HOUSTON, TX, (NAMC) - Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA) is a community-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy social, cultural, and academic development of at-risk, inner-city youth through education in the arts. MECA has been providing safe alternatives to the streets for thousands of youth for over 29 years. MECA provides youth, who have very limited opportunities, the chance to excel and to acquire the tools for self-expression and creativity. At the same time, they gain a sense of direction, community awareness and a commitment to cultural diversity.
MECA was originally housed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church until 1993, when MECA was provided with an opportunity by HISD to move into its current location, Dow Elementary School. The Dow School is listed in both the National Register and the City of Houston's Register of Historic Places. The school served neighborhood children for eighty years between 1912 and 1992, and was one of the first schools in the Houston area to integrate children of different races and cultures. As the building was constructed in 1912, it is in dire need of renovation so MECA can continue to serve the community through its various programs, hence the Dow School Renovation Project. With the assistance of the Old Sixth Ward TIRZ and the City of Houston, MECA was able to purchase the building in early 2004. This spring MECA will begin the process of restoring this historic landmark.
The restoration of the facility will demonstrate MECA's commitment to historic preservation as well as to the public, by insisting on building Green. A sustainable, green building approach takes into consideration not only the building, but also the environment. Thus, MECA is working towards creating an environmentally responsible, healthy place for the children and families.
MECA has been fortunate to have the support of the local community as well as the assistance of foundations and donors who believe in the vision and mission of the center. With this support MECA has been able to grow from a small place at St. Joseph's Church to where it now resides in a 45,000-sq-foot, 3-story historic building near downtown Houston. MECA invites the public and Dow School Alums to join with us for the groundbreaking celebration on April 6th.
What: MECA Groundbreaking of Dow School Restoration
When: Thursday, April 6, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.
Where: MECA -- 1900 Kane Houston, Texas 77007
Non-Profit 
