HPD Team Talks About Approach to Homeless Problem 

Sgt. Espinoza describes solutions and services his team handles regarding homeless issues .
It's estimated that there are 4,400 sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons in Harris County, Fort Bend County and Montgomery County combined.
 
Westchase District is not immune from the situation as more homeless encampments pop up in our area.
 
To better understand the issue, Don McKinney, vice president of public safety for Westchase District, hosted a presentation by the Houston Police Department Homeless Outreach Team (HOT).
 
Speaking to the Westchase District Public Safety Alliance, Sgt. Roger Espinoza, team leader, said HOT is comprised of one sergeant, six HPD officers, one Metro PD officer, one senior police service officer, and three case managers from the Harris Center for Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).



CityWestPlace Serving As Drop-Off Location for School Supplies & Donations to Foerster Elementary


A drive for school supplies and more for Foerster Elementary School is now underway. CityWestPlace at 2103 CityWest Boulevard (suite 130) is serving as a key collection point thanks to Parkway Properties. 

Parkway's collection campaign will run through March 13. The school is also in need of mentors. Ways to help are outlined on Friends of Foerster's website.  Southwest Houston's Foerster Elementary School serves an at-risk community where children experience a range of challenging and often tragic circumstances. 

By making a donation of new or gently used items, you can help these students have the tools to focus on and excel in their classes.
 
A partial list of items for which Parkway is seeking donations includes academic supplies, musical instruments, art supplies, children's  furniture items for counseling sessions, c lothing for children in classes from Pre-K to 5th grade, h ygiene products in full and travel sizes, n on-perishable food items to build a school food pantry, t echnology items and interactive  games.



Sponsorship and Volunteer Opportunities Still Available for Upcoming 23rd Annual Corporate Challenge

Carry the day for a good cause: Add a sponsorship to your company's briefcase or enlist volunteers for the Corporate Challenge. Y our support helps the community.

The 23rd Annual Westchase District Corporate Challenge, presented by  Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, is quickly approaching sold out status. However, you can still get in on the fun and promotional opportunities. Major sponsorships remain available and we're looking for volunteers to assist at each of our six sporting events. T o date, Corporate Challenge has raised more than $280,000 for area charities. Your sponsorship support helps organizations like Quillian Center and the Westchase District Community Fund. For as little as $950, you can join our growing list of major sponsors:

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteering, please email Sherry Fox or call 713-780-9434. 


  Thursdays @ 3 p.m.  *Rain or shine* St. Cyril of Alexandria Catholic Church
10503 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77042 (at Rogerdale, just west of Beltway 8)


FIRE UP THE GRILL & MAKE YOUR BBQ SIZZLE WITH MEATS FROM ERBE RANCH

Spring like weather means it's time for outdoor grilling. To feed your family or friends, treat them to hearty, hefty and flavorful meats from Erbe Ranch. 

Erbe Ranch has meats by the pound. Chop talk with owner Brian Findeisen to hear why Erbe Ranch's selection of meats will make your backyard barbecue better. Findeisen's family, who has been farming for generations, focuses on the qualities of 100-percent grass-fed and grass-finished beef, pasture raised, heritage-breed pork, and beyond organic chicken. 

Livestock are raised on Erbe's Cat Springs farm, free from growth hormones, antibiotics or vaccines on pastures grown without herbicides, pesticides, insecticides or chemical fertilizers.

A feast of succulent steaks, chops and burgers could use some sausage. Not just any sausage, but straight from the farm is what Texas sausage is all about. Dry, stuffed into natural hog casings, seasoned with salt and pepper and smoked, Erbe's Texas sausage comes in different beef and pork varieties. 

The ranch also produces smoked bacon, handcrafted goat cheese, preservative-free salsa, Texas pecans, local honey and handmade pickles. 

 


Brian Findeisen and his wife Nicole own Erbe Ranch near Columbus. You'll find Brian at the Farmers Market most Thursdays. 


Great on the grill: Erbe's smoked pork chops, steaks, sausage and chicken are renowned for flavor.


City of Houston Invites Employers to Hire Houston Youth

While summer is a time for youth to gain work experience, it's also when employers can invest in youth. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is encouraging the private sector and nonprofit community to support Hire Houston Youth (HHY), a program that provides access to employment opportunities for young people ages 16-24. 

In its 5 th year, the HHY program has grown from 450 jobs to 11,400 jobs in 2019.
 

Most opportunities begin June 8, 2020 and end July 30, 2020 (estimated dates). The application portal for youth to apply for jobs is now open and will close April 8, 2020 for City of Houston positions, May 1, 2020 for Nonprofit companies, and May 8, 2020 for private corporations.
 
All positions offer at least seven weeks of employment, and employers are asked to compensate youth at least $9 an hour. 

For more information, visit  hirehoustonyouth.org . Companies or agencies with jobs, internships, or apprenticeships should  sign up here or contact the Mayor's Office at 281-386-1436.
 

Houston Community College Turns 50, Celebration  Gala on May 2 at Hilton Americas-Houston


The HCC Foundation Gold Gala will be the premier kick-off for Houston Community College's 50th-anniversary celebration - five decades of providing high quality, affordable higher education for Houston's workforce. The gala will be held at Hilton Americas-Houston at 1600 Lamar St on May 2. Registration and reception begin at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is at 7:30 p.m.

The evening will highlight the power of education to transform a student's life and honor Renee and Alan Helfman and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for their community support and commitment to education.

Funds raised at the HCC Foundation Gold Gala will support areas of greatest need on behalf of HCC student success, including scholarships for HCC students, two-thirds of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and nearly half of whom are the first in their family to pursue higher education. 

  

About Westchase District
Westchase District is a municipal management district funded by local property owners in a 4.2 square-mile area centered on Sam Houston Tollway between I-10 and US-59 on the west side of Houston, Texas. 

The district promotes growth by enhancing: 
  • Mobility
  • Beautification 
  • Public Safety
  • Planning and Development

 

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