November 1, 2024, marks one year since the opening of HISD’s seven Sunrise Centers, which have served more than 30,900 families and counting.

The Sunrise Centers have become essential hubs in HISD communities, addressing barriers that often impact student learning by working with community partners to provide students and their families access to supplies, resources, and a wide range of services.

“When I thought about how we turn around HISD, how we support our kids in HISD, it can’t just be great instruction—It has to be more comprehensive,” said Superintendent Mike Miles. “It’s equally important to address the challenges not just our students face, but their families at home, too.”

The impact continues to grow. Each week, 200 families visit the Centers for food. In the wake of the derecho and Hurricane Beryl, thousands of families received food and water. Hundreds of students have been able to access afterschool care, summer programs, and health care at no cost, as well as school uniforms and supplies. More on the Sunrise Centers’ mission and scope of impact can be found in the 2023-2024 Annual Report.

“As we continue this work, we’re doing a lot of things to expand our impact,” said Najah Callander, Deputy Chief of Family and Community Partnerships. “We’re increasing our supports for our homeless and foster care students, we’re integrating our data systems, we’re continuing to improve accessibility to Sunrise Centers, and we are going deeper because we know that without that our families won’t see improved outcomes.”

On Friday, HISD marked the anniversary at the West Orem Family YMCA, the first Sunrise Center to open and launch the important partnership in September 2023.