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James Harden Donates to Parks in Complete Communities
Houston Rockets 2018 MVP player James Harden donated $240,000 to renovate basketball courts in two Complete Communities. Highland Park in Acres Home and Tuffly Park in Kashmere Gardens will benefit from the generous gift. The announcement was made August 24 at Tuffly Park as part of Hardin's JH-Town weekend of charity. Over 100 neighborhood children also received new bicycles at the event.
Phase 2 Communities Kick-Off at Kashmere Gardens
The first of five Phase 2 Complete Communities Kick-Off meetings was held in Kashmere Gardens on Tuesday, September 10. Planners worked with residents, business owners, non-profits, faith-based institutions and schools to identify opportunities for improving services and amenities to make Kashmere Gardens a Complete Community. Participants were guided through hands-on activities to identify important places in the neighborhood, the challenges that they would like to see addressed, and the areas where they would like to see improvements. Additional meetings are planned for the other new Complete Communities. For more information on the program and future meetings, click here.
Houston Public Library is presenting a history of Hispanic sounds in Houston at the main library at
500 McKinney St.
On
Saturday, September 28, a
music festival, market, and a bus tour through
downtown
Houston, Northside and the East End is featured. For more information, visit the Houston Public Library
here, on Twitter @houstonlibrary, on Facebook - houstonlibrary, or call 832-393-1313.
Mayor's Office of Complete Communities Announces New Staff
The Mayor's Office of Complete Communities announces three staff members who are now working to implement and fund the Complete Communities Action Plans. Suzane Abedi, Christa Stoneham, and Jarrel J. Washington will support the work of Director Shannon Buggs to build strong relationships with each community, city departments, other government agencies, as well as private donors.
Suzane Abedi With a passion for sustainable impact, Suzane has experience in health systems development, growth strategy and community engagement within private, government and not-for-profit environments. Abedi's career includes consulting, portfolio manager and project manager positions within the U.S. and global healthcare for Stockamp & Associates, Inc. and The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She is a strong believer in leveraging stakeholder engagement to drive results and curating collaborations for successful execution. Her achievements include serving on the leadership team to develop the United Arab Emirates' first medical city, establishing its first children's hospital, and implementing a country-wide nursing leadership council. She is excited to be back in Houston, where she can contribute to and participate in the remarkable efforts shaping her hometown. Suzane earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Biology from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA and Master's in Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston. |
Christa Stoneham transitioned to the Mayor's Office of Complete Communities from the Planning and Development Department where she worked as the lead Planner in the Acres Home Complete Community, among numerous other planning duties. Having worked in Acres Home and in support of the other pilot neighborhoods, she provides special insight into how the Complete Communities initiative functions. Christa has a wealth of planning, design, community development, and non-profit experience that lends to her work in the office. Her project management skills and fundraising experience will help implement goals within the Action Plans
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Jarrel J. Washington
served as a Summer 2019 Associate in the Mayor's Office of Complete Communities. His professionalism, experience in work flow management, and his significant contributions to the start-up of the MOCC led to a contract extension for 2019. A Chicago native, Jarrel worked in 2018 as a year-long graduate student intern in the Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago. In this position, he assisted with correspondence and public engagement for Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. Washington's work experience also includes being accepted into Bank of America's Student Leader internship program, working as a social media analyst at the University of Houston, and handling special projects for City Year Chicago. Jarrel earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations from the University of Houston and a Master of Public Administration from DePaul University.
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Coordinating Team: Visit the Mayor's Office of Complete Communities (MOCC)
web page for more details. You can reach MOCC at 832-393-1085 or
[email protected].
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E
ach of the designated Complete Communities has an extensive web site with data, plans, and more. These highlights provide sources and links and shine a spotlight on projects and events within the communities.
Acres Home Chamber: At the September meeting of Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development, members continued their mission of supporting small businesses, entrepreneurs and the community by promoting sustainable economic growth opportunities and building community partnerships in the greater Houston area. Be sure to attend Acres Home Chamber for Business and Economic Development next meeting on
Oct
ober
3, 11 am - 12:30 pm at 6112 Wheatley St.
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Alief Community Association:
The Alief Community Association is organizing various events (above) in October and November and your participation is needed to help make it a success. Please give
donations of non-perishable foods, $20 gift cards, and new toys for Alief families in need. For details,
please contact the Alief Community Association at 832-448-0530.
Super Sabor Event:
T
he Henington-Alief Regional Library is organizing an event to "celebrate, learn and discover" the many cultures of Latin America. The Super Sabor event will take place at the library on Thursday, September 26, 2 pm at
7979 South Kirkwood. T
here will be food, music, and crafts and it is open to the public.
Alief Super Neighborhood Council (ASNC) Monthly Meetings:
The ASNC serves the community with input and participation by individuals and organized groups representing Alief's neighborhoods. ASNC demonstrates our commitment and dedication to city government, area businesses, and institutions. M
eetings are held at 6:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the
Alief Community Center,
11903 Bellaire Blvd.
, located at the c
orner of Bellaire and Kirkwood. The next meeting is on September 24. Call
281-564-8130 for details.
Westside Police Divisional PIP (Positive Interaction Program):
Community involvement in crime prevention meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month except in July, August, and December. The next meeting is September 19, from
6:30 - 8 pm at the Westside Command Station, 3203 South Dairy Ashford.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Alief web page for more details.You can reach a Planner for Alief at 832-393-6600 or
[email protected]
.
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Fort Bend Town Hall Meeting:
A town hall meeting was held on September 16 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Willowridge High School,16301 Chimney Rock Rd. The meeting was attended by Council Member David Robinson , Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage and State Representative Ron Reynolds.
Over 100 residents attended the meeting to ask questions and to hear Mayor Sylvester Turner speak about the Complete Communities program and selection of Fort Bend Houston for round two. Council Member Martha Castex-Tatum also spoke to the residents about the great work already being done in the Fort Bend community. The town hall meeting was sponsored by the community leaders of Precinct 2123.
Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council #41:
As pictured above, the SN #41 general monthly neighborhood meeting was held on August 8 at the Ridgemont Clubhouse, 5111 Ridgecreek Circle.
Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council #41 meetings are held on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm at various locations. For information on meeting place locations, please contact Carl David Evans at
[email protected]
.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Fort Bend Houston
web page
for more details. You can reach a Planner for Fort Bend Houston at 832-393-6600 or
[email protected].
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5th Annual Senior Appreciation Luncheon:
Gulfton held their 5th Annual Senior Appreciation Luncheon on September 13 from 12 noon - 2pm at the Southwest Multi-Service Center. One-hundred forty seniors from Alief, Brays Oaks, Gulfton and Sharpstown neighborhoods attended. Seniors were recognized at the luncheon for their participation and volunteering services in the Southwest area.
Mayor Sylvester Turner was the special guest speaker at the luncheon. Also in attendance were Council Members Mike Laster, David Robinson, and Mike Knox, and State Representative Gene Wu.
The Annual Senior Appreciation Luncheon event was sponsored by Amerigroup Healthcare, Southwest Management District, International Management District, BakerRipley, ABC Dental, Bread of Life, Council Member Michael Kubosh and State Representative Gene Wu. The
Mayor's Citizen Assistance Office, Department of Neighborhoods, and the Houston Police Department and Clergy team hosted the event.
Gulfton National Night Out:
This annual community event will take place on Tuesday, October 1, from 6 - 8 pm at Burnett Bayland Park.
Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council: The Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council meetings are held on the third Monday of the month at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Drive, from 12 - 1 pm. For more information on events happening in Gulfton, or if you're interested in becoming a member, contact the Gulfton Super Neighborhood at
[email protected].
Positive Interaction Program (PIP):
Meetings take place on the second Tuesday of every month at the Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star Dr., from 12 to 1 pm. This program features speakers from different Police Department divisions, such as Burglary and Theft, Homicide, K-9, and Helicopter divisions, to explain how they operate.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Gulfton
web page
for more details. You can reach a Planner for Gulfton at 832-393-6600 or [email protected].
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Kashmere Gardens Kick-Off Meeting:
The first Complete Communities Kick-Off meeting was held in Kashmere Gardens on September 10 at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center. The input collected from the stakeholders has helped develop a mission statement for Kashmere Gardens and determine important topics to be addressed in its Action Plan. A second meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 6 pm, at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service to further develop the Action Plan for the neighborhood.
Neighborhood Support Team: The first Complete Communities Neighborhood Support Team (NST) meeting in Kashmere Gardens was held on August 20 at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center. Many leaders in Kashmere Gardens came together to discuss community engagement, the roles that the NST will play throughout the process, and the best outreach methods to invite people to public meetings. The preparation for the kick-off meeting in September was also part of the group's discussion. The next NST meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, October 15. The location and time are to be determined. If you would like to join the NST and help shape the public engagement meetings in Kashmere Gardens, please contact Lead Planner, Davonte Caldwell.
Kashmere Survey Open Until 9/27:
Were you able to attend the Kashmere Kick-Off? If not, you can still participate in the survey until Thursday, September 26, midnight. You can also see
video
from the meeting via the Planning Department Facebook page. Access the survey
here.
.
Community Meetings
: S
everal groups already meet regularly in the Kashmere Gardens area. See the meeting list below if you are interested in becoming more engaged with your community. If we missed your organization, please contact us and let us know when your meetings take place.
Join Mayor Turner at the October Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood #52:
S
N #52 meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm at the Kashmere Gardens Multi-Service Center, 4802 Lockwood Drive. Mayor Sylvester Turner will be present at the October 8 super neighborhood meeting and will provide a brief summary of the events from the Complete Communities Kick-Off!
Kashmere Gardens Super Neighborhood #52:
Meets second Tuesday of the month at 6 pm at the Kashmere Multi-Service Center, 4802 Lockwood Drive.
Northeast Concerned Citizens Civic League
: Meets fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Kashmere Multi-Service
Center, 4802 Lockwood Drive.
Kashmere Feeder Pattern Community Council:
Meets fourth Thursday of the month at 6 pm at one of the seven schools in the
feeder pattern.
Facebook: Sign up and r
eceive updates on community meetings through Super Neighborhood #52 Facebook
page.
Coordinating Team:
Visit the Complete Communities
Kashmere Gardens
web page for more details. You can reach a Planner for Kashmere Gardens at
832-393-6600 or
[email protected].
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Forest Hill Bridge:
A ribbon cutting was held on Wednesday, August 21, for the bridge over Brays Bayou at Forest Hill Boulevard. This new bridge will help reduce water levels during flooding events and provide connections for both pedestrians and cyclists. More bridge projects are planned for Brays Bayou crossings at 75th Street, Telephone Road, and Lawndale Street. For more information, check out the
article
at Houston Public Media.
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Complete Communities survey meeting. Photo courtesy of Mayra Hypolite, Department of Neighborhoods
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Magnolia Park/Pineview Place Civic Club hosted a Complete Communities Survey: The Magnolia Park/Pineview Place Civic Club invited residents to identify, strategize and implement solutions in their
area at a meeting on Monday, September 9. To participate in future public engagement meetings to have your voice heard, come to the Kick-Off. Stay tuned! The date, time and location is being scheduled and will be posted here.
Community Meetings:
Residents, please attend local meetings to learn more about how to be active in the community.
Some community meetings are listed below. If we missed your organization, please contact us and let us know when your meetings take place.
Magnolia Park/Pineview Place Civic Club: Meetings are held on the second Monday from 6 - 8 pm at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center at 7037 Capitol St.
Smith Addition Civic Club: Meetings are every second Monday from 6 - 7 pm at the Jesus Christ Holy Temple Church at 8808 Gibbons St.
Community Outreach: We have been meeting with several organizations, non-profits, and residents in the Magnolia Park-Manchester area to learn more about the community. If you are active in the neighborhoods of Magnolia Park, Harrisburg, Manchester, and Smith Addition, we would love to talk with you to hear about the work you do. Please contact the Planner for Magnolia Park-Manchester, David Welch.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Magnolia Park - Manchester
web page for more details.You can reach a Planner for Magnolia Park - Manchester at 832-393-6600 or
[email protected] .
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Avenue Center and Legacy Health: Earlier this year, the development of Avenue Center broke ground at 3517 Irvington Boulevard in Near Northside, across from Moody Park. Avenue Center is a location for various resources for residents to improve access to essential services that will improve the community's quality of life. Avenue Center will feature 30,500 square of community programming space, along with programs and services such as homebuyer education counseling, financial education, and an early childhood education center.
Avenue has recently announced collaborating with Legacy Community Health to also bring a 6,200-square foot community health clinic to Avenue Center. It will be the first Legacy clinic in Northside, providing primary and behavioral healthcare.
Avenue has conducted a capital campaign and has raised nearly $10 million for Avenue Center from organizations that include the City of Houston, Complete Communities Improvement Fund, BBVA, Houston Endowment, The Fondren Foundation, Midway Foundation, J.E. & L.E. Mabee Foundation, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, The Brown Foundation, The Hearst Foundation, Camden, Trammell Crow Company, Cullen Foundation and Wells Fargo. The goal is to reach $12 million towards the project.
Leading Together
: Leadership Development Workshops are coming this fall b
y LISC Houston and GO Neighborhoods. See below for dates and times.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Near Northside web page for more details.You can reach a Planner for Near Northside at 832-393-6600 or [email protected].
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Trees are Cool: Gary O'Neil, Senior Forester, Vegetation Management and Community Relations for CenterPoint Energy, has some information for the community. I
n conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation, TX Forest Service and Trees for Houston, CenterPointe typically distributes 2,000 trees to Houston-area residents at our annual tree giveaway event. The 2019 event is on Saturday, November 9, from 8 am to 12 noon at MacGregor Park, 5225 Calhoun Rd. Reserve your trees beginning September 29 at www.arborday.org/centerpoint.
Second Ward Community Revitalization Continues:
Mayor Sylvester Turner and Rebuilding Together Houston are fundraising to repair up to 100 homes in Second Ward.
Qualifying homeowners can apply for roof repairs, home leveling, interior safety upgrades, and exterior repairs. Donors and volunteers are needed to make this vision a reality. Visit Rebuilding Together Houston's website
for more information on donating, volunteering, or applying to receive repairs. Rehabilitating single-family homes is a high priority project in the Second Ward Complete Communities Action Plan. A huge thanks to Rebuilding Together Houston and their partners!
Second Ward Super Neighborhood 63
: The next meeting of Second Ward Super Neighborhood 63 is Monday, October 7, 6:30 pm, at Ripley House Middle School, 4410 Navigation Blvd. Please contact SN 63 at
[email protected]
for more information or to ask to be added to their mailing list.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Second Ward
web page
for more details. You can reach a Planner for Second Ward at
832-393-6600 or [email protected].
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Coffee and Conversation in the Sunnyside Community:
Join us Coffee and Conversation about your neighborhood concerns. Discuss ways how the Department of Neighborhoods can help improve Sunnyside. Coffee and Conversation will be held Thursday, September 26, 10 am -12 noon, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4600 Reed Road. Please RSVP to
[email protected]
or call 832-394-0701.
The Houston Emerge Project:
The Houston Emerge Project in Sunnyside is curated by Houston Poet Laureate Deborah "D.E.E.P." Mouton and performed by various Houston poets celebrating the many different neighborhoods of the City of Houston. To hear the poetry of Loyce Gayo and Se7en the Poet, watch here.
The Official Sunnyside Historic Community:
Meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm, at the Houston Police Department storefront at 3511 Reed Rd.
City Selects Firm Proposing Solar Energy Farm at Former Sunnyside Landfill: Mayor Sylvester Turner announced that Sunnyside Energy, led by developer Dori Wolfe of Wolfe Energy LLC, has won a C40 Reinventing Cities competition to be considered to repurpose a 240-acre former landfill in Sunnyside. The team's proposal will construct one of the largest urban solar farms in Texas. The project proposes to not only revitalize an underutilized piece of property that has been an eyesore to the community for years, but could also make Sunnyside a more complete, sustainable and resilient community. Read the press release for more information.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Sunnyside web page for more details. You can reach a Planner for Sunnyside at 832-393-6600 or [email protected].
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Blodgett Urban Gardens (BUG) Matches SNAP Benefits:
The Third Ward Complete Communities Health and Wellness workgroup with Blodgett Urban Gardens, Urban Harvest, and other health collaborators hosted a kick-off event at Blodgett Urban Gardens on Saturday September 7. Health information and screenings, local community resources, and a garden tour were provided. BUG offers fresh, local produce for sale. With Double Up Houston, BUG can match SNAP benefits, dollar-for-dollar up to $20 a day, on fruits and vegetables.
Change Happens! and Houston BCycle to Launch the GO Pass:
Change Happens! and Houston BCycle, the city's nonprofit-run bike share system, are teamed up to launch a pilot project centered around an affordable bike share membership called the GO Pass. The GO Pass will only cost users $3 per month for eligible users versus the standard monthly $13 membership fee. The event was celebrated with a Cookout and Launch Party held August 24 at Change Happens! For more information, contact Change Happens! at 713-374-1200.
Health and Wellness Workgroup Meeting:
This month the Complete Communities Health and Wellness workgroup will host a joint meeting with the Third Ward Health Collaborative to join forces to improve the health of third ward guided by the Action Plans from Complete Communities and the Northern Third Ward Neighborhood Implementation Plan. We look forward to collaboration to address food insecurity and chronic physical and mental health conditions affected by the social determinants of health. The meeting has been rescheduled to September 24, 6 - 7 pm at Change Happens! CDC,
3353 Elgin St
.
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Director Shannon Buggs and President Jason Hyman at the August SN #67 meeting
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Third Ward Super Neighborhood #67 Regular Meeting:
Join the Greater Third Ward Super Neighborhood #67 monthly meeting. The super neighborhood meets every third Thursday at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, 3611 Ennis St. at 6 pm. Email
[email protected]
for more information.
Coordinating Team: Visit the Complete Communities Third Ward web page for more details. You can reach a Planner for Third Ward at 832-393-6600 or [email protected].
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Neighborhood Matching Grants:
The 2019-2020 Neighborhood Matching Grants Program helps neighborhood-based nonprofit organizations carry out projects that improve the appearance of neighborhoods, cultivate volunteerism, and promote community pride. The program provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants ranging from $500 to $5,000. Funded projects must involve residents, provide long-standing benefits to the community, and be accessible to the public. The application deadline is November 1, 2019. The Neighborhood Matching Grants Program is administered by the Department of Neighborhoods in partnership with City Council offices. For grant guidelines and the application form, visit www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods.
Barbara Jordan Artist Sought: The City of Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs is starting the process of selecting an artist to create the city's first permanent outdoor artwork commemorating the life and legacy of the late Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. "It's well past time we memorialize our hero Barbara Jordan with inspiring public art, especially since the city's art collection contains only one outdoor sculpture or monument honoring a woman," Mayor Sylvester Turner said. The project has a total budget of up to $235,000. The deadline for submission of qualifications is Monday, September 23, 11:59 p.m. CST.
For details, click here,
For more information about the City's Civic Art Program click here.
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