It is with great humility and pride that Achieving Community Tasks Successfully (ACTS) celebrates 10 years of service. In our beginning, much of our funding came from the generosity of individuals. Their early financial commitment to ACTS’ work enabled us to grow as a community-based organization (CBO) to provide technical expertise, resources and connect with other community-based nonprofits to expand our reach within the community at large. We give Recognition and Thanks to individuals who saw the potential and shared their experiences and expertise unselfishly. It is that Servant Spirit which remains a part of our values.

The mentorship provided through our partnership with the HBCU-CBO Gulf Coast Equity Consortium is our blueprint. The Communiversity approach establishes an equitable relationship between community and university in the conduct of research and community action. It was and is the “light” to embrace citizen science and own our own data.

In 2019, based on the model at Air Alliance Houston, ACTS established the first community-led air monitoring network in Texas. It was a collaborative project with Texas Southern University (TSU) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Our community engagement activities allowed the voices of the community to identify priorities. Our partnership with the Data to Action Group has led to a collective of community-based organizations working together to provide hyperlocal air monitoring in black and brown communities. ACTS uses the data collected from our networks to visualize the air pollution trends and empower the community to better protect our health and hold polluters accountable. It is this work that led to the selection by TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality) to install an FEM monitor in Pleasantville by end of calendar year 2022.

In 2020, ACTS in partnership with Rice University established a website documenting both a community history and environmental history of the Pleasantville community.

In 2021, ACTS was able to provide direct support to multiple communities after Winter Storm URI. We collaborated with Target Hunger to assist with distributing water to under-served communities

In 2022, ACTS successfully delayed the approval of two municipal setting designations (MSDs) by the City of Houston. ACTS worked with Environmental Attorneys at Lone Star Legal Aid and Earth Justice. We were able to consult with engineers and hydrologists to review the technical documents. We stand with our community and our partners to protect our health. We are most appreciative that the City of Houston listened to the community concerns.

Though we have made great strides together, the work is not done. Unfortunately, too many communities in Houston continue to identify new threats impacting our health and quality of life.

….. So Stay On This Journey With Us …..

Flooding, Truck Idling Laws, Air Quality, Food Insecurities, and Project 11 remain on the agenda – the work continues.

Sincerely

Bridgette Murray BSN MBA
Founder/Executive Director
Achieving Community Tasks Successfully dba ACTS