Wednesday, October 7, 2009

60th Birthday of Norma Valdez - Rosa Matamoros Christmas Toy Drive

A lot of times throughout our lives, we come across someone that is genuinely loving, sincere and loyal. Than's what comes to mind when we think of Rosa. Rosa was the type of person that loved to help others, especially children. For that reason, the job she held as teacher's aide at Raul Yzaguirre School for Success/Tejano Center for Community Concerns was so perfect for her.

Several years ago, Rosa came up with the concept to give back to her community. She initiated a toy drive that would benefit the children in place at the Tejano Center Emergency Teen Shelter.

Rosa never had children of her own. Not because she didn't want any, it just wasn't in the cards. Her children would become those at the shelter and the school.

Born on June 28, 1956, Rosa was one of 5 children. she had some traumatic events in her life that landed her at the Burnett Bayland Home in Houston, Tx. While there she stole the hearts of a young couple, with one child of their own, and that couple would become her foster parents. At the age of 16, Rosa was taken in by this loving couple and was immediately part of a large, loving family.

Rosa married at 22 years old. Unfortunately the marriage ended after 19 years, which left her with what she considered no skills. Little did she know that the love she had in her heart for children was a skill that not everyone possesses and she would end up helping children in having a memorable holiday season.

It was that love that initiated this toy drive.

On May 5th, 2008, Rosa passed away. We should not feel sad that she is gone. Everyone that had the privilege of knowing her, should celebrate her life. The best way to display the honor we feel is to contribute, participate and support this endeavor that she started three years ago. In memory of her name, this benefit will ensure that more children will continue to display a smile, even if only for a short while, but they will know that because fo this one person, Rosa Matamoros, they will have memories of happiness to look back on.

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009
Time: 5:30pm - 11:30pm
Location: 16003 Lorenzo Channelview Texas

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Citizens Congress III Strategic Marketing Partner

The future of Houston is in our hands, and we especially need all Latino leaders and concerned citizens to come out and join this important push for a Comprehensive General Plan for Houston. It's your future and the future of our families and neighborhoods. Short of voting in elections, this is an important opportunity for the citizenry of Houston to be heard. Your input and recommendations are important in laying out a General Plan for Houston for the next 20 years. Please, join us and bring along anyone else that can find the time to help plan the future of Houston.

Richard R. Farias,
TCCC President & CEO
Co-Chair, Blueprint Houston


Citizens Congress III Does Houston Need A Plan?
Share Your Opinion with City Leaders
Make Your Voice Heard
Help Shape Houston’s Future
Citizens Congress III
Saturday, October 3, 2009
9 am – 1 pm
George R Brown Convention Center Exhibit Hall E
Blueprint Houston’s Citizens Congress III will identify
emerging trends in Houstonians’ visions, values and goals,
give citizens the chance to reaffirm their commitment to planning
in Houston and provide a forum for Houstonians to ask their next mayor,
“What do you plan to do about Houston’s future?”
Be A Part Of This Important Conversation
Attend Citizens Congress III on October 3
RSVP: 713-522-0590 or martha@blueprinthouston.org
Volunteers are also needed. If you are interested, contact Blueprint Houston at 713.522.0590 or email Martha at martha@blueprinthouston.org to make arrangements for training.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Richard R. Farias Annual Basketball Tournament

The Richard R. Farias Annual Basketball Tournament will be held from Dec. 4, 2009 to Dec. 13, 2009 at the Raul Yzaguirre School for Success. All proceeds go to benefit the Annual Christmas Drive and TCCC/RYSS Cultural Programs. The tournament will take place at the Raul Yzaguirre School for Success - 2950 Broadway - Houston, TX 77017.

Cultural Programs include:

  • 5th Grade End of the Year Trophies and Field Trip
  • Folklorico Dance Program
  • Cheerleader Uniforms
  • 2010 Scholarship Fund
  • Panthers Athletic Banquet
  • Primary Field Day
  • Junior Academy China Trip
  • Emergency Fund
  • 2010 Senior Class Prom
  • Panthers Athletes End of Year Trip (Fiesta Texas, San Antonio)

BBQ Plates will be sold on December 12, 2009

$6.00 per plate


Tournament Director
Tournament Asst. Director:
Arturo SalasJohnny Soto
(713) 459-1464(713) 249-7905


Sponsors of the event include:

  • Clutch City Kookers
  • Texas All Sports Club
  • First Choice Silkscreening
  • Magnolia Park Sharks Football
  • Panther Pride Youth Group
  • Tejano Center for Community Concerns

The Raul Yzaguirre School for Success is also seeking donations of the following:

  • All non-perishable can foods
  • Rice
  • Beans
  • Gifts
  • Wrapping Paper
  • Toys
  • Clothes
  • Jackets
  • Blankets
  • any other supplies that could be helpful to families

Donations needed for the BBQ Cook-off:


  • Sausage
  • Brisket
  • Chicken
  • Plates
  • Utensils
  • Bread
  • Ranch Style Beans
  • Soda - Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, Water, Diet Drinks, Gatorade
  • Variety of chips
  • Hot Dogs
  • Hot Dog Buns
  • Nacho Chips
  • Cheese
  • Chili Sauce
  • Jalapenos
  • Fruits
  • Snow Cone Syrup
  • etc.

Our goal is to sell 2000 plates. Please come out and support the community. Volunteers for this event are also welcome.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

19th Annual Willie Velasquez Hispanic Excellence Awards Gala

Tejano Center for Community Concerns, one of our city's most accomplished community development corporations, cordially invites you to become a sponsor of the 19th Annual Willie Velasquez Hispanic Excellence Awards Gala scheduled for Friday, October 30, 2009 at the glamourous Hotel Zaza in Houston. Event proceeds support Tejano Center programs.

Thank you for your previous support of TCCC. Your support is now more important than ever, as Tejano Center recently launched the second phase of its planned $55 million campus redevelopment, a key element in the agency's vision to become a national model for Latino education excellence.

This phase will include a state-of-the-art K-12 grade educational environment for Tejano Center's Raul Yzaguirre School for Success, an open enrollment charter school and its planned expansion from 650 to 950 students, new agengy administrative space and a vibrant common that will serve as a focal point for community events. The initial phase, a 66-unit HUD 202 Senior Housing Project, is complete and fully occupied. The last construction phase, a Career and Technology Center, will house a neighborhood health clinic and workforce development training programs focusing on health related professions and advanced technology in partnership with local colleges and universities.

The 2009 Willie Velasquez Hispanic Excellence Awards Gala will include an exclusive VIP reception followed by an elegant dinner, silent auction and awards ceremony. The purpose of the event is to preserve and honor the memory of legendary Hispanic leader Willie Velasquez, whose life was dedicated to the advancement and political empowerment of Hispanics. The awards are presented to Hispanics who follow the example of Willie Velasquez by demonstrating courage, leadership and service. The city's foremost Hispanic leaders in health, education, business, and public/community service will be honored. Telemundo Houston is once again partnering with Tejano Center to hold this exciting event.

For more details or to RSVP, call Christine Hernandez at 713-640-3702 or email at hernandez.c@tccc-ryss.org. Thank you in advance for your support and for investing in Houston's future!

Enrollment Campaign - Special Parent Incentives

We hope that your students are enjoying the first week of school. This is going to be our best school year yet. Please help us move from a "Recognized" school to an "Exemplary" school. Together, we can do it.

We want to thank you for your patience and cooperation with our new construction, and our new traffic flow on campus. Due to your cooperation, your students are being dropped off and picked up safely and quickly. Thank you.

Today we still have room at RYSS for 80 or more students, grades 1-4, and 6-12. We are offering a "Special Incentive" for RYSS parents who refer other parents and students to our school. For every new student who enrolls in our school, the current RYSS parent who referred that student will receive a gift card for $25. The current RYSS parent who helps us enroll the most students will also receive an additional gift card for $100. This "Special Incentive" program will end on September 15, 2009. The last day for enrolling new students will be September 14, 2009.

Thank you for helping us to achieve our maximum capacity of 950 students. If you have any questions please call the school office at (713) 640-3700.