The Hester House mission is to enhance the quality of lives in Fifth Ward and the surrounding community through a concrete set of programs and services promoting self-empowerment. We strive to mobilize the community to address its issues and needs. Utilizing a holistic case management model, Hester House attempts to stabilize and treat the root of the client’s problem. This approach facilitates solutions that will engage and empower the client and family members to seek social independence and economic stability. Our current programs include early childhood services, youth services, family and social services and senior services.

In 1941, a bi-racial committee established Hester House as a settlement house promoting the health, education and welfare of the African-American community in Fifth Ward. Upon incorporating with the State of Texas in 1943, the organization was re-named Julia C. Hester House. Hester House was the first African-American organization to receive financial support from Houston’s Community Chest, which is now known as United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast. It now serves a diverse client base in Houston’s ailing Fifth Ward.