In Gulfton, solutions to some of the community’s toughest challenges came together in one place. Families didn’t just leave with school supplies—they left with access to health care, vital resources, and even a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
In Gulfton, solutions to some of the community’s toughest challenges came together in one place. Families didn’t just leave with school supplies—they left with access to health care, vital resources, and even a pathway to U.S. citizenship.
On Friday, July 18, the Gulfton Citizen’s Advisory Council, along with city and county partners, hosted a “Gulfton Naturalize Now” U.S. Citizenship Application Workshop and Back-to-School Resource Fair at 6227 Southwest Freeway, drawing families from across the area for an event focused on empowerment and connection. Nearly 2,000 people were in attendance.
Tammy Rodriguez, president of the organization, said the turnout showed the urgency for resources in the community.
“It was overwhelming to see so many families and organizations come together. Every booth had someone who needed help, and every person left with something they needed. I was elated to know our community was served with everything to start the school year strong,” Rodriguez said.
Building Trust Between HPD and the Community
A major goal of the event was to strengthen the relationship between residents and the Houston Police Department. At a time when many immigrants fear law enforcement due to ICE activity, HPD’s presence sent a different message—one of safety, support, and partnership.
“For over 30 years, our council has worked to bridge the gap between HPD and the community,” Rodriguez said. “Events like this show that the police are not solely what they see in the media—they are human, they respond, and they care.”
The event featured 13 organizations, with major supporters like Walmart, McDonald’s, and AT&T joining forces with local agencies. Families received:
A network of community organizations, including the City of Houston’s Office of New Americans, Mi Familia en Acción, BPSOS, Pan-African Legal Services and Sister 2 Sistah, were also in attendance, working together to provide critical resources and assistance to families.
“We are happy to support Gulfton Naturalize Now initiatives in partnership with our Citizenship Community Navigators and legal services providers in Greater Houston,” said Azeb Yusuf, City of Houston – Office of New Americans.
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of making immigration services accessible.
“Any resident who has lived here for more than five years is eligible to become a U.S. citizen. We set up a forum so they could get legal services, free consultations, and have their applications processed immediately,” she said.
Part of a Bigger Push for Naturalization
The effort aligns with Harris County’s ongoing campaign to help more than 300,000 eligible residents become U.S. citizens. The county has launched initiatives to remove barriers, provide trusted information, and connect lawful permanent residents with legal resources.
Here are more resources to aid you on your path to citizenship:
https://houston.naturalizenow.org/resources
https://becomeacitizentoday.com
https://usahello.org/citizenship/prepare
(Bayou Beat News was proud to serve as media sponsor of the event.)
