Community Exchange
Learning paths, guides, and civic knowledge. Understand what shapes your community.
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Campus Coffees for Change is a free program that helps college students build community while taking action to protect democracy. Students gather with 5-10 friends for one hour at a café, dining hall, or home to have meaningful conversations about democracy and decide how to make a difference together. Democracy Forward provides a free toolkit with conversation starters, action ideas, and book recommendations. The program counters feelings of being overwhelmed by far-right policies by building real connections between students. Students can also become Campus Ambassadors, hosting at least 4 gatherings per year and gaining valuable organizing skills, networking opportunities, and even chances to attend conferences. The program includes practical action items students can take after their gatherings, like volunteering on campus or in their community. Democracy Forward, founded in 2017, is a national legal organization that uses law and policy to advance democracy for all people. This simple but powerful approach helps students find courage and strength in each other while taking concrete steps to protect democratic values on their campuses and beyond.
Systems thinking helps you understand why problems keep happening by looking deeper than what you first see. The Iceberg Model shows four levels: Events (what just happened), Patterns (what keeps happening), Structures (the rules and systems that cause patterns), and Mental Models (the deep beliefs that create everything else). Like a real iceberg, most of the problem is hidden underwater. For example, if families lose their homes, the event is one family losing housing. The pattern is more families losing homes each year. The structure includes laws that limit affordable housing and wages not keeping up with costs. The mental model is believing housing should be bought and sold, not treated as a right. Working at deeper levels creates longer-lasting change. When you only fix events, you're just putting out fires. When you change mental models - people's basic beliefs - you can transform entire systems. The tool works best with other people who can see different parts of the problem. You can practice by picking any community problem and asking what you see at each level, then deciding where you can make the most change.
A new study by More in Common shows Americans badly misunderstand how much political violence their opponents support. After Charlie Kirk was killed in September 2025, researchers found people think the other political party supports violence way more than they actually do. Democrats think 47% of Republicans support violence against Democrats, but only 13% really do. Even worse, only 3.5% of Democrats and 2.4% of Republicans would support throwing rocks at protesters from the other side. But 40% of people from both parties think the other side would support this - that's ten times higher than reality. Social media makes this problem worse by showing the most extreme voices instead of normal people. The study found that 85% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats believe in free speech for everyone, but each side thinks only half the other party believes this. These wrong ideas create a dangerous cycle where people get angry about threats that don't really exist. The research shows most Americans actually share the same basic democratic values, but social media and extreme voices make us think we're more divided than we are.
LISC Houston is part of a national organization called Local Initiatives Support Corporation that helps build up neighborhoods that need more investment. They work with local leaders and residents in Houston to create more opportunities and fair development. LISC Houston believes communities know what they need best, so they listen to people who live in these areas and help them become changemakers. They offer several key services: Community Development Investments provide grants, loans, and help for housing, small businesses, and basic infrastructure like roads and utilities. The T4T Fellowship is a special program that trains Houston's neighborhood leaders to become better civic leaders who can make bigger changes in their communities. They also build partnerships between grassroots groups, people with money to invest, and big institutions so everyone can work together. Finally, they give policy and advocacy support, teaching residents how to get involved in city planning, fight for fair housing, and work for economic justice. LISC Houston's goal is to give communities the money, strategies, and relationships they need to succeed on their own terms.
The Bill of Rights Institute offers free educational resources to help students learn about civic issues and understand the news better. Their website includes lessons on media literacy that teach students how to tell the difference between facts and opinions, spot bias in news stories, and evaluate if sources are trustworthy. They also provide current events articles and debate topics about important issues like social media age limits, AI in schools, and government spending. Students can participate in online debates and vote on different topics. The site includes lessons about the Constitution, Supreme Court cases, and how to have respectful discussions about politics. Teachers can use these materials to help students become better informed citizens who can think critically about the information they see online and in the news. All resources are free and designed to build civic knowledge and media literacy skills.
This online event teaches people about how authoritarian leaders use gender issues to divide communities and gain power. Two expert speakers will share a six-strategy framework that shows how these leaders exploit fears about gender to justify extreme measures and limit rights. The presentation includes examples from Europe and North America, with a special focus on Hungary. The event runs from 11 AM to 12:15 PM Eastern Time on October 7th and includes 30 minutes for audience questions. Attendees will learn to recognize these tactics, understand how movements can respond without increasing polarization, and get practical examples they can use in their own organizing work. The speakers are Míriam Juan-Torres González from the Democracy & Belonging Forum and Stefánia Kapronczay, a Hungarian human rights defender with 20 years of experience. This educational session helps people decode the playbook authoritarians use, protect civic spaces, and learn from experiences across different countries. The event is designed for funders, organizers, and anyone interested in defending democratic values and building belonging in their communities.
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences publishes research reports and magazines on important topics like democracy, education, healthcare, and social issues. Their publications include guides for college leaders on teaching civic skills, reports on AI in mental health care, and research on how war affects democracy. They also publish a magazine called Dædalus that explores big questions about society and culture. The Academy studies topics like immigration policy, civil justice, free speech, and educational equity. Their reports help leaders and citizens understand complex issues and make better decisions. Most publications are available online and cover national and global topics. The Academy brings together experts from different fields to research problems and suggest solutions. Their work helps bridge academic research with real-world policy needs.
The Burning Glass Institute studies how work and education are changing in America. Their research shows that artificial intelligence (AI) is changing which skills workers need. They found that companies that hire based on skills instead of just college degrees can find better workers and pay them more, especially women and minority workers. The institute also studied college programs that help students succeed after graduation. Students who got extra support earned more money and advanced faster in their careers. The research shows that rural communities often get overlooked in workforce data, making it harder for them to get resources. The institute created new ways to measure which job training programs actually help people build careers, not just get higher wages right away. Their work helps educators, employers, and policymakers understand how to prepare workers for the future job market. All of this research is available to help communities make better decisions about education and workforce development.
The Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University offers a collection of research articles and papers about deliberative democracy and civic dialogue. These resources teach people how to have better conversations about public issues and work together to solve community problems. The articles cover topics like how our brains work during discussions, why good processes matter for democracy, and how to include everyone in public conversations. Some papers focus on 'wicked problems' - complex issues that don't have easy answers - and explain how deliberative engagement can help communities tackle these challenges. The collection includes research on listening skills, empathy, and how to be a 'wise collaborator' rather than just an informed citizen. These materials are written by academic experts and are designed to help people understand the theory and practice of public deliberation. The resources are particularly useful for community leaders, students, and anyone interested in improving how we discuss and decide on public issues together.
Some problems are really hard to solve because people have different values and opinions. These are called 'wicked problems.' For example, with gun violence, it's not just about being for or against guns - there are many different viewpoints about safety, rights, mental health, and more. The same thing happens with airport security - everyone wants to be safe, but they also want privacy, convenience, and fairness. These problems can't be solved with simple answers because they involve choosing between good things that sometimes conflict with each other. When we understand that most big issues have multiple sides and values, we can work together better to find solutions that balance everyone's needs. This approach helps communities talk through tough choices instead of just picking sides.
BreakBread World creates special conversation questions that help people get to know each other better. These aren't about politics or current events. Instead, they ask about personal experiences like love, truth, freedom, and faith. The questions help people move beyond small talk at dinner parties and community gatherings. They focus on who you are as a person, not just what you do for work. Examples include asking how love has changed in your life, what truth means to you, or when you felt free or trapped. The organization believes these deeper questions help people from different backgrounds find common ground and build real connections. They offer prompts that work across different cultures and generations because they focus on universal human experiences that make life meaningful.
The Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University runs the Democracy and Journalism Project (DJP) to help communities have better conversations about local issues. They work with the Coloradoan newspaper to collect opinions on local topics each week. Every month, they host events at the library to discuss issues like housing and how to reduce political division. They also created guides to help communities talk about local journalism and fight misinformation. The project includes college classes where students create a website with local news and reporting. They've held webinars teaching people how to solve tough community problems and address false information. Their goal is to strengthen local news and help people have more respectful discussions about important issues. All their materials and events are designed to help communities work together better, whether it's understanding different viewpoints or improving how local news works.
The Cullen Foundation shared how they spent $17.16 million in grants during 2023. They gave money to four main areas that help Houston communities. The biggest amount went to Public Service programs ($4.7 million), which includes things like community centers and social services. Cultural programs got $6.5 million to support arts, museums, and cultural activities. Health Care received $4 million to help hospitals, clinics, and health programs. Education got $1.9 million for schools and learning programs. This foundation is one of Houston's major sources of funding for nonprofits and community organizations. The grants help thousands of people across the city access better services, education, healthcare, and cultural opportunities. Organizations can look at this information to understand what types of programs the Cullen Foundation supports and how much funding they typically provide in each area.
The Cullen Foundation gave out $19.6 million in grants during 2025 to help Houston organizations. The money went to four main areas: Public Service got the most at $8.6 million, followed by Education at $4.4 million, Health Care at $3.6 million, and Cultural programs at $2.95 million. The Cullen Foundation is a major Houston philanthropy that supports local nonprofits and community programs. This grant summary shows how much money was given to each area but doesn't list specific organizations that received funding. People can visit their website to learn more about individual grants and see which organizations got support. The foundation focuses on improving Houston through funding education, healthcare, public services, and arts programs.
The Center for Public Deliberation at Colorado State University shares reports from community forums and projects that bring people together to discuss important local issues. These reports cover topics like housing, air quality, waste management, elder abuse, mental health, food systems, and urban planning. The center helps communities have better conversations about problems they face together. Their reports show what people learned and decided during these community meetings. They use special methods to help people with different views talk respectfully and find common ground. The reports include data, photos, and summaries from events held between 2007-2025. Some focus on specific cities like Fort Collins, while others look at broader regional issues in Northern Colorado. The center also publishes yearly reports about their work. These resources help other communities learn how to run their own public forums and deliberation processes. The reports demonstrate how regular citizens can come together to tackle complex local challenges through structured dialogue and collaborative problem-solving.
Compassionate Houston runs a program called 'Compassion Through the Arts' that celebrates local artists who create work about empathy and understanding others. The organization believes art can help people connect with each other and build stronger communities. In 2021, they formed a committee with board members and three local artists to find Houston's most compassionate artists. The committee selected three Artists of the Year - one each from visual arts, literature, and music. These artists create work that helps people understand different perspectives and experiences. The program showcases nine total artists through poster displays that explain each artist's background and how they use their art to promote compassion. Visitors can view these posters online to learn about how Houston's creative community is working to bring people together through art. The initiative aims to spread compassion throughout Houston by highlighting artists whose work helps people empathically connect with situations different from their own experiences.
The Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University studies how to make mental health and substance abuse care more affordable and easier to get. Many people struggle to find mental health services because insurance doesn't cover enough or there aren't enough doctors. The center's experts research ways to fix these problems. They study mental health parity laws that require insurance to cover mental health the same as physical health. They also look at new ways to provide care, like mobile health units and telehealth. The center publishes reports and blogs to help lawmakers and health officials understand what works. Their research covers topics like the 988 crisis hotline, provider networks, and innovative treatment models. They want to help all families get the mental health care they need without facing insurance barriers or high costs. The center provides unbiased information to help create better health insurance policies.
Compassionate Houston runs a program called 'Compassion Through the Arts' that celebrates local artists who create work about empathy and understanding. The organization believes art can help people connect with others who are different from them by letting us 'stand in another's shoes.' In 2021, they formed a committee with board members and three local artists from visual art, writing, and music to pick the best compassionate artists in Houston. Each committee member nominated 3-4 artists from their field, and together they chose three winners - one from each art category - to receive Artist of the Year awards. The website shows posters for all nine nominated artists, explaining their backgrounds and how they use art to spread compassion. Visitors can click on each poster to see it larger and learn about how these artists are building a more caring Houston community through their creative work.
The Builders Movement offers free tools to help people solve problems that divide communities. Their toolkit includes a 30-day challenge to reduce political anger, classroom materials for high school teachers, and online activities that build empathy. The main tool is a crash course that teaches people how to be 'Builders' - people who solve problems by working together instead of fighting. The movement focuses on teaching curiosity, compassion, courage, and creativity. They provide resources for schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods to have better conversations across differences. Their toolkit includes research on media bias, guides for talking across generations, and ways to measure if conversations bring people together or push them apart. Everything is designed to help Americans find common ground and work together on shared challenges. The organization believes that ordinary people can learn skills to bridge divides and create positive change in their communities.
The Bill of Rights Institute offers free educational videos for students from elementary through high school to learn about American history, government, and civic values. Their video library includes playlists covering key historical documents, Supreme Court cases, and important events like the Revolutionary War, Constitutional Convention, and Civil Rights Movement. The videos range from 5-7 minutes and break down complex topics into easy-to-understand segments. Teachers can use these videos in classrooms, and students can watch them for homework help. The content covers everything from the basics of how government works to detailed analysis of primary sources and landmark court cases. Special series include mini-documentaries about pivotal moments in American history like D-Day, the March on Washington, and the battles of Lexington and Concord. The institute also offers age-appropriate content for different grade levels, from elementary school through high school, helping students understand their rights, responsibilities, and the foundations of American democracy.
The Builders Movement creates articles and resources to help Americans find common ground across political differences. Their website 'The Feed' shares stories about how people with different political views can work together on shared problems. Recent articles cover topics like voting myths in Texas, how couples with different politics stay together, and finding shared values on healthcare. The organization focuses on practical skills for having better conversations, changing minds respectfully, and solving community problems together. They offer a weekly email with real-life stories and action steps. The content helps people understand complex issues from multiple perspectives, avoid political manipulation, and build trust across divides. Articles cover Texas-specific topics like power grid improvements, healthcare access, and property taxes, as well as national issues like democracy, mental health, and immigration. The goal is to help readers become 'builders' who can bridge differences and create positive change in their communities through better dialogue and shared problem-solving.
Compassionate Houston created this resource page to share tools for building compassion and kindness in daily life. The page offers many different ways to learn about and practice compassion. You can find Random Acts of Kindness activities for February 17th, volunteer opportunities with local Houston organizations, and free courses on compassion skills. There are also videos about self-care, podcasts about the science of awe, and meditation guides for loving-kindness. The resources include a book recommendation from Dr. James Doty about how kindness changed his life, art projects that explore compassion, and simple activities you can do for yourself and others. Everything is designed to help people understand compassion better and put it into action in their communities. The page connects to partner organizations that offer volunteer opportunities throughout Greater Houston. Whether you want to learn the science behind kindness, practice meditation, take a free course, or find ways to volunteer, this collection has something for everyone interested in making Houston more compassionate.
All In Together created this comprehensive starter guide for people who want to get involved in their communities and government. The guide is organized by experience level, starting with complete beginners who need to register to vote and learn about elections. It then moves to deeper engagement like advocating for your community, meeting with elected officials, and learning about policies. The guide includes templates for telling your story, finding your issue priorities, and building relationships with representatives. It also covers how to volunteer on campaigns, become a poll worker, and seek appointed positions on local boards. All In Together has trained women in civic engagement for 10 years and compiled their best resources into this free guide. The organization offers to share materials with schools and other groups, and provides a chatbot to answer civic questions. The guide connects to many partner organizations that offer voting tools, policy explanations, and ways to track legislation. Everything is designed to help people move from just voting to becoming active community advocates and leaders.
Pam's Corner is a collection of heartfelt writings by Pam Lewis, Board Chair of Compassionate Houston. Since 2023, Pam has shared quarterly reflections in their newsletter about building compassion, connection, and community belonging. Her writings explore themes like finding good in difficult times, helping people grow through caring attention, and creating inclusive communities where everyone belongs. Each reflection connects personal stories with broader ideas about kindness, Ubuntu philosophy, and compassionate living. Pam draws inspiration from speakers like Father Gregory Boyle, books about deep human connection, and community events like Compassion Week. Her words encourage readers to see how small acts of kindness can change the world, one interaction at a time. The archive makes it easy to revisit past messages for inspiration and grounding. Topics include celebrating community gardens, connecting across differences, practicing welcome and inclusion, and recognizing our shared humanity. These reflections serve as a steady source of wisdom for people seeking to build more compassionate relationships and communities in Houston.
Bloomberg Government is a professional service that helps business leaders and policy professionals understand what's happening in Washington D.C. They provide detailed reports and analysis about Congress, federal spending, and government decisions that affect businesses. Their featured content includes tracking health care debates in Congress, analyzing how the Trump administration approaches policy, and explaining how federal budget decisions are made. This is a subscription-based service designed for professionals who need to stay informed about government policy and regulatory changes that could impact their work or industry. Bloomberg Government offers specialized reports, real-time updates on Congressional activities, and strategic insights to help organizations navigate the complex world of federal policy and spending decisions.
Artist Boat is an environmental organization in Galveston, Texas that has been working since 2003 to protect nature through art and education. They publish annual reports every year that show their progress and accomplishments. These reports are available on their website going back over 20 years, from 2003-2004 to 2023-2024. The reports help people understand how Artist Boat has grown and what they've achieved in combining art with environmental conservation. Artist Boat focuses on protecting coastal areas, wetlands, and wildlife through creative programs that teach people about nature. Their annual reports document their educational programs, conservation projects, and community partnerships. People can read these reports to learn about environmental issues in the Gulf Coast region and see how art can be used to protect the planet. The organization is based in Galveston and works throughout the Texas coast to inspire environmental stewardship through artistic expression.
BreakBread Work helps people build stronger relationships at work through meaningful conversations over food. Created by Martha Williams and John Scilipote, this program teaches workers how to connect better with their coworkers, create trust, and build empathy in the workplace. The founders also hosted the Culture Shift Podcast, where they talked with leaders about creating positive changes in organizations during difficult times. BreakBread Work offers training and tools to help companies create better workplace cultures where people feel they belong and can work together more effectively. The program focuses on teaching conversation skills that help people be more present and engaged with each other. This approach helps build communities of care and connection in professional settings. Workers can learn how to have deeper, more meaningful conversations that strengthen their relationships with colleagues and create more supportive work environments.
The Houston Arts Alliance takes part in a big national study called Arts & Economic Prosperity. This study looks at how arts and culture help the economy in 373 communities across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The study shows how much money arts bring to different places, from small towns of 4,000 people to big cities with 4.7 million people. Houston has been part of both the 5th and 6th versions of this study. The research proves that arts and culture are important for local economies. People can visit the Houston Arts Alliance website to see the local study results for Houston. This information helps city leaders understand why supporting arts programs matters for the community's financial health.
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation runs a program to help refugee families in four countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Uganda. More than 117 million people worldwide have been forced to leave their homes due to war, violence, or persecution. Over 43 million of these are refugees. The Foundation uses a 'two-generation approach' - helping both refugee children and their parents at the same time. They provide early childhood education and development programs for kids while helping parents find jobs and start businesses. The goal is to help 500,000 children reach important development milestones and get 25,000 parents employed by 2026. The Foundation believes refugees have great strength and can contribute to their new communities. They focus on funding refugee-led organizations and making sure refugees have a voice in decisions that affect their lives. In 2022, they provided 46% of all trackable funding that went to refugee-led organizations worldwide. The program also works to remove legal barriers that prevent refugees from accessing services and employment. By helping both generations together, they create stronger families and communities.
Disagree Better is a national movement that teaches Americans how to have healthy disagreements without being mean to each other. Started by nearly half of U.S. governors, this nonprofit organization helps people learn that conflict can be good when done respectfully. They provide simple tools and techniques to stay curious instead of combative during tough conversations. The movement addresses America's polarization crisis - 67% of Americans feel exhausted by political division, and 90% say political conflict has gotten worse. Through practical guides, online courses, parenting toolkits, and community service projects, Disagree Better shows that we can disagree on important issues while still treating each other with dignity. Their approach includes modeling good behavior through public figures, providing practical conversation tools, building connections through shared projects, and offering education and training. When people see leaders treating each other respectfully, it gives everyone permission to do the same. The goal is to restore trust in our democracy by teaching that we can work through our differences to find real solutions without being enemies.
Upstream is a podcast by Houston Endowment that brings together researchers and changemakers to discuss what's working in Houston communities. Each episode features conversations about new approaches and promising findings across four main areas: civic engagement, education, arts and culture, and green spaces. The podcast highlights how organizations and individuals around the Houston region are making a positive impact. Recent episodes have explored topics like the Greater Houston Arts Survey, which captures detailed information about how artists live and work in the city, and the 'Grow Your Own' effort in local school districts. The podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, making it easy for anyone interested in community improvement to learn from local experts and organizations.
The Cullen Foundation is a major Houston philanthropic organization that gave away $19 million in grants during 2021. They support four main areas: healthcare ($8.6 million), public service ($5.1 million), cultural programs ($3.2 million), and education ($2 million). This grant report shows how the foundation distributes funding across different community needs. The Cullen Foundation has been supporting Houston-area organizations for decades, focusing on improving health, education, culture, and public services. Their grants help fund hospitals, schools, museums, social service agencies, and other nonprofits that serve the Houston community. This annual report provides transparency about where their charitable dollars go and demonstrates their commitment to addressing diverse community needs through strategic philanthropy.
The Hillcrest Foundation helps older adults in Nebraska by giving them special gifts that make their lives better. They provide things like lift chairs to help people get up safely, wheelchair ramps for easier home access, magnifying lights for reading, and even special celebrations like weddings and anniversaries. Each gift is chosen based on what each person really needs or wants. The foundation works with caregivers, family members, and the seniors themselves to understand what would help most. They have helped people celebrate final holidays with family, get mobility aids after strokes, and even arranged a wedding for a hospice patient. Their goal is to make sure every older adult feels valued and supported. While this organization serves the Omaha and Lincoln areas in Nebraska, it shows the kind of senior support services that communities need everywhere.
The Houston Food Bank provides a comprehensive collection of research materials and resources to help people learn about hunger and food insecurity in Houston. Their research section includes fact sheets in English and Spanish covering topics like the food bank's impact, hunger statistics, sustainability efforts, and Hurricane Harvey recovery. They offer detailed information about their many programs including Backpack Buddy for kids, Senior Box for older adults, SNAP assistance, nutrition education, and community food programs. The resources also include branding materials for partners, financial reports, and newsletters. All materials are designed to educate the community about food insecurity issues and the food bank's solutions. This is a valuable learning hub for anyone wanting to understand hunger in Houston and how the largest food bank in the area works to address it through multiple programs and community partnerships.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) conducts important research studies about air quality in the Houston area. These studies look at how air pollution affects people's health, test computer models that predict air quality, and create tools to measure greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. The research includes studies on how dirty air might cause premature births, how well air quality computer models work compared to real measurements at busy intersections, and methods for calculating emissions from transportation projects. H-GAC also studied fuel efficiency in Harris County over several years. This research helps local governments make better decisions about transportation and environmental policies to protect public health and improve air quality for Houston residents.
IM Houston publishes a newsletter called Mosaic that shares the latest news and updates about their work in the Houston community. The newsletter helps people stay informed about what's happening with IM Houston's programs and services. You can sign up to receive the newsletter by joining their mailing list. The organization also connects people to volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Houston. This is a simple way to stay connected with community news and find ways to get involved in helping others. The newsletter comes out regularly and covers various topics related to IM Houston's mission in the community.
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston created a video series called 'Welcome to Our House' that teaches people about different religious buildings and faiths. The series has 9 videos, each about 12-19 minutes long, showing what it's like inside houses of worship from different religions. You can learn about Christian Protestant and Catholic churches, Jewish synagogues, Islamic mosques, Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, Baháʼí temples, Unitarian Universalist churches, and Zoroastrian fire temples. Each video shows the common elements and practices you might find when visiting these sacred spaces. The videos help people understand different faiths and build bridges between religious communities in Houston. There's also a discussion guide to help groups talk about what they learned. This educational series was made possible by The Eleanor & Frank Freed Foundation with support from Debbie & Floyd Kearns. It's a great resource for anyone who wants to learn about religious diversity and build understanding between different faith communities.
DePelchin Children's Center has closed their Private Infant Adoption Program as of October 1, 2025. If you placed a child for adoption through DePelchin before, you can still get help after adoption. They offer services to help families who adopted children through their program. To learn more about these services, you can fill out a form on their Post-Adoption Services webpage. This announcement lets families know where to find ongoing support even though the main adoption program is no longer available.
The Greater Houston Community Panel is a major research project that regularly surveys thousands of adults in Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Montgomery County about their lives, health, families, and communities. The Kinder Institute at Rice University scientifically selects people to participate to make sure the survey represents all types of Houston residents, including those who are disadvantaged and need city services most. City leaders and community groups work directly with researchers to design the surveys so the results can help them make better decisions and create targeted solutions for Houston's diverse population. The panel produces research reports on topics like food insecurity (2 in 5 Houston households don't have enough food), disaster recovery from Hurricane Beryl, immigration attitudes, housing issues, and economic challenges. The survey data is made available to the public through the Urban Data Platform so everyone can access this information about Greater Houston. This ongoing research helps city officials understand what residents need and how to better serve their communities.
The Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) is a partnership between Rice University's Kinder Institute and eight Houston-area school districts. They work together to study how to make schools more fair and equal for all students. HERC does long-term research on important school topics like helping students who move between schools, supporting kids learning English, improving pre-K programs, and getting students ready for college and careers. They look at real data from schools to help leaders make better decisions. Recent studies include how the state's school grading system affects low-income students, what parents think about HISD's Parent University program, and how social-emotional learning helps with school discipline. They also studied how Hurricane Harvey affected homeless students and how COVID-19 changed school enrollment. The research helps school districts understand what works best for students, especially those who face challenges like poverty or language barriers. All their reports and data are shared publicly to help improve education in Houston.
A major research study by Rice University found that more than 750,000 people in the Houston area personally know someone who was detained or deported during 2025 immigration enforcement. The Kinder Institute surveyed over 9,000 adults in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery counties. One in seven residents had a personal connection to someone affected, with higher rates in Hispanic communities (25%), immigrants (21%), and low-income families (24%). The study also found changing opinions: support for mass deportation dropped from 57% to 49% even among conservative residents, while support for citizenship pathways rose from 70% to 75%. Most people (82%) now say the immigration system isn't working well. The researchers noted this could impact Houston's economy, schools, and community planning. This is the first study to track how local families and neighborhoods experience immigration enforcement policies firsthand.
Join a free educational event on November 19, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Dominican Sisters of Houston to learn about Native American history during National Native American Heritage Month. Steve Melendez from the American Indian Genocide Museum will give the main talk from 3:00-4:00 PM about "Bringing Hope and Healing Through History." This event teaches about the often-hidden history of violence against Indigenous peoples in America and explores how understanding this difficult past can help create healing and hope for the future. The event is hosted by the Dominican Sisters of Houston and the Center for the Healing of Racism. You'll learn about historical policies that harmed Native peoples, see documented evidence of these events, understand how this history still affects Native communities today, and discover ways to support Indigenous rights and healing. The event includes historical education, community dialogue, and pathways toward reconciliation. Pre-registration is required but the event is completely free, though donations are welcome. This is a chance for educators to gain accurate historical knowledge, for community members to deepen their understanding of American history, and for everyone to engage in important conversations about justice and healing.
Rosie Gordon-Wallace started Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator (DVCAI) in her Miami living room in 1996 to help Caribbean artists find community and support. Born in Jamaica, Gordon-Wallace worked as a medical researcher before noticing young Caribbean artists struggled to find places to show their work and get feedback in Miami. She began hosting monthly gatherings called Final Fridays where artists could share their work, eat Caribbean food, and connect with others. What started with five artists in her home grew into a nonprofit organization that has supported artists for nearly 30 years. DVCAI provides studio space, professional development, and opportunities for Caribbean artists to show their work globally. Gordon-Wallace left her pharmaceutical career in 2003 to run the organization full-time. She believes travel and cultural exchange are important for artists. The organization has helped launch many successful careers, including well-known artists like Hank Willis Thomas and Torkwase Dyson. Gordon-Wallace's work shows how one person's commitment can create lasting change by filling a community need. Her approach combines cultural celebration with practical support, helping artists build sustainable careers while staying connected to their Caribbean roots.
The Bill of Rights Institute offers a collection of educational videos to help students with their homework about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and how government works. These free online videos explain important topics like freedom of speech, voting rights, and how laws are made in ways that are easy to understand. Students can watch these videos anytime to get help with school projects and assignments about American history and civics. The videos are created by teachers and experts to make learning about our rights and government more interesting and clear. This is a great resource for middle school and high school students who want to better understand how democracy works and what their rights are as citizens.
Knight Foundation's president explains a big shift in how they work. Instead of giving money to big institutions, they now focus on helping regular people in communities make change happen. The foundation believes real change comes from the ground up, not from the top down. They've seen this work in cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Miami, where local people are fixing problems in their neighborhoods. Knight Foundation still supports free speech, local journalism, and the arts, but now they want to 'ignite in every person the power to shape thriving communities.' They think strong communities need good local news and people who are involved in making decisions. The foundation will work with urgency to support local leaders who live with problems and know how to fix them. They believe people have always been the ones who make real change happen, and they want to help them keep doing it.
McKesson is a healthcare company that wants to change how the government regulates health technology. They believe current rules for health IT are outdated and based on laws from 40+ years ago. Health information technology helps doctors avoid medical mistakes and provides better care at lower costs. McKesson wants new rules that focus on risk levels - treating high-risk technology differently from low-risk technology. They have been working with Congress and government agencies since 2012 to create smarter regulations. The company has testified before Congress multiple times and submitted detailed comments to federal agencies. They support specific bills like the SOFTWARE Act and PROTECT Act that would create better oversight for health technology. McKesson argues that health IT should be regulated differently from traditional medical devices because they work differently. Their goal is to protect patient safety while still allowing innovation in healthcare technology. The company provides detailed documentation including congressional testimony, letters to lawmakers, and regulatory comments showing their advocacy efforts. This represents a major corporate effort to influence healthcare policy at the federal level.
Gulf Coast Community Services Association (GCCSA) will close all offices from March 9-13, 2026, reopening March 16 at 8:00 AM. The 2026 Community Services program is now open for residents of Brazoria, Galveston, and Harris Counties who need help with rent, utilities, and other crisis assistance. You can apply online starting February 10, 2026, or call 713-393-4700 to get on the waitlist. Complete applications with all required documents will be processed by staff. There's also an outreach event March 2, 3, and 5 at 9320 Kirby Drive by appointment only. The Food Pantry is closed on Tuesdays but open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM for emergency groceries. Both application methods have daily limits on how many applications they can accept each day.
Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County offers many ways to donate beyond cash gifts. You can give stocks or other investments, and they will sell them right away. Many companies will match your donation, doubling or tripling your impact - check with your HR department. Some companies also give grants when employees volunteer. You can leave money to Habitat in your will through bequests, which lets you give more than you could while alive. There are also planned giving options like trusts and life insurance that can save on taxes. Memorial gifts can honor loved ones or celebrate special events like birthdays or graduations. All these options help build affordable homes for families in Montgomery County.
MIT Solve runs a program called Economic Prosperity that helps people get better access to jobs and money through technology. They focus on helping people who are often left out of good opportunities. The program works on several challenges: 2.6 billion people don't have internet access, 1.4 billion people can't use banks, and 2 billion people work in jobs without official benefits. MIT Solve creates contests where teams compete to solve these problems using new technology like AI. They support solutions that help people get jobs, start businesses, access banking, and build wealth. Some examples include apps that help fishers sell their catch, platforms that train caregivers, tools that give people digital addresses to access services, and programs that help people with disabilities find work. The program especially focuses on helping women, people of color, and other groups that face extra barriers. Their goal is to use technology to make sure everyone can participate in and benefit from the economy, not just people who already have advantages.
Scientists created a special type of tilapia fish called GIFT that helps small farmers around the world. This improved fish grows 30% faster than regular tilapia and can survive in tough conditions like drought and disease. The fish provides important nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and Vitamin A that help children grow healthy and prevent diseases like blindness. Small farmers can make more money selling these fish because they're affordable, nutritious, and taste good. The fish also helps fight climate change because they turn feed into protein very efficiently. As the world needs 40% more fish by 2030 to feed everyone, GIFT tilapia is being used in over 17 countries to help end hunger and malnutrition. This program has been working for over 30 years to help communities facing poverty get better nutrition and income from fish farming.
This video explains how new types of syringes are helping save lives around the world. In many poor countries, doctors used to reuse syringes when giving vaccines. This was dangerous because it could spread diseases like HIV and hepatitis B from one person to another. Now there are special syringes called auto-disable syringes that can only be used once. After you use them, they automatically break so no one can use them again. This prevents the spread of dangerous diseases. The video features Dr. Marcy Ahun, a public health doctor, who talks about these new tools and other innovations that help get vaccines to people who need them. The video also shows women in Kenya who are making these special syringes right in Africa, which is the first time this has happened. This means vaccines can be given more safely to children and adults in places that don't have a lot of medical resources. These innovations help make sure everyone can get the vaccines they need to stay healthy.
American Public Square, a Kansas City organization that helps people have respectful conversations across differences, shared two major updates. First, they welcomed three new board members: Cathi Brain (a community leader with experience in nonprofits and fundraising), Frank Lipsman (a lawyer who helps people resolve disputes peacefully), and James Bergman (who helps people give money effectively to good causes). Second, they were chosen as one of only 25 organizations nationwide to host the Weaver Awards from the Aspen Institute. This program celebrates 'weavers' - everyday people who bring their communities together and build trust between neighbors. As a host, American Public Square will give out small grants to local community builders, share their stories, and teach people skills for bringing others together. They'll receive $225,000 over four years to support this work. The CEO Claire Bishop said this fits their mission perfectly - they've spent over 10 years helping people stay in difficult conversations and now get to highlight the quiet heroes already doing this work in Kansas City.
American Public Square creates podcasts that help people talk about politics in respectful ways. Their main show is called 'At the Square' and includes different series like 'Both Sides' and 'So What, Now What?' These podcasts feature conversations between people with different political views, like Democrats and Republicans, who discuss important topics while being respectful to each other. They recently featured a conversation between David Axelrod (who worked with President Obama) and Michael Steele (former Republican Party leader) talking about politics and how people can find common ground despite their differences. The podcasts are available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for free. The organization also hosts live events where people can watch these conversations in person. Their goal is to help Americans have better political conversations and understand different viewpoints, even when they disagree. This helps build bridges between people with different political beliefs.
The Bridge Alliance Education Fund worked with Fidelum Partners to study how Americans view 18 famous politicians and celebrities before the 2024 election. They asked 1,546 people across the country how warm and competent they think these public figures are. The study looked at people like Barack Obama, Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, and others. Researchers wanted to understand how people's feelings about these figures might affect their voting choices. The study also identified five different types of voters based on their political beliefs and social attitudes. They compared their findings to a similar study from 2020 to see how opinions have changed. The results help explain what drives people to vote for certain candidates and how celebrity endorsements might influence elections. The Fulcrum news site will publish detailed analysis of the key findings. This research gives valuable insights into American politics and how voters make decisions based on their perceptions of public figures' warmth and ability to do the job.
The Cullen Foundation celebrated its 75th anniversary in March 2022. Founded by Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen in 1947, this foundation has given over $1 billion to help build Houston into a better city. For 75 years, they have supported nonprofit organizations that serve underserved communities and create opportunities for people who need help most. The foundation also created three special trusts in the 1970s that focus on health care, higher education, and performing arts. At the anniversary celebration, Cullen family members from around the world joined with staff and board members to honor the legacy of the founders. The event included presentations about the foundation's history and impact, showing how the Cullens' vision has helped countless Houston residents access better healthcare, education, and cultural opportunities. This milestone celebration highlighted how one family's commitment to giving back has grown into a major force for positive change in Houston over nearly eight decades.
The Othering and Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley brings together researchers, community organizers, and policymakers to help create communities where everyone belongs. They study how to break down barriers that keep people apart and build systems that help everyone thrive. The institute offers free courses, research reports, webinars, and practical tools to help schools, cities, workplaces, and governments make fairer decisions. Their work covers 15+ research areas and has created over 100 publications that help people move beyond 'us vs. them' thinking. They use approaches like 'bridging' and 'targeted universalism' to help communities connect across differences. People can get involved at different levels - from reading their research to taking free courses to using their tools for change. They also offer data dashboards, fellowships, and events. The institute believes belonging isn't just a nice idea - it's a real strategy for building stronger communities and better policies that work for everyone.
MIT Solve is a program that finds and supports new technologies to fight climate change. They help inventors create solutions that reduce pollution and help communities adapt to a changing world. The goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050. MIT Solve runs contests where inventors compete to solve climate problems like making buildings use less energy, protecting ecosystems, creating sustainable food systems, and building circular economies where things get reused instead of thrown away. They have supported technologies like better fertilizers for farmers, AI systems that help cool buildings more efficiently, and ways to make food last longer. The program connects inventors with funding and mentors to help scale their solutions. Expert judges from universities, companies, and environmental groups evaluate the innovations. MIT Solve focuses on community-based solutions that directly help the people they serve, especially disadvantaged communities who often face the worst impacts of climate change. The program has multiple challenges each year covering different climate topics.
This guide teaches people how to work together to fix big problems in their communities. The program brings together 12-16 people from different backgrounds for 8-12 weeks. They learn how whole systems work, build trust with each other, and try small ideas to make life better and more fair. The program has three main parts: First, people understand the system by sharing stories and spotting problems. Second, they visit local groups, turn ideas into quick tests, and have honest talks about power and fairness. Third, they launch their ideas and plan how to keep working together. The approach focuses on three key areas: yourself, your relationships, and the systems around you. People learn to test ideas quickly, name unfair power, and keep everyone safe and included. The program ends with a strong network of people who keep meeting, sharing meals, and supporting small projects with grants. This method helps communities solve problems by bringing different voices together and testing solutions that really work.
When shocking events happen, it's easy to get angry and blame others. But Braver Angels teaches us to choose connection over violence. Instead of reacting with anger, we can lower the temperature by checking on people around us, looking for shared values, and making sure we have facts before responding. The guide offers simple steps anyone can take: have one-on-one conversations, share calm messages, and join local efforts that bring communities together. You can start small with 5-minute actions like pausing before posting online or checking on two neighbors. For deeper involvement, you can take free courses on bridging divides, attend workshops, or volunteer to help organize local events. The main idea is 'courageous citizenship' - being brave enough to connect with people even when we disagree. This approach treats strength as the ability to repair relationships and seek truth, not revenge. By taking these practical steps, we can turn fear into positive action in our own neighborhoods and help build stronger communities where people talk to each other instead of past each other.
Houston offers many advantages for businesses looking to save money on taxes and get help growing. Texas has no corporate or personal income tax, which means companies keep more of their money. Businesses can also get tax breaks on property, sales, and franchise taxes. The city and state offer special programs to help companies that create jobs or invest in the community. These include cash grants through the Texas Enterprise Fund, job training money through the Skills Development Fund, and federal programs like Opportunity Zones. Companies can get $5,000-$10,000 per new job created, and training grants average $1,800 per employee. Houston has over 40 designated Opportunity Zones where businesses can get federal tax credits. The state also offers programs for small businesses with under 100 employees, infrastructure funding for rural areas, and tuition waivers for employee families. These tax advantages and incentive programs help businesses lower their costs and compete better in the global market.