Non-Profit Serves Native Americans
The American Indian Center of Houston opened its doors in 2020 as the result of a collaboration between the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas based in Livingston. The non-profit organization works to secure federal grants and cement partnerships with other tribes and local non-profits to make services, programs and resources available to the estimated 70,000 Native Americans who live in southeast Texas.
The Center’s programs and services include the Alabama-Coushatta’s Employment and Training Program, Native Awareness Workshops and the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The organization’s website offers links and information on numerous resources regarding social services organizations, health, education, housing, elder support and assistance for small business owners. You can also explore a wealth of information on November’s designation as Native American Heritage Month.
The center is also seeking to obtain federal grants to promote easier access to federal services that are frequently unavailable to Native American families who do not live on the 326 Indian reservations across the U.S.
Is there a heritage month or day you would like others to learn more about? Please let us know by emailing theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org.
Let’s Talk Series Underway
The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) began presenting its “Let’s Talk” sessions last week at several Houston Methodist campuses. The 60-minute roundtable discussions on anti-racism and anti-bias are open to all Houston Methodist employees and leaders and were developed from your feedback received in DEI focus groups held this year.
Registration is via Sign Up Genius: Click here to register for in-person campus sessions. Corporate employees should Click here to register for virtual sessions. Sessions are being scheduled, systemwide, so if your campus has not yet hosted a session, be on the lookout for information on upcoming opportunities to participate at your entity.
For more information, contact Brad Thien at ebthien@houstonmethodist.org or Kamali Archer at Karcher@houstonmethodist.org.
United Way Season of Giving Continues
While the 2022 Houston Methodist United Way Campaign concludes on November 15, you can still make a donation to help those in need in our community through December 31.
By committing to donate at least $1 per paycheck through payroll deduction, you can have a significant impact on the lives of our neighbors who struggle to have the necessities of life. If you live in the Houston area, click here to donate via credit card. If you live in Baytown, click here to make a credit card donation. If you prefer to use your smartphone, simply text HMGIVES to 51555 to donate. You can personalize your donation by designating an agency to receive your donation.
Use DEI Personal Day Before Dec.17
Michelle Castillo, (third from left), medical lab technician, HMTW, used her DEI Personal Day On October 31 to celebrate Dia de los Muertos with family and friends.
DEI Personal Day hours can be used for any reason and in combination with a PTO request, but unlike PTO, the hours do not roll over to the next year, so if you have not yet used your PTO day, don’t forget to schedule it before December 17.
Houston Methodist provides eligible employees with DEI personal day hours to celebrate days that are special to them and other members of their faith, race, nationality or anything else that makes them unique. Please note that employees who moved to a benefits eligible status or were hired after July 1, 2022 will not be eligible for a DEI day until 2023. For more details, see HR Policy 72.
We would love to see how you’ve spent your DEI Personal Day. Please forward photos of you enjoying your DEI personal day to theofficeofdei@houstonmethodist.org.
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