A Message from the Executive Director

We remain under an order issued by County Judge Lina Hidalgo to Stay Home and Work Safe until at least April 30. District staff will continue to work remotely and district offices will remain closed until further guidance is provided by the federal, state or local governments.

District services including public safety and security, graffiti and litter abatement and bandit sign removal, are operating on their regular schedules, while following enhanced safety procedures that include protective gear and social distancing.

We remain committed to helping our law enforcement partners protect and serve our businesses and keep the community safe. You can contact SEAL security officers who serve the district at (713) 396-5800. Remember to always call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

You may contact District staff as follows:

• David Hawes, Executive Director, [email protected] or (713) 595-1209.
• Josh Hawes, Deputy Executive Director, [email protected] or (713)724-3862.
• Kristen Gonzales, Director of Services, [email protected] or (832) 819-8870.

We sincerely hope that you, your families, and your businesses are doing well as you navigate these uncertain times. We know that together, we can and will weather the pandemic, and be even stronger going forward.

David Hawes, Executive Director

The Spring Branch Management District proudly supports our local restaurants and urges residents to do the same by buying fresh, healthy prepared food for curbside pickup or delivery from these vital businesses. “Buying local” helps restaurants survive financially until the coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted and food can once again be served inside the restaurants, where so many of our hard-working friends and neighbors are employed.

Visit https://sbmd.org/eat-local to learn more and see a list of local eateries in operation.

Help wanted – check out a list compiled by ABC 13 News on Who’s Hiring in Houston

KBR Job Fair for NASA Projects – 4/22

On Tuesday, April 21 and Wednesday, April 22 KBR will host a 2-day Skype interview event whereby candidates can interview remotely from the safety and comfort of their homes, for the following skillsets, on NASA projects.

https://www.kbr.com/en/insights-events/event/johnson-space-center-skype-recruiting-invitational

• Need capital to cover the cost of retaining employees? Then the Paycheck Protection Program might be right for you.
• A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now? You might want to look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant.
• Just some quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time? The resource partners might be your best bet.
• To ease your fears about keeping up with payments on your current or potential SBA loan? The Small Business Debt Relief Program could help.

To learn more visit The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

New webinars for restaurant owners!

SCORE mentors can help you organize the documents needed for EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan)

• At least two (2) years complete business tax returns with all schedules
• Personal Financial Statement for each applicant
• Schedule of Liabilities for all fixed debts
• Optional: Items: 2 years complete financial statements, that is P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Monthly revenue records for at least 2 years
• It helps if you are able to show that you were denied credit by banks/credit card companies and don’t have personal savings to weather the storm.

Meanwhile, they suggest you do the following:

• Contact banks for a bridge loan to cover immediate needs
• Contact lessors of property to postpone payment for a couple of months
• Contact suppliers to see if they are willing to delay payments

Download this useful toolkit from U.S. Chamber of Commerce

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE as their mentors are available to help you by video chat, email, or phone.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, we encourage employers, job seekers, and those who need assistance with childcare, to visit the Texas Workforce Commission to see the benefits that they may be eligible for.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a major impact on businesses, especially small businesses. The City of Houston’s Office of Business Opportunity (OBO) fully recognizes the importance of our small business community and the effect this situation can potentially have on your business. Please continue visiting the OBO website as we post updates on beneficial resources. Also, in an effort for us to better understand how your business is being impacted during this time, please complete the survey below.

Small Business Community COVID-19 Resiliency Survey 

Houston Recovers

Families needing help with housing and food assistance should visit Houston Recovers which features a list of city departments, community groups and businesses offering assistance to the public and providing opportunity for residents to assist with COVID-19 response. Get assistance, donate, volunteer and more! After all, we are all in this together.

The Houston Food Bank

The Houston Food Bank and its Partners are also providing food and other essential services and they remain operational, while utilizing the best available safety precautions to protect their works, volunteers, and the public they serve. If you need help or want to donate or volunteer, please visit Houston Food Bank.

Nextdoor – Stay Connected and Help your Neighbors!

Nextdoor has lots of helpful ideas and resources for neighbors to help neighbors during this time of critical social distancing. So check them out and sign up to receive news in your neighborhood and get to know your neighbors!

Dear SBISD Families, Students, Colleagues and Community members,

In accordance with guidance issued by Governor Abbott this afternoon, Spring Branch ISD will continue online instruction through May 28, 2020, the end of our planned school year.

We will continue to support our students academically, leveraging our remote learning plan through the remainder of the school year. We will do our best to ensure social and emotional supports and resources remain a priority.

While this is not where any of us hoped our city, state or nation would be right now, we appreciate Governor Abbott for making the right decision for our community’s health. We always prioritize the safety, health and well-being of our students, staff and families.
I share in your disappointment that we will not have the honors assemblies, fifth grade parades, family picnics and year-end celebrations that are long-standing traditions across our school district. But, I do promise you this – we will do our very, very best to find new and creative ways to ensure meaning, success, joy and celebration for our children amidst this continuing and unprecedented health crisis.

I know you have many questions as a result of this announcement. I will continue to communicate with you weekly with more specifics about what this means for our students and staff.

The classrooms and hallways of our school buildings may remain empty, but our collective hearts remain open. All of us in SBISD wish you health and wellness as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters together in the days and weeks ahead.

With appreciation,
Jennifer Blaine, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Looking into resources for homemade face masks? The CDC has a good reliable source that shows different ways to create homemade face masks. Visit CDC – How to Make a Facemask to learn more.

Houston Chronicle

Check out cool news from the Houston Chronicle and consider supporting their great work as The Fourth Estate with a subscription so the news is delivered right to your door or inbox!

• Kroger, Gallery Furniture need volunteers to help deliver food to seniors
  Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale is requesting volunteers to help get Kroger-donated food to homebound senior citizens.
• Karbach and Shiner breweries donate to COVID-19 restaurant relief
  Karbach and Shiner are the latest companies to help the cause.

There are child-friendly yoga poses and workouts on this YouTube kid’s app.

YMCA of Greater Houston has closed all locations but is offering virtual workouts.

Visit 365 Things to do in Houston to learn about all the fun ideas they have assembled for you to  on virtual events, music venues, and more to enjoy on line while still practicing proper social distancing.

5 tips to mind your mental health during the coronavirus lockdown

10 apps to help manage coronavirus-related stress

100 things to do while stuck inside due to a pandemic

Some of our favorites from productive to downright silly fun include:

• Serenade your neighbors: Dust off that old instrument and give a live concert.
• Learn something! Use Duolingo, or a similar app, and teach yourself a foreign language or learn a new hobby like photography or watercolor.
• Put on a soap opera, old movie, or foreign film. Mute the sound. Create your own dialogue.