The ITT catastrophe – Houston Community College wades in to help students

A student arrives to find the doors locked at the ITT Technical Institute campus in the 2900 block of South Gessner Road in Houston, Texas on Sept. 6, 2016. Nationwide, ITT Educational Services shut down all campuses after the U.S.
A student arrives to find the doors locked at the ITT Technical Institute campus in the 2900 block of South Gessner Road in Houston, Texas on Sept. 6, 2016. Nationwide, ITT Educational Services shut down all campuses after the U.S.

Houston Community College (HCC) is assisting more than 150 former ITT Technical Institute students, faculty and staff to decide their next steps after their institution was abruptly shut down by the U.S. Department of Education.

HCC says its staff would continue to answer questions through the HCC website and the HCC call center about course transfers, financial aid issues, and career opportunities.

According to a release from ITT Educational Services, Inc. the actions of and sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education forced the institution to cease operations. “We reached this decision only after having exhausted the exploration of alternatives, including transfer of the schools to a non-profit or public institution,” the release read.

ITT Educational Services eliminated the positions of the overwhelming majority of our more than 8,000 employees. “Our focus and priority with our remaining staff is on helping the tens of thousands of unexpectedly displaced students with their records and future educational options,” ITT said in a statement.

HCC says it would accepts in transferring all of ITT courses including: Electronics, Information Technology, Business, and Drafting. For answers to questions about enrollment, programs, transcripts and other issues, students are advised to visit hccs.edu/itt for or call the HCC Student Services Contact Center at 713-718-2277.

 

Voice of Evangelism International Church hosts Arch Bishop from Nigeria during Labor Day Service

Most Rev Barrister Chris S. Ede, the Arch Bishop of Enugu Methodist Church of Nigeria and the Host Pastor, Dr. Emeka Agwu – overseer of Voice of Evangelism International Church.
Most Rev Barrister Chris S. Ede, the Arch Bishop of Enugu Methodist Church of Nigeria and the Host Pastor, Dr. Emeka Agwu – overseer of Voice of Evangelism International Church.

Most Rev Barrister Chris S. Ede, the Arch Bishop of Enugu Methodist Church of Nigeria overseeing three States, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi  was at the Voice of Evangelism International (VOEI) Church in Houston, Texas where he co-presided a packed congregation during a Labor Day Service on September 4, 2016. Host Pastor, Dr. Emeka Agwu – overseer of VOEI described the august visitor as a distinguished spiritual leader and respected man of God.

Reverend Ede’s message drawn from Second Corinthians 10 (12) enjoined children of God to remain consistent with whom God created them to be and desist from comparing themselves with others. “It is unwise to compare ourselves with others” he preached. Reverend Ede further advised children of God to know Christ; pray each day so as to fulfill the will of God.

Reverend Ede’s message drawn from Second Corinthians 10 (12) enjoined children of God to remain consistent with whom God created them to be and desist from comparing themselves with others.
Reverend Ede’s message drawn from Second Corinthians 10 (12) enjoined children of God to remain consistent with whom God created them to be and desist from comparing themselves with others.

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Reverend Ede’s visit was seen as a mission to strengthen VOEI’s partnership with the Methodist Church and other churches in Nigeria toward training, community development, and missionary activities such as taking care of the widows, orphans, and the less privileged.  Earlier this year  for instance, Enugu Diocese of the  Methodist Church commissioned the construction and completion of Wesley Specialist hospital in city of Enugu. Reverend Ede received state and national commendation over this humanitarian project.

The service at the VOEI celebrated the Labor Day, the first Monday in September, commemorating a creation of the labor movement dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Also at the service were the Dioceses First Lady, Ezinne Phoebe Nkechi Ede who is also the President of the Methodist women in entire southeastern Nigeria; Dr. Chizoba Agwu, Fisrt Lady of the VOEI.

City of Houston Partners with People Fund for Innovation Week

Small Business Education Event Brings Free Training to Houston Entrepreneurs

Partnering with the City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity, Texas Capital Bank, Constant Contact, Neighborhood Centers Inc., Frost Bank, and other local institutions, PeopleFund introduces Innoation Week an event that brings valuable small business training to entrepreneurs looking to grow their expertise and strengthen their businesses. The event will bring together local business owners, experts and resources for two days filled with workshops and vital information for entrepreneurs. The event is free of charge and registration is now open.

“For budding entrepreneurs, access to relevant training can help strengthen small businesses, bringing a value to the entire Houston community,” said Jadeline Cao, the engineer behind the Innovation Week Event. “The three-day pilot program brings together experts in marketing, finance, law, human resources, and other fields that can prove elusive to small business owners. In addition to offering practical business knowledge for entrepreneurs, the event will connect attendees to a broader supportive network of peers and available resources,” said Cao.

“The City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity is proud to join efforts with People Fund and other organizations to provide the tools and experts to help grow businesses here in Houston. We are hopeful that Houstonians who have contemplated starting their own business and small business owners will take advantage of this two day event,” said Carlecia D. Wright, Director of the Office of Business Opportunity. “The Office of Business Opportunity will conduct a workshop on Doing Business with the City of Houston and will discuss the various resources available to small business owners from our office which are always at no cost.”

Innovation Week will take place at the Leonel Castillo Community Center, 2101 South Street, Houston from September 19-21.

♦ To register for Innovation Week or to learn more, please contact Jadeline Cao at 512.222.1007 or peoplefund.org/iwhou

The Houston Fire Department is Awarded International Reaccreditation Status

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.  “ I am proud that HFD consistently achieves that status while utilizing  strategic partnerships, innovation, best practices and shared sacrifice.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner… “ I am proud that HFD consistently achieves that status while utilizing strategic partnerships, innovation, best practices and shared sacrifice.”

The Houston Fire Department (HFD) has received Re-accredited Agency status with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) for meeting the criteria established through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and re-accreditation program. The Houston Fire Department is one of over 200 agencies to achieve Internationally Accredited Agency status with the CFAI and the Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. (CPSE)

“The Houston Fire Department serves 2.2 million people within a 640 square mile area and is the largest accredited agency,” said Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.  “ I am proud that HFD consistently achieves that status while utilizing  strategic partnerships, innovation, best practices and shared sacrifice.”

CFAI is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation in order to provide continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities. The CFAI process is voluntary, and provides an agency with an improvement model to assess their service delivery and performance internally and then works with a team of peers from other agencies to evaluate their completed self-assessment.

The HFD was first accredited by the CFAI on March 24, 2001, and has maintained accreditation status through the CFAI’s voluntary self-assessment and re-accreditation program conducted every five years.

Through this self-assessment process, which included a review of (43) criteria and (253) performance indicators, HFD staff members evaluated the operations of the department, identified its strengths and weaknesses, and developed a plan to improve areas that needed to be addressed.

“Like many top-performing, the Houston Fire Department is a dynamic, creative, and innovative organization that faces a wide array of challenges,” said CFAI Peer Team Leader Steve Olson, Retired Fire Chief of the Geneva, Illinois Fire Department.  “It has used several strategies to meet the service demands of the community while working with fewer available resources.”

One of the examples the CFAI  Peer Assessment Team  gave of this creativity is the program known as ETHAN which is designed to treat non-emergent patients via a remote connection from the patients location to a medical coordinator in the 9-1-1 Center. In one year the program was able to successfully divert an estimated 6,000 patients from the EMS system to local clinics for treatment.

Through evaluation of the Houston Fire Department’s documents, interviews and direct observation, the peer team developed a series of recommendations designed to assist the HFD in the continual improvement process.

One area in particular that the team spent considerable time in observations and discussions was with the program managers involving call-processing.  The team noted that overall processing time was extended when compared to accredited or similar sized agencies and developed recommendations toward reducing the overall time.

Consistent with the recommendations, the City has conducted several retraining sessions for the call-taking staff, work procedures have been modified and the individual work stations will be reconfigured to aid the telecommunicators in verifying the incident location.

The team observed the numerous and significant steps the Houston Fire Department took to prevent such tragic events following the four line of duty deaths from the “SW Inn Fire”. These steps included communications, field operations, and ICS procedures on department wide bases.

“The team commends the department and its members for the positive and aggressive manner in which it met this challenge,” said Peer Team Leader Olson.

Interim Fire Chief Rodney West stated that the Houston Fire Department’s achievement of Re-accredited Agency status “demonstrates the commitment of the department to provide the highest quality of service to our community.”

“We have also been able to use the Commission on Fire Accreditation International’s process as a proactive mechanism to plan the future of the Houston Fire Department and Identify areas where we can improve on the quality of the services we provided,” said West.

There are 220 agencies; including HFD accredited by the CFAI some which include: El Paso Fire Department, Plano Fire Department, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, Atlanta Fire Department, Honolulu Fire Department, and Calgary Fire Department.

Houston Public Library to Hold Groundbreaking Celebration

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The Houston Public Library (HPL), along with our partners, the Houston Public Library Foundation and Downtown Redevelopment Authority, is breaking ground to mark the beginning of a major public space upgrade for the City of Houston! A groundbreaking celebration will be held on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 10:30 AM in the Plaza area (or in the Central Library’s 1st Floor Gallery area in case of inclement weather). The Plaza’s renovation is designed to create a family friendly atmosphere for the Houston community to gather for leisure, lite dining, library and city activities and programs.

The community is invited to attend and learn more about the Plaza renovations from Dr. Rhea Brown Lawson, Director, Houston Public Library; Robert Gallegos, City Council Member, District I; Bob Eury, President, Downtown Redevelopment Authority; and Licia Ellis-Green, Chair, Houston Public Library Foundation Board (HPLF).

This event is free and open to the public. The Central Library Plaza is located at 500 McKinney St., 77002, 832-393-1313.

The renovations will include placement of a new steel/glass stage area including lighting dedicated for concerts, plays, programs and other events. New granite pavers will cover most existing concrete along the Julia Ideson Building (JIB) side of the plaza area. All the existing wood deck areas will be removed in order to install granite pavers around the trees. New lighting around the trees will also be added. This renovation project is expected to be completed by late Winter 2017.

HPL does not want to inconvenience its customers, so even though the plaza area will be fenced, customers will still have access to the Central Library’s front door entrance and the garage area.

The design and construction of the Central Plaza renovation is being done by Lauren Griffith Associates, Landscape Architecture and Planning along with contractor Gadberry Construction Company, Inc.


The Houston Public Library (HPL) operates 35 neighborhood libraries, four HPL Express Libraries, a Central Library, the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, The African American Library at the Gregory School, and the Parent Resource Library located in the Children’s Museum of Houston. With more than eight million visits per year in person and online, HPL is committed to excellent customer service and equitable access to information and programs by providing library customers with free use of a diverse collection of printed materials and electronic resources, Internet, laptop and computer use, and a variety of database and reference resources with live assistance online 24/7.

For further information visit the Houston Public Library at www.houstonlibrary.org on Twitter@houstonlibrary or call 832-393-1313.

See what the Houston Fire Department recommended as safety tips for Labor Day weekend activities

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As America pay tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the United States this Labor Day Weekend, the Houston Fire Department urges citizens to follow some simple safety tips if enjoying the outdoors:

Barbecue Grill Safety Tips

◾Portable barbecue pits, charcoal grills and other open-flame cooking devices outside of a building should not be operated on combustible balconies or located within 10 feet of combustible walls or roofs or other combustible materials.

◾When igniting the barbecue charcoal, citizens should use a charcoal lighter, not gasoline. Gasoline can flash violently in and around the pit causing serious injuries to anyone in the area of the flash. A fire extinguisher or charged garden hose should be handy while the fire is burning. Check the pit frequently to insure that it is okay.

◾Hot ash and coals from barbecue pits and charcoal burners should be placed in a non-combustible container until cooled or thoroughly saturated with water, before being disposed of.

Heat Related Medical Emergencies

The Houston Fire Department reminds citizens about the importance of taking safety measures when outdoors to avoid heat-related medical emergencies, this also includes making sure caregivers “Look Before They Lock” for children left in vehicles. Also, remember that pets should never be left in a vehicle on a warm or hot day.

◾Before conducting outdoors activities and feeling thirsty, drink plenty of water and electrolyte-replacement beverages. Avoid beverages or food sources with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because these can actually result in the loss of body fluid. Most popular sodas contain high levels of sugar and should be avoided when conducting strenuous activity. Avoid drinking alcohol the evening before conducting strenuous exercise as alcohol increases .

◾Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. Individuals unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks. Take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility.

◾A wide-brimmed, loose-fitting hat that allows ventilation helps prevent sunburn and heat-related emergencies. A tight-fitting baseball cap is not the best choice when conducting strenuous outdoors activities. Sunscreen also helps protect injury from the sun’s rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.

◾Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration. Do not leave children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle.

Pool and Water Safety

◾Active, focused, adult supervision is the most important safety measure to prevent a water-related tragedy involving a child. The vast majority of children who drown in pools do so in the backyards of their own homes or of relatives.

◾Never leave a child alone near water, always watch your children around swimming pools

◾Enroll children over the age of 3 in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. However, swimming lessons don’t make your child “drown proof.” Remember, flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision.

◾Use approved flotation devices

◾If your apartment has a pool, inspect the fence and gate. If the gate does not lock or you find any other defects with the fence, report it to the apartment management immediately.

◾Bring a cell phone to the pool in case of emergency

◾Standing water is the #1 cause of slips and falls around a pool. NO RUNNING on the pool deck!

◾Always have a first aid kit and emergency contacts handy

◾Watch for dangerous “TOOs”- Too Tired, Too Cold, Too Far from Safety, Too Much Sun, Too Much Strenuous Activity

◾Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. If lightning and thunder are nearby, get out until the storm has passed.

Teach Children these safety tips:

◾Always swim with a buddy

◾Don’t dive into unknown bodies of water. Jump in feet first to avoid hitting your head on the shallow bottom.

◾Don’t push or jump on others in or around water

◾Swim in supervised areas only

◾Obey all rules and posted signs

HFD also recommends parents and guardians learn CPR. Seconds count if a person drowns and performing CPR quickly and correctly can save their life. For more information on local CPR classes, please contact the American Red Cross , your local hospitals or medical schools.

♦ Additional safety tips may be found on the HFD website at www.houstonfire.org

HCC receives INSIGHT into Diversity 2016 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award

HOUSTON [September 1, 2016] – Houston Community College has received the 2016 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award – a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion – HCC solidifies its position as the #1 community college among 1,905 in the nation serving students from across the globe.

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For David Cross, HCC Director of Institutional Equity and Compliance, receiving this distinction for the second year in a row is recognition of the focus that every department of the institution has on diversity and inclusion.

“I am very proud because this award demonstrates that HCC has applied a strategic leadership approach to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to support student and faculty success,” said Cross.

The HEED Award considers not only achievements in equity and inclusion, but also progress made in community engagement and student programs.

“We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, “Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campus.”

The HCC Diversity and Inclusion Council was established in 2010. On a continual basis, the council conducts lunch-and-learn sessions, round table discussions, training regarding diversity issues, and the promotion of various diversity initiatives led by student organizations.

Relief efforts for Baton Rouge: Sylvester Turner calls on Houstonians to reach out to Louisiana flood victims

After speaking to Mayor Kip Holden (left)  of East Baton Rouge Parish this week, Mayor Turner has recruited several faith leaders to open their churches as collection sites for essential items which are desperately needed.
After speaking to Mayor Kip Holden (left) of East Baton Rouge Parish this week, Mayor Turner has recruited several faith leaders to open their churches as collection sites for essential items which are desperately needed.

Help is on the way soon to the thousands of flood victims in Louisiana, thanks to a call to action by Mayor Sylvester Turner. After speaking to Mayor Kip Holden of East Baton Rouge Parish this week, Mayor Turner has recruited several faith leaders to open their churches as collection sites for essential items which are desperately needed.

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To put the need into perspective, the catastrophic flood is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago. Red Cross officials estimate the flood damage to hit more than $30 million dollars.

Houstonians can help by taking their boxed, unsealed, and shipment ready items to any of the collection sites listed. Faith-based organizations will collect items until September 6. The City of Houston will arrange to transport the items to Baton Rouge by September 9.

HCC Procurement Department receives national award

Members of the Houston Community College Procurement Department were recognized during the August meeting of the HCC Board of Trustees for being awarded the 2016 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute.
Members of the Houston Community College Procurement Department were recognized during the August meeting of the HCC Board of Trustees for being awarded the 2016 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute.

 

The Houston Community College (HCC) Procurement Department has received the 2016 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award from the National Procurement Institute, Inc.

This prestigious, annual award recognizes organizations that demonstrate excellence in procurement through best purchasing practices with client departments and the vendor community. The evaluation criteria measures innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement, and leadership attributes.

During the August meeting of the HCC Board of Trustees, members of the HCC Procurement team, led by Executive Director Rogelio Anasagasti, were applauded for their hard work.

“It is our distinct honor to have been recognized for the hard work and dedication the Procurement team puts forth each day,” said Anasagasti. “This award is a testament to what can be accomplished through teamwork.”

HCC is one of 25 higher education institutes across the country to earn the award this year. To learn more about the HCC Procurement Department and its mission, visit hccs.edu/procurement.

Mayor Turner Announces Major Expansion of Houston Bike Share Program

Mayor Turner... “The expansion of the B-cycle system will bring bike sharing into new neighborhoods and to new users.”
Mayor Turner… “The expansion of the B-cycle system will bring bike sharing into new neighborhoods and to new users.” (Photo collage/International Guardian)

Houston’s bike share system, Houston B-cycle, will be more than triple in size over the next two years, adding 71 stations with 568 bikes. The expansion will be paid for with federal grant dollars.

“The expansion of the B-cycle system will bring bike sharing into new neighborhoods and to new users,” said Mayor Turner. “As I’ve said, we need a paradigm shift in transportation away from single-occupancy motor vehicles. Making cycling more accessible by building a strong bike sharing system is a critical component of that change.”

The City’s Planning and Development Department sponsored an application for a grant from the Federal Highway Administration. The grant will reimburse the City for $3.5 million of the cost of expanding the system. Houston Bike Share, a local nonprofit that administers Houston B-cycle, will provide the remaining $880,000.

Currently, the system has 31 stations with 225 bikes. The expansion will bring the total to 102 stations and 793 bikes. The grant will also pay for two new transportation vehicles.

Houston B-cycle is a membership-driven bike share system.  Memberships are available by day, week or year.  All members have unlimited access to the bikes for up to 60 minutes per trip.  There is a charge of $2 for every additional half hour.

The expansion brings bike sharing into the Texas Medical Center with 14 stations and 107 bikes. The new stations will also serve Houston’s students, with 21 new stations and 248 bikes at the University of Houston Main Campus, Texas Southern University, UH-Downtown and Rice University.

Since January 1, cyclists have made 73,577 trips and traveled 508,044 miles.  Houston Bike Share CEO Carter Stern estimates Houstonians are on track to exceed 100,000 trips by the end of 2016.

Since January 1, cyclists have made 73,577 trips and traveled 508,044 miles.  Houston Bike Share CEO Carter Stern estimates Houstonians are on track to exceed 100,000 trips by the end of 2016.

“We could not be more grateful for the Mayor and City Council’s unflagging support of the Houston B-Cycle program and our efforts to expand the program,” Stern said. “The expansion approved today will allow us to build on the immense success that B-Cycle has had in just 4 short years and bring this affordable, healthy, sustainable mobility option to more Houstonians than ever before.”

When people bike instead of drive, they dramatically decrease their carbon footprint. In 2015, B-Cycle users offset 576,082 pounds of carbon by riding bikes instead of driving. That’s an equivalent gasoline reduction of 29,000 gallons.

B-cycle users also burned 24,245,544 calories in 2015, the equivalent of about 5,400 gallons of ice cream or 81,000 cheeseburgers.

“Increasing access to bikes provides Houstonians with a sustainable, environmentally-friendly mode of transportation that also improves public health,” Mayor Turner said. “These grant funds provide a way to expand access while minimally affecting the City’s budget.”

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