S.H.A.P.E. Community Center

Leadership Houston Class XXXIII took on the challenge of renovating the historic S.H.A.P.E. Community Center in Houston's Third Ward. Class XXXIII's renovation focused on S.H.A.P.E.'s computer lab and library, and included a total replacement and updating of S.H.A.P.E.'s technology assets (including a 50 inch smart TV, 16 top-of-the-line computers, and three laser printers), as well as all new furniture, over 1,000 new books, and new educational and entertainment materials for both rooms. Class XXXIII raised over $30,000 in cash and in-kind donations to refurbish the Community Center, and Leadership Houston fellows put in countless hours of 'sweat equity' by painting, patching walls, assembling furniture, and installing computers to make this project a success. S.H.A.P.E. and Class XXXIII reopened the renovated community center on May 21, 2015 just before the start of S.H.A.P.E.'s summer programming. Hundreds of children from the Third Ward community have been able to use the new spaces and resources provided by Leadership Houston.