Kinder Institute
A year-long, experiential learning program for undergraduate students designed to help understand poverty and inequality.
Mission
The Community Bridges program pairs academic study with active fieldwork to address urban inequality and poverty issues.
Strategic Goals
While studying theories and practices on the topics in the classroom, students are also placed with a community organization in one of Houston’s disadvantaged neighborhoods to carry out a research-driven project that aims to reduce poverty in the community. Every spring, sophomore, junior and senior Community Bridges Fellows carry out faculty-supervised research projects that sustainably expand our partner organizations’ ability to address poverty-related issues in Greater Houston while enrolled in a sociology course on urban inequality. Students will earn a total of five upper-level credits while participating in the program. The Community Bridges program has different components in the fall and spring and the opportunity for fellows to apply for two summer fellowship slots and extend their placement through the summer.
Partners
Community Bridges works with a variety of community partners including Air Alliance Houston, BakerRipley, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation and more.
Click here to learn more about community partners, past projects and student engagement.
Alumni
Click here for a list of Community Bridges alumni.
Learn More
Applications for the 2019-2020 fellowship will open in the spring of 2019. To learn more about the program and participant requirements, click here.
