September 2022 Newsletter |
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City of Houston and Harris County Announce Update on Union Pacific Contamination Cleanup Plan Negotiations |
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The City of Houston, Harris County, and nonprofit Bayou City Initiative have started negotiations with Union Pacific related to its remediation plan for the creosote contamination at the Houston Wood Preserving Works Site (HWPW) impacting the Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens neighborhoods. As a sign of the parties’ intent to continue negotiations to find a workable solution, Union Pacific, the city, the county, and Bayou City Initiative will jointly request that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) place a temporary hold on processing Union Pacific’s proposed remediation plan.
“I am hopeful this pause will lead to a positive outcome for the people living in the Kashmere Gardens community. It must recognize their past suffering, their present condition and offer a better future,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner.
“I’m glad steps are being taken to properly address cleaning up the creosote contamination in Fifth Ward and
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Kashmere Gardens,” said Harris County Attorney Christian D Menefee. “Our goal as public officials is a remediation plan that makes life safe for the folks who live and work in these neighborhoods as quickly as possible. We’ll continue to use every tool we have to make that happen.”
Union Pacific proposed its remediation plan as part of its application to the TCEQ to amend its permit for HWPW. If the TCEQ grants the temporary hold, the parties will continue to negotiate changes to the proposed remediation.Last month, Bayou City Initiative, the city, and the county notified Union Pacific of their intent to file a lawsuit under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Today’s announcement does not resolve that potential litigation, nor does it resolve any lawsuits filed by individual community members against Union Pacific. Instead, the City of Houston and Harris County intend to continue negotiations with Union Pacific and will take whatever action is necessary to ensure safe remediation of these areas.
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City of Houston Selects Five Storytellers to Help
Inspire and Educate on Environmental Issues
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The City of Houston has selected five Storytellers for the "Houston Inspires/Houston Inspira" public health campaign funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The campaign’s goal is to engage environmental organizations, artists, and storytellers to inspire awareness and action to improve health and safety outcomes in Houston neighborhoods.
The five storytellers will represent all the Complete Communities:
- Acres Homes – Storyteller Fair Housing Defenders + Healthy Outdoor Communities/NEO
- Alief-Westwood - Storyteller Alief Art House + Houston Wilderness
- Kashmere Gardens – Storyteller Dria Thornton + Environmental Defense Fund
- Near Northside – Storyteller Walter Hull + Air Alliance Houston
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Second Ward – Storyteller Kam Franklin + Citizens’ Environmental Coalition
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“The selected Storytellers reflect the broadness of Houston’s creative community and include dance, comic book creators, musicians, visual artists, and a filmmaker,” said Mayor Turner. “Houston Inspires relies on community input to bridge the gap between equity and opportunity. I look forward to seeing the final works from these storytellers that will encourage Houstonians to learn more about environmental pollutants and their impact in our neighborhoods.”
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Celebrating a Great First Day of School
with Gifts from Hess
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Complete Communities helped kick off another successful school year by giving HISD students a memorable First Day of School experience. The Complete Communities team visited several schools with Houston Hess Corporation Executives Will Rea and Rebecca Moran. The day started at Jack Yates High and Energy Institute High and wrapped up with Austin High and Edison Middle School.
Hess executives presented a gift to students — the Hess Cargo Plane and Hess Jet — to help encourage students in STEM. The Complete Communities team presented certificates from Mayor Sylvester Turner.
Special thanks to Hess for their continuous support within Houston’s Complete Communities and to Principals Tiffany Guillory, Lori Lambropoulos, Orlando Reyna, and Alesander Olaizola for their daily commitment to strengthening the lives of students. Access to quality educational opportunities can truly transform a neighborhood by instilling a drive for personal success in our community's youth.
In 2021, Hess Corporation made a commitment to advance equal opportunity and economic growth through social investment programs that make a positive and lasting impact on Houston communities.
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Time is Running Out for Non-Profit Grant Opportunity |
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The 2022 Inspire Change Grant application is open. The grant, presented in partnership with the Houston Texans, ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Ashley, will fund |
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programs, seed projects and create partnerships that support social justice
The grant application will be open from August 17- September 15. If you know any nonprofits that fit the eligibility criteria outlined on the website, please feel free to share it with them and encourage them to apply.
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Apply Now for the Evolve Houston eMobility Microgrant |
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Do you have an idea to improve community mobility and advance equitable eMobility in Houston? Submit your proposal to Evolve Houston.
Evolve Houston is now accepting applications for eMobility Microgrants for projects in the Greater Houston area focused on increasing access to and awareness of electric mobility and electric vehicle infrastructure, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, and boosting workforce development opportunities around transportation electrification.
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Evolve is also recruiting Houston residents to serve as “Community Champions” to help review applications. Learn more about becoming or nominating a Community Champion. |
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Environmental and Climate Justice Storytellers
Wanted for Internships
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Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS) and the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice (DSCEJ) in collaboration with CLEAR Environmental, are accepting applications for the Environmental and Climate Justice Storytellers Collective Internship.
High school interns representing Texas will partner with regional experts in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) and environmental and climate justice organizations to chronicle stories of vulnerable communities adversely affected by climate change and environmental hazards.
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Interns will develop their skills by working with community organizations and learn about their community’s work through the development of digital stories.
Qualifications:
· Passionate interest in environmental
justice and climate change advocacy
· Currently enrolled in high school
· Rising high school junior or senior
· Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Commitment:
· Fall 2022 to Spring 2023
· Participation in monthly meetings on
second Saturdays
· Presentation at the annual HBCU
Climate Change Conference
Timeline:
Sept. 10, 2022 – Application Deadline
Sept. 20, 2022 – Interns notification date
Oct. 1, 2022 – Internship begins
March 2023 – Presentation of experience at HBCU Climate Change Conference
March 21, 2023 – Internship ends
Environmental storytelling will include multi-media training that will help interns to develop communication and technology skills. The experience will bring together knowledge and practices needed to understand and address issues of environmental and climate justice. Participants will earn $3,000 and the application deadline is Sept. 10.
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Youth Job Opportunities and Services Available Now |
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Wesley Community Center will help you invest in your future. Assistance is available for those aged16-24 who are out of school and looking for work.
Eligible participants of the Opportunity Youth Next Gen will receive one-on-one support. Wesley Community Center can help you obtain a GED, prepare for in-demand careers, and develop long-term employment plans and strategies.
For more information contact Wesley Community Center at 713-223-8131.
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Get Assistance with Your Mortage |
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Money is available through the Texas Homeowner Assistance program to help qualified Texas homeowners who have fallen behind on mortgage payments, property and insurance taxes, and HOA or condo fees due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Households must have incomes at or below 100% of the Area Median Income and meet other eligibility requirements. For full details, visit www.TexasHomeownerAssistance.com or call toll free at 1-833-651-3874, Monday thru Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. central standard time (CST).
What can the program cover?
$65,000 max assistance provided as a grant:
· Up to $40,000 in mortgage assistance
· Up to $250,000 in related expenses (property and insurance taxes, HOA/condo fees)
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Do You or Someone You Know Need a Will? |
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Attorneys will prepare simple wills during the A Month of Service (AMOS) Monthly Will Clinics. Interested persons must complete a pre-assessment. For pre-assessment, please call 832-394-0931 or visit bit.ly/395Gkbz.
These services are made possible by the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods and community partners and sponsors, including TSU Earl Carl Institute, Lone Star Legal Aid, Houston Volunteer Lawyers, Houston Lawyer Referral Service, Houston Bar Association, and Harris County Area Agency on Aging.
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Boost Your Vaccinations at Events Across Houston |
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The Equitable Vaccination Acceptance and Distribution to Houston Complete Communities Initiative, also known as VAX HOU, is a Complete Communities project supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation. VAX HOU's mission is to increase COVID-19 vaccinations, address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and advance health equity in the Houston Complete Communities.
VAX HOU team coordinates vaccine events that are conveniently located in the Complete Communities neighborhoods.
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Texas Southern University
Thursday, Sept. 8, noon–2 p.m.
3100 Cleburne St.
Pop Up Clinic will be be onsite
Gift Card incentive
Mexican Consulate of Houston
Friday, Sept. 9, 9 a.m.–noon
3200 Rogerdale Rd.
Pop Up Clinic will be be onsite
Gift Card incentive
Janice Weaver Blood Drive
and Health Fair
Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
1906 Cleburne St.
Texas Federation of the People Foundation Resource Fair
Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
4900 Providence St. (Finnigan Park)
Texas Southern University
Thursday, Sept. 15, noon–2 p.m.
3100 Cleburne St.
Pop Up Clinic will be be onsite
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Bonding Against Adversity Constitution and Citizenship Day
Saturday, Sept. 17, 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.
2909 E. Aldine Amphitheater
Gift Card incentive
Houston International Community Resource Festival
Sunday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m.–5 p.m.
6400 Bissonnet St. (Bayland Park)
Texas Southern University
Thursday, Sept. 22, noon–2 p.m.
3100 Cleburne St.
Pop Up Clinic will be be onsite
Texas Southern University
Thursday, Sept. 29, noon–2 p.m.
3100 Cleburne St.
Pop Up Clinic will be be onsite
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Acres Homes Community Advocacy Group
Is Recruiting Board Members
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The Acres Homes Community Advocacy Group seeks volunteer board members interested in nonprofit management to provide direction and guidance as they continue to be a community-focused resource for residents in the Acres Home community. The Board prefers that 51% of the board is comprised of Acres Home residents. Learn more and express your interest in volunteering by emailing [email protected]
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Acres Homes Health Action Team Reactivation |
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Communities for Better Health and The Acres Homes Community Advocacy Group are teaming up to reactivate the Acres Homes Health Action Team. Our mission is to continue to work to understand our community's health needs better and put our residents at the center of the health care conversation in Acres Home. Join us on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Acres Home MSC at 6719 W. Montgomery Rd.
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Acres Home Sowing Seeds Community Garden |
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Spend your Friday mornings from
9 a.m.–noon at the Acres Home
Sowing Seeds Community Garden at 2500 S Victory Drive. You can get your hands dirty by planting and harvesting organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The incredible farm associate, Amanda, will teach garden tips and tricks. Most of all, you will have fun building relationships. Here at Acres Home, we're producing a healthier community together.
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Forum and Harwin Parks Prepare for Upgrades
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Houston Parks Board (HPB) and Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) are excited to share an update on Mayor Turner’s 50/50 Park Partners initiative. Park improvements are slated for Forum Park and Harwin Park, two of the first 11 parks to be improved within this initiative. Construction will begin soon on both parks. |
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Forum Park
9900 Sugar Branch Dr.
The identified priorities include a new parking lot with lighting, updating the asphalt trail, replacing picnic tables and grills in the picnic area, adding a shade sail near the playground, upgrading site lighting, adding a new mini-pitch and half basketball court, and creating associated detention.
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Harwin Park
11305 Harwin Dr.
The identified priorities include additional lighting, a new picnic pavilion, a new exercise station, and improved walkways.
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Ridgemont Community Will Receive Street Rebuild |
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The Houston Public Works Department (HPW) will replace street sections along
Court Rd. (from Bunker Ridge Rd. to South Post Oak Rd.) in the Ridgemont Community in Fort Bend Houston. Approximately 1 mile of Court Rd. is impacted. Work was started on Aug. 22, 2022 and is expected to be completed by Dec. 20, 2022.
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Burnett Bayland Park Groundbreaking |
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Burnett Bayland Park, at 6000 Chimney Rock Rd., will have new soccer pitches as part of a joint project from the City of Houston, Harris County, the Gulfton Management District, the Houston Dynamo and other stakeholders. Special thanks to Dist. J Office, Tammy Rodriguez, Precinct 4, the City and County parks departments, and everyone who made this project possible. |
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Kashmere Gardens Community Design Session Generates Ideas and Initial Priorities |
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A workshop on August 17 at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center brought together a coalition of City department and Mayor's Office representatives and more than 10 key community stakeholders. Led by consultant, Resilient Cities Catalyst, the group accomplished the following objectives:
- Provided update on progress toward resilience hub implementation for residents
- Discussed ideas for three possible areas for a multi-service center site
- Identified short-term project options to make visible changes to the site
Participants went on a site walk to provide feedback on potential activation themes such as a Children’s Corner Station and a relax and cool off station.
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By the end of the workshop, participants selected which of the three activation sites would be first priority and the design elements they liked the most.
Since January 2021, Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC) has partnered with a cohort of six City of Houston Agencies and the Mayor’s Office, as well as community-based organization Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council (NEHRC), on the creation of Houston’s first-ever Resilience Hub. This project has brought together community leaders, 285+ local residents and more than 15 City Agencies in the design of the Kashmere Gardens Resilience Hub concept.
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Participants gathered at potential site activation locations at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center |
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Recap: An Environmental Conversation with Houston Inspira Storyteller Dria Thornton |
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A virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. with Dria Thornton, Houston Inspira Storyteller for Kashmere Gardens Complete Communities area. She listened to residents’ stories and testimonies about environmental issues they experience on a daily basis. The stories and subsequent one-on-one interviews with residents will influence her project for the 2023 City of Houston public health campaign. She will present a short play with a custom song and local community actors. The play will highlight |
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key points about the environmental problems and the characters in the play will share their dreams and aspirations. Local auditions and play rehearsals will take place this Fall, with the play set to be held on Saturday, Nov. 12. More details will follow.
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Northeast Houston Community Emergency Response Training Completion |
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Congratulations to residents and community leaders from Kashmere Gardens, Trinity/Houston Gardens, Third Ward, Sunnyside, Galena Park, and South Houston who have recently completed a 4-week Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training course. This free disaster preparedness training was sponsored by the Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council and the Houston CERT Program through the Mayor’s Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security.
The training covered:
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general disaster preparedness,
- fire safety and suppression,
- basic medical operations,
- light search and rescue,
- CERT team organization,
- disaster psychology
- terrorism awareness
The role of a CERT volunteer is to help themselves and others until emergency personnel arrive. Under the direction of local emergency responders, CERT teams help provide critical support by giving immediate assistance to victims, providing damage assessment information, and organizing other volunteers at a disaster site. Volunteers trained in CERT also offer a potential workforce for performing duties such as shelter support, crowd control and evacuation.
If you or an organization in your area would like to host or participate in a CERT training, visit houstoncert.org
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for details. The Northeast Houston Redevelopment Council is a grassroots 501c3 non-profit community organization founded by current President of Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood, Keith Downey and President and Vice President of Trinity/Houston Gardens Huey Wilson and Kenneth Williams, respectively.
They operate the Northeast Community Farmers Market, located at 5425 Troost Street on LBJ Hospital campus, on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month, 9 a.m. to noon. They also partner with the Joseph Storehouse Pantry at Trinity Gardens Church of Christ, located at 7725 Sandra Street, that is held on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Learn more at https://www.nehoustonrc.com/.
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Save the Date for the 9th Annual
Magnolia Park Dia de Los Muertos
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Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 29 to attend the Magnolia Park Dia de Los Muertos 9th Anniversary Celebration. The featured artist is Diane Munoz, a mixed-media painter and native Houstonian who grew up in Magnolia Park, Houston’s first barrio. |
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Marque su calendario para el sábado 29 de octubre para asistir a la celebración del noveno aniversario del Día de los Muertos de Magnolia Park. La artista destacada es Diane Muñoz, una pintora de medios mixtos y nativa de Houston que creció en Magnolia Park, el primer barrio de Houston. |
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Upcoming Super Neighborhood 65 and 82 meetings |
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Meetings for Super Neighborhood Council 65 and 82 have been scheduled for the rest of this year. The meetings will be held at 10 a.m. at Hartman Community Center,
9311 E. Avenue, on Saturday, Nov. 5.
General meetings will be held every first Saturday of each odd month of the year. Meet your neighbors, engage, and be informed.
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Se han programado reuniones para el Súper Consejo Vecinal 65 y 82 para el resto de este año. Las reuniones se llevarán a cabo a las 10 a. m. en el Centro Comunitario Hartman,
9311 E. Avenue, en sábado 5 de noviembre.
Las juntas generales se llevarán a cabo cada primer sábado de cada mes impar del año. Conozca a sus vecinos, participe e infórmese.
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Volunteers Needed for Food Pantry at
Wesley Community Center
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Volunteers are needed to help with food distribution at Wesley Community Center's Food Pantry as many in the community rely on us for food. Will you help us keep our Food Pantry open?
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Se necesitan voluntarios para ayudar con la distribución de alimentos en la despensa de alimentos del Centro Comunitario de Wesley, ya que muchos en la comunidad dependen de nosotros para obtener alimentos. ¿Nos ayudará a mantener abierta nuestra despensa de alimentos?
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Register Now for the Little Leaders
After-School Program
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The Little Leaders After-School Program at BakerRipley, 4410 Navigation, is now accepting applicants. The Program allows your child to participate in STEM and team-building activities, provides homework assistance, and provides snacks for all students. The program offers pickup locations at Lantrip Elementary and Cage Elementary. For more information, please call 713-315-6400. Register today! |
El programa extra escolar Little Leaders en BakerRipley (4410 Navigation) ya está aceptando inscripciones. El programa extra escolar Little Leaders permite que su hijo participe en actividades STEM, participe en actividades de trabajo en equipo, brinda asistencia con la tarea y ofrece refrigerios para todos los estudiantes. El programa tiene una recogida en Lantrip Elementary y Cage Elementary. Para obtener más información, llame al 713-315-6400. ¡Regístrese hoy! |
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Provide Feedback at a Public Meeting for the
Sunnyside Gateway Project
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Sunnyside Redevelopment Authority and TIRZ #26 invite you to share your feedback at a Community Meeting on Thursday, September 22 from 6 - 8 p.m. Topics for Public Input and Discussion Heritage Green and Gateways Intersection Improvements Future Projects.
Join us and shape the future of your community!
Houston Community College - South Campus
1990 Airport Blvd. Houston, TX 77051
or join us virtually via Zoom.
The next board meeting will take place on Monday, Sept. 26. Sign up to attend on the TIRZ 26 registration page. For more information on the Sunnyside Redevelopment Authority, visit our website or contact us at [email protected]. |
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We're Keeping Our Community Clean |
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Councilmember Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz has dedicated resources to help combat the issue of illegal dumping across District D. The District D Hot Team consists of four men, two trucks, and two trailers. The goal is to abate dumping sites within 24–48 hours after receiving a constituent report.
District D also supports community weekend clean-up projects. When contacted by the local civic clubs, the Hot Team is scheduled to stop by the clean-up location on Monday to pick up trash bags and take them to the depositories.
Residents are asked to report the dump site to 311, get a service request number, and then share that SR# with the District D Office. Contact Steven James, Director of Constituent Services at (832) 393-3001, or [email protected]
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Complete Communities is a collaborative effort involving the community and all City of Houston Departments and Divisions with City leadership from:
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Sign up to receive updates on activities taking place in your Complete Communities neighborhood.
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