A Message from the Executive Director

Welcome to the summer issue of Insights! The last quarter was truly impactful as we remained focused on making a meaningful difference in the lives of students, families, and individuals throughout Fort Bend County. From providing future-building opportunities for our youth, to fostering community connections and supporting crime victims, we are proud of the progress we continue to make together.

In April, FLCRC participated in health and wellness community events, connecting with like-minded organizations and expanding our network of community partners.

This spring, our Youth Ambassador Leadership Education (Y.A.L.E.) program placed a strong emphasis on college and career readiness with the launch of our new Workforce Readiness and Career Pathways initiative. Through this initiative and several university tours, students gained valuable insight into their personal strengths and future career possibilities.

Our partnerships with local leaders continue to grow. In April, we were honored to be a recipient of Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton’s 2026 Expose Excellence grant. We were also proud to participate in the D.A.’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week event at Fort Bend County Justice Center.

We were especially excited by the success of our two-week summer enrichment camp in June. We kept students highly engaged with a variety of fun and educational learning sessions and field trips.

Thanks to our dedicated supporters, our mission of Building Better Communities by Building Stronger Families continues to be fulfilled throughout Fort Bend County. We are grateful for your partnership in this important work.

Sincerely,

Ilene Harper, Ph.D.
Executive Director

Supporting Health and Wellness

In April, FLCRC participated in several community events focused on health and wellness, including Texas State Technical College’s Student Health and Wellness Fair and Fort Bend Church’s Health & Wellness Expo. Our team members shared about our programs and services and sparked meaningful connections with many other
community-focused organizations. We value these important partnerships that empower us to have a greater positive impact in Fort Bend County.

Preparing Our Students for Bright Futures

This quarter was filled with future-focused activities for our Y.A.L.E. program student leaders. At the Y.A.L.E. meetings on April 11th and May 16th, the students completed interactive Workforce Readiness & Career Pathways (WRCP) sessions providing personalized guidance and tools for college and career planning. Each student completed a personal strengths inventory, identified their higher education and career goals, and made plans for next steps. In June, many of the Y.A.L.E. leaders attended our summer enrichment camp, which included financial literacy sessions and tours of two local universities. We are excited to see each student’s future unfold as the Y.A.L.E. program empowers them for success in college and beyond!

FLCRC is Awarded 2026 Expose Excellence Grant

On April 21st, FLCRC was presented with a check as a recipient of the Expose Excellence Youth Foundation grant. Founded by Fort Bend County District Attorney Brian Middleton, the Foundation strives to ensure that youth have the resources they need to thrive. We extend our sincere thanks to D.A. Middleton and the Foundation for their continued support!

Observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week

FLCRC staff and volunteers observed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week by participating with a community event on April 22nd at the Fort Bend County Justice Center. The event included an awareness walk and healing vigil, and we were pleased to share information with participants on our free and comprehensive services for crime victims.

Two Weeks of Discovery and Enrichment: FLCRC’s 2026 Summer Enrichment Camp is a Hit with Students!

During the weeks of June 15-19 and June 22-26, 40 students in grades 5th through 12th joined us for a fun and educational summer enrichment camp: Discover Your Power: Leaders, Innovators & World Changers. The students engaged in a wide variety of sessions exploring STEM topics, leadership & motivation, financial literacy, college & career readiness, creative arts, entrepreneurship, fitness & sports, and more. The program also included tours of Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M University, a Juneteenth trip to the Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg, and a visit to KTSU 90.9 FM radio station in Houston. On the final day, the student had a blast cooling down with our huge inflatable water slide, receiving prizes, and honoring our three graduating high school seniors in the Y.A.L.E. program. Thank you to all who helped make this a truly unforgettable experience for our youth!

FLCRC Welcomes Creative Media & Podcast Interns

In June, FLCRC hired three student interns to support our programs and services in creative new ways. These promising young leaders will serve in the following roles throughout the 2026-2027 fiscal year:

Each intern will play an important role in amplifying our youth’s voices, capturing impactful stories, facilitating our Workforce Readiness and Career Pathways program, and showcasing the work of FLCRC through social media and podcasting. We are excited to witness their innovation, leadership, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in our community. Join us in congratulating Kason, Jovann, and Jordan!

Announcements & Upcoming Events

2nd Annual Dakota Merriweather 5K Walk/Run
Saturday, November 14, 2026
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
George Park
2155 Collins Rd., Richmond, TX
Join us for this fundraiser honoring former Y.A.L.E. student leader Dakota Merriweather! Register as an individual or a four-member team. Learn more and register at FamilyLifeCRC.org/Dakota-Merriweather-5K.

FLCRC 10th Annual Banquet
Saturday, December 5, 2026
6:00 p.m.
821 E Hwy 90A, Richmond, TX 77406
Purchase tickets and program ads now for our 10th Annual Banquet this December! We will highlight another incredible year at FLCRC, recognize our 2026 scholarship and award recipients, and share a preview of 2027. Visit FamilyLifeCRC.org/banquet today!

FLCRC Capital Campaign
We invite you to support our 2025-2030 capital campaign, FLCRC’s Future: Building a New Generation of Leaders. Help us reach our goal of raising $200,000 for the expansion of our summer enrichment camp into a six-week summer enrichment experience! You can maximize your impact by becoming a campaign sponsor. Learn more and donate at FamilyLifeCRC.org/campaign.