Rice University and the Houston Independent School District (HISD) are embarking on an exciting collaboration to strengthen the district’s Sunrise Centers.
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According to HISD, the Sunrise Centers provide a wide range of support services for students and families, including food, school supplies, mental health care, and job training.
Currently, there are seven Sunrise Centers, each co-located with community organizations YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Youth Development Center.
The HISD school board recently approved an eighth center, operated by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, with plans to expand to as many as 12 centers. Each center is said to offer personalized case management and will connect families to services like food pantries, clothing, school supplies, health care, therapy, and workforce development programs.
Research conducted by Rice University’s Houston Education Research Consortium (HERC) confirmed that most HISD families can access a Sunrise Center within a 10-minute drive or a short walk from a bus stop.
However, some high-need neighborhoods, such as Third Ward and Denver Harbor, have less access. To address this, HERC is collaborating with the district, using data to guide future site selection and transportation planning.
“Given that Sunrise Centers are now going to be the primary way HISD supports the needs of students and families, we hope that this research collaboration can help the district and its community partners create a strong program that puts critical services within reach of every student,” Erin Baumgartner, director of HERC, shared in a news statement.
Looking ahead, organizers noted the next phase of this partnership will explore how these services are linked to academic outcomes, including attendance, behavior, and achievement.
