TMO to David Brooks: Programs You Call For Already Exist!
Responding to David Brooks' assertion that the President's proposal to provide cost-free community college access is not enough, TMO leaders Rev. Kevin Collins, Mr. Franklin Olson and Mr. Bob Fleming offer initial agreement and the good news that the types of programs Brooks calls for already exist in Texas.
Read moreHouston Clergy & TMO: Exec Action Good, Not Good Enough

The night before a planned House vote which could impact the latest executive action program initiated by the President, 50 Houston judicatory and TMO leaders held a joint press conference urging Congress to do the opposite -- to expand on the action and pass comprehensive immigration reform. Potentially beneficiaries were joined by the Houston -Galveston Catholic Cardinal DiNardo, Methodist and Lutheran Bishops and religious leadership from Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Muslim faiths.
Read moreTMO Forges Relationship with Pasadena Police to Fight Crime

Assistant Police Chief Josh Bruegger related, "It is important..., obviously to us, that we have this relationship." Father Pedro Lopez of St. Peter Episcopal told leaders,"We have a moral obligation to do everything within our power to stop crime in our community. We do not want more people robbed at gunpoint, we do not want our children to be victims of drug use, of gun violence or our homes to be vandalized. Be good Samaritans, take action and keep our eyes open, and call and report any crime. Will you commit to that today?"
Read moreTMO Celebrates 30th Anniversary

TMO at 30: The Metropolitan Organization's Successes Have Changed the Lives of People, Houston Chronicle
Read moreTMO Confronts Houston PD Over Rampant Crime in North

Cansados del Crimen Que Azota Al Norte De Houston, Univision 45
TMO Leaders Hound Officials on Crime & Stray Dogs in East Houston

Multiple residents told stories about family members getting bitten by dogs on the streets; stories of increased crime were shared as well. TMO convened the assembly to engage their City Councilmember Robert Gallegos and State Senator Sylvia Garcia on these issues.
Read moreChase VP Invests $100K in Capital IDEA Houston
Carolyn Watson, Chase Bank VP of Corporate Responsibility, announced the award of $100K to Capital IDEA-Houston at a meeting of the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. Capital IDEA-Houston, established by leaders of TMO as a labor market intermediary, pulls working students out of poverty wage jobs and into living wage careers starting at upwards of $30,000 per year plus benefits. TMO (The Metropolitan Organization) built the political will to establish the training program to bridge the wage gap between industry needs and the skills base of the city.
Read moreTexas IAF Calls on White House to Halt Speedy Deportations

In El Paso, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Fort Worth and Dallas, religious leaders preached about the crisis at the border, organized relief efforts and held press conferences reminding the White House and Congress of the Judeo-Christian admonishment for nations to "show kindness and mercy to one another, not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner or the poor (Zechariah 7:9-10)."
Read moreTMO & Bishops Call for Protection of Unaccompanied Children from Central America

Nineteen local clergy signed the letter, including former Catholic Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Episcopal Bishops C. Andrew Doyle and Jeff Fisher, Lutheran Bishop Michael Rinehart, General Presbyter Mike Cole of the Presbytery of the New Covenant and Bishop Rufus Kyles Jr. of the Church of God in Christ.
Read moreTMO Leverages Additional $500K for Capital IDEA-Houston From Local Sources

The money will come from two source of funding: $250 thousand from Community Development Block Grants and another $250 thousand from a City of Houston budget line-item, marking the first time Capital IDEA-Houston has been included in the City budget.
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