GO Neighborhood Initiative is established to support Houston neighborhoods. Sponsored by the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the goals of the initiative are to encourage neighbors to work together across traditional boundaries to:

• Organize and get involved in their neighborhood;
• Decide collectively on the priorities for their neighborhood; and
• Act on those priorities to implement change in their neighborhood.

At first glance, little seems remarkable about the green and white house on
32nd Street. Its frame exterior and hipped roof mirror those of a thousand other
cottages; its interior is homey, but far from grand. To its neighbors in
Houston's Independence Heights, the old Carroll house - in its 102nd year - is far more than
a palace. It is an emblem, a reminder, a promise.

 The house was built by Andrew Carroll, a farmer and minister, born in
slavery, who came to Houston with his wife, Polly, and four of their 12 children
to establish a permanent place for his family. From that day to this, the house
has been occupied by Carroll kin, family members who have made their mark in
business, ministry and education.

 On April 5, 2012, the Carroll house, thought to be among the first in Independence
Heights, which, in turn, is thought to have been Texas' first self-governing
African-American community, became the first home in its neighborhood
designated a city of Houston protected landmark.

 "This house is home to me. It means a whole lot to me," said Charles Piper, Andrew Carroll's great-grandson, who  has lived in it since the 1960s. "My mother lived here. We brought up my  daughter, Nedra, here. My dog, Roscoe, lives here, too." 

Preserving the house will aid in maintaining the neighborhood's cultural
landscape, said Debra Blacklock-Sloan, who researched the home's
history for the city's Archaeological & Historical Commission. With the protected landmark
status, the structure can be demolished, moved or dramatically altered only with
the commission's permission.
Story by Allan Turner, Houston Chronicle

In 2011, Houston celebrated a birthday. Looking back at the history of Houston and its beginnings, it is important to note the contributions of people and places. Independence Heights is one of Houstons most historic communities as it is known as the first city incorporated by African Americans in the State of Texas. A host of events were held in commemoration of this occasion and IHRC made sure, Independence Heights was represented in the mix of things. IHRC staff presented a workshop during the Houston History Associations Conference. The community talk highlighted the current activities for historic preservation and the challenges here in Houston.
During the celebration, Independence Heights schools were highlighted at the Education Exhibit over a week long period.

Volunteers are the real stars in our community. Our staff value the time, talent and help that each volunteer group completes. IHRC sponsors three major volunteer events each year. MLK Day is a day to collect books for pocket libraries. Since the community has no real library, the IHRC has worked over the last two years collecting books and building pocket libraries. During National Volunteer Week, IHRC hosts a myriad of events geared toward "service". And finally, on Spetember 11, in honor of 9/11, IHRC hosts the annual, "Paint Your Heart Out" event where teams come together and paint twenty homes in the community. To learn more about volunteering and to connect with us, contact Leah Wade at (832) 208-3007.