One of the most important ways to have a large impact in life is by focusing on communities that are ignored and overlooked. These communities are often the ones most in need of help, tools, and services but for a variety of reasons the largest players in most industries chose not to work on serving them. We’ve been so touched by the thousands of members of our community who are working on serving the underserved from tackling food deserts to building empowering solutions for the neurodiverse. Each week, you’ll find us highlighting folks serving underserved communities.

Tara Hall

I officially met Tom & Laura (outside of just Facebook) when we agreed to foster Marsha for a few months back in December 2020. Marsha is a semi-feral dog who ThisIsHouston rescued back in August 2019. She had puppies under a shed and animal control had picked the pups up, but left Marsha behind. Marsha has since decided she really likes it over here and will never leave us (and no one will be knocking the door down to adopt a dog who’s still got some feral tendencies like refusing to wear a leash, but we love her just the way she is). Read more>>

Khadijah Butler

There’s no price or protocol on compassion, and Serving the Underserved is the pillar of the Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation. CDB Scholarships’ mission is to provide financial assistance to African American seniors in pursuit of higher education in the aftermath of gun violence. Our cardinal principle is to narrow the education gap amongst Philadelphia students as well as change the narrative that black excellence exists. Read more>>

Tavis Myrick

Tavis Myrick makes the Tampa Bay community better and was recognized by Fox13 Tampa Bay in a featured news story for “What’s Right in Tampa Bay” (see article 1) which aired on August 9, 2021. The news story highlighted Mr. Myrick’s work to help boys without fathers navigate life because he grew up without a father in his home. In the story he explains, “I recognize without having a father in the home, the value of a man being a part of these young men’s lives. There are certain things that a man has to teach young men that women can’t.” Read more>>

Jordan Smith

As a 6’4″ woman, clothing that fits, has been impossible to find. There are a lot of women out there, like me, and in the future, my daughters, who are being underserved and forced to wear clothing that doesn’t fit properly. At The Elevated Closet, I aim to make longer inseams, longer sleeves, body lengths and maxis that touch the ground for ladies who have been gifted with height. Read more>>

Ericka Brown

Being a single parent whom at one point had it all. Loss it all. God placed me in a place of humble beginnings to reach back to those whom are in a sunken place. He bought me out. To reach back. Regardless of whom they are. What they did or didn’t do. Or where they’re from. Love. Love and support is what we do Read more>>

Bernetta Knighten

More that 23,000 kids age out of U.S. Foster Care each year. Without that support that comes from an adoptive family or permanency connection, these kids face instant homelessness. Our goal is to provide teens aging out of foster care brand new suitcases filled with everyday essentials as they transition into adulthood. Read more>>

Susana Morell

Shielding Hearts is an evidenced based program that follows the social emotional learning guidelines. Children require guidance and support due to: a) losing a loved one unexpectedly or witnessing a loved one battle terminal illness; b) divorce; c) financial strain within the home; or d) any other changes within the family dynamics. Read more>>

Emmanuel Arowolo

We saw a need to create a service for fathers of children on the spectrum. There are plenty of groups for mothers but very few for fathers. As such, a new group was created by 3 fathers of children on the spectrum, we called the group “Autism Dads Social Club”. The group aims to create opportunities for fathers in the Houston area who parent a child on the spectrum to engage and support each other as we help each other nurture and guide our children through their life journey. We aim to network and engage with each other through social activities such as meeting for coffee or lunch, golf, billiards, fishing, etc. Read more>>