As a leading organization for the power of civic participation and positively transforming communities, Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) was front and center as the City of Houston and Mayor John Whitmire proclaimed August as Civic Health Month.

HCDE Chief of Staff Danielle Bartz, the Civic Engagement team and staff representing the Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment (CASE) for Kids, Center for Grants Development and Head Start joined Whitmire and Councilman Mario Castillo in front of the council dais to open the council meeting Aug. 12. Castillo read the proclamation before Whitmire offered remarks, thanking HCDE for its role in providing healthy civic engagement.

“We couldn’t have Civic Health Month and we couldn’t have our daily obligations and responsibilities to Houstonians without each and every one of you,” Whitmire said. “There are probably hundreds of other employees that you’re representing here. Thank you for what you do on a daily basis.”