Alief is one of Houston’s most culturally and linguistically diverse neighborhoods and one of Houston’s fastest growing communities. As development spreads and green spaces shrink, the neighborhood is feeling the effects — hotter streets, fewer trees, and less shade.
Home to families speaking more than 100 languages, Alief’s diversity and working-class roots are a source of pride. The newly opened community center has become a shared space for learning and connection, and a strong source of resilience where people come together.
Residents draw on these strengths every day: human, social, and physical.
In a community with so many working parents and immigrant families, young people in particular are stepping up to shape the future of their community.
Through the Resilience for Communities (R4C) program, they are collaborating with the City of Houston to co-design and implement local solutions that make Alief cooler, safer and more resilient for everyone.
Greening school grounds and community spaces is helping Alief stay cooler and more welcoming.
Residents and volunteers are planting trees and native species across schools and public areas to create more shade, capture rainwater, and bring color to shared spaces. These small green projects make streets more livable while building community pride and connection.
Workshops and events are helping residents prepare for heat, floods, and other hazards.
Hands-on activities and local workshops are spreading practical knowledge—like how to stay safe during heat waves, make small home repairs, or access help after a storm. These efforts strengthen community ties and ensure information reaches residents in every language.
Young residents in Alief are leading the way to create a disaster plan shaped by their community.
What started as local workshops and youth discussions is now growing into a plan that captures Alief’s own voice in how to respond when extreme weather strikes. The new disaster protocol will guide residents and city partners on how to communicate, act, and recover together, turning awareness into leadership for a stronger, safer future.
These transformations are being powered by a diverse group of organizations. Together, we are creating a stronger, more resilient community.
Keep scrolling to meet our partners!
Alief ISD
The Alief Independent School District has supported Alief Votes in identifying school properties that can be improved through community greening initiatives.
Alief Super Neighborhood Council
The Alief Super Neighborhood Council promotes community greening efforts, tree care events and workshops, together with Alief Votes.
AliefVotes
Alief Votes leads local implementation of the Resilience 4 Communities program in Trinity Houston Gardens, organizing workshops, community greening events and advocating for a more resilient Alief.
Zurich North America
Zurich North America is sharing resilience expertise with cities and communities, helping assess projects developed by community members and bringing volunteers to community events.
Z Zurich Foundation
Z Zurich Foundation provides global leadership and core funding for the program, lending its expertise through tools like Climate Resilience Measurement for Communities to ensure projects reflect community priorities ands contribute to a broader impact.
The International Management District
The International Management District supports greening and quality of life improvements in Alief and supported the pocket prairie initiative through connecting AliefVotes to resources and recruiting volunteers.
WOW Project
The WOW Project leads regular food distribution events at the Alief Community Garden, helping make it an active and popular community destination. When AliefVotes proposed planting a Pocket Praire, the WOW Project supported in building support for the project and recruiting volunteers.
National Wildlife Foundation
The National Wildlife Foundation provided additional funding support for the pocket prairie project, as well as technical expertise on planting native species.
City of Houston Mayor’s Office,
Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience
The City of Houston supported tree planting and greening initiatives in Alief through the Health Department, and through the program, AliefVotes has connected with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience to support disaster awareness workshops and long-term community planning.
Resilient Cities Network
R-Cities employs tools to assess community resilience, develop solutions with community members and mobilize funding for resilience action through Resilient Community Impact Funds (RCI Funds).
