THE ONE FOR ALL FOUNDATION
Who We Are
Founded over 35 years ago, the One for All Foundation, formerly the Harris County Street Olympics, began as a summer program to provide underserved youth with a safe, nurturing place to strengthen their academic and athletic abilities, showcase their many talents, and develop essential life skills. Thanks to generous support and vital partnerships, the One for All Foundation has since grown into a community institution that provides free services for up to 2,500 families each year with year-round, holistic programming for youth of all ages. It provides educational, social-emotional, civic, recreational, and multicultural enrichment that would not otherwise be available. Since 2017, Commissioner Rodney Ellis has worked with the foundation’s nonprofit board and staff to ensure that our youth are able to reach their unique potential; serve and strengthen their community; and connect to the resources, activities, and opportunities they need to learn, grow, and thrive. That’s why every One for All program is designed to serve and empower our youth and families while helping to build a more vibrant, equitable Harris County where every child has a foundation for a bright future.
What We Do
The One for All Foundation programs have something for everyone. The One for All Foundation encompasses year-round programming focused on strengthening the mind, body, and heart of participants. Our games, social activities, and educational programs take place in neighborhoods across Precinct One.
The Summer Games organizes an Olympic-style competition based on traditional “street games” like basketball, Hula Hoop, and jacks. It has grown to include other activities that challenge the mind and body such as chess, track, aquatics, and cycling.
Discovery Camp is a part of Precinct One’s Environmental Education Program and aims to further our youth’s knowledge about wildlife, ecosystems, conservation and the natural world of the Texas Gulf Coast.
The Harris County Aquatics Program offers year-round swim lessons and competitive swimming for youth from low-income families. During the Summer Games, the “Splashdown” competition challenges youth in a series of races and relays.
Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® support up to 100 K-12 scholars and their families and address the negative learning impact our children may experience during summer months by giving tools they can use throughout the school year and summer.
The Harris County Leadership Internship Program provides 25 students with the opportunity to serve their community and explore a career in public service with a paid internship program.
Civic Health and Engagement encourages residents to play a more active role in local government and strengthen the overall civic health of our communities.
Commissioner Rodney Ellis
Commissioner Rodney Ellis was born and raised in Houston’s Sunnyside neighborhood and attended the Texas public school system from grade school through law school. Although he is an attorney, his passion is public service.
On Nov. 8, 2016, he was elected Harris County Commissioner for Precinct One, which serves approximately 1.1 million people. Previously, he represented a Houston district in the Texas Senate for more than 25 years, earning widespread praise as a leader on economic development, education, civil rights, budget issues, responsible environmental policy, tax cuts for the middle class, criminal justice, and workforce development.
Commissioner Ellis believes the role of government is to ensure that all people have the opportunity and ability to build a better future for themselves. As Harris County Commissioner, he is dedicated to providing quality and accessible services and programs that will enhance the lives of people in Precinct One and fighting for reforms that will benefit all Harris County residents.
During his career in public service, Commissioner Ellis has worked hard to ensure that children have equal access to a quality education, regardless of where they reside. He also has spearheaded legislation to provide employees with a safe workplace, access to affordable health care and a living wage. In criminal justice, he has fought for reforms that guarantee equal treatment for everyone under the law. It’s his cardinal belief that guilt and innocence must never be dependent on one’s income, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Before joining the Texas Senate in 1990, Commissioner Ellis served three terms on the Houston City Council and as chief of staff to the late U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Southern University, a master’s degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Commissioner Ellis also studied at Xavier University in New Orleans and the London School of Economics.
Commissioner Ellis is married to Licia Green-Ellis and has four children.
In Memory of El Franco Lee
Harris County Commissioner El Franco Lee, who served Precinct One for 30 years, passed away January 3rd, 2016. He was 66.
Lee grew up in Houston’s Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens, where he resided at the time of his death in his childhood homestead. His political career started in 1979, when he was elected as a Texas Representative for District 142, a position he held for five years. He was elected in 1984 as Harris County’s first African-American commissioner and took office in 1985.
In 1986, Lee started a Summer Youth Program that later grew into the Harris County Precinct One Street Olympics.
Over the years, the Street Olympics developed into a network of recreational, educational and health programs that include the Harris County Aquatics Program (HCAP), the Northeast Adolescent Program (NEAP), the Bright Futures Fair and the Discovery Camp. Street Olympics now serves thousands of youth annually.
In addition to the Street Olympics, Lee also established after-school and summer programs at three Precinct One community centers.
He graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Southern University (TSU). He completed postgraduate studies at TSU School of Public Affairs and University of Houston School of Engineering.
He married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Kaye Kingsberry, and they have two children, Franchelle Lee Stewart and El Franco Lee II.
