1000 Friends of Houston is a
trademarked initiative of
the Gulf Coast Institute.
Houston is in a tough moment. Widely perceived by people in other places as an unhealthy and uninteresting place to live, the Houston region is also probably the last in the United States to marshal the energy and intellect to do the innovative things to create a place that can compete in the world of talent and knowledge.
But there are forces bubbling throughout the region that have a vision for a Livable Houston to challenge other leading cities in America and even the world. The purpose of 1000 Friends of Houston is to provide a means to express that vision and to contribute financially to the initiative to make Houston a better place to live.
One of the most powerful efforts to do that is the Blueprint Houston project to move the City of Houston to a general planning process based on citizen vision, values, and goals. That project was begun by 1000 Friends of Houston with a call for a such a process on September 1, 2001. (for more on that and to see the original ad and arguments, see "Houston needs a plan" above)
For the past two years, the regional Livable Houston Initiative has intensively and broadly explored the patterns of change in America and elsewhere. It's become quite clear that there is a fast-emerging pattern of basic principles for smart growth metropolitan strategies. To bring about the changes that can clear away the bad air and bad image of our region and support the creative and capable people who see new pathways to Houston's future, the Initiative needs greatly increased financing .
1000 Friends contributing $100 each - or more - will escalate the ability of the Livable Houston Initiative to do the research and paint the picture that is necessary to go to the next place.
We have made spectacular progress in the last four years, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of a few hundred people. The Initiative has brought clarity to many issues, as well as influencing the direction of policies in several important venues. Many believe we are at a moment when vast change is necessary, possible, and even likely.
There is a mythology of frustration and occasional gloom among many of our citizens who have struggled to bring common sense and optimism to our affairs. The disconnect between the desires and attitudes of the population and the creation and execution of public and private policy is startling. 1000 Friends of Houston can help the Livable Houston Initiative clear away that mythology and bring us to a discussion that relates to our hopes more than our fears.
The forces fearful of change are very well funded, and we are not. That does not have to continue to be true.
The greatest need is for research and communication. Much of what we do in the Houston region we do because we have always done that. But a mountain of studies, including market studies, now shows that we are missing an opportunity to live in a better place. Understanding the dynamics at work in the world and reducing the findings to messages and strategies that we can use with confidence will take a great deal of educated and sophisticated effort.
If the Livable Houston Initiative develops models for success, the proliferation of more models will follow. But even though the patterns of future growth are becoming very clear in the U.S., they are not understood in our region, and certainly are not being taken advantage of. So we must have models, and the rest will follow.
That will take money, and that is where you come in. In addition to your good will and work, we need you to invest in the process. You know what is afoot here. You know what a great place Houston could be. We need you and/or your organization to make the investment of money that will jumpstart this thing. Can you invest $100 $1,000? $10,000?
Our contributions and our future are perfectly linked. In ten years, or 20 or more, people will look back at a list, the list of the first 1000 Friends of Houston, who knew that Houston could be a better place to live, who know how to make it better, and who were willing to invest in the future.
Thanks for your concern and your help,
David Crossley
President, Gulf Coast Institute
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Yes, I want to be among the 1000 Friends of Houston.
Here’s my donation of
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Name ______________________________________________________________
Organization ________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
City ___________________________ State ____________ Zip _______________
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Please make checks payable to Gulf Coast Institute, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, or use the Join Now button above to use a credit card.
MAIL CHECK TO
Gulf Coast Institute
3015 Richmond Suite 250
Houston TX 77098
Badge of honor: A 1000 Friends of Houston lapel pin will be sent to donors.