The Julia C. Hester House (JCHH) is a 76-year-old nonprofit community center serving Fifth Ward residents with programs including Senior Services, one of their most utilized programs offered daily, Monday to Friday, at no charge. This community of older African Americans has come to rely on the JCHH as a source of health, wellness and camaraderie in a neighborhood where such resources are sparse. Due to COVID-19, Senior Services are no longer being provided in person, though JCHH has embraced the change by pivoting its service model while continuing to maintain relationships with and provide support to the Fifth Ward community.

On April 13, JCHH became a food sorting site for the Houston Food Bank and Harris County Precinct One. Three days a week, crews create approximately 1,000 food boxes or bags that are delivered by Crowd Rescue to local Fifth Ward residents. This work ensures that continuous meals are brought to the homes of over 20,000 senior citizens; residents who live in a food desert and are at an increased risk of complications from COVID-19. Prior to center closures as a result of COVID-19 precautions, seniors participating in programs at Hester House had access to daily nutritious meals.

While this change in programming does not satisfy the need for in-person activities, JCHH staff knows that at the heart of the center’s offerings is service to the community.

“Hester House's participation as a sorting facility for food to low-income and indigent residents of Harris County is in keeping with our mission of service to the Greater Fifth Ward and surrounding communities,” said Daisy Stiner, Executive Director of the Julia C Hester House.

“Harris County Precinct One and the Houston Food Bank recognized the tremendous community need and we are happy to be a part of this effort. Our wellness center manager is leading the charge and our part-time staff, in conjunction with Houston Food Bank and Precinct One staff and volunteers, serve as the production team. Not only does this partnership mean that vulnerable seniors across the county will get access to the food they need, it also ensures that our part-time staff has access to ample work hours to continue their employment. We are pleased that Hester House continues to find ways to serve our clients during this time of the COVID-19 Disaster Declaration.”

Through this work, JCHH continues to serve the Fifth Ward community the best way possible. As in-person programming has moved to online connectivity via the center’s Facebook page, current and past residents and participants share memories and spotlight a history of resilience and community engagement that are hallmarks of JCHH.