BakerRipley Opportunity For All

Opportunity Hubs
Written By Shelley Moore

Learn more at https://bakerripley.org/

“For more than 100 years, we have aspired to empower our neighbors to build a more promising tomorrow for themselves and their families. This aspiration is at the heart of our purpose and work. As a community development organization, embraces the fact that everyone shares the same aspirations. Through the use of our programs, partnerships, and interventions, we provide the opportunity to optimize every Neighbor’s earning potential, learning opportunities, sense of belonging, and health and well being.” - BakerRipley website

BakerRipley is a big family unified around keeping Houston a place of opportunity for everyone. That noble mission was fostered more than a century ago by our founder, Alice Graham Baker.

When she founded the Houston Settlement Association in 1907, Mrs. Baker’s aim was to provide a welcoming place of educational, industrial, social and friendly aid for Houston’s poor and immigrant newcomer families. She believed that regardless of where people live, everyone should have an opportunity for a better life. She demonstrated that diligent community service and philanthropy have the power to accelerate progress where it is needed most and influence lasting change that can touch the lives of families for generations.

Mrs. Baker and the Baker Family represent the heart of Houston’s story of commitment to service, strong community, and generous philanthropy. We strive every day to model their ideals and continue their legacy through our holistic approach to supporting families with high-quality programs and services for early childhood education, community schools, adult education, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, immigration/citizenship, veteran support, disaster recovery, and so much more. By transforming, innovating, and continuously evolving our programs and services to address the region’s ongoing and emerging challenges, BakerRipley helps families overcome adversity, create opportunity, and achieve their aspirations for socioeconomic mobility.


Services

Education and Development:

  • Child Care: Quality child care programs in multiple regions of Texas. 

  • Adult Education: English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, GED classes, and computer literacy classes. 

  • Learning and Innovation Centers: Unique learning experiences, tools, and opportunities for kids and adults. 

  • Workforce Solutions: Job training, upskilling services, career specialist appointments, and job fairs. 

  • Entrepreneur Connection: Programs to help neighbors learn how to create and run their own businesses. 

  • Head Start and Early Head Start: Programs focused on early childhood education and family engagement. 

Community Support:

  • Immigration and Citizenship Services: Legal orientation, citizenship classes, and referrals to other services. 

  • Senior Health and Wellness Centers: Programs and services for adults aged 60 and older. 

  • Disaster Recovery: Assistance for those affected by disasters, including emergency shelters, food fairs, and resource fairs. 

  • Food and Nutrition: Programs to ensure Neighbors have access to nutritious food, including food fairs, free lunches, and senior commodity boxes. 

  • Tax Preparation Assistance: Free, quality tax preparation services for individuals and families earning up to $58,000 annually. 

  • Utility Assistance: Assistance with utility bills in Harris, Brazoria, and Galveston Counties. 

  • Weatherization Assistance Program: Helping low-income persons control their home energy costs. 

  • Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): A permanent housing program that focuses on rehousing veterans experiencing homelessness. 

  • Civic Education: Helping Neighbors understand how local, state, and national governments operate. 


Funding - Private Philanthropic Investment:

BakerRipley's community and economic-based programs are largely supported by private philanthropic investment. 



Shelley Moore
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