Culture of Health–Advancing Together (CHAT)
Learn how we support immigrant and refugee communities through art and community health
Culture of Health–Advancing Together fosters the health and well-being of the immigrant and refugee community in Houston, Texas, through education, arts, advocacy, and access to healthcare.
Improving immigrant and refugee health and well-being by reducing isolation, facilitating acculturation, and connecting resources is what CHAT has achieved unlike any other existing organization in Houston. It has the cultural and language expertise that is required for empowering immigrant and refugee communities.
CHAT works beside nearly 20 health industry collaborators, including Baylor College of Medicine, University of Texas School of Public Health, Harris County Public Health, and Houston Health Department. Currently. It receives funding from the Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Houston in Action, Ima Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, Houston Endowment, Centers for Disease Control, and Houston Health Department, among others, along with an impressive number of individual community donors.
Through M-AAA, CHAT envisions healthy communities across our region that are self-sufficient and meet the everyday challenges of living in a diverse society.
For questions, please email the CHAT team at chat@maaa.org.
Art
One of CHAT’s recent achievements is the Gulfton Story Trail, an immersive art experience that invites the residents and visitors to discover the many cultures and voices of the Houston neighborhood.
Nestled in between Gulfton’s global cuisines and eclectic shops are 17 inspiring murals created by some of Houston’s most talented street artists. Each vibrant piece is multidimensional, born from poetry written by Gulfton students, blending Gulfton’s stories with their own.
Founder and Executive Director Dr. Aisha Siddiqui notes that “Art is the gateway to reaching the immigrant children and families. It is the doorway to connecting with the children of these immigrant families. They don’t speak English, so art gives them a way to express themselves.
“Our goal is to promote a holistic way to help immigrant families thrive in their new home. They don’t want a handout – they just want a chance to become part of the community. Art experiences are part of that healthy strategy. Health is a central part of creating a good living environment and art is the closest connection.”
Education
CHAT offers tutoring services and enrichment activities, including arts, photography, theater, music, language development, STEM workshops, girls’ club, computer literacy classes, and ESL classes. These initiatives work to foster the educational development of immigrant and refugee youth, integrating them into the community and improving their chances of academic success.
Health Resources
Visit CHAT’s resource page for healthcare resources in Houston, Texas, from primary healthcare to public health, mental health counseling, senior care, nutrition and dietetics, and more.
Community
Hundreds of Afghan refugees have been resettled in the Houston area, relocating to Houston after weeks of uncertainty and fear. Unfortunately, many are ineligible for public assistance, including certain services from refugee resettlement organizations that receive their funding from the government. This has left area agencies and nonprofits scrambling to find ways to help despite the lack of resources. It’s also left countless refugee families floundering upon arrival, with no way to obtain assistance and an urgent need for the most basic essentials.
Learn how CHAT stepped in and provide relocation assistance to Afghan refugee families in need.
Culture of Health–Advancing Together (CHAT) and Mid-America Arts Alliance
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Alex Arzú’s New CHAT Mural Sparks Connection in Houston
Find Out MoreArt is the universal language. It bridges divides and provides a way for people to connect. Visual artist Alex Arzú appreciates this power. He’s seen it firsthand with his murals around Houston. And it’s why he was excited to create…
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CHAT: Empowering Immigrant and Refugee Communities
Find Out MoreThis past October, Culture of Health–Advancing Together (CHAT) joined Mid-America Arts Alliance as a program. CHAT has over eight years of experience working with the immigrant and refugee populations in Houston, Texas. Our joining of forces allows M-AAA to broaden…
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Culture of Health-Advancing Together (CHAT) joins Mid-America Arts Alliance
Find Out MoreSupporting Immigrant and Refugee Populations through Art and Community Health As a major port of entry into the United States, Houston, Texas has a large immigrant and refugee community. Over 90 languages are spoken in the city and immigrants compose…
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Give to CHAT
Maximize your blessings, give to CHAT Culture of Health–Advancing Together, or CHAT, works to foster the health and well-being of immigrant and refugee communities through education, arts, advocacy, and access to care. With a multifaceted approach targeting the social determinants… -
Staff
Mid-America Arts Alliance is a nonprofit, regional arts organization—representing Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. We focus on strengthening communities and improving lives by supporting artists, elevating arts organizations, and connecting people to extraordinary cultural experiences. We are… -
Get Involved
Partner with us in our vision to provide more art for more people. There are many ways to get involved with M-AAA, and support artists and arts organizations in your community. From serving as a grant reviewer to participating in… -
Our Programs and Grants
At Mid-America Arts Alliance, our mission is to strengthen and support artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our six-state region of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. We are dedicated to bringing more art to more people. For…