Miller Outdoor Theater, Abba Mania Night

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

CO staff hosted an information table prior to the Abba Mania show. Pictured: The award winning Johnston Middle School choir who performed on the stage with the show coming by the METRO booth.

Kid Pan Alley (11/13) and Billy Stritch (11/15)

Nov. 13 and 15, 2009

Over the weekend of November 13, METRO hosted two pre-show information tables at Miller Outdoor Theater. General transit information were distributed to show attendees Information table featured METRO Q® Fare Card information, METRORail, new services and STARVan information.

METRO At HISD Parent Involvement Day Celebration at Northwest Mall

11/12/09

METRO C.O. staff distributed general METRO information to parents that attended the Celebration this year. Parents were most interested in discount fares for their children attending HISD schools. The METRO Q® Fare Card application form was given out to attendees.

Miller Outdoor Theater Jazz Night Pre-Show METRO Information

Sunday, November 1, 2009

It was a cool night for a warm show. METRO staff was onhand at Miller's Jazz Night to promote transit use and vanpooling. It is the home stretch for our 2009 participation at Miller Theater with only a handful of our information tables left. Attendees are encouraged to come by our pre-show tables to pick up transit and vanpooling information before the shows in November.

Gulfton Spooktacular at Burnett Bayland Park

Friday, October 30, 2009

C.O. staff was on hand this year to hand out candy and transit safety information to crowds at this year's Gulfton Spooktacular sponsored by the United minds Youth Leadership Development and Gulfton HPD Officers.

Miller Theater: Tap Kids Show

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009

Community Outreach staff hosted a pre-show information table that featured a variety of METRO service information. Visitors including students came prior to the show.

Texas Diversity Council Corporate Commitment Awards

Oct. 2009

METRO was among five companies recognized recently at the Sixth Annual Gulf Coast Diversity Awards Luncheon held at the UH Hilton Hotel for its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and business community. This year's luncheon theme was "Building H.O.P.E. through Diversity (Helping Organizations Pursue Excellence), and were delighted to have Texas Secretary of State, Esperanza "Hope" Andrade, as the distinguished keynote speaker. M. Helen Cavazos, VP of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion, and Texas Diversity Council Board member was on
hand to receive the recognition on METRO's behalf, along with other key METRO staff.

Miller Outdoor Theater Information Table for Splendid China Performance

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009

METRO Community Outreach staff was present at this year's Splendid China Dance Performances at Miller Outdoor Theater. Show attendees came by the pre-show booth to pick up METRO Q® Fare Card, Quickline and transit maps at the table.

National Night Out 2009

10/6/09

MPD and METRO Community Outreach Staff were out at a variety of Houston neighborhood locations on National Night Out to meet community members. Staff traveled to various neighborhoods to promote transit safety and services.

SoccerFest At Dynamos Game

Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009

Despite heavy rains, brave soccer fans came by the Explorer Bus to pick up METRO information. Fans are invited to join METRO and STAR Van staff for the last SoccerFest of the year on Sunday, Oct. 18 prior to the Dynamos game against L.A. Galaxy in a few weeks.

2009 Komen Walk

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009

METRO C.O. and STAR Van staff hosted an information tent at one of Houston's largest Charity Walk on October 3. Over 35,000 attended the Komen walk this year. METRO's staffers helped distribute information about our services to hundreds of visitors to the tent.

Miller Theater Chicano Festival 2009 (1st Night)

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009

METRO kicks off the October shows at Miller Outdoor Theater with a pre-show information table featuring information on some of our new routes including the Quickline and Swiftline service. STAR Van staff was onsite talking to patrons about vanpool services. Staff members will be out at Miller in October on the following dates: Oct. 10, 15 and 23rd prior to the shows. Show attendees are invited to come by our information table for the latest information from METRO.

M. Helen Cavazos, METRO VP of Human Resources and Diversity 2009 Houston Dynamo Outstanding Hispanic Community Leader Award.

Saturday, September 19th

Houston Dynamo and Budweiser, selected M. Helen Cavazos, METRO VP of Human Resources and Diversity, as one of the 2009 Outstanding Hispanic Community Leaders. Helen was honored at halftime during the Dynamo Hispanic Heritage Night presented by Budweiser on Saturday, September 19th. She was recognized as one of the Houston’s Hispanic leaders because of her continuous contribution and giving back to the community. This will be the fourth year the Houston Dynamo recognized the leadership achievements of Houston’s Hispanic community leaders who demonstrate determination, passion and service. Helen had the chance to experience La Naranja en vivo beat the Real Salt Lake team 3 to 2. Download PDF of Award

Job Fair Sponsored by State Representative Kristi Thibaut

Wednesday September 16, 2009

Among other 13 participants and with an attendance of 3,000 participants, 90% African American, 8% Hispanic, 2% Chinese and other,  searching for employment. The event took place at the Workforce Solutions Office – Southwest, District 133.
 
America Anguiano and Leticia Gonzalez participated on METRO’s behalf.

Houston Dynamos Soccerfest 2009

Saturday, September 19, 2009

METRO STAR and Community Outreach staff were out at the September SoccerFest, 2009. There are only two SoccerFest events left for the year, Sundays, October 4th and October 18th. Dynamo Soccer Fans are encourage to come by and play our kick ball game and win a bag full of goodies including useful METRO information.

El Grito Festival At Miller Outdoor Theater

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

METRO continues celebrating Fiestas Patrias this week at Miller Outdoor Theater. Staff from Community Outreach and METRO STAR hosted a pre-show information table at the event. Visitors came by the information table to get the newest route information including the new SwiftLine service between METRO's Southeast and Texas Medical Center Transit Centers. STAR staff was on hand to recruit new vanpoolers.

2009 UH Green Commuter Fair - University METRO Q® Fare Card Event

Tuesday, Sept. 1 - Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009

Community Outreach, Revenue and IT staff participated in the annual event to register and renew University of Houston students that ride METRO using the University METRO Q® Cards. Hundreds of students came by two processing stations on campus.

METRO Goes Live to Promote New TMC Swiftline Service

August 24, 2009

METRO's Community Outreach Team partnered with the HEB located at the corner of Scott and OST to host a live remote broadcast on local radio station Majic 102.  Area residents learned about the new express service pilot program called TMC Swiftline.  As shoppers received information about the new service, which operates from Monday through Friday during peak travel times from the Southeast Transit Center to the Texas Medical Center Transit Center; they enjoyed music, prizes and learning about the new service and an array of other METRO information.

Dynamo Soccer Fest 2009 Houston Vs. Seattle

Sunday, August 23, 2009

METRO and STAR Vanpool staff members at SoccerFest, before Houston played Seattle. Mom and son after son "won" playing the METRO soccer kick.

METRO At Miller Theater's Movie Week

8/18 - 8/19/09

METRO Community Outreach and METRO STAR staff spend a few nights talking to guests attending Miller Theater's Movie Week screenings just before the shows. Staff distributed METRORail, STAR Vanpool and the new SwiftLine brochures to screening attendees.

Spring Branch Family Development Center Back to School Fair

Saturday, August 15, 2009

With large crowds on hand, METRO Community Outreach staff and our star "Abuelta" hosted a back to school information table at this year's 2009 Back to School Fair in Spring Branch0. Information on area Service Changes, Abuelita Promotion and METRO Q® Fare Card applications were distributed to visiors to the table.

Commute Solutions Day at TMC Transit Center

August 12, 2009

Community Outreach and METRO Star Vanpool staff spend morning rush hour at the Texas Medical Center Transit Center thanking riders for using METRO and introducing them to a variety of commuting solutions. Staff distributed information on a new premium service - 426 linking TMC Transit Center and Southeast Transit Center beginning later in August.

Christian Outreach Center - Living Word Fellowship Church Block Party

Saturday, August 8, 2009

August is back to school month for events. Community Outreach staff hosted an information table at the Christian Outreach Center event this past week to promote the use of student METRO's Q® Fare Cards and our latest services in the Northwest area.

METRO Participated at the Representative Armando L. Walle Job Fair

Tuesday July 21, 2009

With an estimated attendance of 400 and 25 employers participating, the fair was a success.
 
METRO's representatives Art Murillo, America Anguiano and Leitica Gonzalez, distributed about 200 job applications and collected 22.  The Parson Representative Raynese Edwards offered opportunities for 25 participants to be trained in construction.  
 
Representative Armando Walle came to thank us for participating. We were able to promote jobs as well as services, in particular METRO Airport Direct.

Dynamo Soccer Fest 2009 At Robertson Stadium on UH Campus

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Things are heating up at METRO's Explorer Bus at a recent Dynamo Soccerfest event. METRO Community Outreach and METRO STAR van staff played a kick ball game in front of the bus. Winners got a bag of METRO promotional items and the latest service information. The Explorer Bus will continue to show up this summer, so come out and join the festivities.

Dynamo Soccer Fest 2009 At Robertson Stadium on UH Campus

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Community Outreach and METRO STAR staff were out at July's Dynamo SoccerFest event just prior to the game on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Staff handed out information on METRO services and signing up potential METRO STAR participants. METRO will be back at SoccerFest next month on August 1, 9 and 23. Dynamo fans are encouraged to come by our display at the event.

METRO Services Information Table At Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park

Friday, July 17 - 18, 2009

It has been a busy month for METRO Community Outreach and METRO STAR staff at Miller Theater. Despite the weather, staff was onsite prior to each show to promote METRO services featured in July was METRO's new Bellaire Quickline and 32 Renwick Crosstown Services. Also available at the information table was information on our Abuelita and Terra Cotta Warriors promotional brochures. Look for our upcoming tables next month during the August Broadway show series.

METROs Partnership with the Houston Children’s Museum and the Southwest Multi Service Center

June 29, 2009

METRO’s Community Outreach partnered with the Houston Children’s Museum and the Southwest Multi Service Center to spend the morning with the Center’s children and their families. As part of our collaboration, METRO and The Children’s Museum – along with the Southwest Multi Service Center, arranged a day at the museum to expose the families to a wealth of multi-cultural arts and crafts.

As a result, the children were glowing with excitement as they participated in plenty of activity filled exhibits such as: “Think Thank, Cyber Chase, and Power Play.” Furthermore, Community Outreach personally accompanied the families on the 2 Bellaire bus and rode the rail towards the museum district to instruct the families about METRO’s routes and rail services. Once more, METRO demonstrated the long lasting amity with the community and the importance of educating the public about our services.

Houston Symphony 4th of July at Miller Outdoor Theater

Saturday, July 4, 2009

METRO's Community Outreach staff was out at the 4th of July event this year at Miller Outdoor Theater. Staff hosted an information table featuring some of the newer METRO services to include the Bellaire Quickline, 32 Renwick Crosstown and Airport Direct Service.

Genesysworks Interns Get Student METRO Q® Fare Cards

June 30, 2009

Community Outreach and Revenue staff worked together to process over 70 student Q-Cards for Genesysworks, an internship program located at KBR Towers, downtown Houston. Staff provided an orientation to the interns on the use of the Q-card and how to use the METRO system at their classrooms.

METRO At Dynamo Game

Saturday, June 20, 2009

METRO’s Community Outreach made an appearance at the thrilling soccer match at Robinson Stadium between the Houston Dynamos and Real Salt Lake. While thousands of people came out to cheer on the Dynamos play, Community Outreach took the opportunity to inform the public about METRO’s routes and rail services. Community Outreach staff also distributed megaphones to everyone so they can cheer on their favorite team. Once again, METRO expressed its on going commitment with diverse communities throughout the Houston region.  

Juneteenth Celebrations at Miller Theater

Friday, June 19, 2009

Community Outreach and METRO STAR staff host an information booth at this year's Juneteenth celebrations at Miller Theater. The staff promoted the new Quickline, Renwick bus services and STAR services.

METRO Launched 32 Renwick Route in Southwest Houston

May 20, 2009

METRO launched its long awaited 32 Renwick route in southwest Houston with a radio remote at Seller Bros with MEGA 101 and its afternoon DJ personality - Liz. To commemorate this convenient new service, MEGA 101 and Sellers Bros – along with METRO’s Community Outreach, helped galvanize the public outside of the grocery store with Dynamo tickets, an autographed soccer ball and t-shirts give-a-ways. METRO also revealed its delightful new rider; “La Abuelita” who was on hand to assist the public with Renwick route information. Once again, METRO has improved its services with new routes throughout the Houston but especially in the southwest corridor where ridership continues to grow and expand.

Sunnyside Community Center's Senior Group Main Street Trip

May 20, 2009

Sunnyside Community Center's Senior Group took its first field trip and ride on the Main street line. They took the opportunity to ride the rail to the METRO Ride Store to sign up for their discounted Senior METRO Q® Fare Cards. Those over 70 recognize the advantages of their METRO Q® Fare Cards, which allows them to maintain their independence to get around Houston at no cost.

17th Annual Gulfton Festival Celebration at Burnett Bayland Park

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Colorful Latin acts performed traditional dances while providing cultural awareness. Valuable information about the METRO Q® Fare Card, Airport Direct, Southwest area routes, METRORail guides - along with the soon to launch Bellaire 402 Quickline and Renwick routes were distributed to the dozens of people as part of Community Outreach’s initiatives. METRO continues its spirit of cooperation through its ongoing relationships with the different communities throughout the Houston region, especially in the Gulfton corridor where this richly diverse population calls home.

2009 Gulf Coast Green Expo

April 22, 2009

METRO Community Outreach and STARVAN staff hosted an information table at this year's fair at America Tower on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. Employees from various companies in the towers received information on METRO's Airport Direct Service, Vanpool information and METRO transit services to the towers. Houston METRO was among the organizations that participated in many of the events and activities held throughout Houston to commemorate Earth Day.

2009 Cushman & Wakefield Energy & Transportation Fair at America Tower

April 17, 2009

METRO participated in the 2009 Gulf Coast Green Expo in Reliant Center from Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 18. METRO staff greeted visitors by providing them with information about Metro's programs including Bikes on Buses, Airport Direct and our future HOT Lanes project. Hundreds of visitors came by the METRO display which included Metro's newest fleet bus - The Orion Hybrid - Diesel - Electric bus. Thirty-four of these new Hybrid Transit Buses have been in service for over 18 months. These vehicles use less diesel, produce 50% fewer emissions, and require less maintenance. Riders find the hybrid buses much quieter and more pleasant to ride than traditional buses.

METRO's Community Outreach is key sponsor for Port City Links South Central Little League Kickoff

Saturday, March 28, 2009

The Pork City Links and the South Central Little League kicked off this year’s spring baseball season with an opening ceremony and community fair at Sunnyside Park on Saturday, March 28th. The event was a much-anticipated community celebration for the more than 70 little leaguers and their parents who joined in the festivities. This year METRO played an important and visible role as METRO’s Police and Human Resources departments teamed up with METRO’s Community Outreach staff for the health, job and education fair that was held in conjunction with this year’s little league debut. Many other vendors and community groups were also on hand to provide valuable information and to participate in many of the day’s activities.

Columbia Tap Rail to Trail Ribbon

Saturday, March 7, 2009

The City of Houston Bikeway Program celebrated the Grand Opening of the Columbia Tap Rails to Trails Bikeway on the campus of Texas Southern University (TSU). As a participating sponsor, METRO showcased the METRO “Bikes on Buses” initiative by conducting several demonstrations for the 100 + attendees.

Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis and TSU President John Rudley led a bike ride from Discovery Green to the campus of Texas Southern University, as bikers stopped along the way to plant trees to show support for the  The Park People and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD). Mayor Bill White, along with other elected officials, acknowledged the significant progress of the project; which adds 4 additional miles of trails to the City of Houston Bikeway network. The trails runs from Dixie Road to Walker Street with connections to the Medical Center, TSU, Downtown and existing bike and bus routes.

Houston Academy for International Studies

March 2009

Community Outreach staff participated in an orientation session with parents and students at the Houston Academy for International Studies. The school is moving into a new building in Midtown. Community Outreach staff provided parents and students information on bus service, safety and student METRO Q® Fare Card features.

University of Houston College Park Off Campus Housing Fair

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

METRO Community Outreach staff participates in this year's University of Houston College Park Off Campus Housing Fair at the University's Student Center. Staff provided students with METRO service information for those students who plan to live off-campus.

Hollywood Comes to Houston 40th NAACP Image Awards

February 12, 2009

In celebration of its’ 100 years, the NAACP Houston Branch, honored several Houston pioneers. Among those honored were Zinetta Burney, Howard Jefferson, William A. Lawson, Ernest McGowan Sr., Quentin Mease and Hazel Young. Guests also got a taste of Hollywood as the 40th Annual Image Awards were simulcast during the reception. Many of these leaders have partnered with METRO in the past, working with us to bring much needed service to the community. “It’s a real honor for me personally”, said Karen Marshall, Director of Community Outreach at METRO. “I have worked with Reverend Lawson and Howard Jefferson for years on various METRO issues, from Main Street to Scott Street.” These folks have worked tirelessly so this recognition comes as no surprise.  METRO is deeply grateful for the huge contributions and support over the years that each of these leaders has given to the community.

The Houston Hispanic Forum held their Annual Career and Education Day at the George R. Brown Convention Center

Saturday, February 7, 2009.

The METRO Explorer Bus was among the featured attractions at this event. The purpose of this annual forum is to help students and parents navigate their way through the college preparation process. Many colleges and universities as well as public and private organizations were on hand to highlight the many opportunities and services that are available for young people.

Hundreds of students and parents boarded the Explorer Bus, METRO’s newest educational mobile unit. Once inside the Explorer Bus, METRO staff and volunteers shared information about the Student METRO Q® Fare Card discount program, the extensive and affordable METRO bus and rail service, and many other important and interesting tidbits of information greeted visitors

The Houston Hispanic Forum has reported the estimated attendance at 18,000; making this one of the most successful Career and Education Days in recent history. 

METRO Conducted a Briefing and Tour for Visiting Taoyuan County Officials From Taiwan

Monday, February 9, 2009

Taoyuan County is the site of Taiwan's new International Airport and future Light Rail Development Project. 

METRO’s Community Outreach, Planning and Rail Operations staff led the Taiwanese delegation on a guided tour of Houston’s light rail corridor. The group made their way to the METRO’s Rail Operations Center where they previewed METRO’s state-of-art light rail facilities.

Community Outreach Helped Commemorate the Vietnamese New Year Festival at Viet Hoa Shopping Center

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Hundreds of people came out to see the array of performing acts ranging from spectacular artistic dancing to the beautiful cultural garb displayed in a dazzling fashion show, which enhanced traditional and cultural awareness. METRO’s Community Outreach staff promoted it’s initiatives, which included the METRO Q® Fare Card, Airport Direct, SW routes, METRORail and more to the hundreds of revelers who inquired about METRO’s services. Once more, METRO expressed its ongoing relationships with a variety of diverse communities throughout the Houston region. 

Students Learn Bus/Rail Safety Lessons at Horn Elementary in Bellaire

Nearly 100 students from Bellaire’s Horn Elementary learned all about METRO’s bus and rail safety steps with the help of METRO’s Fred the Safety Tread. The students participated in a special, age appropriate safety lesson conducted by METRO consultant Karen Franklin of TVS Consultants. The session was fun and interactive as students sang and danced to the tune of “METRORail is Coming to Town” while learning safety tips for, not only the bus, but the METRORail as well. 

“It’s critical to teach kids the importance of bus and rail safety at an early age because it reinforces the transit ethic,” said Karen Marshall, METRO’s Director of Community Outreach. “We sometimes take our youngest stakeholders for granted, but when you think about it, the transit system that we are building, with more buses and 30 plus miles of light rail, is for them!” 

METRO has several events targeted to school age children for the Spring in addition to the ongoing Community School Safety Education Program by METRO Solutions.

Participated in Annual Chinese Lunar New Year’s Festival

Saturday, February 1, 2009

Among the hundreds of revelers, many amazing and colorful Chinese acts performed traditional dances while enhancing cultural awareness. METRO’s Community Outreach staff, promoted METRO initiatives including the METRO Q® Fare Card, Airport Direct, local routes, METRORail to dozens of people inquiring about METRO’s services. Once again, METRO demonstrates its ongoing relationships with diverse communities in the Houston region. 

METRO Hosted two Workshops to Gather Community Input and Ideas for the University Corridor Arts in Transit Program

January 29th and 31st, 2009

The workshop's mission was to facilitate discussion from the community that celebrates community images, identity, and architectural heritage for the art that will accompany each of the stations along the University Corridor light rail alignment. The alignment will have 19 stations for which a pre-determined pool of artists have the opportunity to use community input as inspiration. Workshop participants self selected representatives to move forward to provide ongoing feedback and review of the artists' designs, as the Arts in Transit Program process moves forward.

METRO was a Leading Partner at the Target First Sunday Family Day

January 4, 2009

The Houston Museum of Fine Arts was bustling with over 700 children and parents as they made their way through the transportation-themed event. Children delighted in spinning the METRO Fact Wheel to learn about the exciting services METRO has to offer. Parents and children were fully engaged in learning about a variety of topics from how METRO Police Department keeps riders safe to plans for five new rail alignments.

The event gave METRO a chance to debut “Fred the Safety Tread”, their new safety mascot for the online Kids’ Stop page which gives kids an interactive experience in learning about rail and bus safety.

In the METRO Solutions Kids’ Stop children’s theater, families also participated in an interactive presentation on the history of trains, rail, and buses in Houston. They had the opportunity to participate in a sing-a-long, color their own METRO rail car, and learn about safety traffic signs, shapes, and signals.