Sunnyside

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

GOAL: Safe and Supportive Community

Sources: SNP, CC

Expand police presence to address crime hotspots and community concerns, including prostitution and drug activity 

(HIGH Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Advocate for increased police patrol and visibility, including bike patrols, that focus on crime hot spots, such as area apartments, corner stores, and neighborhood streets 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
• City: HPD | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Property Owners, Area Businesses | Role: Support

Develop and implement new partnerships for community-based crime prevention practices 

(MEDIUM Priority)

• ACTION STEPS: Work in partnership with law enforcement and local organizations to advocate for and develop a community-based crime prevention program that includes identifying strategies to evaluate and improve safety conditions, such as crime prevention through environmental design, expand community policing through block captains and Citizens Patrol programs, and strengthen community-city-police partnerships so that property owners, businesses, residents, churches, City agencies, and law enforcement all work together    

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Advocate, Implement
• City: Houston Police Department, Department of Neighborhoods, Houston Health Department | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: District D, Unity is Wealth, AARP, Area Property Owners, Area Churches Area Businesses, Harris County Sherriff’s Office, Harris County Constable’s Office | Role: Support, Advocate, Implement

Expand access to assistance programs for the victims of sex trafficking and prostitution 

(LOW Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the expansion of programs and resources that connect the victims of sex trafficking and prostitution to available programs and services, including shelters and other resources 

COORDINATION 

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate, Support
• City: Mayor’s Office of Anti-Human Trafficking, HPD | Role: Organize, Implement
• Community Connectors: YWCA, Houston Area Women’s Center | Role: Support, Implement

Increase participation in HPD’s Positive Interaction Program (PIP) 

(LOW Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Encourage residents to participate in the Positive Interaction Program (PIP) to build trust and break down barriers to reporting crimes and other area safety issues 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate, Outreach
• City: HPD | Role: Outreach, Implement 
• Community Connectors: Area Churches, Schools, and Civic Organizations | Role: Outreach 

GOAL: Engaged Youth 

Sources: SNP, CC

Strengthen relationships between youth and law enforcement 

(MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Expand awareness of, and participation in, HPD youth programs, such as Teen and Police Services (TAPS), Greater Houston Police Athletic League (GHPAL), Expo Program, and the Positive Patrol Program

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Outreach
• City: HPD | Role: Outreach, Implement
• Community Connector: Area Schools | Role: Outreach

Promote law enforcement careers to youth 

(LOW Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Promote programs that provide youth with the opportunity to explore careers in law enforcement 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Support
• City: HPD Encounters Program, Houston Health Department Mayor’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention Coalition | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Harris County Sherriff’s Office Explorers Program, Area Schools | Role: Support, Implement 

GOAL: Healthy Pets Healthy Streets

Source: CC

Expand and promote animal care services 

(LOW Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Increase awareness of, and access to, free or low-cost programs and services such as spay/neuter to reduce stray dogs and cats and address animal welfare issues across the neighborhood

COORDINATION

• Community Lead: Sunnyside NST | Role: Support, Outreach
• City Lead: BARC, HPD | Role: Support 
• Community Connectors: Emancipet, SNAP, Houston Humane Society, Area Civic Organizations | Role: Support, Implement

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

GOAL: Community of Leaders and Advocates

Sources: SNP, CC 

Build a Multi-Generational Sunnyside Community Coalition

(HIGH Priority) 

ACTION STEPS: Develop a resident-led, cross-generational task force to organize and expand civic engagement and advocacy in Sunnyside through outreach, volunteer events, and festivals; Expand outreach efforts both inside and outside of the community, utilizing innovative tools, such as social media, texting, flyers, block walks, mail, and other methods to ensure residents are connected to resources and information

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Unity is Wealth, Area Churches, Schools, and Civic Organizations, Houston Area Urban League | Role: Support

Organize community development summits 

(MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Organize and convene an annual summit on community change, gentrification, and economic diversity strategies for community development; Sponsor a national conference in Sunnyside to bring together community development corporations and showcase best practices

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Support, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, Planning and Development Department | Role: Support 
• Community Connectors: Unity is Wealth, Texas Housers | Role: Support

Develop and expand community leadership

 (MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Identify partners to develop and host seminars, leadership training sessions, and panel discussions that expand community leadership and provide information on the processes, tools, policies, and strategies needed to pursue community goals 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Outreach, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, Planning and Development Department | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Area Churches, Schools, and Civic Organizations, Unity is Wealth, LISC Houston, IEDC | Role: Support, Implement

Support and connect senior residents to resources 

(MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Develop outreach strategies that target area seniors to ensure they are connected to educational, financial, transportation (METRO Lift), health, and support programs and resources, including programs such as Meals on Wheels, senior programs at YWCA, Johnson Public Library, and Sunnyside Multi-Service Center  

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Outreach, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities, Department of Neighborhoods | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connectors: Area Churches and Civic Organizations | Role: Outreach 

Conduct annual neighborhood surveys and focus groups 

(LOW Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Organize and administer annual neighborhood surveys and host focus groups to provide an ongoing understanding of community needs and priorities 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support
• Community Connectors: Area Churches, Schools, and Civic Organizations | Role: Support

GOAL: Well-Resourced Community

Source: SNP 

Inventory local and national partners and funding resources 

(MEDIUM Priority)

ACTION STEPS: Create an inventory of existing resources and partners in Sunnyside, including local leaders such as students, parents, school alumni, principals, HISD administration and officials, and external partners; Create a list of potential funding and grants available for specific projects, including those in this plan

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Implement
• City: Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities | Role: Support, Implement
• Community Connector: Leadership Houston | Role: Support

Develop an online Sunnyside Community Resource Guide

ACTION STEPS: Develop an inventory and online guide of community programs and resources and host on Council District D website 

COORDINATION

• Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Implement
• City: District D, Planning and Development Department | Role: Support, Implement