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Posts published in “Day: October 2, 2018”

Grand Opening of BakerRipley center

October 2, 2018
Participants in the Ribbon Cutting ceremony included Marc Shapiro, Murray Bowden, Armando Walle, Claudia Aguirre, Gwen and Ed Emmett, and Sylvia Garcia.

ALDINE – The much anticipated opening of the BakerRipley Community Center in East Aldine took place last Saturday.

In spite of a heavy rainstorm that delayed some, a crowd of several hundred local residents, financial backers and county dignitaries took part in the opening ceremonies.

BakerRipley CEO Claudia Aguirre thanked all who had helped raise funds and supported the idea of a community center for the Aldine area over the last four years.

Aguirre said that “the BakerRipley Campus is a blueprint of what is important to this community,” referencing community meetings where residents told of their needs and desires for a community facility. She said she admired the Energy and Spirit of the Aldine community, and that future leaders would take advantage of the opportunities offered by the new BakerRipley center. She said that BakerRipley was there because “East Aldine District had the Vision” to imagine the center.

Fundraising chairman Marc Shapiro said that the center was there because BakerRipley goes where it is wanted, and the community clearly asked for the resource.

Judge Emmett said the county was glad to participate, and credited Armando Walle with the impetus for the center. He noted that Walle grew up in the area, and had a clear vision of the need for such a facility, and enlisted the help of the other partners. Walle met with then CEO Angela Blanchard and they worked together on a plan to accomplish the center.

Walle modestly said, “All I did was plant a seed,” and credited East Aldine District for their help.

The new center consists of three buildings on a 7 acre campus. In their own words, “it is a place of welcome, engagement and collaboration where neighbors can enjoy a variety of holistic programs, resources, and services.

Coder Kids Program kicks off at Haverstock Hills Apartments

October 2, 2018
Fifth to eight graders learn new skills provided by Rainbow Housing Assistance to children in Haverstock Hills Apartments in Northeast Houston. (Photos courtesy of Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation)

HOUSTON – Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation (Rainbow), a nonprofit organization which provides service-enriched housing programs for residents of rental housing communities across the country, is excited to announce the launch of a new program with Coder Kids, a nonprofit which teaches the basics of coding to children throughout Texas. The program kicked off in September at Haverstock Hills Apartments in Harris County and will provide residents from fifth to eighth grade fundamental experiences in computer programming.

“This program will aid in offering continued opportunities to the residents of Haverstock Hills Apartments,” said Flynann Janisse, Executive Director of Rainbow. “The partnership with Coder Kids truly raises the bar for our young residents by providing lifelong learning opportunities and empowering them to turn their thoughts into actions, inspiring future leaders in tech.”

The Coder Kids program aims to assist younger generations develop essential critical thinking skills, increasing post-high school employment opportunities. Students will learn the basics of Scratch, an interactive visual programming language which allows students to learn coding by developing games through matching words and commands in a puzzle-like format. Scratch encourages young people to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively, all of which are critical skills for the 21st century.

Aldine HS athlete named Ford player of the week

October 2, 2018
Aldine’s Jacorey Howard Honored as Week 3 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Players of the Week.

Ford Motor Company announces the winners of the 2018 Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Week trophy for week 3 – among these winners is Aldine’s Jacorey Howard. These six Built Ford Tough gridiron heroes are honored for their performance on the field and their leadership off the field. Each week of the regular high school football season will see a new winner in the sport’s six classifications, all with hopes of ultimately becoming the Built Ford Tough Texas High School Football Player of the Year.