VOLUME II | EDITION III | OCTOBER 2019
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In this issue: Change Happens celebrates 30 years at its Annual Fall Luncheon, The launch of the speaker series “Thinking Brilliantly, Changing the World," My Brother's Keeper "Each One of Us" Mentoring Program Kickoff, Change Happens receives CSH Certification, Change Happens CEO named 50 for 50 Alumni, ACA Funding Announcement, Bcycle & Block Captain Kickoff, HYPE 3.0 & Self-Sufficiency Fund Programs, and Recapping the Peer Recovery Festival.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Change Happens! quarterly newsletter,
The Changing Times
. Our name highlights "change," but more than that, it embodies the evolution our clients and the community undergo when truly empowered with education, resources, and hope. This year, Change Happens! has been busy
empowering people to help themselves
through comprehensive programs and services. With your help, Change Happens! has changed the life trajectory of many underserved individuals in the community. Read more about our work below and join us as we continue to
#MakeChangeHappen
!
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"Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence"
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THE FALL LUNCHEON
A Celebration of a 30-Year Legacy
We are thrilled to announce our 15th annual fall luncheon in celebration of Change Happens' 30-year anniversary! This year, we are excited to present
Susan L. Taylor
as our keynote and gospel recording artist
Brian Courtney Wilson
as entertainment.
Deborah Duncan
will emcee the luncheon and we will honor
Dr. Elwyn Lee
, Vice President for Neighborhood & Strategic Initiatives at the University of Houston, with the "Making Change Happen" Hero Award; and the
Honorable Garnet Coleman
with the Community Change Maker Award.
Click
here
for more information.
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"THINKING BRILLIANTLY, CHANGING THE WORLD"
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Change Happens is delighted and exceptionally grateful to launch the Thinking Brilliantly, Change the World speaker series. The speaker series is a significant opportunity to engage mind and imagination. Our hope is that these conversations will create a space for enlightened, empowered, and compassionate action. Please join us to keep the conversation going and create a world with good life outcomes for all.
Change Happens selected Dr. Michael Eric Dyson as the inaugural speaker. Dr. Dyson is a Georgetown University sociology professor, a New York Times contributing opinion writer, and a contributing editor of The New Republic, and of ESPN's The Undefeated website. His rise from humble roots in Detroit to world class intellectual, noted author of 19 books, prominent leader and national media fixture, testify to his extraordinary talent. Dyson has also taught at other elite universities like Brown University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Columbia University and The University of Pennsylvania.
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EACH ONE OF US MENTORING PROGRAM
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On September 19, 2019, Change Happens and My Brother’s Keeper Houston hosted a kickoff event for the Each One of Us Mentoring Program. This kickoff event introduced the program to community leaders, stakeholders, parents, students, and school officials. Audience members had the opportunity to meet the mentees, and learn about the program goals and objectives. The event was hosted by Jonathan Martin of Fox 26 News, and speakers included Nöel Pinnock, Bureau Chief of Adolescent Health, Judy Harris, Deputy Director for the City of Houston Health Department, Helen Stagg, CEO of Changes Happens, and MBK staff, Destiny McCoy, Leo Newman, and Steven Benson. Nöel Pinnock encouraged the mentees to dream big, and never lose hope, Ms. Harris issued a call to action for men to get involved in the lives of boys and young men of color.
The highlight of the event was the introduction of the mentees. Filled with ambition and anxiousness, the mentees were introduced one by one. The introduction of the mentees marks the beginning of long-lasting positive change the program will have on the young men and their communities. Change Happens’ Each One of Us Mentoring Program is mobilizing resources, and promoting what works; with the goal of encouraging mentorship, reducing youth violence, and improving life outcomes for boys and young men of color, "said Helen Stagg, CEO of Change Happens. Stagg added, “those outcomes include decreasing attitudes in supporting violence and willingness to use violence in conflict situations, increase high school graduation rates, and increase college enrollment."
Click
here to learn more about MBK Each One of Us Mentoring Program.
The project described is supported by the Barack Obama Foundation, My Brother's Keeper Initiative. Content are solely the the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Barack Obama Foundation, My Brother's Keeper Initiative.
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TRULY AN HONOR: 50 FOR 50 ALUMNI HONOREE
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Helen Stagg, Change Happens' CEO
was recently named one of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work's 50 for 50 honorees. This recognition honors 50 GCSW alumni who "represent the vision of achieveing social, racial, economic, and political justice." A commemorative event in the celebration of 50 years of social work education was held on August 17, 2019 at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel where Ms. Stagg and fellow alumni accepted the award.
Click
here
for more information.
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Ms. Helen Stagg, Change Happens! CEO
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Change Happens' housing division recently underwent a Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) Quality Supportive Housing Certification review to determine if the program met or exceeds CSH Dimensions of Quality Supportive Housing standards. After an extensive certification process, culminating in an on-site visit, we are thrilled to report that Change Happens' permanent housing program exceeded the Dimensions of Quality Supportive Housing Standards.
Click
here
to learn more about The Rescue in Motion Supportive Housing Program.
The project described is supported by Grant Number TX039L6E01804 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Content are solely the the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
.
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ACA NAVIGATORS FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT
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Change Happens has been awarded just over $400,000 to help assist in the upcoming enrollment for 2020 indivdual and family health coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Change Happens is only one of two organizations in the entire state to recieve federal navigator grants which help pay for outreach, education, and enrollment assistance for those wanting to sign-up for health insurance through the health insurance exchange. According to the Texas Medical Association , more than 4.3 million Texans- including 623,000 children- lack health insurance. Moreover, roughly 50,000 people in the Houston area lack health insurance coverage-nearly half of those -or about 24,000- are under 19. This enrollment assistance is crucial in helping consumers make important decisions and options for affordable health insurance coverage. Change Happens will cover thirty counties in the Greater Gulf Coast Region. Open Enrollment is November 1, 2019-December 15, 2019.
Click
here
for more information about the ACA Navigator Program.
The project described is supported by Grant Number 1 NAVCA 190358-01-00 from the HHS office, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Contents are solely the responsibilty of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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On August 24th, 2019, Change Happens launched two exciting new programs in the Third Ward Community!
The
B-Cycle Go Pass
program offers the convenience of bike share at a reduced cost to individuals with incomes less than $35,000. The GO Pass will cost $3 per month (with a cash payment option) and will allow pass holders to take unlimited 90-minute rides throughout the Houston BCycle system!
The
Third Ward Block Improvement Group (B.I.G.)
is comprised of resident leaders who are empowered to improve the physical and social fabric of the community, block by block. These residents serve a critical role in uniting the neighborhood, connecting individual residents to the resources of the Northern Third Ward Neighborhood Implementation Project, and other community organizations and initiatives.
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On september 7, 2019, Change Happens’ STAIRS 2.0, and Rescue in Motion Homeless programs celebrated National Recovery Month 30th Anniversary as a supporter and sponsor of the Fifth Annual Peer Recovery Festival. This annual event hosted by the Center for Recovery and Wellness Resources (CRWR), The Houston Recovery Initiative Work Group; Recovery Community Organizations and Peer Support. The event is a meaningful investment in the development of peers who can provide support to individuals affected by drugs and alcohol and mental health disorders in our community. This year's festival highlighted the talents and hard work of peer recovery workers as they work to achieve long-term recovery in the lives of others. Festival goers enjoyed food, raffles, fun, music, and vendors from Houston recovery-oriented services.
This year highlights include a peer play production called “Recovery Does Happen.” Twenty peers worked on a recovery message to show how to get connected to different pathways of recovery and rebuild and rejoin life in the community. Recovery Month helps
to increase awareness and understanding of mental and substance use disorders and celebrate the people who recover.
Click
here
for more information about STAIRS 2.0 Program.
The project described is supported by Grant # 3H79TIO80562-02S1 from the HHS offices of
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Contents are solely the responsibilty of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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WHAT'S NEW AT CHANGE HAPPENS!
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In May 2019, Change Happens was awarded the Self-Sufficiency Fund (SSF) program by Texas Workforce Commission. SSF provides low-income adults with
occupational skills training in Welding, Construction, and Logistics from Houston Community College. Upon completion of the training, program participants received credentials that help to place them in high-demand high-skills industries.
The Self- Sufficiency Fund program seeks to provide training for targeted employment opportunities that prepare adults receiving
Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) and individuals at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance to achieve self-sufficiency.
Click
here
for more information about the SSF Program.
The project described is supported by Grant Number 2819SSF2002 from the Texas Workforce Commission. Contents are solely the responsibilty of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Texas Workforce Commission.
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This summer, Change Happens was selected by the US Office of Population Affairs to receive a two-year teen pregnancy prevention grant. HYPE 3.0 targets African American and Hispanic/Latino youth, ages 14-19 living in Houston, Texas and attending designated schools and community centers within Harris County.
HYPE 3.0 is designed to replicate programs that have been proven effective through rigorous evaluations to reduce teen pregnancy, behavioral risk factors underlying teenage pregnancy, or other associated risk.
Click
here
for more information about the HYPE 3.0 Program.
The project described is supported by Grant Number 1 TP1AH000187-01-00
from the HHS office of Population Affairs.
Contents are solely the responsibilty of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Health and Human Services or the Office of Population Affairs.
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SHARE THIS WITH YOUR NETWORK!
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Change Happens! is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Change Happens! tax identification number is 76-0297531.
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