We, the undersigned representatives of the Fourth Ward Health and Educational Center for Youth, Inc., Fourth Ward Park Advisory Council, and the Fourth Ward Youth Baseball and Softball Association hereby take a public stand for greater human, economic, and housing development in our neighborhood, as follows: I. Whereas Jefferson Davis Hospital and its surroundings are the cornerstone of African American history in Houston, and whereas our African American ancestors had original ownership of that property, we hereby claim the right to acquire ownership as active members of the African American and Freedmens Town community, and as concerned citizens of the City of Houston, II.A. We ask city, state, and federal authorities to recognize the Youth Master Plan, as presented by our local Troop #132 of the Boy Scouts of America, S.H.A.C., Edward Patterson, Sr. Patrol Leader. This vision of Fourth Ward development, put together by neighborhood youth, includes the following: * A 9th-12th grade high school, community college, student center, and ball park * The local library and fire station to be re-opened * The hospital building to be used for medical research and treatment, including community services and drug and alcohol rehabilitation and recovery * New business opportunities for residents; job training and development * Preservation of existing housing stock and other historical sites in this area * New construction where needed as led by residents of Fourth Ward II.B. We also ask the public to recognize the community of Freedmens Town as a national center of African American history and culture in Houston, in supporting these additional goals: * Restoration of all 1,000 units at Allen Parkway Village, in reserving all 37 acres for resident-managed public housing and campus development * Foundation of an African American museum led by Fourth Ward Residents * Equal recognition of similar efforts in all neighborhoods citywide III. Whereas both our youth and adult volunteers with the Fourth Ward Health and Educational Center for Youth, Inc., have strived for self-empowerment in lifting ourselves and our neighbors out of poverty with little assistance from local, state, or federal agencies, we openly ask support from public officials at all levels of government in forming new partnerships to fulfill our goals in human development, economic independence, and affordable and accessible housing. Mack M. Merritt Darrell J. Patterson (713)529-9563 (713)524-2857 * Fourth Ward Health and Educational Center for Youth, Inc. 1415 Taft Street, Houston, TX 77019 (713)524-2857 * Fourth Ward Youth Baseball and Softball Association * Park Advisory Councils at San Felipe Park (Allen Parkway Park System), Wiley Park (Fourth Ward Oaks Place Park), Gregory-Lincoln Sparks Park (Wharton Sparks Park) * Local Chapter of Kids For A Clean Environment ------------------------------------------------------------------- E N D O R S E M E N T S include: * Gladys Marie House, President free1605@aol.com Freedmen's Town Association and Community Development Corporation * Sandra Massie Hines, Founder Junior Achievers * Ivory Mayhorn, Executive Director Launch Point Center, imayhorn@yahoo.com * Emily Nghiem, Houston Progressive Webzine * Rev. Dewayne Lark, Harris County Council of Organizations * Barbara J. Faircloth, Fourth Ward Pathfinders * James R. Richard, Community Leader * Reynaud Thibodeaux, Forward Times/KCOH ------------------------------------------------------------------- I hereby endorse the Fourth Ward Youth Master Plan: SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________ PRINTED NAME: ___________________________________________ ORGANIZATION/TITLE: ___________________________________________ ADDRESS/ZIP CODE: ___________________________________________ TEL/FAX/E-MAIL: ___________________________________________ Please sign and return this completed form to: The Fourth Ward Health and Educational Center for Youth, Inc. 1415 Taft Street, Houston, TX 77019 tel/fax: (713)521-1315 fourthwardyouth@ev1.net Darrell J. Patterson, Executive Director --------------------------------------------------------------------|4th Ward Index|Wishlist|12 Ways to Invest in Youth Master Plan|APV Campus Plan|Main Index|