Community Leadership and Advocacy

Please provide comments at the bottom once you have reviewed the action items.

COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND ADVOCACY 

DRAFT Goals, Projects, and ACTION STEPS

 GOAL: A Community of Leaders and Advocates (25)

Develop a diverse and inclusive Fort Bend Houston Coalition to advocate for community change 

FBH SN41 Plan #5 of TOP 6

ACTION STEPS: Develop a Fort Bend Houston Coalition to improve communication and collaboration between area organizations and civic clubs to work together for community change; Develop multi-lingual and multi-modal outreach campaigns that include canvassing, phone calls, flyers, social media (NextDoor, etc.), and TV and radio stations    

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area HOAs | Role: Support

Develop a Fort Bend Houston Votes program 

FBH SN41 Plan #6 of TOP 6

ACTION STEPS: Develop and implement a “Fort Bend Houston Votes” program to register voters, increase voter turnout, and provide information on voting districts, polling stations, and area representatives 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: League of Women Voters of Houston, Fort Bend County Clerk, Houston Public                     Library, Area Churches, Area Schools, Area Civic Organizations | Role: Support, Implement 

Provide leadership training for all generations

ACTION STEPS: Provide leadership training and mentoring to area civic leaders and youth through high schools and neighborhood organizations, focus on expanding the diversity of area leaders and those running for elected office 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: LISC Houston, Fort Bend ISD, Area HOAs | Role: Support, Implement

Create a Youth Community Service Organization 

ACTION STEPS: Organize and support area youth in developing a community service organization to host events and complete community service projects 

COORDINATION

• Community: Area High Schools | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Fort Bend Houston NST, Fort Bend Boys and Girls Club, Volunteer Houston,                       Keep Houston Beautiful | Role: Organize, Support 

GOAL: Celebrated Diversity (13)

Organize and host community events and activities  

ACTION STEPS: Organize and host community events at parks and schools to connect the community, celebrate cultural diversity, and break down barriers to collaboration; Events could focus on food, dance, music, games, and could include a Multi-Cultural Night, Field Days, National Night Out, Holiday events, etc. 

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: HPD National Night Out, Department of Neighborhoods, Area Schools, Area                        Churches, Area Civic Organizations, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs | Role: Support, Organize,                              Implement 

GOAL: Connected and Informed Community 

Inventory existing community services and programs 

ACTION STEPS: Inventory existing services and programs in the community, evaluate community needs and identify gaps in services particularly for vulnerable residents; Identify priority areas where partnerships and resources are needed to fill gaps in services, including public and private funding 

COORDINATION

• Community: Proposed Fort Bend Houston Coalition | Role: Prioritize, Advocate
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Mayor’s Office for Homeless Initiatives, Mayor’s Office for People with                               Disabilities, Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs | Role: Support

Develop a Fort Bend Houston Community Guide 

ACTION STEPS: Develop a Fort Bend Houston Community Guide that includes all services and programs available in the community, including those provided by Fort Bend County or the City of Houston, area businesses, churches, and organizations; Distribute the guide in web and print-based forms, including on Next Door; Update the guide annually  

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area Civic Organizations, Fort Bend County | Role: Support

Create a Fort Bend Houston Community Newspaper 

ACTION STEPS: Develop and regularly publish a Fort Bend Houston Community Newspaper or newsletter

COORDINATION

• Community: Fort Bend Houston NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area Civic Organizations, Fort Bend Houston Super Neighborhood Council |                         Role: Support