March 2018

Greetings,
 
Welcome to the March 2018 issue of The Edwards Edition. It is with deep regret that I have to begin this issue of The Edwards Edition expressing my profound sadness at the passing of my fellow City Council colleague and friend, Council Member Larry Green. While many have paid tribute to him, words can't truly express how much he will be missed. He was a true servant leader, determined change agent, and an incredible friend. He had a love for his district that was only matched by their love for him and his efforts. He was smart, giving, full of life and loved by so many. He led by example and had a wonderful heart and humor. There are so many things I will miss, but there are so many memories, lessons and laughs I will treasure. He left a lasting legacy in the community from his outstanding service to the community. Please keep his family in your prayers. 


In January, we set out to tell the stories of our Houston residents still in need post-Harvey by spearheading our "Behind the Wall" canvassing. With this canvassing effort, we revisited residents in Northeast Houston (five months post-Harvey) to document their stories of the damage resulting from Harvey and their remaining needs. We use this footage to shed light on the urgent nature of the on-going unaddressed resident needs in Houston. Click the image below to view the footage of our "Behind the Wall" Canvassing (Five Months Later):


Following the "Behind the Wall" canvassing, we shared the stories of Houston residents with our federal government in early February. I joined a small delegation of City Council Members who went to Washington DC to garner support for disaster recovery in Houston. We met with Senator Cruz, Congresswoman Jackson Lee, Congressman Culberson, the Department of Transportation and the Senate Appropriations Committee staff. I also had the opportunity to meet with a former professor, Senator Elizabeth Warren, for whom I worked while in law school. Three days after returning from Washington DC, the Senate passed an $89 billion disaster recovery package (for Texas, Florida, California and Puerto Rico) that had been stalled in the Senate since December! While it will be a long time before the funds actually reach our region, this approval is an important step towards recovery.
 
In February, we had the opportunity to collaborate with Exclusive Furniture to provide free furniture to 30 senior citizen households impacted by Harvey. Specifically, select senior citizen households in Independence Heights gained furniture for three rooms as a result of this effort.
We are grateful for acts of compassion like these that help fill the gaps for our residents recovering from Harvey.
 
With respect to our regional transit efforts, we announced that Northwest Mall would likely be the main Houston destination for the Texas Central high-speed bullet train connecting Dallas to Houston. On March 8 th at 1pm, the High Capacity Transit Task Force, for which I serve as co-vice chair, hosted a public meeting to further discuss high capacity transit options for our 8-county region. I led the service concepts group that presented corridors where high capacity transit options should be in order to meet our 2045 mobility needs. The economic impact analysis and funding recommendations relating to the presentation will follow.
 
Finally, I am pleased to announce the launch of my 2018 Community Empowerment Signature Series events, which empower our communities to "be the solution" to issues impacting our communities. In 2018, our "Empowered You: Houston Senior Citizens Conference" will return. However, new events and programs have been added to the lineup. We will empower our youth to help "be the solution" with respect to combating issues of sexual misconduct and issues raised by the #metoo movement, and we will conduct an intensive writing program designed to teach our youth how to use writing as a tool of empowerment post-Harvey with the 2018 line up of our Signature Series programs. Finally, we will launch our Edwards Empowerment Talks as part of our series, as well. Please join us for our kick off event on Saturday, April 28 th, "Empowering #UsToo: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men and Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct."

   

Stay connected with me by contacting the At-Large office at  atlarge4@houstontx.gov  or (832) 393-3012,  and by following us on social media. Let us hear your thoughts and ideas on the issues most important to you!
  
Sincerely,
  
Amanda K. Edwards
Houston City Council Member, At-Large Position 4
     
ON THE ISSUES: Empowering #USTOO: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct


"So I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon! And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women . . . and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders to take us to the time when nobody has to say 'Me Too' again!" - Oprah Winfrey, 2018 Golden Globes
 
From Oprah Winfrey's powerful call to halt injustice and abuse suffered by women of varied socioeconomic backgrounds over generations to the TIME magazine's "Person of the Year" cover featuring those who have shared their stories of sexual assault and misconduct in an effort known as the #MeToo movement, our society is now facing head on the need to address issues of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct. While the voices of those who have been forced to remain silent are now being heard, there is also a need to engage in a dialogue that empowers the next generation to ignite a cultural shift that fights against the widespread nature of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct. Such an effort should be inclusive and capture the full spectrum of the ways in which we can ignite this type of change in society.  

"Empowering #USTOO: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct"
 
To empower the next generation to reverse the course of society that led to the necessity of the #MeToo movement, the Council Member Edwards' Community Empowerment Signature Series will host the " Empowering #UsToo: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct " dialogue. This event will be held at the Houston Community College West Loop Campus on Saturday, April 28th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event is designed to be a dialogue among the youth (male and female) and feature speakers, such as Sonia Corrales (Houston Area Women's Center), Chauncy Glover (KTRK ABC13), J Mac & Young Jas (97.9FM The Box-Madd Hatta Morning Show), Kimberly Wolf (Girlmentum Media & Planet Daughter), Dr. Elizabeth Gregory (University of Houston), and Dr. Dina Alsowayal (University of Houston). Council Member Edwards will moderate the dialogue that will touch upon issues of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct in the context of power paradigms, school & workplace interaction, media, and more. Rather than having the featured speakers preach to the audience, the audience members will engage in full dialogue among each other that will leave the young men and young women empowered and committed to participate in reversing the trends that led to the #MeToo movement.
 
The " Empowering #USTOO: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct" dialogue promises to be a transformative event for all generations, but particularly our high school and college-aged students, along with young professionals. With this event, our participants will become part of an inclusive solution to combatting these issues by empowering both young men and young women to stand up for what is right and guide their peers toward more positive courses of action. Topics will address how to handle a number of scenarios including those that may not be so obvious, such as someone being a bystander to sexual assault or harassment or participating in "locker room" talk, all of which reinforce a culture that has required the #MeToo movement to emerge. Event participants will be inspired and equipped to truly bring about change and encourage others to do the same.
 
Register  today for " Empowering #USTOO: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct " event by clicking here www.empoweringustoo.eventbrite.com . Only a few slots remain, so register today!
 
More about the Signature Series and the 2018 Signature Series Events
 
In 2017, the Community Empowerment Signature Series launched in an attempt to equip community members with the tools necessary to "be the solution" with respect to issues that impact them or their communities. Specifically, the Signature Series equips Houston residents with the knowledge and the tools to "be the solution" to problems that impact their communities. Through programming tailored for various audiences, the series (1) educates attendees on current issues impacting Houston; (2) equips attendees with effective methods and tools for action; (3) empowers attendees to take the initiative to create positive change in their places of influence; and (4) encourages attendees to work together to find solutions.
 
While the "Empowering #USTOO: Igniting Change in the Next Generation of Young Men & Women to Stop Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misconduct" event kicks off the 2018 line up for the Community Empowerment Signature Series, a number of other compelling efforts are in store for 2018. In May, the Edwards Empowerment Talks will begin and be available online and feature speakers, who tell stories of unlikely journeys that will leave the community feeling inspired and empowered.
 
In June 2018, Project HOW: The Harvey Outreach Writing Project will commence and will end with a graduation ceremony on Thursday, August 16th. Project HOW is a revival of Council Member Edwards' Project NOW: The New Orleans Writing Project efforts where she taught New Orleans youth how to use writing as a tool of empowerment post-Katrina. Through Project HOW, youth impacted by Hurricane Harvey will have the opportunity to use writing as a tool of empowerment post-Harvey, as well.
 
Back by popular demand, the Signature Series will present "The Empowered You: Houston Senior Citizens Conference" on Thursday, October 25 th. This event serves as a one-stop for resources and information that will empower senior citizens to thrive in this season of their lives. This event promises to fill up quickly so make sure to register as soon as registration for this event opens.
 
Finally, if your organization is interested in organizing your own screening of "The Strange Demise of Jim Crow", which launched our 2017 series of events, you may contact the At-Large 4 office at 832.393.3012. For more information about any of the Community Empowerment Signature Series events, please visit http://www.houstontx.gov/council/4/empowerment-signature-series.html.
 
 
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPOTLIGHT
 
The Community Engagement Spotlight presents an opportunity to highlight key ways in which our residents are being engaged. We would like to highlight three such efforts: (1) the residents who shared their post-Harvey stories through the "Behind the Wall" Canvassing, (2) the Independence Heights Senior Citizen Furniture Giveaway and (3) the Houston Still Needs You Campaign.
 
"Behind the Wall" Canvassing
 
We thank and recognize the residents of Northeast Houston who told their personal stories of their post-Harvey needs in our "Behind the Wall" canvassing. With this canvassing effort, we revisited residents in Northeast Houston (five months post-Harvey) to make sure we could capture their stories of the existing needs and challenges they face. We must keep these stories top of mind so that we can continue to pull together the resources we need in order to help. To access this footage please click on the image below: 

 
  Hurricane Harvey Furniture for Senior Citizens Delivery
 
We would also like to thank Exclusive Furniture for donating free furniture to 30 senior citizen households in Independence Heights. Council Member Edwards recommended this community because she went door to door in Independence Heights immediately after Harvey and witnessed the widespread need among the senior citizen population. This visit inspired her Northeast Houston canvassing program so it was time to come full circle with this community. Many of these seniors in this community were reluctant to discard their flood damaged furniture because of their fear of not being able to replace it. With this generous effort, e ach senior citizen household received some stress relief by receiving 3 rooms of furniture!
 
Houston Still Needs You Campaign
 
In February, Mayor Turner and the Department of Neighborhoods launched the Houston Still Needs You campaign. With this campaign, volunteers may sign up to assist with house repairs. To join the project, visit: www.houstotx.gov/volunteer . The City of Houston is working with FEMA to apply the volunteer hours spent on this project as credits used to offset some of the money the city would normally pay as part of its share of disaster relief funding.
 
AROUND THE CITY
 
The City of Houston Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) meetings commenced on March 1, 2018 in District F. These meetings will be held throughout the month of March and will feature Mayor Turner and other members of his administration. Through the CIP meetings, residents receive information regarding plans for existing and future capital improvement projects in the district and have the opportunity to speak with members of the Administration. The scheduled CIP meetings are as follows:
 
March 1, 2018   6:30 pm       District F, Alief Community Center
March 5. 2018   6:30 pm       District B, Fifth Ward Community Center
March 6, 2018   6:00 pm       District E - Kingwood, Kingwood Community Center
March 7, 2018   6:30 pm       District H, Moody Park
March 19, 2018 6:00 pm       District G, Tallowood Church
March 20, 2018 6:30 pm       District D, Location Pending
March 21, 2018 6:30 pm       District C, Location Pending
March 22, 2018 6:30 pm       District E - Clear Lake, Lone Star Flight Museum
March 26, 2018 6:30 pm       District I, Houston Community College - Eastside Campus
March 27, 2018 6:30 pm       District A, Spring Woods High School
March 28, 2018 6:30 pm       District J, Bayland Park
March 29, 2018 6:30 pm       District K, Fountain of Life Center
 
To confirm these dates and times or to find more information about the upcoming CIP meetings, contact your respective District Council Member.

Thank you for taking the time to read The Edwards Edition!