2003 Accomplishments

"Advocacy Group is Cooking Again"

–– Houston Chronicle, September 1, 2003

$3 Million for After-School Programs TMO originated Houston’s After-School Achievement Program and has worked for 7 years to have the City expand and improve the quality of after-school programs for low-income children. In June 2003 TMO stopped an attempt by members of City Council to cut funding for after-school programs and to impose burdensome fees and residency tests, which would have reduced parent participation. Over 13,000 children in 100 schools benefit from City-funded After-School Programs. (Houston Chronicle, June 11 & 14, 2003)

$10 Million in City Services

TMO successfully opposed a proposed 1 cent property tax-cut, which would have saved taxpayers only $9 per year but would have added $10 million to the City’s deficit, resulting in direct cuts to City services. (Houston Chronicle, October 5, 7 & 9, 2003)

$2 Million for Houston-Area Schools

TMO worked at the 2003 State Legislature to sustain the Investment Capital Fund at $9.9 million. The Fund has provided $2 million in grant funding to forty Houston-area schools for staff development, parent training and student enrichment. (Houston Chronicle, March 13, 2003)

$100,000 for Workers Center

TMO, working with the AFL-CIO and Catholic Charities, organized to have the City of Houston invest $100,000 to create a worker development center where low-income and immigrant workers can find work, learn English and job skills and understand their legal rights as workers. (El Dia, July 23, 2003)

City Candidates Commit to TMO Action Agenda

TMO held the largest candidate session of the election season, with over 900 leaders, and won commitments from the major candidates for Mayor and City Council on After-school Programs, Stricter Flood Controls, Neighborhood Safety, Abandoned Housing, City Health Clinics and Immigrant Friendly City policies. TMO transformed the debate in the elections, challenging the candidates to make clear commitments on the issues important to our communities. (Houston Chronicle, September 22 & 25, 2003

Held HISD School Board Candidates Accountable

TMO held an Accountability Session with HISD School Board Candidates with over 200 leaders, winning commitments to make School Board meetings more accessible to parents, prohibit Board Members from profiting from HISD-related contracts, audit the alternative education program and advocate at the State Legislature for an adequate and equitable system of school finance. (Houston Chronicle, October 23, 2003)

50,000 Voters Contacted in GOTV Drive

TMO distributed 40,000 Accountability Session Scorecards at member churches and contacted 10,000 voters in 20 precincts through neighborhood walks and phone banks, increasing turnout and informing voters where the candidates stood on the issues of the TMO Agenda. (Houston Chronicle, 10/30/03)

Dangerous cantina closed

TMO leaders in Spring Branch organized their community to close the Riviera Club cantina, which for years had plagued the neighborhood with prostitution, drug dealing and violence. (Chronicle, 10/30/2003)

100 Parents in Parent Academies

Over 100 parents in Houston ISD and Spring Branch ISD Schools participated in leadership academies, where they learn the skills they need to become actively engaged in the education of their children. Parents learn to develop and teach the sessions. (Houston Chronicle, June 11, 2003)

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TMO Update File / Server Side Include SSI 07.2008