ouston All-Stars Children's Development Program is currently focusing its efforts on two ethnically diverse communities, both in southwest Houston: Fonmeadows and Braeswood, served by Argyle and Elrod Elementary Schools respectively, are both identified by Houston Independent School District as economically deprived. The majority (91%) of children living in these communities are considered economically disadvantaged and more than two thirds (68%) are considered at-risk. Houston Police Department statistics state that about 60% of the children over eight years old are exposed to drug use, violence, family abuse and parental neglect on a daily basis. About 30% of these children will turn to drugs or violence as a means of combating boredom, loneliness or fear, and the juvenile court system of Harris County asserts that gangs, drugs and violence provide an identity for youth that have no other sense of belonging.

Houston All-Stars Children's Development Program provides alternative activities to motivate underprivileged children, aged 6 to 14, who are failing at school, causing disturbances or having problems socializing with other children. After-school programs, with classroom space, library, computers and outside recreational facilities provided by Argyle and Elrod, are allowing our students to look forward to their free time, rather than fear it. They participate in tutoring and homework assistance, social skill development and leadership discussions, arts programs, conflict resolution training, field trips and camping, athletic activities and volunteer opportunities in community service. Of 240 students participating in 2002-2003 programs, 80% have improved conduct grades, 70% have improved math grades by 9 points, and 90% have improved reading grades by 12 points. Of 50 parent/guardians, 70% have increased attendance at parent/teacher meetings. This data, and more, has been compiled from teacher documentation, report cards, school improvement plan, parent interviews and meetings, and home surveys.

With assistance from administrators, teachers, students and volunteers, in collaboration with Elrod and Argyle Elementary Schools, Houston All-Stars has taken a leading role in reshaping the lives of children in these communities. Community meetings are scheduled monthly to address strengths and weaknesses in the program, to outline plans for continued improvement and to track progress and determine the program's effectiveness. Community leaders and educators, religious institutions, the schools' PTOs, neighborhood businesses, consultants from law enforcement, and city and county agencies, are all playing pivotal roles in expanding and improving programming that works, so that Houston All-Stars may effectively include more at-risk children in its activities. Since 2000, there are always 50 to 85 students on the waiting list -- last year there were 118.