Harris County CommissionerRodney Ellis and One for All Foundation board member Wendy Montoya Cloonan joined youth from Fifth Ward and Acres Homes on Wednesday, June 26 to roll outthe Summer Games new education, health and civic engagements programs thatimprove the lives of underserved children.
Over the past few decades, the One for All Foundation, formerly the Harris County Street Olympics, has created opportunities for youth to participate in a wide range of inclusive, dynamic programs designed to help every young person reach their unique potential while serving and strengthening their community.
Commissioner Ellis said students who have access to these free programs do better academically, socially, and health-wise – both physical and emotional.
“Through this program, we are creating career paths that prepare today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders,” Commissioner Ellis said. “We are also developing a year-round program focused on training and empowering community leaders to advocate for issues that matter most to them.”
The added programs include:
- Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools combat reading loss during the summer months and help families overcome learning challenges throughout the year. The schools will serve 100 students at two sites.
- Educational Enrichment programs provide youth with academic support, a service-learning curriculum, and engaging activities that promote literacy, STEM learning, and academic success during the summer and after school.
- Health and Wellness Programs ensure youth have access to activities and experiences that nurture their body and mind, foster healthy behaviors, and help them develop life skills.
- Our Civic Health and Engagement programming trains and empowers community leaders to advocate for issues to improve their neighborhoods.
The Summer Games growth over the years also has resulted in improvements in programs such as:
- Harris County Leadership Internship Program offers youth opportunities to pursue paid public service internships, creating career paths and preparing today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders.
- Discovery Camp and broader environmental justice and education programming provide children access to high-quality science and STEM activities to help them connect to nature, understand the world, and care for their community and environment. The camp will serve 400 children from 27 agencies.
- Bright Futures Fair, which occurs Aug. 2, connects thousands of youth to organizations so children can envision a healthy, safe, and productive future.
Throughout the summer, about 1,600 Houston-area youth, ages 6-17, at about 80 youth-serving agencies are participating in the Summer Games, Discovery Camp, 3-on-3 Basketball, and Harris County Aquatics Program’s Learn-to-Swim sessions.
A 3-on-3 Basketball Championship Tournament will be held July 18-19 at Fonde Recreation Center. The Summer Games culminates with the Final Event/Bright Futures Fair and the closing ceremonies’ “Parade of Champions” on Aug. 2 at NRG Arena.
Founded 38 years ago in Precinct One, the One for All Foundation began as a summer program to provide underserved youth with a safe, nurturing place to strengthen their academic and athletic abilities, showcase their many talents, and develop essential life skills. Programs are made possible by more than a dozen partners and supporters as well as the participating agencies.
“Organized enrichment activities like this are financially out of reach for many Precinct One children,” Commissioner Ellis said. “But we don’t accept that. We know that a healthy, economically vibrant community begins with our children.”