RUPANI FOUNDATION USA (Houston)

Houston is the most populous city in the State of Texas, and is the 4th largest city in the United States. Houston is a diverse cutting edge, entrepreneurial minded metropolis.  In addition to serving as the nation’s Oil and Gas Hub, it houses NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is home to one of the world’s most renowned Medical Centers. Rupani Foundation serves marginalized residents in the Greater Houston area, primarily Harris and Fort Bend counties.

The neighborhoods served are low-income, multi-ethnic neighborhoods in the Greater Houston area with primary sites in the Southwest sector of Houston, Stafford/Sugar Land and the Richmond area of Fort Bend County. This region is the most diverse region in the nation, a “melting pot” of ethnically diverse neighborhoods with a large population of refugees and immigrants. The majority of the populations served live in apartment communities. Most services provided by Rupani Foundation are on-site at apartment communities or nearby community centers.

It is Rupani Foundation’s goal to broaden its service footprint into communities within the region that are not yet able to access our suite of services.

Growing up in poverty is the greatest challenge to the holistic development of a child. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 15 million children live in poverty in the United States (21% of all US children).   In the State of Texas, the Census Bureau reports that for RF’s target age group (3 years and under) 37% live below the poverty line in Houston and 28.8% live below the poverty line in Harris and surrounding counties. These statistics demonstrate the need for the Greater Houston Area to serve as the primary focus for service delivery.

The Rupani Foundation holistic service approach not only addresses Early Childhood Development disparities, it addressing interconnecting mother and family physical, mental, emotional, cultural, linguistic, economic, social and educational barriers to achieving human potential.

There are very few ECD programs that work to serve families holistically.  Rupani Foundation provides parents, caregivers, and community members the education, training, and partnerships needed to enhance their lives and succeed. This is why RF chose to integrate Mental Health and Economic Empowerment programs and initiatives into our platform.

Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how people think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how they handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in activities like work, school, or caregiving.

Parents stress over finances, acclimation to a new environment, and even their own literacy and education. Parental stress can lead to child stress. Rupani Foundation recognizes access to Economic Empowerment resources is necessary for the communities we serve to financially stabilize and grow healthy, nurturing households.