Greater Northside Management District
February 9, 2021
Dear GNMD Friend,

We're pleased to announce that the Butterfly Pocket Park on Fulton won the award for On-the-Ground Projects Under $500K in the Houston-Galveston Area Council annual Parks and Natural Areas Award Program. Each year, H-GAC honors projects that serve as models for planning and implementation for parks and natural areas in the region, and our entry was selected by a panel of expert judges and industry professionals.

Special thanks go to our project partners: Asakura Robinson, Avenue, Custom Scapes, the City of Houston’s District H, Houston Arts Alliance, the City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, Houston Wilderness, North Central Civic Association, Open Architecture Houston, River Oaks Garden Club, professional artist Rosalinda Toro of RoseArtWorks, Super Neighborhood 51, TBG Partners, Trees for Houston and the City of Houston Mayor's Office of Cultural Affairs.

This project transformed an overgrown, vacant lot owned by the City of Houston in the Near Northside into a beautiful neighborhood pocket park that helps promote public safety and enhances the image of the Greater Northside Management District.

If you haven't had a chance to visit the park, it is located at 2606 Fulton between Hammock and Panama Streets and across from the METRORail Red Line transit stop.

Other winners in this prestigious competition were:
  • Buffalo Bayou East Master Plan (Planning) - Buffalo Bayou Partnership
  • Clay Family Eastern Glades (Projects Over $500,000) - Memorial Park Conservancy

For more information on the award, go to http://www.h-gac.com/parks-and-natural-areas/awards.aspx.

We continue to be thankful for our great community and partners who make the Northside a better place to live!

Sincerely,
Rebecca Reyna
Executive Director

#NorthsideStrong 
COVID-19 Updates
Video updates on the PPP Loan (second round)
and COVID-19 in Houston and Harris County
The Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently recorded two videos that provide updates on the PPP Loan and COVID-19. Both videos were moderated by Dr. Laura G. Murillo, president and CEO of the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Second Draw PPP Loan
Click here to view the video.
Speakers:
  • Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher
  •  Timothy Jeffcoat, Director,U.S. Small Business Administration
  •  Sheila A. Enriquez, Managing Partner & CEO, Briggs & Veselka Co.

City & County COVID-19 Update
Click here to view the video.
Speakers:
  • David Titus, GHHCCF Board Member, President and CEO, Sagis Diagnostics & Specialty Pathology
  • Dr. Stephen J. Spann, Founding Dean, College of Medicine, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Houston
  • Dr. David Persse, Chief Medical Officer, City of Houston
  • Dr. Sherri Onyiego, Harris County Public Health - Local Health Authority
  • Fire Chief Samuel Pena & Assistant Fire Chief Ruy Lozano, Houston Fire Department
Register for the COVID-19 vaccine
Everyone who wants to get vaccinated will eventually be able to do so, but initial doses are allocated for critical populations as identified by the Texas Department of State Health Services:
  • Phase 1A focuses on front-line health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities.
  • Phase 1B focuses on people 65 and older and those with medical conditions that put them at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Harris County Public Health (HCPH) recently launched a COVID-19 vaccination registration portal where you can sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine waitlist. To ensure fair access for elderly residents, working families and vulnerable populations, registrants on the waitlist are selected through a randomization-and-prioritization process rather than on a first-come, first-served basis. As more vaccines become available, eligible registrants are contacted and offered an opportunity to schedule an appointment time and location.
 
Click here for the vaccination registration site and to join the waitlist or call the HCPH COVID-19 Vaccine Hotline at 832-927-8787. 
 
(NOTE: The Vaccination Portal registration site is not supported in Internet Explorer. Use a different internet browser to register.)
 
Getting through the COVID-19 emergency will require all of us to do our part to reach herd immunity. For more information, visit www.StaySmartDoYourPart.com for information regarding the vaccine, including FAQs and myths and facts. 

Click here for more information on the vaccine.
FREE+FAST+SAFE COVID-19 Testing Sites
Getting tested at Houston Health Department-affiliated sites is free and does not require proof of residency, citizenship or insurance. To find a location near you, click here.
In-home COVID-19 testing
Current COVID-19 Level:
Level 1 - Stay Home
Level 1 signifies a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19 in Harris County, meaning outbreaks are present and worsening and that testing and contact tracing capacity is strained or exceeded.

At this level, residents need to take action to minimize contacts with others wherever possible and avoid leaving home except for the most essential needs (e.g., going to the grocery store for food and medicine).  

Stay Alert
Regardless of the Current Threat Level in Harris County, all residents should continue the use of social distancing, frequent hand washing and the use of face coverings. Any residents exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days regardless of the level indicated.
COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
All BakerRipley Rental Assistance funds have been committed at this time.

Tenants that need assistance with past due rent are encouraged to apply. BakerRipley will keep Tenant applications on file and notify applicants should additional rental assistance funds become available in the future.‍ Click here for more details.

Rental assistance applications submitted before December 29th requesting past due rent for September, October and/or November 2020 are being processed and tenants will be updated on their application status.
Be Well, Be Connected:
Mental health care for youth ages 9 to 17
Be Well, Be Connected offers access to mental health care for youth ages 9 to 17. Eligible youth include students from five Houston area school districts and youth who are referred from the community.

School-based screenings, referrals and home- and community-based services are provided. Direct services are offered to youth who are experiencing disruption and interference in their lives from serious emotional disturbances (SED), including first-episode psychosis and bipolar disorder.

The services include family support that is offered in their homes and communities. A student can self-refer or be referred by a teacher, parent or counselor.

For more information, please access the Mayor's Office of Education website, call 713-798-2567 or email bewellbeconnected@bcm.edu.

Be Well, Be Connected is a collaboration of the City of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and other medical organizations.
Do you need help?
The Houston Food Bank supports food and produce distributions, senior boxes, meal sites and more!

Click here for a map of food distribution locations. Click here for a list of organizations offering food assistance.
Did you know? SNAP (food stamps) provides $150 a month for food. To find out if you qualify, text SNAP to 74544
Domestic Violence
If you are experiencing violence because you are forced to stay with an abusive partner, call the Houston Area Women’s Center 24-hour hotline for free-and-confidential assistance. 
Houston Area Women's Center
Domestic Violence Hotline 
713-528-2121 
TTY: 713-528-3625 
Free Legal Clinics
for Veterans
Legal clinics offer free advice by phone to low-income, U.S. military veterans every Friday, 2 to 5 p.m.

Veterans may submit applications by phone at 713-228-0735

The clinic is open to all low-income veterans and spouses of deceased veterans in the Houston area.
Legal Assistance
Click here for information on free legal assistance and resources from the Houston Bar Association.

Online Resources
Stop TX Eviction is an online portal that provides free information and guidance to help tenants understand their legal rights and remedies available to keep them housed. 
How to manage a court date
if you have an underlying health condition
Due to COVID-19, you may be part of the vulnerable population, especially if you are older than 65 years of age; suffer with underlying health conditions, such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma or whose immune system is compromised due chemotherapy for cancer; or have any other condition requiring such therapy.

If you are part of this group, please contact the Houston Municipal Courts at 713-247-8924 and speak to someone regarding a special accommodation and a specialized docket to ensure
your continued safety.
The Financial Empowerment Centers (FECs) provide one-to-one, professional financial counseling to Houstonians at no cost.

The service is an initiative of the Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities supported by Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund and Regions Bank.

FEC counselors provide guidance to how to manage your money, pay down debt, increase saving, establish and build credit, and access safe-and-affordable mainstream banking products.

All services are free and available to all residents regardless of income. Counseling assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Click here for more information and to make an appointment.
Memorial Assistance Ministries Lost Loved One Program
Memorial Assistance Ministries (MAM) has launched the Lost Loved One program to provide financial assistance to families facing the loss of an immediate family member due to COVID-19.

To qualify, applicants must:
  • Be a resident of Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery or Waller County;
Consejos Legales is a service of the Mexican American Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association that offers legal consultations by phone to residents of Houston and Harris County on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 8 p.m. To confirm the date and time of the next Consejos Legales, check the website calendar or call the Houston Bar Association at 713-759-1133.

Consejos Legales es un programa de la Asociación Mexicana de Abogados y la Asociación Hispana de Abogados. El programa ofrece asesoría legal gratuita en español por teléfono para los residentes de Houston y el Condado de Harris el primer jueves de cada mes, entre las 6 y las 8 p.m. Para confirmar la fecha y hora de los siguientes Consejos Legales, consulte el calendario del sitio web o llame a la oficina de Houston Bar Association al (713) 759-1133.
  • Have experienced the loss of an immediate family member due to COVID-19 since March 1, 2020; and
  • Have a household income of less than 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).

Qualifying families will be provided $3,500 to address immediate needs such as funeral arrangements or assistance with rent, mortgage or utilities. All individuals will receive information and referrals to grief counseling.

For more information, click here to visit the MAM website at or call the information line at (713) 468-4516 ext. 149.
Employment Opportunities
SERJobs offers free training
for unemployed or underemployed
SERJobs offers customized services to help you build up your strengths. Assistance is offered for:

SER has identified several programs and trainings that can be offered in a new, virtual format. Program details and enrollment dates to come! Each training is built around certifiable, industry-recognized credentials that help clients achieve career-ready positions. Go to SERhouston.org for more information.
Free online job training
Sign up today and start learning!  

The City of Houston is now part of Microsoft’s Global Initiative that is offering free online training for high demand tech jobs to 25 million people across the world.

You can develop a new skill or sharpen your skills for your next job with LinkedIn Learning and Microsoft Learn. Certification tests are offered at discounted rates and job-seeking tools are free.

Gulf Coast Workforce Board and Walmart
launch online retail academy
In response to the increased need for talent in the retail industry, the Gulf Coast Workforce Board has partnered with Walmart to launch an initiative, known as Paths for Texas, that provide online skill training programs to launch and accelerate your retail career. The program collaborates with training institutions, including Penn Foster and Houston Community College.

Courses are designed to be completed in 16 weeks and provide the flexibility to learn at home or on-the- go at a pace that's right for you. The training opportunities lead to nationwide recognized credentials from the National Retail Foundation.

Click here for more information.
Events
Drive-in movies at Raven Tower!
Here's this weekend's schedule for the Best Little Drive-In in HTX, Raven Tower, 310 North Street, Houston 77009:
  • Friday, February 12 - Almost Famous - 6:50 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, February 13 - The Big Lebowski - 6:55 p.m. and 9:35 p.m.

Just $30 per vehicle!
For information, go to www.littledriveinhtx.com.
BigFix Houston is coming to Near Northside!
Get your dog or cat spayed or neutered
for free on February 22nd
Council Member Karla Cisneros is partnering with the Laurel's House, PetSet, BigFix Houston, and Unity for Solution to bring a mobile spay/neuter clinic to the Near Northside on February 22nd.

Registered pets that are dropped off in the morning will have surgeries performed onsite and returned to owners in the afternoon.

To qualify, you must be a resident of District H and you must pre-register through the signup link below. Walk-ups will not be accepted. Appointment details will be provided once the application is processed.

Thirty appointments are available for this event on a first-come, first-served basis. Owners who are not able to secure an appointment will be placed on a waiting list for future events. 
 
We need your help to reach those who live in the neighborhood and might not be able to afford these services. 


When registering, you must fill out the form completely and give your preferred service date, February 22nd, in the section marked “Additional Information."
Whip up something special
for your next private party
or team-building event.
 
Planning a special reception, social soirée,
or corporate team-building event?

Let Le Bistro make it magnifique!
 
Nestled in the heart of Culinary Institute Lenotre, Le Bistro is not only Houston’s best kept culinary secret, it’s also the ideal space for parties, private workshops, conferences, special dinners and more.
 
Now until April, SAVE 25%
on your next private event!

Private Rooms
LA SALLE ROUGE
Reception Capacity: 40
Excellent for private gatherings and meals.
 
CHEF TABLE Seats 10-12
Perfect for cocktail receptions, private bar functions, happy hours
and business meetings.
 
WINE LOUNGE
Reception Capacity: 25
Elevates your dining experience in a one-of-a-kind culinary atmosphere.
 
We also offer 10 team building kitchens and a spacious amphitheater.
 
TEAMBUILDING KITCHENS 
Capacity: 14 ea.
These dynamic, modern kitchens are designed for team-building
activities and hands-on workshops.
 
CRUMP AMPHITHEATER 
Capacity: 120
Ideal for training seminars, meetings and presentations,
culinary demonstrations or competitions.
Full Audio & Visual | WIFI available

For details and reservations for the finest fine-dining and private event experience in Houston, visit lebistro-houston.com today.
Greater Northside Management District Updates
City of Houston Public Works performs
trial project on Quitman signals
The City of Houston Public Works is testing the feasibility of possibly removing the traffic signals at Quitman at South, Fulton and Cochran Streets and replacing them with all-way stop signs to help improve safety and mobility. The following Q&A information sheet gives more details on the project starting in mid-November and lasting approximately three months.
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