Greater Northside Management District
August 6, 2020
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Dear GNMD Friend,
If you haven't already done so, we would appreciate your feedback on our current programs and new ones that you would like to see in the District.
Please take five minutes to complete a survey by Monday, August 10, 2020, to provide your input! Click here to access the survey.
Good news! Our website has been redesigned! While we're still making a few tweaks, we think you'll like our new look. Go to www.greaternorthsidedistrict.org to view it!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Reyna
Executive Director
#NorthsideStrong
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Back 2 School Fest is this weekend |
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Friday and Saturday, August 7 and 8
8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Mayor’s Back to School Fest Presented by Shell helps economically disadvantaged Houston-area elementary school students and their families as they prepare to return to school.
This year, the fest will be a drive-through distribution in partnership with the Houston Food Bank. Backpacks, school supplies, masks and food will be provided to thousands of elementary students (K-5) and their families, free of charge.
In order to accommodate the growing number of students who need assistance, this year’s event will take place over a two-day period at NRG Park, Yellow Lot.
Immunizations will be provided by the Caring for Children Foundation Care Van, sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas. All pre-registered students must be accompanied by an adult. Students must bring their current shot record to receive immunizations. The immunizations being administered follow the Texas Minimum State Requirements for Grades K-5.
NOTE: To register your student(s), please complete and submit this form. After clicking submit, you will receive an email confirmation. Due to the increase of attendees this year, the system is moving a little slow. Be sure to check your email inbox AND your junk folder. This email contains important information on the event location and drive-through instructions. If you do not receive the email confirmation, you can still attend the event.
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Citizens Minority Small Business Grants
applications due Friday, August 7
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MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $15,000 GRANT.
Small businesses are the backbone to our economy, and diverse small business ownership is critical to the growth and success of our local communities. In recognition, Citizens will award 100 minority-owned businesses with grants of $15,000 each, a total of $1.5 million overall.
To apply, a business must be:
- At least 51% minority owned, operated and controlled by an Asian American, Black American, Hispanic American or Native American.
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Either a Citizens Bank Business Banking account holder or, if not a Citizens customer, based within our 11-state footprint.
- In business for at least one year, with annual revenue of no more than $1 million.
Eligible businesses can submit a statement (up to 150 words) describing how they would use the grant to strengthen and sustain both their business and their community.
Hurry—the entry deadline is August 7, 2020, at 4 p.m. CST
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August 2020 is "Better. Together." Month |
Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Health Department recently launched Better. Together. -- a multilingual, public-health education campaign empowering Houstonians with the knowledge and skills to protect their families and communities from COVID-19.
Mayor Turner also proclaimed August 2020 Better. Together. Month, encouraging Houstonians to work toward the goal of reducing city’s COVID-19 positivity rate.
Earlier this month, the Houston Health Department launched Todos juntos. Mejor, the Spanish-language segment of Better. Together., educating Hispanics about preventing the spread of the virus and sharing valuable information for families needing food, housing and mental health assistance.
To read the full article about these programs, click here. |
Free COVID-19 testing locations
These are the free COVID-19 testing locations for the week of August 3, 2020.
The Houston Health Department and its agency partners may shift locations and schedules of test sites to better meet community needs. Visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for current Houston test sites and information about stopping the spread of the virus. Information obtained through testing, treatment or services will not be used against immigrants in their public charge evaluation.
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Lowe’s-LISC Partnership
provides grants to small businesses
Thanks to a $55 million significant commitment grant from Lowe’s, LISC will provide the emergency grant assistance that small businesses desperately need to stay afloat.
- $30 million will focus on small businesses owned or led by minorities and women, who often lack access to affordable capital.
- $25 million will support enterprises in rural communities, which typically face even more hurdles than their urban counterparts due to limited access to bank credit, capital and other support services.
Grants of $20,000 will be awarded to small business owners to help meet their most immediate needs. Eligible expenses include:
- Paying rent and utilities.
- Meeting payroll.
- Paying outstanding debt to vendors.
- Upgrading technology infrastructure.
- Other immediate operational costs.
Please register to be notified of the next round opening August 31st.
For more information about the program, click here. |
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Text "food" to 877877 to find
the nearest curbside food
for children and youth up to age 18
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Hurricane preparedness
during the COVID-19 pandemic
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The City's emergency managers, shelter managers, and public health professionals will take measures to reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 among people who seek safety in a disaster shelter during severe weather events.
Here are some tips to help you prepare and lower the risk of infection while staying safe in a shelter:
- If you need to evacuate, prepare a “go kit” with personal items you cannot do without during an emergency. Include items that can help protect you and others from COVID-19, such as hand sanitizer, or bar or liquid soap if not available, and two cloth face coverings for each person.
- Practice social distancing. Stay at least 6 feet from other people outside of your household.
- Follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Houston Health Department COVID-19 preventive actions—wash your hands often, cover coughs and sneezes and follow shelter policies for wearing cloth face coverings. Avoid sharing food and drink with anyone if possible.
- Follow disaster shelter policies and procedures designed to protect everyone in the shelter, especially those who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, including older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.
- If you feel sick when you arrive at the shelter or start to feel sick while sheltering, tell shelter staff immediately.
- Teach and reinforce everyday preventive actions for keeping children healthy.
- Be a good role model—if you wash your hands often, your children are more likely to do the same.
- Help your children stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who is not in your household.
- Watch your child for any signs of illness and tell shelter staff if your child may be ill.
- Help children cope with emergencies: try to deal with the disaster calmly and confidently as this can provide the best support for your children.
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Harris County
launches pollution complaint form
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Harris County Pollution Control Services has launched a new, online complaint form.
Click here to report air, water or solid waste pollution.
The form is integrated with Google Maps to accurately locate the source of a complaint and has the ability to upload image files.
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Dine in the Greater Northside District |
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Our GNMD food critics (to remain anonymous) recently dined on the delicious food at Puebla's Mexican Kitchen at 6320 North Main, Houston 77009. The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Give it a try! Click here to order online.
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Save these dates for Art on the Avenue:
September 15 - 19, 2020
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More than 250 artists contribute to Art on the Avenue—Houston’s largest silent art auction and annual fundraiser for Avenue. This annual event raises funds to enhance the quality of life of working families, and to promote healthy, vibrant, and economically diverse neighborhoods to ensure Houston’s future as a world-class city.
Due to the ongoing risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will take place mostly virtually - over five days – with an online auction and the option to view artwork in person safely during open hours and by appointment. We will be implementing strict safety guidelines and will require that all in-person visitors adhere to them in order to participate.
For more information about this event, click here.
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New Houston mural map launches! |
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If you are feeling restless at home and wish you could safely visit some interesting spots around Houston, go to HoustonMuralMap.com to take a fun discovery tour online!
Better yet, get in your car and discover and enjoy local street art while social distancing! The project was funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.
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www.greaternorthsidedistrict.org
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