A few years ago, Houston resident Karena Poke read an interview with rapper Jay-Z in which he shared a memory of a field trip to his teacher’s home, where he saw a refrigerator with an ice machine for the first time. That experience, outside his usual environment, influenced his ambitions and inspired him to “do well in life.” Poke embraced this idea in 2015 when creating the Katherine and Everett Robinson Foundation. The nonprofit aims to expose youth and underserved families from the Houston metropolitan area to new experiences beyond their zip codes, providing access to various activities and opportunities that help them envision a better life. By fostering activities such as community gardening, taking kids to sports events and nature parks, and supporting disaster recovery, the Katherine and Everett Robinson Foundation seeks to promote positive youth development and encourage local families to lead healthy lives.
Live Lettuce is a one-quarter-acre community garden kept by the Katherine and Everett Robinson Foundation in Missouri City. Photo: Katherine and Everett Robinson Foundation
The small, volunteer-based organization supports under-resourced families in the Houston area, engaging approximately 200 people each year. The foundation operates the Live Lettuce, a one-quarter-acre community garden in Buffalo Run Park, Missouri City, situated near Houston’s largest food deserts. Here, families and elementary and middle school students learn how to grow vegetables, such as okra, sweet potatoes, and peepers, and participate in composting workshops. Additionally, the group welcomes and guides students looking to complete community service hours, as well as Eagle Scouts working to earn their badges. In response to frequent disasters in the Texas region, such as floods and hurricanes, volunteers collect donations of essential items, including clothing and food. Acting as a catalyst for community engagement, the Katherine and Everett Robinson Foundation offers a framework for families to pursue better opportunities and improve their lives.
Families and elementary and middle school students learn how to grow vegetables. Photo: Katherine and Everett Robinson Foundation