LISC Houston had the honor of hosting a group of bright and passionate Emory University students from the Community Building and Social Change (CBSC) Fellows Program which introduces the challenges of, and opportunities for, building community in urban America. This visit was part of their summer professional development series, aimed at exposing students to community development initiatives beyond Atlanta.
Each year, the CBSC is invited to partner with valuable efforts in Atlanta on substantial projects that involve community-engaged research and outreach, program planning or evaluation and working toward community identified goals. This year their projects included placed-based community development with an emphasis on sustainability, which heavily aligns with the work we are doing in Houston.
During their three-day visit, the students engaged deeply with our GO Neighborhoods in Northline and Fifth Ward, thanks to the generous cooperation of Avenue CDC and Fifth Ward CRC. These organizations showcased the impactful work being done to uplift these communities, providing a rich learning experience for the students.
The students participated in discussions about sustainability, community engagement, and the intricacies of local development projects. They also had the opportunity to meet with the City of Houston's Sustainability Office and visit Midtown Houston.
The trip was not just educational but also inspirational. Khushi Niyyar, a rising junior majoring in Quantitative Sciences with a concentration in Political Science, shared her thoughts:
“The CBSC Houston trip was a transformative experience for me! I loved being able to have discussions with change-makers on the ground, which informed my views on policies like housing, zoning, and climate change. It also made me consider a future career in government more seriously. The power of grants in enabling grassroots work and the obstacles people face in creating change, especially politically, were eye-opening. As a team, we learned a lot about community ambassador programs, which helped us design our own initiatives. The trip also bonded our fellowship group, allowing us to build stronger relationships while engaging in fun activities.”
The visit underscored the synergies between Atlanta and Houston communities, highlighting the shared challenges and opportunities in urban development. By creating these connections, we are paving the way for collaborative solutions and mutual growth.
We loved hosting the Emory students as their thoughtful questions and deep curiosity also helped us to make connections around our shared challenges and opportunities. It is fantastic to learn and explore community development efforts and ongoing projects in different markets because it allows to us to learn from different perspectives as different cities face unique challenges and have distinct resources.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Avenue CDC, Fifth Ward CRC, and all our partners who made this visit a success. Together, we continue to drive positive change and build stronger, healthier communities.
For more information on our GO Neighborhoods and upcoming initiatives, please contact Carolyn Andrews at 832-512-7087 or candrews@lisc.org.