HISD opened a Sunrise Center at the Morefield Boys & Girls Club over the weekend with an open house and resource fair. Eventgoers were greeted by the Sterling High School drumline and cheerleaders who hyped up the crowd ahead of their big homecoming game.
HISD’s fourth Sunrise Center will serve the Sterling and Thomas Middle School communities, focusing on support during critical after-school hours between 3-6 p.m.
The Morefield club was founded in 1980 and has been a vital resource for children and teens in Southeast Houston, providing access to supplemental educational activities and tutoring, meals, mentors, and more while helping build character in a safe environment.
“When you think of what we do, it’s the young people, it’s the teens that we focus on,” said Kevin Hattery, President and CEO, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston. “We add in our safe, inclusive environments—like you see here—and the meaningful experiences and the healthy relationships that we have. All of that leads to the development of the skills and behaviors that we look for in young people and our outcomes around health and wellness, academic success, workforce readiness, and character development.”
Of the 26 Boys and Girls Clubs in the greater-Houston area, almost half are located within the District. In partnering with HISD, the Morefield club will be able to serve even more students and families with after-school care, enrichment activities, medical services, case management, parent workshops, workforce training, and clothes and food.
“People know that I talk a lot about instruction, that we have to raise the quality of instruction, we have to raise our achievement,” said Superintendent Mike Miles. “We know that can’t happen without also helping our kids with their social-emotional learning. We have to bring more mental health services, more food banks, more clothing organizations to HISD.”
Saturday’s grand opening also included a food distribution, immunizations, arts and crafts, and a STEM station.
HISD will launch three more Sunrise Centers throughout the District by November 2023, each with unique focuses curated to serve the surrounding community.
For more information on HISD’s Family and Community Engagement Department, visit the FACE webpage, and for more information on the District’s many valuable community partnerships, visit the Community Partnerships Department webpage.