About Houston Safe Summer: Peace P.O.P. UP

Houston Safe Summer: Peace P.O.P. UP is a community-centered movement led and powered by the Cognitive Justice & Texas Federation of the People Foundation to reduce violence, restore hope, and reconnect people to opportunity across Harris County.

At its core, Protecting Our People – Uplifting Peace means this:

we meet people where they are, we listen without judgment, and we bring real resources into the neighborhoods that need them most.

This is not theory. This is action.

In Harris County, too many communities have been overlooked, underserved, and misunderstood for generations. Protecting our people means creating safe, visible spaces where families can gather, learn, and access support without barriers.

Uplifting peace means more than reducing violence. 

It means:

• addressing trauma before it turns into harm
• creating pathways to employment and stability
• restoring dignity for those returning home from incarceration
• building trust between residents, leaders, and systems 
• Peace is not passive. It is built—block by block, conversation by conversation their goals.

Through Houston Safe Summer and our Peace P.O.P. UP events, we bring direct services into communities across Harris County—especially in areas that are too often left out of traditional outreach.

Each event is designed to be both impactful and welcoming.

We provide:

• Anti-violence programming rooted in real community experiences
• Mental health awareness and access, including licensed professionals
• Black doctors and health advocates offering education and support
• Community leaders and trusted voices guiding conversations
• Civic engagement opportunities to help residents understand and use their power
• Expungement and record-sealing support, including felony expungement education
• Child support services with clear guidance and on-site assistance
• Employment and workforce resources that lead to real opportunities 

This is about removing barriers and opening doors.