2011 – 2012 Community Assistance Grant Recipients

For 2011 – 2012, the League awarded Community Assistance Grants to five agencies:

The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, Inc. (AAMA) 

AAMA is committed to advancing the lives of Latino at-risk youth and families through an array of innovative programs in the areas of education, health and human services. The Junior League grant will directly support critical improvements for its Early Childhood Center, which serves the Fifth Ward community, primarily the children of teen mothers enrolled in George L. Sanchez School, AAMA’s public charter school. AAMA aims to remove one of the barriers to high school completion for teen parents by offering on-site childcare, in addition to providing a model of quality early childcare to the local community.

Comp-U-Dopt 

Comp-U-Dopt was founded on the belief that every child deserves equal access to education and opportunity. Comp-U- Dopt achieves its mission by providing early access to computers and computer literacy programs, essential components of a modern elementary education. Grant funding will support the After School Program, a pilot program aimed at increasing student engagement and learning. Through excellent student-teacher ratios, the program focuses on building critical skills like systems thinking, creative problem solving, collaboration, empathy and innovation – all vital for the community’s future leaders.

Fort Bend Seniors Meal on Wheels and Much, Much More, Inc. 

Fort Bend Seniors provides Meals on Wheels services to over 1,000 seniors daily, as well as comprehensive services and programs including congregate meals, transportation, case management, health screenings, information and referral services, recreation and more. Each of these programs and services enable area seniors to remain in their homes while receiving the attention and care they need. The League grant will provide one month’s worth of healthy, balanced meals for 104 elderly at two designated congregate meal sites in the southwest area of the broader Houston community.

Making It Better 

Making It Better aims to address the severe disadvantages faced by at-risk children in the Houston area by offering a variety of programs tailored to meet the needs of each school campus with whom they are involved. Whether the program is academic or enrichment, delivered during or after school, the overarching goal is always the same – to develop relationships and improve self-esteem by sparking creativity, fostering the desire to succeed, developing social skills and expanding life experiences. The Junior League grant will support the Steps 2 Success program at Shadowbriar Elementary which empowers future leaders to develop good character and leadership skills, positive relationships and to make healthy choices for a lifetime of success.

Workshop Houston 

Workshop Houston’s mission is to help young people learn that education is the means to change in their lives. Through hands-on activities, Workshop Houston sponsors three shops (fully equipped classrooms/studios) to give youth new creative, educational and technical learning opportunities, as well as supporting their success in school through daily tutoring and academic enrichment. The Junior League grant will help fund the middle school program, providing positive opportunities for children in the Third Ward Community to explore and learn in Workshop Houston’s Style, Chopper and Beat Shops.