RIG Community
Development Initiatives
“For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, NLT)
ABOUT RCDI
Making Sunnyside Shine Again
At RIG Community Development Initiatives (RCDI), we are driven by a divine calling to transform lives and restore hope. Rooted in our mission to “Make Sunnyside Shine Again,” we dedicate ourselves to meeting the needs of the communities we serve through impactful social programs, evangelism, and the power of volunteerism.
Our journey is a partnership between the passionate members of RIG Global Church, bringing their expertise, faith, and compassion to rebuild and revitalize the Sunnyside community. We believe that true transformation happens when physical needs are met alongside spiritual renewal.
Our Vision for Sunnyside
The challenges faced by communities like Sunnyside are multifaceted, deeply influenced by the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)—the non-medical factors that shape overall health and well-being. These include access to nutritious food, affordable healthcare, safe housing, quality education, and essential services. At RCDI, we address these pressing issues with strategic programs designed to uplift, empower, and improve the quality of life for all.
More Than A Mission - A Movement
Each initiative we undertake is an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, providing tangible solutions to pressing community challenges. Our ultimate goal is to not only meet physical needs but to also lead the Sunnyside community into a deeper relationship with Christ, transforming lives both now and for eternity.
Join us in this transformative journey. With your unwavering support and generosity, we will revitalize and rebuild Sunnyside into a thriving, supportive, and vibrant neighborhood. Together, we can make Sunnyside shine brighter than ever.
RIG Workforce Development & Training Program
ECONOMY & JOBS
This program equips Sunnyside residents with workforce skills and connects them to sustainable job opportunities. It focuses on job readiness, entrepreneurship, and creating pathways for local employment.
COMMUNITY DATA
In 2017, Sunnyside had 3,240 non-federal jobs and over 10,000 non-federal workers, which equates to approximately three jobs for every ten workers. As a result, many residents sought employment outside the neighborhood. According to the 2020 City of Houston’s Sunnyside Complete Community Action Plan, the neighborhood has a growing population of nearly 30,000 and has experienced very little economic development over the past few decades. The report notes that, in the fourth quarter of 2019, about two percent of businesses in the area were vacant.
To address these challenges, RIG Community Development Initiatives proposes to enhance the economy by empowering residents of Sunnyside through the implementation of the following Economy and Jobs programs and initiatives:
- RIG Workforce Training and Job Welfare Program
- RIG Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative
COMMUNITY IMPACT GOALS
- Expand economic development.
- Connect residents to jobs, opportunities, and resources.
- Support local businesses and entrepreneurs.
RIG Educational Initiatives
EDUCATION
This initiative focuses on enhancing core competencies in math, science, technology, and reading, helping Sunnyside students meet academic standards while addressing educational gaps in the community. It also encourages students to uncover and develop hidden talents in the performing arts.
COMMUNITY DATA
Sunnyside is part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), which has eight public and charter schools in the area. The public schools include Reynolds, Young, and Bastian Elementary Schools, Attucks Middle School, and Worthing High School. The charter schools are Pro-Vision Middle and High School, Energized for STEM Academy High School, and South Early College High School.
According to the Texas Education Agency, during the 2018-2019 school year, the four-year graduation rate at Worthing High School was 66%, significantly lower than the 81% average for HISD. To support the schools in Sunnyside, RIG Community Development Initiatives proposes to offer various wraparound services to residents. These services include tutoring, mentoring, early childhood development programs, and more, all aimed at combating illiteracy and improving high school graduation rates in the community. Our programs and initiatives include:
- RIG Charter School (STEM)
- RIG Music & Arts Program
- RIG Financial Literacy Program
- RIG Math & Literacy Initiative
- RIG Kidz Academy
COMMUNITY IMPACT GOALS
- Ensure students are supported and thriving by promoting wraparound services available at area schools and expanding tutoring, mentoring, college readiness, early college credit, and out-of-school enrichment programs.
- Provide education and learning tools for people of all ages by providing financial and computer literacy courses, promoting early childhood education and adult education classes.
RIG Community Development Ministries
MINISTRIES
These programs provide both spiritual and practical support to individuals in prison and their families, as well as to those with special needs. They also unite churches across Houston in prayer, evangelism, and the collective mission to bring in a harvest of souls. Through these ministries, participants experience spiritual growth, character development, and meaningful support for families navigating these challenges.
COMMUNITY DATA
At RIG Global Church, we recognize the importance of empowering leaders in our community to drive meaningful change. For instance, each year, over a million individuals are processed in local jails, many of whom eventually transition to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). As of July 2024, approximately 589,175 individuals were in the TDCJ system, which includes those on probation, parole, or incarcerated. Through our RIG Community Development Initiatives (RCDI), we are establishing a foundation to reduce recidivism by 2025. Our approach includes comprehensive wraparound services designed to help reintegrate those involved in the justice system back into society.
This ministry unites churches in Houston to pray and mobilize for citywide spiritual transformation. It serves as a foundation for the Houston Harvest Crusade in 2025. Our ministries include:
- RIG Global Special Needs Ministry
- RIG Global Prison Ministry
- RIG Issachar Alliance (Harvest Houston)
COMMUNITY IMPACT GOALS
- Strengthening community unity and spiritual support.
- Supporting wraparound services and rehabilitation.
- Promoting community wellness and inclusivity.
RIG Health & Social Services
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
This initiative addresses key Social Determinants of Health, such as combating food deserts and food insecurity, by expanding food distribution services and increasing awareness of available resources in Sunnyside. By connecting residents to vital nutrition programs, it aims to enhance overall health outcomes and foster a healthier, more resilient community.
COMMUNITY DATA
Health and social services are crucial for the well-being of residents in the Sunnyside community. The area has a high rate of untreated mental health disorders among adults, along with limited access to mental health providers. Additionally, more than one-third of the residents have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, while one-fifth are affected by arthritis and diabetes. To address these issues, RIG Community Development Initiative has implemented various health and social service programs and initiatives:
- RIG Health & Wellness Program
- RIG Outreach & Food Distribution Initiative
- RIG Farm & Garden Initiative
COMMUNITY IMPACT GOALS
- Ensure a safe and healthy environment by addressing environmental concerns and monitoring hazardous and incompatible land uses.
- Provide quality healthcare by advocating for an urgent care center and federally qualified health center in the community.
- Create a supportive community by inventorying, promoting, and expanding supportive services
- Affordable or Free Wi-Fi: In 2018, 39% of Sunnyside households did not have access to the Internet and 27% did not have a computer.
- Childcare for Working Parents. There are nearly two dozen childcare centers within the Sunnyside Complete Community. As parents are required to return to work or continue to hold essential jobs, connecting families to available childcare is critical.
- Food Security. Sunnyside has four Houston Food Bank pantries as many families face food insecurity. Increasing food distribution sites in the neighborhood to meet the rising needs of families. Further, developing an outreach campaign to ensure community members are aware of the resources available and when and how to access these resources is also critical.
RIG Emergency Preparedness
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
This initiative tackles the challenges residents face from natural disasters, including hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and torrential rains. It provides residents with essential training and resources to prepare for and mitigate damage during flood events or power outages, promoting safety and resilience within the community.
COMMUNITY DATA
Natural disasters have become more frequent in the Greater Houston area. Since 2015, Houston has experienced more than eight hurricanes, many of which caused great distress for Houstonians, especially in the Sunnyside area. According to a recent FEMA report, Approximately 21.7% of all residential properties in the Greater Houston area are located in a flood plain. These disasters include hurricanes, torrential rains, and even winter storms. RIG Community Development Initiatives has developed a plan to address the concerns associated with natural disasters for residents in Sunnyside. These programs include:
- RIG Emergency Preparedness Plan & Resource Center
- Alternative Power Initiative
- RIG Special Needs Program
COMMUNITY IMPACT GOALS
- A resource in the Sunnyside community during emergency disasters
- Reduced fear and anxiety
- Reduce casualties in the communities we serve.
- Efficient resource allocation
- Provide mental health support equity and available to all who seek the help of RIG Community Development Initiatives
- Build partnerships and collaborations with community organizations
RIG Community Development Initiatives (RCDI) is a community revitalization ministry operating under the umbrella of RIG Global Church as a registered Doing Business As (DBA) entity. RCDI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and all contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.