[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6528988,"mediaKeyId","3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818","parentId",3868970,"title","Mayor Whitmire tells Houston youth: 'Be bold' and consider public service","audioSeconds",851,"startMs",815000,"endMs",1666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818&start=815&end=1666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818/thumbnail_815000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528988/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Mayor-Whitmire-tells-Houston-youth-Be-bold-and-consider-public-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528988-a7e20520707ff8b3bfd61dab36c178ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944141&Signature=mgho~c4snrOvfVsNMAYqt4hyWFM6pL8Wp09H~G5DENCpus7131sxzSKB9uZZ6UNLh1ZU3Ih3NK-Fq69LOe8X2D4YcvLV~~YrDl~1~sMrkjYcg5TthbqfBZ73TO1UQyVHIjJbJg1CQ8y7d8hlXDQguUodpjP~HLz2BoNK4QPw7wIhaEIPyf1RleBtuI5WBmvlyjeuDTJJSSLITrL2i395Us8TK8o5LHSXylzThS370ww3vAwVM5sDTFkf7fRGj-m7XZdZgGtAuIFbmBj6WNJh~9Kh7JI02pj1k23EPH4ZGEOqN3iVVvM3bb21yR6MrHQgGvGYjCulkMP1imHnAGMGvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston","date","2025-06-13T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor John Whitmire spoke at the City of Houston Ed Talk in the Lehi Room at City Hall, praising the youth ambassadors and urging them to be bold in public service.

Introduced by City of Houston Youth Ambassadors, Whitmire told students that the program’s experience could be the start of a life in public service. “If there's not a future mayor, governor, or president among you, I'm gonna be really disappointed,” he said, adding that leadership requires making tough choices. He recounted an eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., and later cited an example from President Lyndon B. Johnson — as told by President Obama at the LBJ Library — to illustrate the value of taking bold decisions over safe politics.

Whitmire described his own public-service path, saying he spent 40 years in the Texas Legislature, and urged the students to use the academy to step into leadership. He encouraged them to return in a year with updates on how they used the experience and asked them to help recruit future participants.

He also referenced operational responsibilities he manages as mayor — public safety, fire and police, health departments — and said the Ed Talk event provided him a welcome opportunity to see youth-led work underway. The mayor closed by thanking program staff, sponsors and the judges and invited attendees to continue engaging with the students after the event.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Houston - Ed Talk: Youth Innovation Challenge - Jun 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor John Whitmire addressed City of Houston youth ambassadors at the Ed Talk event, urging them to take responsibility, pursue public service and recounting personal anecdotes about exposure to government that shaped his career.","taxTitle","Houston, Harris County, Texas","taxId",2797,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528993,"Youth propose reflective murals, workshops to cool Houston neighborhoods",606,3861000,4467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818&start=3861&end=4467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818/thumbnail_3861000.jpg","/articles/6528993/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Youth-propose-reflective-murals-workshops-to-cool-Houston-neighborhoods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528993-d175e5ead0ca4810d8fa77c90faf2104/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944141&Signature=TwJloY~1pdnQwdqiVGNQqLuV~GMtCFXAiYRzDub0DLJXwgOzaQo-aZWhdtUw7Z2XqW76es2OYon8l-43ew00Yhx0H3xJz0qWkiVV3F5zgVAz7oVIITim20ullK36kQ88I4n-P7z2bzbLS-3XV2rpOCXistyTZ~FCfYcUhhn5UQpS3N0riFO~sbfV-0h-agOtYDDUyQrKUcAIBYR~kNrvfs-jXYoUMx3NyusqveF4LHONnU-Aefpctg3vc3n42Xw0zXQNQOKqkbNjOiY-c6thP1dZlXylE6Xu4029py3TVyQxmIgzPzJd6OyTW4dqumgNWvTE8ydUQhupW4A45~HtNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A student group presenting \"Hot Zones Cool Solutions\" told an audience at City Hall that reflective murals and community workshops can reduce localized surface temperatures and build community resilience in Houston neighborhoods with low tree canopy.

Presenters Ymon Syed and Helene Wang said the Southwest area of Houston can be as much as eight degrees Fahrenheit hotter than surrounding suburbs and that recent statewide reporting cited about 300 heat-related deaths in Texas last year. They proposed a program of educational workshops on heat response and mural painting using reflective coatings that the team said can lower surface temperatures by as much as 29 degrees in demonstrative examples.

The team proposed starting in Alief, then expanding to Gulfton and Sharpstown, with a four-quarter timeline: finalize artists and locations (quarter 1); obtain permits and contact property owners (quarter 2); recruit volunteers and promote workshops (quarter 3); and launch the first mural and workshop (quarter 4). They identified local partners including the mayor's youth council, National Wildlife Federation and community groups; they also named local muralist Thomas Tran as a potential artist collaborator.

During audience Q&A presenters were asked how the approach would work on glass façades or how murals would withstand hurricanes and flooding. Presenters said they would prioritize non-glass concrete walls, use anti-graffiti and weather-resistant coatings, and include outreach to parks and recreation and property owners to secure permits. On measuring outcomes they proposed tracking emergency heat-related calls and community-supplied data gathered at neighborhood meetings.

Presenters framed the project as combining public art, heat mitigation and civic engagement: workshops would teach heat-safety response and channel community art into durable murals designed to increase shade and reflectivity. Judges placed the team third in the Ed Talk competition.","A youth team proposed community workshops and reflective murals to reduce surface temperatures in Alief, Gulfton and Sharpstown, citing heat-map data and proposing anti-graffiti coatings and partnerships with local groups and the mayor's youth council.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6528997,"Mapping Hope wins Ed Talk; youth present digital roadmap for foster youth aging out of care",654,2914000,3568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818&start=2914&end=3568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818/thumbnail_2914000.jpg","/articles/6528997/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Mapping-Hope-wins-Ed-Talk-youth-present-digital-roadmap-for-foster-youth-aging-out-of-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528997-0f9aa26e593358515ae8160622059451/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944141&Signature=jT5HVQG9IjTEeOLG5oioEoVIAvdF8JN7M6X9PBBJAfx52qTas2QG-4Tsb3mJrQ9j5N67OkUyFl3c-Mdx8jGgu5tGZmqmTzwqIPSIqhtbjhbSsRhExED68FK8galKHZ-0lMVIfGMJ-Hd7q~DarlrYG-qCma3XVZ9168FyeqU0~NOy3MiyHZ-oRrvLx~Zavb~-c4OeQYXv19Kc6MHN7whl4pQHKpDOS83nF7ySISm4FbtdwZDAGxNxi-TdlBrgfXmfKdP9Evyqxdb35vW5LT3nymyvB040CLhYC1z~CunnC8d586TpJW32gDvJCif7q77c4pznIu1nCHQGgG2ARYQRsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mapping Hope, a youth-led project to build a GPS-enabled digital roadmap for foster youth leaving care, won first place at the City of Houston Ed Talk competition at City Hall.

The team — led in presentations by Daniella Matassa and joined by Ayesha and Christine — said the platform will centralize shelter locations, benefits enrollment (Medicaid, SNAP), workforce opportunities, mental-health resources and mentorship connections. The youth presented national and Texas statistics they said motivated the project: roughly 1,000 young people age out of foster care in Texas annually, with roughly one in four experiencing homelessness within four years, and fewer than 5% earning a college degree, according to figures the presenters cited.

The team described Mapping Hope as a dynamic, trauma-informed digital platform with a user profile flow, GPS-enabled resource mapping and a mentor network. They proposed a phased rollout: a phase-0 mentor recruitment and training period, a pilot website and trial with 30–50 foster youth starting September 2025, an enhanced phase in spring 2026 (adding an SOS button, secure digital wallet and multi-language support), and a wider city launch in late 2026–early 2027.

Budget estimates from the students put a pilot app at around $10,000 and a full launch at $40,000–$50,000. For privacy and development they said they would collaborate with computer engineering programs at Rice University, the University of Houston and Houston Community College; for mentoring and casework ties they flagged Operation Achieve Independence, Angel Reach and local workforce partners. They proposed fund sources including a City of Houston Youth Innovation Grant, Houston Endowment grants and university partnerships.

During audience questions the team emphasized user privacy, secure data practices and plans to work directly with caseworkers to avoid exposing personal information. They said they were not coding experts and would rely on university collaborators for engineering and security.

The judges awarded Mapping Hope first place, citing the project's feasibility and direct service to a vulnerable population. The students provided a live prototype and QR code to let attendees view a mockup of the platform.","A youth team won City of Houston's Ed Talk competition with \"Mapping Hope,\" a GPS-enabled digital platform aimed at connecting youth aging out of foster care to shelters, benefits and mentors; the team proposed a pilot app budget of about $10,000 and a full launch estimated at $40,000–$50,000.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6529001,"Houston youth propose solar \"urban coolers\" at hot bus stops in pilot plan",426,2188000,2614000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818&start=2188&end=2614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868970-92d5539d3bbc5cdd6fc206984cbc5818/thumbnail_2188000.jpg","/articles/6529001/Houston/Harris-County/Texas/Houston-youth-propose-solar-urban-coolers-at-hot-bus-stops-in-pilot-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529001-1fc4434e0c1acec84419cfb5ed30af28/orig.mp4?Expires=1770944141&Signature=EjKc0p3oz19K5FA6hI~Bj9wNiWPhPWjNBVpH7i72UTtyC0AO1AHL3Qg07Csoa8Z0tpJhPBITfpRfPjDuTgwDWi~r3YZ9hIagOutrtd~Lg4Gk~FjNpUwwBlnDO8Yut18wrtXVryE~gwqy8Aa1pxQNQec7f~dSJBVO~MK6205ptk1UAzxPtTiPaI68fxHBUCcjwzmED-YDRFA4MGAqerxHR6uG8rCsEzfDSidF6gv5tO-6C4YQOjILHAkVf9oR--JBxW2vx8xnTHpOOt8t2NUO-VnFb0DJR8~DZ5SwxQSKZjWDeyBhi0N0uxQvIhV53FWvBgulnQZqFm9xuzvxbncUzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At an Ed Talk event held in the Lehi Room at City Hall, a team of City of Houston youth ambassadors proposed installing solar-powered \"urban coolers\" at high-risk Metro bus stops to reduce heat exposure for riders.

The students — identified in presentations as Swami, Veer, Sash and Alois — said Houston summers now produce record heat and dangerous UV exposure and that transit riders face frequent, prolonged waits in direct sun. “Every year, there's nearly 76,000,000 Metro boardings in Houston, and that's 76,000,000 opportunities for Houstonians to get exposed to dangerous conditions,” a presenter said.

The proposal calls for modular, solar-powered kiosks placed at three to five pilot stops in neighborhoods the team named Cashmere Gardens and the Fifth Ward. Each unit would include shaded seating made from recycled materials, solar fans and lighting, and a filtered water station, the students said. They described the units as “climate-ready public health tools,” sited using heat maps and Metro ridership statistics to prioritize locations.

The group estimated a pilot cost of about $13,500 and said they would seek grants and private funds rather than relying on the city's general fund. For operations and upkeep they proposed monthly inspections coordinated with Public Works and local nonprofits. To reduce vandalism they recommended durable materials (stainless steel, carbon-fiber structural elements) and community stewardship; to capture user feedback they proposed QR codes on each unit.

Presenters named Houston Metro as a key implementation partner and cited potential outreach partners including “Airlines Houston” and Texas Housers for community advocacy. During audience Q&A the team said the kiosks are modular and would not require installing new Metro stops and that the pilot would be expanded if community feedback and performance supported it.

The students identified equity as a primary rationale, saying the project primarily benefits low-income commuters, older adults and youth who walk to transit and have limited access to air conditioning. They drew comparisons to existing projects in other cities — La Sombrita in Los Angeles and misting stations in Philadelphia — and said their local design combines shade, hydration and powered ventilation.

Judges and attendees asked about maintenance, vandalism and site selection. Presenters repeated that partnerships, robust materials, community ownership and a feedback system would be used to address those challenges. They did not provide a binding commitment from any city department or Metro; presenters said those agreements would be pursued during implementation.

The presentation concluded with mock-ups and a call for pilot funding, and presenters offered to share technical specifications and materials lists with interested partners after the event.","City of Houston Youth Ambassadors presented a pilot plan for solar-powered \"urban coolers\" at high-risk bus stops to reduce heat exposure, proposing a $13,500 three-to-five-stop pilot and partnerships with Metro and local nonprofits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor Whitmire tells Houston youth: 'Be bold' and consider public service

Youth propose reflective murals, workshops to cool Houston neighborhoods

Mapping Hope wins Ed Talk; youth present digital roadmap for foster youth aging out of care

Houston youth propose solar "urban coolers" at hot bus stops in pilot plan