Neighborhood Centers in a (mighty large) nutshell.
Neighborhood Centers Inc. brings resources, education and connection to more than 264,000 people throughout Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast area each year. Our 59 service locations offer comprehensive community-based programs for people at every stage of life – from infants to seniors.
We work with residents of emerging communities to help them discover the strengths and skills necessary to become productive, prosperous and self-sufficient.
Neighborhood Centers is a United Way agency, having been a part of Greater Houston since 1907.
Our Centers.
The basis of our agency is our six neighborhood centers.
East End - Ripley House (Ripley House is our largest - and the city’s first - neighborhood center)
North - Independence Heights
Southeast - Harbach-Ripley
Pasadena - Cleveland-Ripley
La Porte and Shoreacres - La Porte
Gulfton/Southwest - Baker-Ripley
These centers house free classes for the members, usually provided by one of our service areas (programs) below, or a partner, such as another local nonprofit.
Our Schools.
Ripley House Charter School District includes schools for children up to 5th grade. Some of these are located within the centers above.
22 Head Start and Early Childhood centers, for children birth-5 years old.
3 Charter schools, up to 5th grade.
Our Programs.
Our services, while primarily housed within one of our centers or school locations, can often be found anywhere in Greater Houston or the Texas Gulf Coast. Some of our most impacting services include:
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Immigration and Citizenship - includes legal & HPD guidance at regularly held forums
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Disaster Recovery - called Stay Connected Texas. Help with ANY natural disaster, including Hurricane Ike
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Youth Development - afterschool and summer school camp & classes for kids up to 18
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Senior Services - 21 senior centers dot Houston offering meals, physical activities and social networking of the old-fashioned kind, face-to-face!
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Leadership & Civic Engagement - classes and projects to build on business skills for the community
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Free Tax Centers - nearly 17,000 families saw $23 million returned in 2008
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Credit Union - focusing on the unbanked in the Gulfton/Sharpstown area
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Family Health & Education - manage health classes & crucial Back-to-School Health Fairs
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Healthy Start - education and medical assistance to soon-to-be mothers, decreasing infant mortality
Mission.
To bring resources, education and connection to emerging neighborhoods.
Vision.
Individuals and communities living up to their full potential.
Become a part of our (online) Neighborhoods: