Community Service
Head Start — Gulf Coast Community Services
Free preschool and childcare for children ages 3-5 from low-income families. Includes meals, health screenings, and parent support.
Details
EligibilityChildren 3-5 from families at or below federal poverty level
HoursMon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm during school year
“Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world. ”
— Oscar Wilde.Related
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The Change Lab 2025 Annual Report: Building Civic Infrastructure Through Community Connection
“ THE CHANGE LAB A community of practice 2025 ANNUAL REPORT THE CHANGE LABthechangelab.net · A fiscally sponsored project of Impact Hub Houston · Page 1 of 2 We connect by serving and learning toget...”
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Social Connection in America: 2025 Survey Report on Community Bonds and Well-Being
“ 2025 Survey Report About This Project This survey will catalyze a broad and lasting impact—transforming how we define, prioritize, and support social connection in America. This survey is led by D...”
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From the Library
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Berkeley's Guide to Better Teaching and LearningThis is the education section of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center website. It shares research-based articles and tools to help teachers, parents, and school leaders support children's emotional and social development. The site covers topics like helping quiet children speak up, teaching students how to disagree respectfully, protecting immigrant students during difficult times, and building critical thinking skills even when certain topics are restricted. Teachers can find monthly happiness calendars with daily tips, learn about self-compassion to handle stress, and discover ways to create kinder classrooms. The content is based on scientific research about wellbeing and meaningful relationships. Parents can learn how to encourage intellectual humility in their kids and understand teenagers better. School leaders get advice on staying grounded during challenging times and building compassionate school communities. All articles are written by education researchers and experts who translate complex studies into practical advice that anyone can use to help children thrive emotionally and academically.
LISC Resource Library: Tools for Community DevelopmentThe Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has created a free online library filled with helpful resources for community development. The library contains reports, guides, webinars, and case studies on topics like affordable housing, small business development, child care, safety and justice, and wealth building. Featured resources include a guide on how faith-based organizations can use their land for affordable housing, a playbook for helping families keep inherited property, and tools to help small businesses prepare for disasters. The library is searchable by location (including Houston), topic area, year, resource type, and audience. Resources are designed for community development corporations, practitioners, policy makers, educators, and community members. Many materials focus on helping low-income communities build wealth, access affordable housing, and strengthen local businesses. The library includes both practical guides that people can use right away and research reports that explain what works in community development. All resources are free to access and use.
Pittsburgh Community Center Plans New Hub for FamiliesCenter of Life, a community organization in Pittsburgh's Hazelwood neighborhood, is building a new community hub at Hazelwood Green. The project will break ground in 2026 and take 18 months to complete. The new building will focus on four main areas: education, healthcare, resources, and music and arts. The hub will serve families across nearly 40 zip codes with after-school programs, youth services, and community events. The ground floor will be open to the public, with spaces for performances, meetings, and programs. The building will be fully accessible and include outdoor amenities like a playground and performance space. Community members can reserve spaces through an application process. Major partners include Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh, and the Heinz Endowments. The center already provides services to kids and families but this new facility will greatly expand their ability to serve the community with education, health, job training, and arts programs.
Center of Life Builds Community Hub to Fight Poverty in PittsburghCenter of Life is a community organization in Pittsburgh's Hazelwood neighborhood that helps families and youth through free programs. Founded in 2002 by Pastor Tim Smith after the steel industry collapsed, it serves over 500 people each year with education, arts, and family support programs. The organization runs after-school programs, teen leadership training, summer camps, hip-hop and jazz groups, and helps parents with job skills and resources. Now Center of Life is building a new community center at Hazelwood Green development to prevent families from being pushed out as the area grows. They work with universities and healthcare centers to create jobs and services for local residents. Their approach focuses on four main areas: education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and community building. The goal is to help every child and family succeed regardless of their background or income. This model could be copied in other low-income neighborhoods facing similar challenges with unemployment, poor housing, and limited opportunities.
Similar Services (5)
All servicesGulf Coast Community Services - LIHEAPThis program helps families with low incomes pay their electric and gas bills. They also teach you how to save energy and make your home more comfortable.Children's Services Council Family Support ProgramsThis group helps families with children from before birth through the teen years. They offer free parenting classes, help finding childcare, and support programs in your neighborhood. Call them to find out what programs can help your family.Local Resources DatabaseThis website helps people find resources they need like food banks, childcare, health services, and shelters. All the information is in one easy-to-use online list that gets updated regularly.BakerRipley Community CentersBakerRipley has community centers all over Houston that help families get job training, childcare, and immigration services. They also have special programs for seniors and lots of other ways to help people in their neighborhoods.YMCA of Greater HoustonAffordable fitness, youth programs, childcare, swim lessons, and community wellness across Houston.
The Journey
15 connected resources across 5 levelsTrail depth
Level 1
Get CuriousRead, watch, exploreWe are building resources for this level
Level 2
Find Your PeopleMeet orgs, neighbors, groups7 resourcesYou are hereOrganizationChildren's Services Council of Palm Beach CountyProvides early learning, childcare support, and youth programs in Palm Beach County. Helps kids grow up healthy and strong with good schools, safe places to play, and family support.
OrganizationHouston CeciliaHouston Cecilia helps families with young children by providing childcare and early learning programs. They support parents and caregivers to help kids grow and learn in a safe, caring environment.
OrganizationYMCA of Greater Houston
+4 more at this levelLevel 3
Show UpEvents, meetings, volunteeringWe are building resources for this level
Level 4
Go DeeperTraining, sustained involvement8 resourcesLevel 5
Make Your MoveAdvocacy, organizing, creatingWe are building resources for this level
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