Founded in 1989 as Families Under Urban and Social Attack (FUUSA), and most recently known as Change Happens!, Civic Heart Community Services has a thirty-three-year proven track record in working with vulnerable and disadvantaged populations to create life-altering impact.
Civic Heart has grown from one program to more than 25 programs and 70+ employees. Through our programs, we provide services to over 65,000 individuals annually, including:
- prevention education skills training and alternative activities to over 7,000 youth ages 6 to 17
- after school and summer enrichment program to over 150 youth annually
- housing for 72 individuals experiencing homelessness
- assistance to help enroll over 2,000 families in health insurance
- education, training and connections to employment for 200 low-income adults
In addition, our work helps reduce recidivism and improve public outcomes for 90 justice-involved youth. We have enrolled over 100 justice involved girls in the VOICES program, 80% of whom have not reoffended since enrollment.
We take a holistic approach to providing programs and services, uniquely positioning Civic Heart to work with populations that experience the greatest disparities in social determinants of health.

Mission, Vision & Values
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Civic Heart Community Services, diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to our work. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone feels empowered. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our employees and the people we serve.
Leadership Team

Helen Stagg
Chief Executive Officer

Erica Davis
Chief Operating Officer

Angelica Castillo
Chief Financial Officer

Kelva Clay
Program Director

Sujeeta Menon
Program Director

Jeness Sherrell
Program Director

Marcus Brewer
Development Director

Kenyetta McGowens
Program Administrator

Candy Brown
Rescue in Motion and STAIRS 2.0 Program Coordinator

Samuel Brown
HIV Prevention and Wellness Program Coordinator

Trinell Davis
Volunteer Coordinator

Demarcus Foster
Northern Third Ward Program Manager

Terrance Frazier
Rescue Youth Program Coordinator

Kira Promise
Self Sufficiency Program Coordinator

Stacey Thompson
ACA Navigator and Connecting Kids to Coverage Program Coordinator

Vanecia Weathersby Gray
Mentoring & Juvenile Justice Program Coordinator
Board of Directors
Vanessa T. Reed
Board Chairperson
SVP National External Affairs Manager
Comerica
Debbie Salazar
Board Secretary
Senior Vice President
Corporate Head Teller
IBC Bank
Marian Cabanillas
Health Plan CEO
United Healthcare
Community Plan of Texas
Janette Hammond
Community Member
Jené Guess Cash
Real Estate Manager
City of Houston
Jennifer Kalvaitis
Managing Director
Oilfield Services
J.P. Morgan Securities
Carl Townsend Kidd
Principal
Townsend Lanier Consulting and Associates, Inc.
Deborah Boone
Outside Board Representative
The Junior League of Houston
Tim Stuhlreyer
Managing Director
PwC
Reva Witherspoon
Community Member
Helen Stagg
CEO
Civic Heart Community Services
Sponsors





- AD Players Theater
- Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation
- Amerigroup
- BB&T
- BanCorp South
- Barnes & Noble Booksellers
- Baylor University
- Bayway Lincoln
- Be Glammed
- Bennie Ferrell Catering
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Capital One Bank
- Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano
- CenterPoint Energy
- CES- Community Education Services
- City of Houston
- Chuy’s
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Colliers International
- Comcast
- Comerica Bank
- Community Coffee
- CVS
- Disneyland Resort
- Empower with Purpose
- Exxon Mobil Foundation
- Frenchy’s Chicken
- Frost Bank
- Game Stop
- Guess Group
- Guidry News
- Gringo’s Tex Mex
- HEB
- Houston Astros
- Houston Children’s Museum
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Houston Style Magazine
- Houston Young Lawyers Foundation
- Jason’s Deli
- Jones Lang LaSalle
- Kelly Bill Montgomery
- Kendra Scott
- Laguitas Brewing Company
- LAMJIK Beauty
- Major League Baseball
- Melodrama Boutique
- Molina Healthcare
- Nestle
- Norris of Houston Salon
- Northern Trust
- Outerwall
- PerryLee Home Health Care
- Pink Calyx
- Primary Services
- Sambuca
- Satterfield & Pontikes
- Schlumberger
- Signature Physiques Fitness
- Sprinkles
- Smith Graham
- Strake Foundation
- United Healthcare
- University of Houston
- Unleashed
- UPS
- Vickie Pink Photography
- Vintage Villas
- Walmart
- Wells Fargo Foundation
- Womack Development Investment Realtors
- Leadership
-
Leadership Team
Helen Stagg
Chief Executive OfficerErica Davis
Chief Operating OfficerAngelica Castillo
Chief Financial OfficerKelva Clay
Program DirectorSujeeta Menon
Program DirectorJeness Sherrell
Program DirectorMarcus Brewer
Development DirectorKenyetta McGowens
Program AdministratorCandy Brown
Rescue in Motion and STAIRS 2.0 Program CoordinatorSamuel Brown
HIV Prevention and Wellness Program CoordinatorTrinell Davis
Volunteer CoordinatorDemarcus Foster
Northern Third Ward Program ManagerTerrance Frazier
Rescue Youth Program CoordinatorKira Promise
Self Sufficiency Program CoordinatorStacey Thompson
ACA Navigator and Connecting Kids to Coverage Program CoordinatorVanecia Weathersby Gray
Mentoring & Juvenile Justice Program Coordinator - Board of Directors
-
Board of Directors
Vanessa T. Reed
Board Chairperson
SVP National External Affairs Manager
ComericaDebbie Salazar
Board Secretary
Senior Vice President
Corporate Head Teller
IBC BankMarian Cabanillas
Health Plan CEO
United Healthcare
Community Plan of TexasJanette Hammond
Community MemberJené Guess Cash
Real Estate Manager
City of HoustonJennifer Kalvaitis
Managing Director
Oilfield Services
J.P. Morgan SecuritiesCarl Townsend Kidd
Principal
Townsend Lanier Consulting and Associates, Inc.Deborah Boone
Outside Board Representative
The Junior League of HoustonTim Stuhlreyer
Managing Director
PwCReva Witherspoon
Community MemberHelen Stagg
CEO
Civic Heart Community Services - Sponsors
-
Sponsors
- AD Players Theater
- Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foundation
- Amerigroup
- BB&T
- BanCorp South
- Barnes & Noble Booksellers
- Baylor University
- Bayway Lincoln
- Be Glammed
- Bennie Ferrell Catering
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Capital One Bank
- Carmelo’s Ristorante Italiano
- CenterPoint Energy
- CES- Community Education Services
- City of Houston
- Chuy’s
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Colliers International
- Comcast
- Comerica Bank
- Community Coffee
- CVS
- Disneyland Resort
- Empower with Purpose
- Exxon Mobil Foundation
- Frenchy’s Chicken
- Frost Bank
- Game Stop
- Guess Group
- Guidry News
- Gringo’s Tex Mex
- HEB
- Houston Astros
- Houston Children’s Museum
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Houston Style Magazine
- Houston Young Lawyers Foundation
- Jason’s Deli
- Jones Lang LaSalle
- Kelly Bill Montgomery
- Kendra Scott
- Laguitas Brewing Company
- LAMJIK Beauty
- Major League Baseball
- Melodrama Boutique
- Molina Healthcare
- Nestle
- Norris of Houston Salon
- Northern Trust
- Outerwall
- PerryLee Home Health Care
- Pink Calyx
- Primary Services
- Sambuca
- Satterfield & Pontikes
- Schlumberger
- Signature Physiques Fitness
- Sprinkles
- Smith Graham
- Strake Foundation
- United Healthcare
- University of Houston
- Unleashed
- UPS
- Vickie Pink Photography
- Vintage Villas
- Walmart
- Wells Fargo Foundation
- Womack Development Investment Realtors
Awards
Most Influential Women in Houston
Top 30 Women
Helen Stagg
2021 Most Admired CEO
Houston Business Journal
Helen Stagg
Internships
Internships
Interested in interning with Civic Heart Community Services?
Well, we’re interested in you! The ideal candidate will be energetic and enthusiastic, with a desire to learn more about the non-profit world. Our engaging internship programs give students real-world work experience by involving them in projects critical to the day-to-day work of our organization.
To apply for an internship, submit the following to our internship contact:
- The most recent copy of your college transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)
- A resume & cover letter
- Contact information for two references
- A writing sample (3-5 pages)
Internship Contact:
Trinell Davis
713.374.1265