January 2024
Community
Builders Academy
Developing Leaders, Transforming Communities
CBA empowers individuals in East Harris County to become agents of change by providing them with leadership opportunities to address important issues in their community. By joining forces with like-minded individuals, you can make your community the best place to live, learn, work and play.
Powered By
What’s INcluded?
Community Builders Academy
10 Live Sessions with Community Leaders
Join 10 interactive sessions with expert facilitators and community leaders to develop your leadership skills and improve your ability to lead and manage community projects. The sessions will cover various topics, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and community engagement.
Learn how to move your projects forward while building East Harris County
Gain valuable knowledge and skills on how to advance community projects in East Harris County by learning about local laws, regulations, and resources. You will learn how to identify community needs, develop project plans, and implement projects that benefit the community.
Community Connections
Expand your network of civic and community leaders by interacting with peers, mentors, and experts in the field. You will get a chance to meet and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations who share your passion for community development and civic engagement.
1 Community Project
Work on a community project with your team to learn how to plan, organize, and execute a successful community project. You will work on a real-world project in East Harris County, Texas, and learn how to apply your leadership and project management skills to make a positive impact in the community.
Project Funding
Discover funding opportunities and resources to support your community projects. You will learn about the different types of funding available and how to apply for them.
Grant Writing knowledge
Enhance your grant writing skills to increase the success of your community projects by learning how to write compelling proposals and grant applications. You will learn how to identify funding opportunities, research funding agencies, and prepare proposals that align with funding priorities and requirements.
Class Syllabus
Team Retreat
An introductory team building retreat to start the program.
Class 1: Leadership 101
Exploring the fundamentals of effective leadership and developing essential leadership skills.
Class 2: SDOH, Communication Styles and Conflict Resolution
Understanding the social determinants of health, improving communication skills, and learning strategies for resolving conflicts.
Workshop 1: Effective Meetings
Learning techniques and strategies for conducting productive and efficient meetings.
Class 3: EHCEC programs, State 101
Exploring EHCEC programs and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the state’s healthcare system.
Class 4: Project Planning
Learning the key elements of project planning and developing skills to create effective project plans.
Workshop 2: Project Management
Understanding the principles of project management and applying techniques to successfully manage projects.
Class 5: Community Advocates
Exploring the role of community advocates and strategies for effectively advocating for community needs and concerns.
Class 6: Community Organizing
Learning about community organizing principles and techniques to mobilize communities for positive change.
Class 7: Local Government
Understanding the structure and functions of local government and how to engage with local officials for community development.
Class 8: Project Planning 2 Budgeting
Building on project planning skills and focusing on budgeting and financial aspects of project management.
Workshop 3: Fundraising & Grant Writing
Learning strategies for fundraising and developing grant writing skills to secure resources for community projects.
Class 9: Environmental and Climate Justice
Examining environmental and climate justice issues and exploring ways to promote sustainable and equitable practices.
Class 10: Community Project Recap & Program Reflection
Reflecting on the program journey and sharing experiences from community projects.
Workshop 4: Event Planning
Developing event planning skills to organize successful community events.
Program benefits
Developing Next Generation Leaders
Partnership Opportunities
Our program ensures that alumni of our seven-month course have continued opportunities to engage with their community by forming partnerships during the course.
Resident Leader Training
Become a resident leader in East Harris County! CBA offers comprehensive training in community organizing, civic engagement, advocacy, and personal leadership.
Community Project Network
Join our Community Builders Academy to connect with prominent community leaders, develop a project that addresses community needs, and gain the skills, knowledge, and networks to lead change in East Harris County!
Power-Building Culture
Join our program to become a community organizer in East Harris County! You’ll learn how to communicate, map assets, and manage projects to create positive change. Gain the skills to make an impact in your community!
Learn more
Residents Voices
Program goals
Graduate Leaders
Community Projects
Communities
Testimonials
Residents Voices
CBA connects the people in the community to work together to improve the neighbor. It also put people in the community to use there resources and strengths to improve the community.
My experiences so far being a part of CBA has been thought-provoking and exciting. The program brings together members of the community from several surrounding areas. We have begun to bond and learn from each other and have started to bounce ideas off each other. Our facilitators are knowledgeable and confident in what they are presenting to the group.
EHCEC Staff
Meet Nyell Lopez, our dedicated staff member who is committed to making East Harris County best place to live, learn, work and play.
Nyell Lopez
Director of Civic Leadership & Advocacy
nlopez@eastharriscounty.org
FAQ
What is CBA?
Our Community Builders Academy is a seven-month cohort-based community empowerment program that provides fundamental and advanced group workshops to community residents by building awareness, community connections, and project-based skills based on social determinants of health.
The CBA program will develop shared leadership, civic awareness, and engagement skills to build up resident leaders to have the power to become deeply involved in sustainable, grassroots community work.
What is CBA?
Our Community Builders Academy is a seven-month cohort-based community empowerment program that provides fundamental and advanced group workshops to community residents by building awareness, community connections, and project-based skills based on social determinants of health.
The CBA program will develop shared leadership, civic awareness, and engagement skills to build up resident leaders to have the power to become deeply involved in sustainable, grassroots community work.
Why CBA matters?
The CBA program seeks to ignite action to move historically under-resourced, disinvested, and overlooked communities into healthy futures with sustainable services and opportunities.
Creating a deeper understanding of community challenges through base-building capacity skills, political clarity, organizing effectiveness, and fostering a new sense of responsibility for the future, graduating leaders will create, develop, and implement community improvement projects.
Increased community awareness and opportunities will activate community advocacy efforts providing an engaged and organized platform to build awareness and community capacity starting with the heart of the community and its Resident Leaders.
Application Process
Applications will open in the fall for the next CBA team for early 2023. A successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to learn and participate in community projects to promote community change and transformation.
Applicates will be required to attend an orientation and retreat for before the program starts.
Requirements
1. Applicants must reside in the East Harris County Empowerment Council service areas. This includes Channelview, Crosby, Galena Park, Jacinto City, North Shore, and Sheldon. The zip codes are 77015, 77029, 77044, 77049, 77530, 77532, and 77547.
2. Be able to commit to biweekly classes
3. Computer and internet recommended for virtual meetings
4. Willing to participate in in-person learning at different community locations
5. Willing to learn from others
We transform lives by connecting people to resources and opportunities.
