Familia

History

Houston reVision breaks the cycle of juvenile justice involvement and homelessness among youth in Harris County by leveraging the power of community to connect them with mentors, positive peers, life-changing resources, and opportunities for artistic expression. Everyone is transformed in this work: youth, mentors, and communities.

An independent 501(c)3, reVision was incorporated in 2012 through a groundbreaking public/private partnership that has grown to include 39 church partners, including founding members St. Luke's UMC and St. Martin's Episcopal Church, the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD), and Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. reVision serves disconnected youth struggling with their behavior and engagement at school and in the community. These youth are experiencing issues, including extreme poverty, absent or incarcerated parents, and may witness violence and drug use in their homes. Many have undiagnosed behavioral health issues, are food insecure, and lack necessities like clothes, shoes, and hygiene items. Youth referred to reVision are, on average, academically two grade levels behind where they should be. Since 2012, reVision has grown to provide high-quality mentoring, case management, community support, and school-based programs to more than 1,500 youth per year with the help of over 150 volunteers.

With neighborhood roots and youth connections dating back more than 30 years, reVision has earned the credibility of youth, the trust of the community, and a reputation for reliability among youth-serving institutions. No other organization in Harris County has the capacity, expertise, and existing relationships to address the unique needs of this population. All reVision programming and services are provided at no cost to the youth and young adults receiving them.

Services and programming include mentoring, connections to positive peers, and opportunities to participate in prosocial activities.

Mentoring.

 reVision has recruited, screened, trained, and supported over 450 volunteer mentors from 39 faith communities across Harris County, local universities (Rice, University of Houston-Downtown, HCC, TSU), and government agencies like the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. reVision's mentoring program facilitates one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring.

Education/After-School. 

reVision's education programming aims to promote school connectedness and improve student health and academic achievement by focusing on keeping kids in school and diverting them from the school-to-prison pipeline. Houston reVision operates a drop-in summer and afterschool program open to youth ages 10-18 on weekdays from 3 pm to 8 pm, offering fun, prosocial activities. The drop-in program operates in the afternoon and evening to avoid interfering with local school schedules. Nutritious daily meals are provided. reVision’s out-of-school and summer programming began in 2012 and is a core component of reVision’s work. reVision’s community programming operates outside of school time, including after school, summers, and weekends. 

Core Activities: Arts Programming, Breaking (Breakdancing), and Soccer

Houston reVision currently provides its arts programming at the reVision afterschool center, the Connect YMCA campus, Bellaire High School, the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) detention facilities, and Bayland Community Center. 

reVision’s arts-based programming is built around the traditional elements of hip-hop, breaking (break dancing), free-form visual arts, and music. Other pro-social activities include soccer, basketball, and regular meals. These activities create new friendships for young people who are often disconnected from other pro-social activities. They also develop accountability processes among themselves, encouraging them to join positive peer groups and avoid negative behaviors. 

The reVision community comes together daily during the week, providing its members with ongoing support, helpful guidance, and positive forms of expression. The oldest and most significant event reVision, is our weekly CommUnity Nights, held every Tuesday and Thursday night (other than Thanksgiving) in the Houston community for over 30 years. CommUnity Night, as its name suggests, is open to all ages and is at the center of reVision's kinship community. Many reVision community members who started attending CommUnity Night in middle and high school continue to come regularly as adults and often bring their own children. They serve as the elders and teachers for the young people involved in reVision's programs and activities. In addition, the reVision staff members who run our arts-based programs are from this vibrant community and are passionate about their work. 

reVision’s soccer program offers opportunities for youth who would otherwise be unable to afford to play on a club team. It enables them to build positive relationships with adults, make lifelong friends, and be a part of a vibrant community.

The impact on the youth and young adults involved in reVision's soccer programming is immense. They make lasting bonds with peers who share their experiences playing soccer. In addition, they are connected to committed, trauma-informed, and trained adults who serve as coaches, mentors, and case managers, helping them navigate the challenges and pitfalls of their daily lives while also providing them with invaluable skills on the soccer field. reVision's soccer program is embedded in our overall programming, and players can access our full range of programs and support. reVision FC currently has over 120 youth participating in soccer programming and continues to grow as more local youth express interest. Currently, reVision has three boys’ teams and one girls’ team competing in competitive leagues in the South Texas Youth Soccer Association.

reVision continues to build a track record of success, winning seven State Championships since 2019 and competing in Regional Championships six times during the same period. Over 70 former reVision FC players have graduated from high school and are either starting or returning to college on soccer scholarships or have graduated.

Houston reVision’s two core activities, breaking and soccer, embody Houston's unique diversity and vibrancy. Both soccer and breaking are in the international spotlight right now, and Houston is at the center of the action, having hosted the 2026 FIFA World Cup and serving as a hub for breaking, as evidenced by one of reVision’s own representing the United States in breaking at the 2024 Olympics.  What these activities have in common, besides being accessible to all skill levels and internationally loved, is that you don’t need much specialized equipment to participate. For soccer, at its most basic, you need a ball and a reasonably flat place to play.  For breaking, you need a beat, either from music or hand claps and foot stomping, to move to.  Our work highlights the best of what Houston has to offer and celebrates our multinational residents.

Volunteering

There are many opportunities for anyone interested in volunteering with Houston reVision. Whether regularly, occasionally, for events, to mentor, or in any other way, click the Volunteer button to learn more.