August Newsletter

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Please join us for our next meeting:

August 25 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall,

901 Bagby, 2nd Floor, Houston, TX 77002

To learn more about the Resilience Committee meetings, click here.

18th Annual Back to School Drive & Resource Expo

Council Member Carter was pleased to attend the 18th Annual Back to School Drive & Resource Expo, where more than 5,000 Houston-area students received backpacks filled with essential school supplies ahead of the upcoming school year. Hosted at PlazAmericas with support from over 75 community partners and numerous volunteers, the event provided meaningful assistance to families while creating a supportive space for students to start the year with confidence.

Special thanks to Southwest Management District, Career Uniforms, Southern News Group, Alief Independent School District, and all other contributing partners for their commitment to Houston’s youth.

For information on additional school supply drives happening across the city, contact our office at 832-393-3005.

Book Drive for New Hope Housing, Inc.

Council Member Carter recently partnered with the Houston Library Foundation to deliver books to residents across three New Hope Housing communities. New Hope Housing, Inc., plays a crucial role by providing permanent, affordable housing alongside essential support services to the city’s most vulnerable populations.

More than just offering shelter, New Hope Housing’s mission is centered on restoring dignity, stability, and hope to individuals as they rebuild their lives. This partnership extended beyond a simple book donation—it represented a meaningful investment in literacy, community connection, and self-empowerment.

Books hold the transformative power to educate, inspire, and empower. By placing them directly into the hands of residents, this initiative aims to ignite curiosity, foster learning, and make knowledge accessible to all members of the community.

Houston Community Media Expo 2025

Council Member Carter was honored to join the festivities at Houston Community Media Expo 2025, celebrating our city’s diverse and impactful storytellers at the Communication Champions Awards. During her remarks, she emphasized the vital role local media plays in strengthening neighborhoods, amplifying underrepresented voices, and keeping all Houstonians connected.

This year’s standout awardees included Houston Style Magazine, recognized for its longstanding commitment to celebrating culture, community events, and grassroots leadership across the city; Telemundo Houston, whose host Antonio Hernandez was awarded for elevating multicultural storytelling and representation; and the Texas Tribune, honored for its in-depth coverage of statewide policy issues that directly impact Houston’s families and businesses.

Community media is more than a news source—it’s a lifeline that brings awareness, civic engagement, and local accountability. Council Member Carter remains committed to supporting community-driven journalism that uplifts every voice in Houston.

City Council Passes Civility Ordinance

The City of Houston has taken a major step forward in addressing public safety and homelessness with the passage of the Civility Ordinance—a measure designed to protect shared spaces while expanding access to vital services for those experiencing homelessness. The ordinance reflects a growing citywide commitment to lead with both compassion and accountability.

Council Member Carter has been actively working to identify more than 800 immediate shelter beds across Houston. These beds offer a pathway to stability and a foundation for long-term recovery. The Civility Ordinance supports efforts to ensure sidewalks, parks, schools, and public buildings remain safe and accessible, while individuals in crisis are connected to appropriate resources and care.

The urgency of this work is underscored by recent figures from Houston ISD, which reports 6,360 homeless students enrolled for the 2024–2025 school year. These are children without stable housing—many living in cars, parks, warehouses, or rotating between temporary spaces. Solutions are needed not just for safety, but to restore dignity and hope for the most vulnerable members of the community.

This ordinance is one part of a larger, ongoing strategy. Council Member Carter continues to work closely with city departments, nonprofit partners, and local stakeholders to pursue meaningful, coordinated solutions. With continued focus and collaboration, the City of Houston is moving toward a future where public spaces are protected and every resident has a path to a better life.

Houston Launches Real-Time Air Quality Dashboard

Clean air is essential to public health, and the City of Houston is taking important steps to ensure residents have the tools they need to stay informed. Council Member Carter joined Air Alliance Houston, the Houston Health Department, Lone Star Legal Aid, and community advocates to help unveil the new Houston Air Quality Dashboard—a real-time platform that provides neighborhood-specific pollution data directly to residents.

The dashboard is part of the Community Air Monitoring Program, which installs low-cost air sensors in communities near industrial facilities—many of which are historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by pollution. These sensors detect harmful substances such as fine particulate matter and toxic metals, helping residents in affected areas better understand and respond to the air quality in their neighborhoods.

Daikin Comfort also contributed to the initiative by donating air purifiers to families living near monitored areas, providing meaningful relief while broader public health solutions continue to advance. The dashboard reflects a growing commitment to environmental justice, transparency, and collaboration across the city.

For air quality information in your neighborhood, click here.

City Council Introduces Evening Public Sessions

In an effort to enhance community involvement, Houston City Council has approved a new initiative to make local government more accessible to residents. Beginning August 26th, the Council will host a monthly evening public session on the last Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

These sessions will be held at City Hall, maintaining a familiar location while offering more flexible timing for those unable to attend during normal business hours. The goal is to provide more opportunities for Houstonians to share their input, voice concerns, and stay engaged with city decisions. This new schedule reflects the City Council’s ongoing commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and responsive governance.

Click here to register your student.

Welcome Baby Bongo

The Houston Zoo has welcomed an eastern male bongo calf to its herd. Bongos are one of Africa’s most endangered antelope species with an estimated 100 bongos left in the wild. The calf, who will be named very soon, will live with the Zoo’s herd of female bongos. Guests can see the Zoo’s newest addition in the bongo yard located next to the okapis in the African Forest.

Wildlife Workshop

Stop by the Wildlife Workshop on your next Zoo visit and help save wild turtles! This space encourages guests of all ages to collaborate, learn, celebrate, and share wildlife-saving behaviors. Each quarter the Wildlife workshop focuses on saving a different animal species. This quarter, learn small actions you can take to save sea turtles.

Jurassic Giants

Now through September 1st, trek through a lush forest trail to see prehistoric giants that once roamed the earth millions of years ago at TXU Energy presents Jurassic Giants. Purchase the best deal of the season with a Value Pass, which includes unlimited excursions through the Jurassic Giants exhibit, general Zoo admission, a souvenir conservation bracelet, and unlimited carousel rides during the day of your Zoo visit.

Buy your Value Pass here.

Get ready for the new school year with Houston Public Library’s Back-To-School event! Students, families, and educators are invited to all HPL locations for a day of free backpacks and school supplies, helpful resources, and fun.

For locations and details, click here.

Embark on a unique adventure as the Houston History Research Center opens its vault for an exclusive glimpse into the Rare Books Room. Guided by expert archivists, you'll uncover historic treasures few have ever seen.

For more information, click here.

For a full calendar of Houston Public Library events, click here.