Houston councilman and community groups launch coalition to address youth violence

Councilman Joaquin Martinez (District I) convened a press conference in Houston to announce a community coalition aimed at reducing youth violence and expanding services for young people affected by juvenile justice, child welfare, immigration and homelessness. Martinez said the initiative will combine mentorship, fitness programs and reentry support to “give them the tools they need to break the cycle of violence and traumas.”

The announcement followed Martinez’s call for a moment of silence for former Mayor and Congressman Turner and came amid what organizers described as rising juvenile violence locally and statewide. Martinez cited recent local incidents and statistics: “Just recently, this past weekend, this past weekend, we’ve had about 5, involved, teenage involved shootings, where 4, unfortunately, teenagers, tragically lost their lives,” and he said juvenile homicides statewide “have risen by 108 percent, from 2019 to 2020,” quoting figures referenced by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

The coalition will bring together grassroots groups and nonprofits already working in neighborhoods Martinez represents, including Cool Dad (a nonprofit focused on fatherhood and mentorship), Boss Life Foundation, Juvenile Rights (a consulting and advocacy group founded by formerly incarcerated organizers), Creative Group Economics and community-based sports and fitness programs. Martinez named the Police Activity League and staff from the city Department of Neighborhoods as partners, and Victor Gonzales, division manager of the Mayor’s Office of Gang Prevention and Intervention, detailed existing prevention and intervention work.

“The goal is to limit the reoffending,” Gonzales said, describing the office’s focus on prevention through school outreach, after-school sports and case-managed intervention for youth on juvenile probation. Gonzales said the office partners with Harris County juvenile probation on a “gang caseload” and described efforts to link returning youth to job training, identification documents and education programs.

Kevin Barnett, founder and CEO of Cool Dad, described mentorship and male-role modeling as central to prevention: “We see the importance behind mentoring our fathers,” Barnett said. He said Cool Dad has operated in Houston for about four-and-a-half years and emphasized recruiting men to mentor youth lacking paternal role models.

Several speakers described programs that combine fitness and counseling, including boxing-based mentoring. Mark Owens, founder of Mark Owens Boxing and the nonprofit True Ring Leaders, said prison programs he experienced were often “just paperwork” and that his organization focuses on character-building using boxing and life-skills training.

Organizers also described reentry and case-management services for people leaving juvenile facilities and prison. Charles Hargrave, who recounted his own experience in Texas juvenile facilities and prisons, described a 10-week pilot that connected incarcerated youth with mentors and post-release services including help obtaining identification and enrolling in training and education.

Speakers emphasized coordination across agencies and sustained funding. Gonzales said his office’s work depends on partnerships and maintenance of programs: “Every time we get new programs, we get new people, you gotta have the maintenance because people leave,” he said, adding that budget constraints make sustaining staff and services a recurring challenge. Several presenters urged private and philanthropic funding in addition to city resources.

Martinez asked community members and organizations to connect with his office to participate; he provided district contact information and encouraged follow-up collaboration. “For those that are interested in this program, interested in wanting to connect with us, you can reach out to my office. It’s, districtI@HoustonTX.gov. Number’s (832) 393-3011,” Martinez said.

Organizers said the coalition will pursue direct service work now — mentoring, sports, job-readiness and navigation of benefits and identification — while seeking to align with city prevention and gang-intervention efforts. No new city ordinance, budget appropriation or formal vote was announced at the press conference.