Children’s Mental Health in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Understanding and supporting our most vulnerable youth The impact of COVID-19 on the Greater Houston community has been, and continues to be, unpredictable. However, there is one thing we know with certainty — the pandemic is affecting children’s mental health. Adults and children alike feel the psychological impact of the pandemic, which often includes anxiety …

Key insights from our webinar on housing inequities

Housing in Houston has become less affordable, and low-income households bear the greatest burden In partnership with Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Greater Houston Community Foundation hosted a Housing Inequities program on October 20 to educate and engage donors and community partners on inequities in housing affordability, supply, and vulnerability in Greater Houston.  …

Celebrating Houston’s Hispanic Heritage: 11 Latino Community Leaders Making a Difference Today

Meet Latino community leaders who are forging a brighter path for Houston Houston heritage is Hispanic heritage. The remarkable contributions of Houston’s Hispanic community can be felt in nearly every square inch of our sprawling region, forming a trajectory that aligns closely with our region’s future.  Within the next ten years, Hispanic/Latino* residents are projected …

Five key insights from our webinar on Criminal Justice

While progress is being made in the criminal justice system, much work remains to be done in removing racial disparities and the life-long consequences of incarceration. In partnership with Arnold Ventures, the Greater Houston Community Foundation held a Criminal Justice Reform program on September 24 to educate and engage donors on various aspects of the …

Meet Alice Valdez: Musician, educator, advocate, and MECA founder

Alice Valdez: Musician—Educator—Advocate Access to and participation in the arts is a vital part of any community; and in a region as diverse as Houston, the arts play a crucial role in helping us see and understand cultures other than our own. And while Houston may be home to several world-class arts and culture organizations, …

Houston’s Pulse: COVID-19’s Impact on Education

This time of year is typically filled with back-to-school excitement. Students dust off backpacks, pencils and binders from closets. Families flock to retailers to spend hours wandering around the “Back-to-School” sections, all to make sure students are prepared for their first day and beyond.  However, this year feels a little strange. “Back-to-school” has had a …

The State of Water Quality in Houston: Four Stats Every Resident Should Know

In no uncertain terms, easy and equitable access to clean water is an absolute necessity for a prosperous Houston and its residents. And while many dedicated local officials and nonprofit organizations work to maintain the safety and drinkability of Houston’s water supply, some troubling trends require our region’s attention and action in order to keep …

COVID-19’s Impact on Nonprofits: Exploring new data on arts and culture nonprofits in Houston

Whether young or old, rich or poor, it’s highly likely that you benefit from the work of a nonprofit organization. Nonprofits provide vital services for people from all walks of life — from basic necessities like food and housing to enriching cultural experiences and houses of worship. As the third largest sector across the country, …

How to make the most of Understanding Houston

Houston is known for many things — its sprawl, being the global energy capital, its infamous traffic, its world-class arts institutions and its inspiring levels of diversity, to name a few. But as a vast region that spans 9,500 square miles, no one piece of conventional wisdom about Houston applies to our whole region. Making …