Groundwork DFW Announces Expansion to Houston
Houston, Texas – Groundwork DFW has officially expanded its operations to Texas' largest metroplex, Houston, with the establishment of Groundwork HTX. The Houston branch of Groundwork will kick off with the launch of a pre-K enrollment campaign in partnership with Good Reason Houston. This expansion marks a significant step forward in Groundwork's mission to bridge access gaps for underserved communities when and where the need arises.
Groundwork HTX will partner with local nonprofit Good Reason Houston to support the organization’s Houston Pre-K Enrollment Campaign. The initiative aims to improve pre-K enrollment rates in the Sterling, Yates, and Austin feeder patterns by engaging directly with families across these regions of the city.
The project expects to visit over 56,000 households within the three feeder patterns, with the potential to enroll hundreds of 3 and 4 year olds in high-quality, free pre-K programs this year alone.
“Groundwork is proud to expand our efforts to Houston, aiming to increase access to one of the most crucial developmental resources in a child's life,” said Marie Appel, Founder and CEO of Groundwork DFW and HTX. “This work has the potential to create long-term, transformative change, not just for families in Houston but across Texas, fostering greater economic mobility and a stronger foundation for future generations.”
Groundwork’s data-driven, community-centered approach focuses on meeting families where they are. The organization works alongside the community, utilizing a team of paid and trained local canvassers to canvass neighborhoods, knock on doors, and attend community events to provide families with essential information about available resources.
"Enrolling in pre-K isn’t just about learning letters and numbers—it’s the first step on a path that leads to reading on grade level, graduating with options, and ultimately, earning a living wage,” said Courtney Isaak Pichon, Chief Partnerships Officer at Good Reason Houston. “We’re confident that if we keep knocking on doors, we can open more doors for students because pre-K enrollment is where economic mobility begins."
The benefits of this initiative extend beyond increasing educational opportunities for children. If the campaign fills the hundreds of currently empty spots in pre-K, it has the potential to unlock over one million dollars in state funding this year for Houston Independent School District.
Founded in 2023, Groundwork DFW has already served over 110,000 families in Dallas through enrollment campaigns, community surveys, and outreach initiatives. Groundwork aims to replicate this impact in Houston, delivering meaningful, data-supported results in underserved, high need communities.
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About Groundwork
Groundwork is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic mobility through data-driven community engagement and mobilization campaigns. Groundwork directly manages all of its initiatives under one unified mission – connecting underserved communities with essential resources. From increasing pre-K enrollment to reducing evictions and improving access to public services, Groundwork employs strategic, efficient, and authentic outreach methods driven by data that engage and strengthen communities. For more information, visit groundworkhtx.org.
About Good Reason Houston
Good Reason Houston is an education nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every child, in every neighborhood, excels in a world-class public school and thrives in the Houston of tomorrow. The organization builds awareness of, advocates for, and advises school systems on measures aimed to improve the quality of education available to all. Today the organization partners with 25 public school systems that collectively serve 700,000 students across 900 public schools in the Houston region. Learn more at goodreasonhouston.org.
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Marie Appel
Founder and CEO, Groundwork HTX
315-246-2402
