Neighbors in Action partners with families in Port Houston and surrounding neighborhoods to transform lives through spiritual growth, education, and meeting basic needs.
Port Houston, a tight-knit neighborhood of approximately 5,000 residents located seven miles east of Downtown Houston, is a community rich in cultural strength, family connection, and resilience. While the neighborhood has long faced systemic challenges—including being considered a food desert and lacking nearby health facilities, pharmacies, and grocery stores—neighbors remain deeply rooted and committed to creating a better future for their children.
Public transportation is minimal, and many families do not have access to a vehicle. The only government facility in the neighborhood is Port Houston Elementary School, which serves as a cornerstone of the community and a gathering place for families.
Port Houston has also experienced serious public safety concerns in past years, including the closure of bars linked to organized sex trafficking along Clinton Drive. While some problematic establishments continue to operate on McCarty Street and surrounding areas, community leaders and residents continue to advocate for safety, dignity, and renewal.
Port Houston Elementary is zoned almost exclusively for students in the neighborhood, and its student demographics reflect the broader community. Ninety-nine percent of students are Hispanic, 98% are low-income (receiving free or reduced lunch), and 68% are English language learners. More than 85% of families are mixed-status households.
At the same time, Port Houston families demonstrate remarkable perseverance and hope. Parents place a high value on education, faith, and opportunity, even though 95% of the parents we work with have not completed high school in the U.S. or their home countries. Through strong relationships, cultural pride, and a deep desire for their children to thrive, Port Houston residents embody the strength and potential that Neighbors in Action is honored to walk alongside.