About 50 youth and young adults from Fifth Ward and Acres Homes will help Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis and One for All Foundation officials kick off the 2025 Summer Games and Internship program on Wednesday, June 11 with demonstrations of education, health and civic engagements programs that improve the lives of underserved children.
“For over 30 years, the One for All Foundation, formerly the Harris County Street Olympics, has remained committed to providing resources for programs that offer recreational, educational, economic, social and health benefits for Harris County residents,” Commissioner Ellis said. “That’s why every One for All program is thoughtfully designed to empower our youth and families and help build a more vibrant, equitable Harris County where every child has the foundation for a bright future.”
Over the past few decades, the One for All Foundation has created opportunities for youth to participate in a wide range of free programs designed to help every young person reach their unique potential while serving and strengthening their community.
Commissioner Ellis said students who have access to these programs do better academically, socially and health wise – both physical and emotional.
The added programs include:
- Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools that combat reading loss during the summer months and help families overcome learning challenges throughout the year. The schools will serve 100 students at two sites.
- Educational Enrichment programs provide youth with academic support, a service-learning curriculum, and engaging activities that promote literacy, STEM learning, and academic success during the summer and after school.
- Health and Wellness programs that ensure youth have access to activities and experiences that nurture their body and mind, foster healthy behaviors and help them develop life skills.
- Civic Health and Engagement programming trains and empowers community leaders to advocate for issues to improve their neighborhoods.
The Summer Games growth over the years also has resulted in improvements in programs such as:
- Harris County Leadership Internship Program that offers 46 youth opportunities to pursue paid public-service internships --- creating career paths and preparing today’s youth to become tomorrow’s leaders.
- Discovery Camp and broader environmental justice and education programming provide children access to high-quality science and STEM activities to help them connect to nature, understand the world, and care for their community and environment. The camp will serve 400 children from 25 agencies.
- Bright Futures Fair, which occurs Aug. 1, connects hundreds of youth to organizations so children can envision a healthy, safe and productive future.
Throughout the summer, about 1,600 Houston-area youth, ages 6-17, at about 66 youth-serving agencies are participating in the Summer Games, Discovery Camp, 3-on-3 Basketball and Harris County Aquatics Program’s Learn-to-Swim sessions.
A 3-on-3 Basketball Championship Tournament will be held July 15-16 at Fonde Recreation Center. The Summer Games culminates with the Final Event/Bright Futures Fair and the closing ceremonies’ “Parade of Champions” on Aug. 1 at NRG Arena.
Founded 39 years ago in Precinct One, the One for All Foundation began as a summer program to provide underserved youth with a safe, nurturing place to strengthen their academic and athletic abilities, showcase their many talents and develop essential life skills. Programs are made possible by more than a dozen partner and supporters as well as the participating agencies.
“Too many in our region miss out on organized enrichment activities like these due to financial barriers,” Commissioner Ellis said. “We refuse to accept this reality. That is what One for All is all about.”