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Table of Contents

Executive Summary ………………………………………………………….. 3

Background ……………………………………………………………………. 4

Our Partners ………………………..…………………………………..……… 6

Mission & Vision ……………………………………………………….……… 7

Our First Year ………………….……………………………………….……… 8

2022-2023 Fellows Cohort …………………………………..……….……… 9

Our Second Year ………………….………………………………….……… 11

Project 1 — Civics and Voter Education ………….…………………….. 14

Project 2 — Alief Art & Essay Competition …………………………..… 28

Project 3 — Youth Composting Competition ……………………………33

Communications ……………………………………………………………..34

Evaluation: Deliverables and Success Criteria …………………………35

Budget & Grant Funding …………………………………………….………37

Stakeholders ……………………………………………………………..……42

Potential Pitfalls ………………………………………………………………48

Template for Other School Districts …………………….………………..50

Final Remarks…………………………………………………………………51

Executive Summary

AliefVotes is a grant-funded 501(c)(3) organization that empowers youth civic engagement in Alief, a community in Southwest Houston. We strive to establish a pipeline of proactive, civically engaged, and community-oriented youth through civic education, leadership opportunities, and youth-led community projects.

Alief is deeply rooted within the rich cultural heritage of the Viet, Chinese, Latinx, and African communities. Our suburbs, neighborhoods, and students represent a microcosm of diverse ideas and perspectives within the fabric of our nation.

Yet, there is historically low voter turnout in Alief. Our community lacks youth civic engagement programming—particularly in resources, leadership opportunities, community engagement, and voter education.

AliefVotes, a grant-funded, incorporated 501(c)(3) program, aims to bridge this integral gap through our student fellowship program, civic engagement art and essay contests, and student-led community projects.

Founded in June 2022 by the youth and for the youth, AliefVotes is powered by Houston City Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas of District F, the Houston Department of Neighborhoods, and OCA-Greater Houston.

Background

There is historically low voter turnout in Alief ISD. In the General and Special Elections of November 7, 2017, Harris County Precinct 0487 maintained a voter turnout of 3.27% in electing school board trustees.

Trustees play a crucial role in determining budgetary needs, which affects students directly through afterschool programs, athletics, fine arts education, and teacher salary. Yet, the votes don’t reflect this fact.

The highest voter turnout precincts of this year was a mere 7.79% with the lowest precinct huddling at 1.28%.^[1]

Figure 1. Harris County elections data for ballots cast in Alief ISD precincts.^[2]

Alief ISD already acknowledges the importance of voting and civic education. With two existing polling locations (Alief ISD Center for Talent Development and Administration building), Alief is committed to providing locations for registered voters in the district.  

Former Superintendent Chambers and Current Superintendent Mays are staunch advocates for civic education and non-partisan voter engagement.  

Chambers states in a staff email on November 1, 2021, “As you might expect, voter turnout in non-presidential or gubernatorial elections is typically very low. It is my desire that Alief voters reverse this trend and demonstrate that it is possible to have high voter turnouts in bond and school board elections.”^[3] 

Furthermore, Alief ISD frequently passes bond referendums. Two years ago, more than half a billion dollars were approved by voters in the district to be allocated towards improving programs and facilities.^[4] Just a few years ago, the Alief Center for Advanced Careers was built through the empowerment of bond referendums.

Despite these large-scale and consequential projects, students lack fundamental knowledge of the school board and bond referendums.

The genesis of AliefVotes came from the fact that Alief ISD does not have a civic engagement and community coordinator, nor youth programming for college readiness, community participation, and workforce opportunities.

Students, faculty, parents, and community members deserve quality, non-partisan youth civic engagement programming to provide youth with opportunities to lead, learn, and grow collectively in a diverse, rich community.

Our Partners

AliefVotes is partnered with Houston City Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas of District F, the Houston Department of Neighborhoods, and OCA-Greater Houston.

Councilmember Tiffany D. Thomas

As Houston City Council Member for District F, Tiffany D. Thomas has helped revitalize neighborhoods, partnered with corporations and nonprofits to solve community issues, and inspired generations of civic leaders to get involved. Thomas is a product of the local school system and a lifelong public servant representing Houston’s most diverse part of town.^[5]

Houston Department of Neighborhoods

The Department of Neighborhoods was established by Mayor Annise Parker in August 2011. The Department of Neighborhoods has five divisions that help neighbors resolve neighborhood concerns. Together, they help improve the quality of life in Houston neighborhoods through people-focused programs and strong community partnerships.^[6]

OCA-Greater Houston

OCA-Greater Houston is a volunteer-driven organization of community advocates that strives to meet the current and evolving needs of a diverse population through a comprehensive continuum of programs targeting different life stages of AAPIs with a focus on developing advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement participation of AAPIs.^[7]

Mission & Vision

Mission: To empower youth civic engagement in Alief through civic education, leadership opportunities, and youth-led community projects.

Vision: We envision a pipeline of proactive, civically engaged, and community-oriented youth in Alief.

Our statements were revised in November 2023. See changes here.

Our First Year

This section outlines our inaugural year of AliefVotes. For an in-depth annual report, please see this link.

Overview:

In our inaugural year, AliefVotes made a significant impact through the dedication and hard work of our fellows, administration, staff, stakeholders, and volunteers. With a total of approximately 1,425 volunteer hours contributed across 37 in-person events, 5 virtual meetings with students, and 15 virtual stakeholder meetings, we were able to create meaningful change in our community.

These passionate volunteers, driven by our mission of youth civic

engagement, helped us achieve an estimated economic impact of

$24,881.14. Their valuable time and efforts, combined with grant funding,

fellowship stipends, and the prize money distributed in our art and essay

contest, allowed us to empower youth, foster community engagement,

and promote civic education.

Through careful analysis and calculation, our estimation of our economic

impact considers various factors, such as grant funding ($11,818.64), costs

($1,642.30), volunteer and work hours (approximately 1,425 hours),

fellowship stipends ($2,000 for fellows and $500 for the program

manager), and the scholarship funds distributed in our art and essay

contest ($375).

While these calculations provide an approximate representation of the

economic impact, it's important to recognize that they focus on direct

monetary values and volunteer contributions, omitting potential external

factors and additional community benefits that may have resulted from

our initiatives. Nevertheless, we are immensely grateful to our volunteers

for their invaluable support and are proud of the positive influence

AliefVotes has had in empowering youth, fostering civic engagement, and

promoting community participation.

2022-2023 Fellows Cohort

AliefVotes announced the inaugural 2022-23 AliefVotes Fellows in the fall of 2022. These fellows, all students from Alief ISD High Schools, underwent a year-long intensive where they received interactive civic engagement training, leadership opportunities, and unique non-partisan government experiences. (Fellows were paid a stipend, funded by the Houston Department of Neighborhoods)

Christina Trieu

My name is Christina Trieu and I am currently a sophomore at Kerr Highschool. I joined AliefVotes to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I am always looking for ways to better myself and I think this program will benefit me in many ways. As a first-generation Asian American, I am goal oriented and independent. As the oldest of my siblings, I learned to be patient and understanding with those around me. I hope to gain new friends and improve my leadership skills through AliefVotes.

Ingrid Santos

My name is Ingrid I am a Junior at Kerr High School. I decided to join AliefVotes because I believe that this is a program that I can help with the best of my availability in Alief. In addition, with the upcoming election and other events, it is truly an honor to be able to associate me with that. Finally, work that I have associated myself with the community is helping out in food banks in clubs at my school. Moreover, I provide leadership skills to kids in elementary schools tutoring them in what they need help with or are struggling in school.

Samiaht Busari

I am Samiaht Busari, a junior at Alief Early College High school. I joined AliefVotes because I am enthusiastic about public service and the progress of our society and believe that charity begins at home. Some of my involvements include being on the Child-Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) youth council. Ultimately through my involvement with AliefVotes, I hope to improve awareness and information in regard to civic engagement, create new relationships, increase exposure, and capitalize on the opportunity to make a difference in the Alief community.

Susan Tran

I’m a junior at Alief Early College High School. I decided to join AliefVotes because it seemed like an exciting opportunity that will help me be more involved with my community. I saw that the AliefVotes Fellows & Ambassadors program does projects with the Houston City Council, Harris Elections, and OCA-Greater Houston; I’ve never done anything related to this field, so this will be a new experience for me. I want to branch out into other types of community service.

Our Second Year

This section outlines our upcoming school year of AliefVotes.

AliefVotes is renewing for the next year! We are excited to be supported by additional grants that allow us to expand our programs. Here are our plans.

Civic Engagement Workshop:

• On September 16, 2023, AliefVotes will hold a civic engagement youth workshop for Alief ISD students (other school districts and college applications).
• Sponsored by the Chinese Community Center and in collaboration with OCA-Greater Houston and the Office of Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas of District.

Art & Essay Contest

• This year, we will be continuing our annual AliefVotes Art & Essay Contest. Last year, we had a great turnout that covered all Alief ISD schools. Our aim is to provide students with an outlet and opportunities to win scholarship funds through the exploration of civic engagement prompts.

• This year, our prompts will be:

• As Alief’s ethno-racial composition continues to grow, how can diversity and culture be an agent for change within the Alief Community?
• Alief has historically been considered a “forgotten district” within Houston. What are some forgotten aspects (positive or negative) in Alief that you believe should be highlighted?  

• Submissions will open in the fall and end in the winter. Winners will be announced in early January.

Civic Engagement Contest

• This year, we are expanding our scholarship funds to include a Civic Engagement Contest in the Spring. Students will submit a detailed project proposal for community events and opportunities in Alief for a chance to win scholarship funds.

Fellowship Program

• Our main program, the AliefVotes fellowship, will continue. The AliefVotes Fellowship Program is a year-long intensive for students to receive interactive civic engagement training, leadership opportunities, and unique non-partisan government experiences.
• In the fall semester, students receive comprehensive leadership and civic training. In the spring, Fellows are empowered with the resources and budget to organize a community event. No experience is needed.
• Applications open in July 2023.

Student Opportunity Newsletter

• We sent frequent emails to Alief ISD students through our master contact. To sign up for this newsletter, please fill out this form.

Updated Social Media

• Given our new Director of Communication, we are revamping our social media engagement, branding kits, and social outreach. We are active on Instagram and Twitter.

Updated Website

• Our website aliefvotes.com. We have redesigned the website with new pictures, information, and events to reflect our work this past year.  

New Staff

• We have onboarded a few student staff members who will assist AliefVotes.

• Madeline Medrano, Director of Communications
• Susan Tran, Director of Finance
• Favor Lambert, Grant-Writer

Non-Profit Incorporation

• As of June 2023, AliefVotes is a registered and incorporated 501(c)(3) corporation. The main reason is for more efficient grant applications.

Civics and Voter Education 

Objective

Educate students at Alief ISD students on civic engagement, local government resources and how to use them, the voting process, and on-the-spot voter registration in history and/or government classrooms. This objective will be achieved by November 8, 2023, through the initiatives outlined below.

Results

Project 1 has been completed. We were able to recruit fellows and ambassadors from Kerr High School and Alief Early College High School. There are six fellows and ambassadors for the 2022-23 school year. AliefVotes is hoping to continue this program in continuous years, pending additional grant funding.

Below are a few photos and associated captions.

Photo 1: Above is a civic engagement workshop poster. AliefVotes is planning to host workshops in the spring of 2023 at one of the following high schools: Taylor, Elsik, Hastings, Early College, or Kerr.

Photo 2: Above is the poster of AliefVotes Fellows and Ambassadors for the 2022-23 School Year. There are four fellows and two ambassadors. The program is managed by Tommy Wan and Mujeebat Gbolahan. Fellows are funded.

Photo 3: Above is a screenshot from our inaugural meeting with AliefVotes Fellows and Ambassadors. Not all are included due to screenshot limitations with Microsoft TEAMS.

Photo 4: Above is a photo of AliefVotes students from Alief Early College High School. Each fellow and ambassador receive a shirt and related merchandise for AliefVotes.

Photo 5: Above is a photo rendering of the Alief Community Center. This is a brand new building that was constructed after more than twenty years of community civic engagement. It’s an example we talk about to show the importance of civics!

Photo 6: Above is a photo of fellows and ambassadors at an Alief community tree-planting event.

Photo 7: Above is a photo of an AliefVotes fellows and ambassadors training session.

Photo 8: Above is a photo of an AliefVotes fellows and ambassadors training session. Featured is Debbie Chen, executive director of OCA-Greater Houston.

Photo 9: Above is a photo of an AliefVotes fellows and ambassadors training session. Featured is Cherrelle Duncan, Chief of Staff for Houston City Council, F.

Approach

• Two (seperate) twenty-minute interactive presentations in social studies, history, government, or college readiness class (AVID classes) covering civic engagement topics.

• Powered by the Office of Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas.
• One interactive presentation in Alief Early High School and one in Kerr High School, preferably in the last week of September (26-30th) or the first week of October (3-7th).

• This will ensure students who are eligible to vote are informed and potentially registered before the October 11, 2022 deadline for the November election date in Harris County.

• The presentation at each school will cover the following:

• Introduction to the presenters, the District F City Council Office, and the Department of Neighborhoods.
• Pre-presentation temperature check:

• Full Name
• Your Personal Email
• What does civic engagement look like or mean to you?
• From 1-5, do you know the roles of the Alief ISD School Board and who your trustee is?

• For all 1-5 questions, you may offer the answers “Yes”, “No”, or “I’m not sure”.

• From 1-5, do you know who your local representatives are?
• From 1-5, do you know what resources and issues your local government can help you with?
• From 1-5, how civically involved is your family?
• From 1-5, how likely are you to vote?

• What is Civic Engagement? The definition and examples of how civics impacts students' life (for example, school board bonds on athletic and fine arts funding).

• Make the connection between local government and their AP Government Class.

• Introduction to the Alief ISD School Board: Their responsibilities, election cycles, what they can do for you, speaking at board meetings, the basics of bond propositions and funding for departments, and who your current trustees are.
• Mock Bond Elections Activity, structured after Proposition C of the 2021 Alief ISD Bond Referendum election.

• Each student will receive a “voting card”, with the choice of approving or disapproving.
• The scenario: Crump Stadium will be receiving renovations for a new press box, locker rooms, a new turf, and the hiring of new coaches. These improvements will cost $20 million. However, if voting YES in this scenario, the school music program will not have funds to hire an additional band director, instruments for students, and new audio-visual supplies for concerts.
• Results: The voting cards will be collected at the end of the presentation, with the results announced. Then, we will explore the implications of voting YES or NO and examine how the bond played out in the 2021 elections.

• Utilizing 311: When should you call? What if your power goes out? What if your pipes freeze over and break?
• Your Elected Officials: Who represents Alief on the local, state, and federal levels? An explanation of what they can do for you.

• Discuss Public Safety, Infrastructure (sidewalks, capital improvement projects), Transportation (relate to how some students go to school through METRO), Solid Waste (how your trash gets picked up), parks, and Emergency Distributions (Food, Masks, etc.)

• Alief Civic Clubs and Super Neighborhood Alliance: What do they do? How do their actions and decisions affect you, the student? How can you participate in their meetings?
• Participating in local government: City Council Meeting logistics, how and when to testify, and the opportunity to meet your Council Member.
• Introduction to the AliefVotes Ambassador Program and Application Process—College recommendation, resume, professional development, organizing your school in a non-partisan method, and leadership training + a stipend for your time!
• Introduction to the AliefVotes Newsletter, which is emailed monthly with opportunities tailored to Alief ISD High School students to get involved in meetings, opportunities, programs, internships, and scholarships.
• Post-presentation temperature check:

• Now that we went through the mock election and presentation, how have your views on civic engagement changed?
• From 1-5, how likely are you to vote?

• For all 1-5 questions, you may offer the answers “Yes”, “No”, or “I’m not sure”.

• From 1-5, do you know the roles of the Alief ISD School Board and who your trustee is?
• From 1-5, do you know who your local representatives are?
• From 1-5, do you know what resources and issues your local government can help you with?
• Would you like to receive more information about the AliefVotes Ambassador Program?
• Would you like to sign up for the AliefVotes Newsletter?

• Staffing: Tommy Wan will be able to be in attendance for these presentations. Furthermore, Mr. Paul Green from the Department of Neighborhoods and Abby Gail Triño from OCA-Greater Houston may serve as additional in-person staff during the classroom visits.

• This presentation will also be presented at The Village School.

• AliefVotes Newsletter—a monthly newsletter through MailChimp (funded through the grant) included opportunities tailored to Alief ISD High School students to get involved in meetings, opportunities, programs, internships, and scholarships.

• Information and application tips such as the Posse Scholarship, Questbridge, City Council Meetings, Mayor’s Youth Council, CFCI Youth Council, and more.

• Establish an AliefVotes Fellowship Program (four students from each school) with interactive training, leadership opportunities, and unique local political experiences.

• Student Ambassadors will be the point of contact with AliefVotes, the District F Office, and the school itself (Alief Early College and Kerr High Schools).
• Student Ambassadors will receive at least three non-partisan training on the following topics: Voter Deputy Registrar overview (Provided by Harris Elections), testifying at government meetings (Provided by OCA-Greater Houston), and organizing practices (provided by My School Votes)
• Student Ambassadors will meet to create a plan on how to civically engage their peers at their schools.

• Partner with Student Government and provide resources (training, flyers, registration forms) for a Get Out The Vote campaign for the November Election.

• AliefVotes student ambassadors will receive a kit of printed flyers and mail-in registration forms for distribution within their schools.

• This will be done through internal mass email communication with students and posting flyers around the campus.

• Note: In the Fall of 2023, I want to create a Voter Deputy Registrar Event hosted by Harris County at the Alief ISD Admin. Building where parents and faculty can become trained.

Timeline

• ✅ August 22, 2022: AliefVotes project proposal completed, proofread, and sent to stakeholders—Tommy to request meetings virtually during the month of September for feedback. The schedule will depend on stakeholders' availability. (Record conversations)

• Review stakeholders and my requests for meeting purposes.

• ✅ August 22, 2022: Release AliefVotes Document & begin recruiting AliefVotes Student Ambassadors in Alief Early College High School and Kerr High School.
• ✅ August 29, 2022: Finalize AliefVotes Student Ambassador Application Form and begin advertising through social and email platforms.
• ✅ August 29, 2022: Begin reaching out to social studies, history, and government teachers in Alief Early College High School and Kerr High School.
• ✅ September 5, 2022: Initial AliefVotes Student Ambassador Cohort chosen. Follow up with Teachers with no response from the initial email.

• Schedule initial training by emailing My School Votes, Harris Elections, and OCA-Greater Houston.

• ✅ September 5, 2022: Finalize classroom visit presentations and Get Out To Vote flyers tailored to each specific school.
• ✅ September 5, 2022: Start the Get Out The Vote campaigns with the help of Student Ambassadors and mail out the final kit of flyers.
• September (26-30th), 2022: First In-Class Presentation.
• October (3-7th), 2022: Second In-Class Presentation.
• ✅ October 11, 2022: Voter Registration Deadline for Harris County.
• ✅ November 8, 2022: Completion of Project One and Election Day.
• ✅ November 14, 2022: Reach out to Harris Elections, Miracle Bui for her data on in-school visits and voter registration efforts in Alief. Schedule a meeting with her and Kate Heffernan.
• ✅ January 2023: Finalize evaluation report through data and schedule stakeholder meetings virtually through the end of 2022 for additional feedback.

• Report Grant Fundings to Stakeholders.

• ✅ January 2023: Release Project One Evaluation report, present to Ms. Cherrelle Duncan, and promote through social platforms.

Communications

Contacts from Alief Early College High School

• Shiney.Abraham@aliefisd.net - AP Government
• Cynthia.Andrews@aliefisd.net - AVID I
• Ashley.Freeman@aliefisd.net - AVID III
• Mr. Stevenson AVID IV
• Leann.Looney@aliefisd.net - Pre-AP World History, AP World History: Modern

Contacts from Alief Kerr High School

• Eugenia.Volkova@aliefisd.net - AP Government and Economics
• Micheal.Hughes@aliefisd.net - AP World History, Sponsor for StuForHumanity

Messaging to Alief ISD Students

Good afternoon!

I hope you are doing well! Houston City Council and OCA-Greater Houston is starting a program in Alief specifically for Kerr HS Students. I wanted to see if you were interested in applying or sharing with students within your school.

The application link is bit.ly/AliefVotesApplication

The AliefVotes Student Ambassador Program is a year-long intensive for students to receive interactive civic engagement training, leadership opportunities, and unique non-partisan government experiences.

This program is a great opportunity to gain leadership experience, resume-worthy skills, and further community within Alief through engaging and thoughtful civic engagement. Students will receive a stipend and merchandise related to AliefVotes. Furthermore, you will gain access to mentors, opportunities, and skills that will allow you to become a community leader in Alief.

You can read the full AliefVotes document and logistics at https://bit.ly/AliefVotes. Let me know if you have any questions!

###

Slides Presentation

We believe in resource transparency—to ensure all young people have access to training specific to the Alief community. Please find the slides at this link.

Project 2 — Art & Essay Contest

Objective

Empower High School Students district-wide in Alief ISD to create artwork or write an essay surrounding a civic engagement theme. Planned for a submission deadline of December 15, 2023, this joint Art and Essay contest will provide an opportunity to win prize money for their efforts while researching and learning about community issues within the Alief area.

Reminder: This is a pilot project. There will be multiple evaluation methods and data that will be taken throughout the course of Project 2. The continuation of this initiative will depend on stakeholder feedback and project evaluation.

Art and Essay Prompt

Choose one of the two prompts. You may submit either an essay (500 words word limit) or an artwork of any medium answering one prompt. You may submit up to two submissions, art and/or essay. This is the 2022-23 prompt.

1. Research an issue prevalent in the Alief Community. How has it impacted the community, and what are some potential solutions?

1. You may write an essay (500 words word limit) addressing this prompt or represent an issue through the artwork of any medium.

2. Alief is rich in cultural heritage. How have the people’s diverse perspectives, origins, and languages enhanced our community?

1. You may express Alief’s diversity through the artwork of any medium, with a 100-word caption. Or, you may write an essay (500 words word limit) addressing this prompt.

• These are the upcoming prompts for 2023-24.

• As Alief’s ethno-racial composition continues to grow, how can diversity and culture be an agent for change within the Alief Community?
• Alief has historically been considered a “forgotten district” within Houston. What are some forgotten aspects (positive or negative) in Alief that you believe should be highlighted?  

Judging Criteria

Judges will be selected in January 2023. The 5 person panel will consist of school administrators, a representative from Alief Super Neighborhood, District F, a local artist, and a local writer.

Prize Funding

The funding for this initiative will come out of the total gross grant funds available to AliefVotes. This amount can be increased or decreased based on the number of student submissions and pending any additional grant funding.

Scholarship Funds

First Prize - $200

Second Prize - $100

Third Prize - $50

Honorable Mention - $25

Total Cost: $750

Timeline

• January 2, 2023: Finalize Art & Essay Contest Flyers.
• January 9, 2023: Outreach to potential judges.
• January 9, 2023: Begin promotion of the contest.
• April 1, 2023, at 11:59 PM CST: Contest Ends, submissions final.
• April 10, 2023: Notify and delegate submissions to judges.
• April 24, 2023: Judges results submitted to Tommy.
• May 1, 2023: Winners announced, prize money released, and outreach to Alief ISD for district recognition.

Contest Google Form

Art & Essay Contest Flyer

Project 3 — Composting Competition

Objective

Educate High School students on environmentalism through a composting competition—the student who contributes the most will win a prize, sponsored by the Alief Super Neighborhood Alliance (pending). This is a project that will be implemented in the Spring of 2024.

Reminder: This is a pilot project. There will be multiple evaluation methods and data that will be taken throughout the course of project 3. The continuation of this initiative will depend on stakeholder feedback and project evaluation.

Approach

Four schools will be targeted initially in this project timeline: Kerr, Alief Early College, Hastings, and Elsik High School.

• Partner with environmental clubs and teachers to establish one large composting bin at the front of the school.

• Faculty and students will weigh their contributions, and the student leaders will record and track the pounds collected.

• Empower student leadership by working closely with student clubs.

• The prize may be sponsored by Alief Super Neighborhood Council.

• Partner with student government and provide resources (training, flyers, opportunities) for an Environmental Justice campaign.

• Partnered with OCA-Greater Houston and Mi Familia Vota.

Timeline

Currently, AliefVotes will focus on projects one and two and their respective evaluation reports. This project is pending the results of those two projects.

Note: Currently, this project will be planned for the summer of 2023, beginning on June 12, 2023.

Communications

Overview

AliefVotes relies on in-person and virtual communication platforms. For meetings, we typically use Microsoft TEAMS to facilitate, hosted by the City of Houston. For individual messaging, Tommy prefers text messaging. The chat with all fellows and ambassadors is hosted on Instagram. The google drive is found here.

Currently, Tommy Wan is the main organizer for social media. We are looking for communications support, pro-bono. Please connect with him at 832-209-6616 if you are interested!

Platforms

AliefVotes is on the following platforms. Usernames and password information can be found on this document.

Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. All handles are @aliefvotes

Website: aliefvotes.com

Evaluation: Deliverables and Success Criteria

A signature for AliefVotes is the evaluation strategy and method. In order to measure the success and progress of civic engagement within Alief ISD, the distribution of surveys for students, faculty, and community members will be frequent. The final evaluation report of each project will include at minimum the following information below:

• Student Feedback: How did they feel before these initiatives? How did they feel after? Given their rating temperature checks from the classroom presentations, was there an overall increase in civic education?

• How many students were registered to vote through AliefVotes and Harris Elections?

• Teacher Feedback: How do social studies and government teachers feel before these initiatives? How did they feel after? Given their rating temperature checks from the classroom presentations, was there an overall increase in civic education in their curriculum?

• How did AliefVotes assist in bringing civic engagement within the school?

• Stakeholder Feedback: What were their initial thoughts, feedback, and concerns about AliefVotes? What was their feeling towards the end of each project?
• Social Media Engagement: How many people were reached through ads? Through the AliefVotes website, and through social media? How many people saved the posts, sent the posts, or interacted with media?
• Resource Distribution: How many fliers were distributed in each school? Where were they placed? Approximately, how many students and faculty were reached?
• Testimonies from AliefVotes student ambassadors.
• Communication Statistics: How many emails were sent? How many SMS messages? How many phone calls?
• Tommy will work closely with Yaala Muller from My School Votes to develop data and evidence-driven evaluation techniques and methods.

• Specifically, deciding percentages and number-driven goals for each project.

Meeting Notes with Yaala about Evaluation Techniques

• Structure it around the intervention. What is the effectiveness of this approach—what can I learn?
• Newsletter: Click rates through tracking links.
• Evaluation of presentation and ambassador program. Distinctly before and after the intervention.
• Satisfaction. Before the program, I knew. After, I learned. Then, transcribe them.
• How likely are you going to go vote/get involved?
• Student Ambassador Program follows MSV style, like a quick check-in after each session and a more extensive survey. Individual Check-Ins are key. Take notes during these meetings.
• The final evaluation is to be one page. Check out Yaala's impact report. Should be a bit more qualitative versus quantitative.

Annual Reports

• 2022-2023

Budget & Grant Funding

This section outlines budget appropriations, and total gross amount, and includes information on how money should be spent, recorded, and tracked.

We have a gross total of 16K in our fund's balance for the 2023-2024 school year due to grants. Our Director of Finance, Susan Tran, and Grant-Writer, Favor Lambert, will manage our funds, chase accounts, and non-profit designations.

Non-Profit Designation

AliefVotes is in the process of being designated as a 501c(3) non-profit as of December 2022. Below are guidance notes from Scott from Unum (restricted access).

Find them here.

• Democracy funders are a source of grants. Look at Texas and Houston specifically and community foundations.
• Write a case statement. What do you do, why, who, and what?
• End with what success looks like for AliefVotes
• You need a Federal Tax ID number and EIN number. Since there are no employees, there is no tax.
• Texas Non-Profit Bylaws and Article of Incorporation.
• Put together a board: President, Secretary, Treasurer. Vote and submit to the IRS, and fill out the 1026 form.
• Look at Texas and Houston specifically, community foundations, Case statement: what do you do, why do you do it, who do you serve, and what do you hope to do it?

T-Shirt Designs:

Poster Designs ($5 Each):

Stakeholders

This section outlines pertinent stakeholders, resources, and supports for AliefVotes. All of these listed below are personal entities who have worked with Tommy before.

Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas, District F

District F includes Alief ISD and the general South West Houston area. Tiffany D. Thomas was elected in 2019 with focus areas in infrastructure, public safety, and youth programming. Tommy has interned for her office, under the supervision of Cherrelle Duncan for the past two years.

Resources and Request: This is an authorization point of contact for this project. Tommy will be in contact with Ms. Cherrelle for approval prior to the initiation of this plan. He will meet with her either through email or Microsoft Teams to discuss any potential questions, issues, and obstacles. District F is a resource for this initiative, especially as Council Member Thomas served as an Alief ISD trustee prior to taking city office. I am also requesting budget/grant walkthroughs from Ms. Cherrelle if her capacity allows.

Contact: Cherrelle.Duncan@houstontx.gov

Department of Neighborhoods

The Houston Department of Neighborhoods is directed by TaKasha Francis. This city department deals with the quality of life for Houston residents through neighborhood cleanup and enhancement initiatives, citizen assistance, anti-gang and juvenile delinquency prevention programs for at-risk youth, services for immigrant and refugee communities, and community outreach to promote civic engagement, diversity, cultural understanding, and inclusiveness.

AliefVotes is supported through the Youth Service America voting grant, an amount of $3000. This was submitted by Mr. Paul Green, a division manager of the department.

Resources and Request: A meeting with Director Francis to discuss the most effective methods for project evaluation, review the template for other neighborhood school districts, and confirm support for this initiative.

Contact: TaKasha.Francis@houstontx.gov

Paul Green, Division Manager

Mr. Paul Green is a division manager for the Houston Department of Neighborhoods. He was instrumental in providing the YSA grant for this project. While Tommy was interning at the Houston City Council during the summer, he met with Mr. Green twice to discuss the grant, the parameters, and how he can help.

Resources and Request: A meeting with Mr. Green to understand the scope and delegation of the grant funding, a confirmation for his in-person attendance at the civic engagement workshop and faculty VDVR training, and asking him to review this document for overall review.

Contact: Paul.Green@houstontx.gov

Itxel Ramierez, Mayor’s Youth Council Liaison

She is a city employee who works under Mr. Paul Green. She was assisting with the Mayor’s Youth Council.

Resources and Request: An email to Itxel for her to review this document for overall feedback.

Contact: Itxel.Ramierez@houstontx.gov

Yaala Muller, My School Votes

My School Votes is a national, non-partisan organization that focuses on youth voter engagement in school districts across the United States. Founded by former First Lady Obama, they have granted a fund of $1800 for this project. Tommy is in contact with Yaala Muller, the Director of Student Engagement at My School Votes. She is available for frequent one-on-one meetings to discuss and support this project in any capacity.

Resources and Request: A meeting to discuss project evaluation metrics and how to best report findings and results for this project. Additionally, to discuss with her how to best engage students who are not interested yet in civics, especially those with language barriers or with reserved personalities. Finally, to discuss best practices in contacting teachers and administration in Alief ISD.

Anissa Mansour is her intern. Anissa is available for feedback through email. Tommy will send this document to her.

Finally, Yaala is able to connect me with Civic Nation’s government affairs team, which will help me bolster after the final evaluation report has been released.

Contacts: yaala.muller@civicnation.org, anissa.mansour@civicnation.org

Joshlynn Hilburn, Civic Influencers

Civic Influencers are committed to making young voices and votes matter in our democracy. They are optimistic about increasing youth voter engagement. The data demonstrates that there is a significant population of young people who not only are eager to make their voices heard, but live in places where their votes can have an enormous impact — if they are organized, motivated, and given the resources they need to succeed. Joshlynn Hilburn is an organizer for the organization, and Tommy has a $900 stipend that may be used for this project. Their organization is also able to promote this project

Resources and Request: A meeting with Joshlynn to discuss general feedback for this project, promotion of the initiative, and asking for general support.

Contact: joshlynn@civicinfluencers.org

Mayor’s Office of Education

This department is led by Olivera Jankovska, the Director of the Mayor's Office of Education. In her role, she coordinates, communicates, and collaborates with local organizations, businesses, schools, and other resources and supports, serving as a connector for children, families, and communities in the education space. Additionally, Laura is the lead for Houston’s Child-Friendly City Initiative, which also looks to support civic engagement activities.

Resources and Request: A meeting with Director Jankovska to discuss the prongs of this project and to receive general feedback. Email Laura with the project document for written feedback.

Contacts: olivera.jankovska@houstontx.gov, laura.cuellar@houstontx.gov

Harris Elections

Harris County Elections Administrator has a team of voter outreach specialists throughout the Houston area. Particularly, the current person presiding over the Alief ISD district is mainly Miracle Bui (they/them). Previously, Tommy and District F worked closely with Jael Casiano before their department was redistricted following the new census. Kate Heffernan is both of their supervisors, which Tommy met during a registration event. Tommy has met with all three to discuss potential support. While a partnership with Harris Elections is not viable due to their policies, they are able to staff events and provide event support, such as VDVR training.

Resources and Request: Tommy has already met with them to discuss how they may support this project.

Contacts, Miracle.Bui@vote.hctx.net, Jael.Casiano@vote.hctx.net, Kate.Heffernan@vote.hctx.net

E Pluribus Unum

Founded by former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu in 2018, E Pluribus Unum (EPU) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to build a more equitable and inclusive South, uprooting the barriers that have long divided the region by race and class. EPU’s focus is on cultivating and empowering courageous leaders who are focused on racial equity, changing the divisive narratives that perpetuate systemic and interpersonal racism, and championing transformative policy change. They have supplied a grant funding of $5000, but Tommy doubts that this project will need that much.

Resources and Request: No need to reach out to them. Tommy will report to Amanda, their director for final evaluation.

Contact: fellows@unumfund.org

OCA-Greater Houston

Founded in 1979, OCA-Greater Houston has helped to protect the right of AAPIs to vote through the national APA Voter Exit Survey, suing the State of Texas for Voting Rights Act violations, advocating for language access/inclusion, economic empowerment, Census outreach/organizing, and assisting green card holders to apply for citizenship for the past decade with our community partners. We work to develop the leadership pipeline of informed and civically engaged youth through our leadership and organizing year-round training program in partnership with Mi Familia Vota and run the Houston AAPI Film Festival to educate on issues and support the stories of AAPIs.

OCA has been instrumental in supporting my past voter registration events and initiatives. They provide staffing, catering for food, and student recruitment and promotional efforts.

Resources and Requests: Meet with Youth Programs Manager, Abby Gail Triño and Director Debbie Chen for project feedback and will reach out when events are finalized for staffing support.

Contacts: Debbiechen13@gmail.com, abby.trino@ocahouston.org

Alief Super Neighborhood Alliance

Led by Barbara Quattro, the Alief Super Neighborhood Alliance works to promote and advocate for Alief residents through the Super Neighborhood Network. Ms. Quattro is a huge advocate for youth civic engagement and environmentalism, which project three focuses on.

Resources and Requests: Email Ms. Quattro the updated project document and request written feedback, so that she is in the loop with what we are doing.

Contact: bquattro@sbcglobal.net

Alief ISD

The mission of the Alief Independent School District, in collaboration with family and community, is to provide an exemplary education that values the diversity of race, culture, gender, learning ability, and socioeconomic background in an environment that is equitable for all students and free of stereotypical expectations to ensure both a physically and mentally safe environment.

Alief ISD is run primarily through the admit ratio of each school. School and classroom outreach as a part of this project will be first attempted through social studies and government teachers, then later to administration. Tracy Lau, the web specialist for Alief ISD can serve as a liaison (or Ms. Dee Jones) if I do not get a response after following up with requests.

This project values student empowerment and leadership. Thus, we will work with a school’s respective student government for the school-wide promotion of these projects.

Contact: contact@aliefisd.net

Student Leaders and Ambassadors

Students currently assisting on this project:

• Mujeebat Gbolahan, contact: gmujeebat@gmail.com
• Student recruitment for continuing years: Samiaht and Susan from Alief Early College High School.

Potential Pitfalls

All projects will have pitfalls and improvement aspects. This section highlights potential pitfalls to ensure a smooth initiation of this project.

1. Communication with Alief ISD High Schools

1. Overview: There may be a hard time reaching certain schools in the Alief ISD district. Technical or personal obstacles may hinder email communication with specific teachers. This may be due to a busy school semester, too many projects on a teacher’s plate, or simply overlooking a piece of communication.
2. Solution: Tommy will ensure that he sends correspondence through his City of Houston email. Furthermore, there will be a week time before following up with an educator. All emails will carbon copy a supervisor/the authorization point for this project. Tracy Lau may also be contacted if there is no further response.

2. Capacity Building for This Project

1. Overview: With the start of college and the new school year for high school students, this project is not a full-time commitment. It’s especially important to not spread our hopes too thin, as we will not have the capacity to achieve the mission and vision statement in its entirety.
2. Solution: Tommy and Student Ambassadors will collectively be mindful of the capacity they have to work on this project. Furthermore, a culture of intentional and honest communication will be established so that no one is overworked. Capacity limitations are also built into the projects themselves, hence the timeline and the limitation on which schools are targeted.

3. Funding Guidance for Grant Money

1. Overview: There are sources of funding that can be utilized for this project. However, there must be a source of funding spending guidance—what’s needed, what’s a luxury, and how best to respect student and staff time through stipends.
2. Solution: Tommy will work with Cherrelle Duncan and Paul Green to establish and finalize a budget, starting with the $3000 YSA grant only.

4. To not “Re-Invent The Wheel”

1. Overview: There are many organizations that work on civic engagement in schools, such as the ones listed under the stakeholder's section. It’s important to not “Re-Invent The Wheel”, coming up with project initiatives that overlap with current existing projects in the district. Currently, the only overlap is with Harris Elections, where they are entering schools once a semester to do voter registration in classrooms.
2. Solution: Classroom visits as a part of this project are not limited to voter registration, but to community involvement, learning about local government resources, and having the opportunity to use their voice in addressing issues that they care about. Further, Tommy engages frequently to gather data on what projects are established currently regarding youth civic engagement in Alief.

Contact Information

Use the following information below for inquiries, comments, and suggestions.

Tommy Wan is the project director, on behalf of the City Council, District F.

He can be reached by call or text at 832-209-6616.

He can also be emailed at tommy.wan@texas.house.gov and tommy.wan@utexas.edu. Our official email is aliefvotes@gmail.com

Mujeebat Gbolahan is the project manager for 2022-2023. Samiaht Busari is the program manager for 2023-2024.

• Susan Tran is the 2023-2024 Director of Finance.
• Favor Lambert is the 2023-2024 Grant-Writer.
• Madeline Medrano is the 2023-2024 Director of Communications.

Template for Other School Districts

This section outlines the requirements and expectations for proposed changes and the process through which approval for this project must go through.

The long-term vision for Alief ISD is one that will take time. However, these initiatives can be implemented within other neighborhoods and school districts within the Houston Community. This would be especially useful in communities with a lack of resources or programming for youth civic engagement. I would recommend that each initiative be replicated in a target school in an independent school district. The ideas and branding can be altered to fit each geographical area accordingly.

Final Remarks

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have supported our initiatives. Your dedication to empowering young people and fostering active participation in our community is truly commendable.

It is not enough to simply register a high schooler to vote; we must equip them with the necessary resources, opportunities, and an understanding of the value of their vote. Knowing that as young individuals, we have the power to influence and shape the conversations and decisions that impact our state is empowering.

It inspires us to make a difference and turn the tide of the status quo. I hope to extend these moments of empowerment, youth advocacy, and service to even more students in Alief ISD.

A special note of appreciation to Houston City Council Member Tiffany D. Thomas for her continuous mentorship. For Abby Gail Triño for her investment in me. And for Mr. Paul Green for his guidance in starting this program. Thank you once again for your unwavering support.

With appreciation,

Tommy Wan, Founder & Program Director

This plan was last updated on November 20th, 2023