The African concept of “Ubuntu” – “I am because we are; and because we are, therefore I am” – is an absolute celebration of the power and primacy of community. A related saying states, “We can do more together than we can apart.” Again, a shoutout to community.
And science bears this out. While scripture states, “Where two or more are gathered, there the power of God is also,” science uses the term “synergy” to explain that a group is greater than the sum of its parts. And the same is true for community.
We each bring our gifts, experiences and perspectives to the table, and when we connect with and work with others, we can make beautiful things happen.
In Houston, there are several places dedicated to being those places where we gather to make beautiful things happen; places we can go to exercise our bodies, stretch our minds and enliven our spirits. I’m talking about Houston’s many neighborhood, people and organization-serving community centers.
Here are five that you should definitely check out.
Fonde Community Center (Northwest)
110 Sabine, 77007
832.395.7420
fonde@houstontx.gov
Hours: M – F (8 a.m. – 9 p.m.); Sat (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Tidwell Community Center (Northeast)
9720 Spaulding, 77016
713.636.8221
tidwell@houstontx.gov
Hours: M – F (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); Sat (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Alief Community Center (Southwest)
11903 Bellaire Blvd., 77072
281.564.8130
alief@houstontx.gov
Hours: M – F (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); Sat (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Judson Robinson Sr. Community Center (Southeast)
1422 Ledwicke, 77029
832.395.7320
judsonrobinsonsr@houstontx.gov
Hours: M – F (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.); Sat (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
SHAPE Community Center (Central)
Harambee Administrative Office
3903 Almeda Rd., 77004
713.521.0629
Nia Becnel Family Center
3815 Live Oak, 77004
713.521.0641
Hours: M – Sat (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
