UPCOMING EVENTS COVID-19 TESTING SITES VACCINATIONS CONNECT WITH US ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ HCP2.COM 713-274-2222 Revitalizing Precinct 2 Revive2Thrive: it’s a simple formula having a BIG impact across Precinct 2! Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Precinct 2 staff, and our partners have been hard at work bringing to life direct investments to infrastructure and community-level programming to revitalize historically underserved communities so they can thrive. WATCH to learn what this Precinct 2 initiative is all about! LEARN MORE

What's new in 2022

Q&A with Chara L. Bowie, MA, LPC-S  Precinct 2 Director of Health Services Chara has served Precinct 2 for more than 14 years. She’s a licensed professional counselor supervisor with more than 20 years of experience in community programs for youth, seniors, and veterans. READ MORE

Q: What new health services can residents expect this year?  A: This year we want to open even more doors for our constituents to increase their access to health services. This year, we'll increase access to mental health services with our new Access2MentalHealth SmartPod that will be located right near our new James Driver Inclusive Park in Aldine. READ MORE Q: What health services or programs are you expanding this year? A: We’re expanding our free physicals program in partnership Comprehensive Care Clinic and Prevent Blindness Texas to offer free eye health risk assessments. The physicals are for uninsured residents and they may also qualify for a free eye exam and a pair of glasses! READ MORE

New year, new projects & progress Precinct 2 started the year celebrating infrastructure improvement progress with the completion of the 75th Street bridge in Houston’s East End - the first completed flood control project of 2022! This week, we will also mark the completion of the Bay Area Park Trail & Bay Area Hike & Bike Trail. And, in early spring, we'll grab our giant scissors again for the Manchester Community Improvement Project (CIP) ribbon cutting! The improvements will keep coming with dozens of infrastructure projects underway including a complete revitalization of Sylvan Beach. Some of the new amenities will be a boardwalk and outdoor theater. Stay tuned for more details! Also, mark your calendars for these upcoming community planning meetings: Aldine Region Comprehensive Study (1/25, 27, 29) Highlands/Lynchburg (2/15) McNair/Linus (2/17) Check out our Project Dashboard for a full list of our current projects

In the news: Historic partnership

At Commissioner Garcia’s urging, Treasurer Dylan Osborne makes Harris County the first county in state of Texas to invest with a minority-owned bank, Unity National Bank.

KPRC: Harris County officials announce historic partnership with minority-owned Unity National Bank

DefenderNetwork: Harris first Texas county to partner with minority bank

Houston Chronicle: 'We just had the audacity to call': Harris County’s new partnership with Unity Bank sets good example

Budget Hearings Commissioners Court recently listened to proposals for all county departments budget requests. Money will be tight this fiscal year, so members will have to make tough decisions about which priorities to fund. To watch the departments’ proposals click here. Letters to local congressional delegation This month, Commissioner Garcia penned two letters to go to our local delegation. Both were signed by all 5 members of Commissioners Court. Jan 4: all 5 members agreed to a letter advocating for direct allocation of federal funds to large counties, bypassing the state of Texas, particularly when it comes to infrastructure. LEARN MORE Jan 25: Garcia presented a letter advocating for our local delegation to support the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act. The legislation would provide $250 million over 5 years to local Veteran Services Organizations. LEARN MORE This month, Commissioner Garcia led or voted in favor of the following items: Increasing access to mental health services: The contract for the next Access2Health SmartPod at Northeast Community Center in Aldine to focus on mental health is approved. Making strides against homelessness: The county is investing an additional $35 million for phase 2 of the Community COVID Housing Program (CCHP), matching the City of Houston’s contribution. Road repairs: An investment of more than $10 million in road repairs in Aldine and Baytown to make your commute safer. This investment aims to fix more than 28 miles of roadways over the next year. New year, new directors: Commissioners Court unanimously voted to hire new directors for the Harris County Flood Control District, Office of Budget Management, and Engineering Department. Tina Pearson becomes the first woman to lead the flood control district. Daniel Ramos becomes the first Latino at the helm of the Office of Management and Budget. Precinct 2’s very own Milton Rahman received unanimous support to become the County Engineer. Milton previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Precinct 2. 

Resolutions Jan 4 Resolutions: Honoring the life of Navy SEAL Commander Brian Michael Bourgeois; Congratulating Mary Champion Closner on her retirement  Jan 25 Resolutions: Congratulating Andy Teas on his retirement from the Houston Apartment Association; Commendation of Ruth and Mohammed Nasrullah for “COVID-19 Wall of Memories; Recognizing the North Shore Senior High School Mustangs for winning the Texas 6A-Division

More January highlights

Historic Investment Tackling Homelessness

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

MLK Day Parade

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