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UM, I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU JOINING US TODAY.
UM, NOT ONLY IS THIS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR US, BUT IT, IT'S FAIRLY INSPIRING, RIGHT? TO BE ABLE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR OUR NEIGHBORS AND WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THOSE WHO ARE, UM, PERHAPS MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
SO, THE RIBBON CUTTING AND DEDICATION OF THE SUPPORTIVE LIVING APARTMENTS, WHICH IS LOCATED HERE ON HARRIS CENTER'S RESPITE, REHABILITATION, AND REENTRY CAMPUS.
I KNOW MANY OF YOU FAMILIAR WITH IT.
WE'RE FOCUSING ON WHAT'S HERE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF ENERGY THAT'S GONE INTO WHAT'S BEHIND US HERE.
UM, THERE ARE, ON ANY GIVEN DAY, THERE'S A HUNDRED PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS WHO ARE AT THE INTERSECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS.
JUST RECEIVING CARE AND SERVICES RIGHT BEHIND US BACK THERE,
ALL RIGHT, FOR A LITTLE BIT OF, OF ACCENTUATION THERE, RIGHT? UM, AND SO WE'RE JOINED TODAY BY AN INCREDIBLE GROUP OF PARTNERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND ADVOCATES WHO MADE THIS VISION A REALITY.
UM, I'VE SAID BEFORE TO SOME OF YOU, I DON'T KNOW THAT I'VE HAD A PROJECT TAKE QUITE THIS LONG TO BRING TO FRUITION.
UM, IT HAS BEEN A LONG JOURNEY, BUT IT'S BEEN A CRITICAL ONE AND IT'S IMPORTANT.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, DR.
GEARING WANTED TO BE HERE TODAY.
IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HIM, BUT HE GOT CALLED OUT OF STATE AT THE LAST MINUTE, UM, AND CALLED AND SAID HE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE HERE.
UM, HE AND THE REST OF OUR BOARD HAVE BEEN STEADFAST, UM, IN SUPPORTING HARRIS CENTER'S EXPANSION OF ACCESS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, UM, AND WHEN APPROPRIATE, INCLUDING HOUSING AS A PART OF THOSE SOLUTIONS, ON BEHALF OF HIM AND OUR ENTIRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
UM, I ALSO EXTEND A WARM WELCOME TO YOU AND A SINCERE EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION.
AND IF I COULD JUST TAKE A MOMENT AND ASK OUR CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS TO STAND.
WE HAVE SEVERAL AND FORMER BOARD MEMBERS TO JUST STAND SO WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE AND RECOGNIZE YOU.
I AM EXCITED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN I DON'T HAVE TO STAND WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS THAT.
I JUST WAVE MY HAND AND EVERYBODY ACKNOWLEDGES.
DR. MOORE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
UM, SHE HAS SERVED ON OUR BOARD FOR A LONG TIME AND ROTATED OFF RECENTLY AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS.
SHE WAS CERTAINLY A PART OF THE DECISION TO MAKE THIS, UM, HAPPEN, UM, AS WAS, UH, MS. THOMAS, MS. HERTADO, AND MR. WOMACK AS WELL.
UM, SO THE HAIR CENTER'S VISION IS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
AND IDD NEEDS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES THROUGH AN ACCESSIBLE, INTEGRATED, AND COMPREHENSIVE RECOVERY-ORIENTED SYSTEM OF CARE.
AND WHERE RECOVERY IS NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT SUPPORTED AT EVERY STEP.
THESE APARTMENTS REPRESENT THAT VISION IN ACTION.
THEY PROVIDE A SAFE AND STABLE PLACE FOR INDIVIDUALS REBUILDING THEIR LIVES, INTEGRATING HOUSING WITH CARE, DIGNITY, AND OPPORTUNITY.
IT'S THROUGH INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS LIKE THE ONE WE CELEBRATE TODAY, THAT WE MOVE CLOSER TO A FUTURE WHERE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND HOUSING ARE TRULY CONNECTED.
UM, IT'S NOW MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE A LEADER WHO'S BEEN COMMITTED TO IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL HOUSTONIANS, ESPECIALLY OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.
MAYOR WHITMEYER, IF YOU WOULD COME AND SAY A FEW WORDS FOR US, THANK YOU, UH, MR. YOUNG.
HE, HE KIND OF STOLE ONE OF MY LINES WHEN HE WAS SAYING HOW LONG IT TOOK
WHAT THE HELL TOOK IT SO LONG?
IT TOOK LEADERSHIP, TOOK COMMITMENT, TOOK VISION, TOOK RESOURCES, AND TODAY IS A GREAT DAY FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
IN REAL TIME, WE'RE DEMONSTRATING WHY WE'RE A GREAT CITY.
WHY OTHER LARGE CITIES IN AMERICA, OR IN TURMOIL, POLITICAL FIGHTS, DISRUPTION.
THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON TODAY.
WE'RE CELEBRATING A CENTER THAT'S GONNA CARE FOR THE DISADVANTAGE.
IT IS SUCH A GREAT DAY TO BE A HOUSTONIAN, BUT IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN.
SO MANY OF YOU HERE, TOO MANY TO NAME MADE IT HAPPEN.
CERTAINLY THE REAL DEAL IS SITTING RIGHT OVER HERE.
WE NEEDED, WE, WE NEEDED WAYNE YOUNG, AND I'M SO PROUD OF MY TEAM THAT'S DOING A CONTINUUM OF CARE FOR THE DISADVANTAGE.
MIKE NICHOLS, COMING FROM THE HOMELESS COALITION, BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS FOR SOMETHING CHIEF SATTERWHITE, WHICH BRINGS HIS VAST EXPERIENCE, COUNCIL MEMBER MARTINEZ.
AND YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS GONNA BE HERE TODAY, BUT THERE'S A MENTOR OF MINE
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THAT I'VE WORKED WITH IN HARRIS COUNTY.HELL, I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE 50 YEARS, I THINK LOCE MOORE WAS RUNNING THE HARRIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT PSYCHIATRIC CENTER, AND BEN TODD.
AND I WANT THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE TODAY AS MANY YOUNG PEOPLE.
WE, WE WELCOME YOU TO THE INITIATIVE AND THE SHERIFF AND HIS DEPARTMENT.
I SAW CHIEF DIAZ, BUT YOUNG PEOPLE, WE GOTTA REMEMBER THOSE THAT WE STAND ON THEIR SHOULDERS TODAY.
I WAS A YOUNG STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND I MET LOYCE MOORE DELIVERING SERVICES FOR THE DISADVANTAGE 50 YEARS AGO.
SHE'S RIGHT HERE ON THE SECOND ROW.
YOU NEED TO PUBLICLY BE RECOGNIZED, A TRUE, A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT.
SEE, I THINK ALL OF US ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS TODAY, WHETHER YOU'RE EVER ON THE BALLOT OR NOT.
AND I THINK SOMEDAY WE'RE GONNA BE ASKED, WHAT DID YOU DO WITH YOUR PUBLIC SERVICE? MANY OF, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO POINT TO YOUR CONTRIBUTION, YOUR VISION TO THIS 26 SUPPORTED LIVING APARTMENTS.
AND OF COURSE, I HAVEN'T SEEN GARNET YET.
REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN COULDN'T BE A MORE PASSIONATE PERSON, PARTLY FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO HIS COMMUNITY, BUT ALSO HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
WE WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT THE WORK AND THE VISION.
AND QUITE FRANKLY, WHEN IT GETS TO GARNET, ABOUT PUBLICLY ADMITTING TO THE CHALLENGES FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH.
I COULD BE AT A HUNDRED PLACES RIGHT NOW.
SO ALL I CAN SAY IS THIS IS JUST A HUGE FIRST STEP.
MY TEAM IS WORKING WITH MANY OF YOU HERE.
WE'VE GOT SOME EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENTS COMING FORWARD.
WE REALLY HAVE TO SHOW HOUSTONIANS THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
YOU MAY NOT THINK THAT IT MATTERS WHAT BECOMES OF THE DISADVANTAGE? AND ALSO WE'VE GOTTA SPREAD THE WORD.
THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.
THEY CAME OUTTA THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 'CAUSE THEY MADE A MISTAKE.
THEY PAID THEIR DUES THROUGH THEIR CONFINEMENT AND REDISTRIBUTION, BUT NOW THEY FIND THEMSELF BECAUSE SOCIETY HADN'T PROVIDED FOR 'EM AND GIVEN THEM A SECOND CHANCE, A REENTRY PROCESS, THEY BECOME HOMELESS.
SO THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING ME.
I'LL LEAVE HERE A BETTER MAYOR THAN THE ONE THAT GOT HERE BECAUSE OF THE ENERGY DIVISION AND THE COLLABORATION ON DISPLAY TODAY.
LET'S CELEBRATE AND THEN LET'S GO TO WORK.
AND THE MAYOR MENTIONED FORMER REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN.
UH, I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO THIS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT HIM.
UM, AND TALKING ABOUT THE WORK HE DID, UM, TO MAKE THIS, TO BRING THIS TO FRUITION.
SORRY, WE GOT PAPERS BLOWING AROUND HERE.
UM, YOU KNOW, HE, HE CALLED ME ONE DAY ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO.
UM, AND HE HAD $3 MILLION IN A VISION, RIGHT? UM, AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT TOOK A FEW YEARS, YEARS TO GET HERE IS 'CAUSE IT TAKES MORE THAN $3 MILLION.
'CAUSE HE HAD A BIG, BIG VISION.
UM, AND, UM, I KNOW HE'S EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE.
UM, MORE THAN ONCE HE'S CALLED ME AND SAID, IT'S TAKEN TOO LONG, WAYNE.
UM, AND SO THIS WOULD NOT BE HERE WHERE IT NOT FOR HIS VISION AND HIS PASSION AROUND THIS ISSUE.
UM, I ALSO THOUGH WANT TO INTRODUCE, UM, TRINA ITA.
SHE REPRESENTS TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION.
IT'S AN AGENCY THAT CONTINUES TO LEAD THE WAY IN DEVELOPING RECOVERY-ORIENTED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES STATEWIDE AND IS CAPITALIZED ON OPPORTUNITIES TO DIRECT RESOURCES TO A FULL CONTINUUM OF SERVICES, INCLUDING HOUSING SUPPORTS.
PLEASE WELCOME TRINA ITA, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR HHSC.
IT IS MY PLEASURE AND HONOR TO BE HERE FOR SUCH A MOMENTOUS EVENT.
FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, TEXAS HAS SEEN SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FROM THE LEGISLATURE AT THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION.
WE ARE CHARGED WITH THE STEWARDSHIP OF THOSE RESOURCES AND TO MAKE SURE
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THE PRIORITIES OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE ADDRESSED.WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY FOCUSING ON OUR MISSION, WHICH IS WE SERVE TEXAS WITH OUR VISION BEING, MAKING A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE THROUGH THE SPECIFIC LENS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.
THIS MEANS THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON BUILDING A RECOVERY ORIENTED SYSTEM OF CARE.
ONE THAT IMBUES THE PROMISE OF HOPE AND HEALING.
TODAY'S EVENT SIGNIFIES AND IS A TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF THAT PROMISE OF HOPE AND HEALING.
ACCESS TO SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT FOR PERSONS IN RECOVERY.
THERE IS DATA GOING BACK YEARS, DECADES, OUTLINING AND CORRELATING HEALTH OUTCOMES TO HOUSING STABILITY.
THIS MAKES INVESTMENTS LIKE THESE SUPPORTIVE LIVING APARTMENTS, SUCH A CRITICAL PART OF THE CONTINUUM OF CARE.
I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK HARRIS CENTER FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND RECOGNITION OF THIS CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE CONTINUUM OF CARE PROJECT.
LIKE THESE ARE NO SMALL FEAT, AND IT TAKES INTENTIONAL COLLABORATION AT MULTIPLE LEVELS THAT I HEARD GIVEN A NOD TO HERE TODAY.
THIS MAKES THIS CONCEPT COME TO REALITY AND FRUITION.
I ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE WAYNE FOR WHO LEADS THE HARRIS CENTER AND ALL THE LOCAL PARTNERS HERE WHO WILL COME TO MAKE TODAY TANGIBLE A REALITY.
THANK YOU AND ENJOY THE REST OF THE DAY.
THANK YOU TRINA AND YOUR COLLEAGUES BACK AT HHSC.
WE APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT AND THEIR EFFORT.
UM, YOUR PARTNERSHIP IS INCREDIBLE AND WE VALUE IT.
UM, OUR FINAL PARTNER TO SPEAK, UM, IS SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT HEALTH AND HOUSING STABILITY ARE DEEPLY CONNECTED.
I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR HER WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER AND ADVOCATE FOR THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WE BOTH SERVE.
IN FACT, SHE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT I DIDN'T CALL, CALL HER, SHE CALLED ME, UM, AND SAID, I THINK THAT THERE'S A A WAY FOR US TO, TO JOINTLY IMPACT THOSE THAT ARE A SHARED COMMUNITY HERE.
UM, PLEASE WELCOME LISA WRIGHT, CEO OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE, A VALUED PARTNER IN EXPANDING ACCESS TO CARE AND ENSURING AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THESE EFFORTS.
YOU KNOW, I'M SURE IF WE ALL SORT OF SAT BACK AND THOUGHT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, A STATE AGENCY AND A MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDER AND A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD BUILD THIS, THIS IS NOT WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD BE SPENDING OUR TIME AND EFFORT ON.
BUT I WAS ON A CALL ONE DAY AND WAYNE WAS TALKING ABOUT MEN WHO HAD HAD A BOUT WITH INCARCERATION, WHO HAD A DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL HEALTH THAT REALLY NEEDED A SECOND CHANCE.
AND THE FACT THAT HE WANTED TO BUILD AN APARTMENT BUILDING.
AND HE HAD BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR THE PAST, I THINK FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AT THAT POINT, BUT HE COULDN'T BRING IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE BECAUSE OF FUNDING.
AND AS A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE, WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE THAT ARE DISADVANTAGED, THAT NEED HEALTHCARE SERVICES EACH AND EVERY DAY, THAT HONESTLY, THEY DON'T WANNA JUST SURVIVE.
AND SO WHEN I HEARD WHAT WAYNE WANTED TO DO, I CALLED WAYNE AND I SAID, HOW CAN WE HELP? AND HE SHARED WITH ME WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO DO, WHAT HE WANTED TO DO.
AND I SAID, WE'LL BE THERE, WE'LL HELP YOU OUT.
AND THEN AS HE WALKED ME THROUGH THE JOURNEY OF THIS PROJECT THAT IS TAKEN ALMOST SEVEN YEARS TO COME TO FRUITION AND SHARE WITH ME REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN'S, UM, BELONGING IN THIS AND HIS V VISION ON THIS, I KNEW THAT IT WAS SOMETHING FOR US BECAUSE SEE, COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE, WE'RE A HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT WE'RE SO MUCH MORE.
WE WERE CREATED BECAUSE WE ARE PART OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.
AND THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE MEDICAID SERVICES, MEDICARE SERVICES.
BUT THE WAY THAT WE STARTED WAS ALSO BECAUSE THE VISION OF GARNET COLEMAN.
AND SO MAYOR WHITMER, WE STAND HERE BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE GARNET, WHAT HE'S DONE FOR US, AND HOW HE CONTINUES TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITIES.
AND WE ARE JUST THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF THIS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THIS BUILDING FILLED WITH PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM THE SECOND CHANCE THAT THEY NEED AND DESERVE FOR REENTRY.
AND SO WITH THAT, I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR VISION.
I THANK YOU TO THE CITY FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO HHSC FOR ALL YOU DO EACH AND EVERY DAY TO JUST HELP SUPPORT US.
AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FINANCIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY IN THIS PROCESS.
UM, AND FOR ALL THE GUESTS THAT WE HAVE TODAY, UM, WE DO HAVE, UM, SEVERAL, UM, REPRESENTATIVES, UM, AND ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE TODAY.
AND I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM.
I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE STARTED WITH THEM, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T TRANSITION TOO QUICKLY WITHOUT DOING THAT.
UM, WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ALCORN AND COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ.
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MAYOR IS HERE, COUNCIL MEMBER RAMIREZ, HIMSELF, UH, REPRESENTATIVE FROM SENATOR ALVARADO'S OFFICE, SENATOR HUFFMAN'S OFFICE.UM, THE DA'S OFFICE HAS REPRESENTATIVE HERE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA RAMSEY AND BRIANIS ALL HAVE REPRESENTATIVES HERE.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND SUPPORTING, UM, THE HARRIS CENTER AND THE WORK THAT WE DO.
UM, I ALSO, UM, WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE CLEAR.
THOSE WHO'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY ARE BECAUSE OF THEIR PASSION AND SUPPORT FOR THIS POPULATION.
BUT TO BE FRANK, IT'S ALSO BECAUSE OF THEIR MONEY.
THEY ALL PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH WAS AND ABSOLUTELY EVERY ONE OF THEM SAID, WE WANNA MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
UM, THE TRUTH IS, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY WOULD WANT ME SPENDING OUR PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH DOLLARS ON HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION, RIGHT? THAT'S NOT WHERE ANY OF US WOULD WANT US OUR FUNDS TO BE.
NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT IMPORTANT, BUT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN ANY COMMUNITY IN OUR COUNTRY.
AND SO THESE WERE BUILT ENTIRELY THROUGH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE CITY, THE STATE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE.
AND THAT'S A POWERFUL TESTAMENT TO THEM AND TO THEIR LEADERSHIP.
UM, THESE 26 UNITS THAT ARE BEHIND ME ARE, ARE A PART OF A BROADER CONTINUUM, UM, HERE ON THE RESPITE, REHAB AND REENTRY CAMPUS.
WHICH BY THE WAY, IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE BEGINNINGS OF THIS, THIS CAMPUS CAME ABOUT, UM, BECAUSE OF SOME STRONG ADVOCATES.
MIKE NICHOLS NAME'S ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED, BUT HE WAS ONE OF THEM.
UM, AND BECAUSE OF THE CITY AND THE COUNTY SUPPORT, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY EACH GRANTED US MONEY SO THAT WE COULD BUY THIS CAMPUS.
UM, AND THEN WHEN WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE APARTMENTS, WE SAID, HEY, THERE'S A WONDERFUL PARKING LOT THAT WOULD LOOK SO MUCH BETTER IF PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO LIVE ON IT.
UM, AND SO, UM, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS CONTINUATION.
WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE, THE, FRANKLY, THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICES TO BE LITERALLY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT FROM WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING AND BE ABLE TO CONNECT THAT READILY TO SERVICES THAT THEY RECEIVE.
UM, SO WE ARE AGAIN, SO GRATEFUL, UM, FOR THE CITY COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE AND HHSE FOR THEIR INVESTMENT AND SHARING IN THE BELIEF OF WHAT'S POSSIBLE.
UM, I ALSO WANNA MENTION OUR STAFF.
UM, OUR STAFF HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB OF BRINGING THIS TO FRUITION.
WE ARE NOT PEOPLE WHO BUILD APARTMENTS, RIGHT? UH, AND TRUTH BE TOLD, AND EVEN STILL PROBABLY TODAY, BUT CERTAINLY WHEN WE STARTED THIS JOURNEY, WE DID NOT SPEAK HOUSING, RIGHT? SO WE HAD TO HAVE PEOPLE HELP US TRANSLATE AND HELP US FIND A WAY AND FIND A PATH FORWARD.
AND SO TO THE COUNTLESS TEAM MEMBERS WHO HAVE PUT HOURS AND HOURS INTO THIS, UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT AS AWESOME AS IT IS.
UM, I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, I KNOW WE HAVE, UM, AT LEAST ONE AND A COUPLE OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR FOUNDATION, THE FRIENDS OF THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IED THERE.
I KNEW THERE WAS TWO BOARD MEMBERS AND A REPRESENTATIVE.
SO IF Y'ALL WOULD JUST STAND REAL QUICKLY SO WE COULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOUNDATION SUPPORT AS WELL.
STEPHANIE, YOU HAVE TO STAND UP TOO.
I WILL TELL YOU BY THE WAY, WE'RE HAVING A LUNCHEON COMING UP HERE IN A COUPLE WEEKS.
AND ONCE YOU GO THROUGH, THERE'S A TABLE OUT THERE WITH SOME INFORMATION ABOUT 9, 8, 8, UM, AND SOME INFORMATION TO RAISE AWARENESS AROUND SUICIDE PREVENTION.
THERE'S ALSO AN INVITATION TO OUR LUNCHEON AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU THERE.
THIS YEAR'S LUNCHEON IS, UM, FOCUSING, UM, ON CELEBRATING ONE OF OUR FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS WHO SERVED OUR COMMUNITY A REALLY, REALLY LONG TIME.
AND ALSO AROUND HELPING CREATE AWARENESS AROUND THE ROLE WE ARE PLAYING, UM, IN SUPPORTING THOSE WHO ARE UNHOUSED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, AND SO AT THIS TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR PARTNERS AND DIGNITARIES TO COME UP, JOIN ME.
WE'RE GONNA DO THE OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING, UM, AND OPEN UP THE SUPPORTIVE LIVING APARTMENTS SO WE CAN START TRANSFORMING PEOPLE'S LIVES.
UH, ONE KEY WORD IN LIFE IS CARING.
COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE CARES.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT CARES.
CARING IS A VERY BIG WORD IN LIFE AND ESSENTIAL IN LIFE.
ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY AND THE CONSTITUENTS OF PRECINCT THREE, YOU, UM, YOU'RE COMMITTED TO SERVE OUR HOMELESS AND SUPPORT THEM AS THEY NAVIGATE THROUGH CRISIS AND BUILD STABILITY IN THEIR LIVES IS TO BE COMMITTED.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.
WAYNE, THE BOARD IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THANK YOU.