pérdidas en el área designada pueden comenzar a solicitar asistencia registrándose en línea en http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov o llamando al 1-800-621-3362 o 1-800-462-7585 TTY.

La asistencia puede incluir subvenciones para vivienda temporal y reparaciones del hogar, préstamos a bajo costo para cubrir pérdidas de propiedad no aseguradas y otros programas para ayudar a las personas y propietarios de negocios para recuperarse de los estragos de dicho desastre.
Winter Storm Resources
District 148 State Representative Penny Morales Shaw has compiled a list of winter storm resources for the community at https://bit.ly/3pLg88g. This list includes:
  • City resources.
  • County resources.
  • State and federal resources.
  • Plumbing and home repair.
  • Legal aid.
  • Food and water distribution sites.
COVID-19 Updates
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Programs
Houston and Harris County

The City of Houston and Harris County are working together to provide $159 million in rent and utilities assistance to families who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are being distributed by two agencies with established experience in helping people in need: BakerRipley and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

For more information and to apply online, go to HoustonHarrisHelp.org. In addition, a special phone line, 832-402-7568, will take questions and provide applicants with the status of their applications. The phone hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Texas Rent Relief Program

Funds are still available for the Texas Rent Relief Program. The Texas Rent Relief Program can help renters with costs starting as far back as March 13, 2020 (this means you could potentially request assistance for up to 11 months of past due bills).
 
Applicants can submit their application by calling 1-833-9TX-RENT (1-833-989-7368) or submitting it online at TexasRentRelief.com.
Register for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Do you or a loved one qualify for the current phase of COVID-19 vaccine distribution? Click here to find local providers. Please note availability may be limited so you should contact facilities prior to showing up.

Stay Smart / Do Your Part

Getting through the COVID-19 emergency requires all of us to do our part to reach herd immunity. For more information, visit www.StaySmartDoYourPart.com for information regarding the vaccine, including FAQs, myths and facts. 

Regístrese en la lista de espera inteligente del Departamento de Salud del Condado Harris para vacunarse cuando sea elegible. Una vez registrado, podrá programar una cita para vacunarse gratis cuando esté en el grupo autorizado según las pautas del estado de Texas. CovidVax (hctx.net)
FREE+FAST+SAFE COVID-19 Testing Sites
Getting tested at Houston Health Department-affiliated sites is free and does not require proof of residency, citizenship or insurance. To find a location near you, click here.
Current COVID-19 Level: Level 1 (Red)
Harris County remains at Level 1 (Red) for COVID-19.

The county has to reach certain criteria before it moves out of Red. These include hospital population trends, hospital usage, new case trends, new total trends and the positivity rate. So far, Harris County has only met the hospital population goal.

County leaders continue to stress the importance of wearing masks and social distancing to help keep things moving in the right direction so that they can take the threat level from Red to Orange.
Be Well, Be Connected:
Mental Health Care for Youth Ages 9 to 17
Be Well, Be Connected offers access to mental health care for youth ages 9 to 17. Eligible youth include students from five Houston area school districts and youth who are referred from the community.

School-based screenings, referrals and home- and community-based services are provided. Direct services are offered to youth who are experiencing disruption and interference in their lives from serious emotional disturbances (SED), including first-episode psychosis and bipolar disorder.

The services include family support that is offered in their homes and communities. A student can self-refer or be referred by a teacher, parent or counselor.

For more information, please access the Mayor's Office of Education website, call 713-798-2567 or email [email protected].

Be Well, Be Connected is a collaboration of the City of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and other medical organizations.
Do You Need elp?
Click here for information on COVID-19 resources and other preparedness information for Harris County.
The Houston Food Bank supports food and produce distributions, senior boxes, meal sites and more!

Click here for a map of food distribution locations. Click here for a list of organizations offering food assistance.
Did you know? SNAP (food stamps) provides $150 a month for food. To find out if you qualify, text SNAP to 74544.
Domestic Violence
If you are experiencing violence because you are forced to stay with an abusive partner, call the Houston Area Women’s Center 24-hour hotline for free-and-confidential assistance. 
Houston Area Women's Center
Domestic Violence Hotline 
713-528-2121 
TTY: 713-528-3625 
Free Legal Clinics
for Veterans
Legal clinics offer free advice by phone to low-income, U.S. military veterans every Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Veterans may submit applications by phone at 713-228-0735

The clinic is open to all low-income veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in the Houston area.
Legal Assistance
Click here for information on free legal assistance and resources from the Houston Bar Association.

Online Resources
Stop TX Eviction is an online portal that provides free information and guidance to help tenants understand their legal rights and remedies available to keep them housed. 
How to manage a court date
if you have an underlying health condition
Due to COVID-19, you may be part of the vulnerable population, especially if you are older than 65 years of age; suffer with underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma or whose immune system is compromised due chemotherapy for cancer; or have any other condition requiring such therapy.

If you are part of this group, please contact the Houston Municipal Courts at 713-247-8924 and speak to someone regarding a special accommodation and a specialized docket to ensure
your continued safety.
The Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide one-to-one, professional financial counseling to Houstonians at no cost.

The service is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities supported by Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund and Regions Bank.

FEC counselors provide guidance to how to manage your money, pay down debt, increase saving, establish and build credit, and access safe-and-affordable mainstream banking products.

All services are free and available to all residents regardless of income. Counseling assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Click here for more information and to make an appointment.
Memorial Assistance Ministries Lost Loved One Program
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) has launched the Lost Loved One program to provide financial assistance to families facing the loss of an immediate family member due to COVID-19.

To qualify, applicants must:
  • Be a resident of Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery or Waller County;
Consejos Legales is a service of the Mexican American Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association that offers legal consultations by phone to residents of Houston and Harris County on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. To confirm the date and time of the next Consejos Legales, check the website calendar or call the Houston Bar Association at 713-759-1133.

Consejos Legales es un programa de la Asociación Mexicana de Abogados y la Asociación Hispana de Abogados. El programa ofrece asesoría legal gratuita en español por teléfono para los residentes de Houston y el Condado de Harris el primer jueves de cada mes, entre las 6 y las 8 p.m. Para confirmar la fecha y hora de los siguientes Consejos Legales, consulte el calendario del sitio web o llame a la oficina de Houston Bar Association al 713-759-1133.
  • Have experienced the loss of an immediate family member due to COVID-19 since March 1, 2020; and
  • Have a household income of less than 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).

Qualifying families will be provided $3,500 to address immediate needs such as funeral arrangements or assistance with rent, mortgage or utilities. All individuals will receive information and referrals to grief counseling.

For more information, click here to visit the MAM website at or call the information line at 713-468-4516 ext. 149.
Employment Training and Opportunities
Understand Employer's Requirements
& Workers' Rights:
Vaccinations During a Pandemic
Tuesday, April 20, Virtual
Recommendations vs Requirements: Which does the employment law favor?
 
  • Does a company’s standards require employees to wear a mask on the job?
  • Should companies strongly encourage all staff to get a vaccination before returning to work in person?
  • What health concerns do companies want you to know, and who benefits most from them?

Kimberly Stuart of Crain, Caton & James will provide an overview of employment law and the recommendations and requirements for employers and employees.
 
Click here to register.
Lone Star College Training Courses
Hire Houston Youth
Youth between the ages of 16 and 24 can apply for a summer internship by visiting the Hire Houston Youth website.

Applicants must reside within the Houston city limits and commit to work from June 14 to August 5.
 
Employers with job opportunities, internships or apprenticeships are invited to post positions on the Hire Houston Youth job board.
Greater Northside Management District
Business Highlights
Blink Fitness Northline
4704 Airline Drive, Houston 77022
(281) 936-0098 - [email protected]
Canary Cafe
4928 Fulton Street, Ste A, Houston 77009
(832) 301-3712, www.canaryhtx.com
Owners Michael Blunk, above,
and Joey Paffel, left
Outer Limit Doughnuts
618 Tidwell Road, Ste L, Houston 77022
(832) 426-4141, www.outerlimitdoughnuts.com
Jarvis Hicks, owner
Carlos Silva Food Trucks
3803 Eastex Freeway, Houston 77026
(832) 488-3882
The Roof Tile & Slate Company
7309 Schneider Street, Houston 77093
(713) 695-5002 - www.claytile.com
Would you like to have your business,
restaurant or event featured in our newsletter?
Send us an update, and we'll gladly feature it in our newsletter!

If you have a picture, that helps to draw the eye to the artice. Please give us at least two-weeks notice!

Click here to submit your information.
The Greater Northside Management District's Butterfly Pocket Park on Fulton won the award for On-the-Ground Projects Under $500K in the 2020 Houston-Galveston Area Council Parks and Natural Areas Award Program. Each year, H-GAC honors projects that serve as models for planning and implementation for parks and natural areas in the region.