Fort Bend County Libraries Host Free Disaster-Preparedness Workshops for Families in May
With hurricane season on the horizon and unpredictable weather patterns year-round, Fort Bend County Libraries are stepping up to help local families get prepared. In partnership with AmeriCorps Texas, the Fort Bend County Health & Human Services Department, and Sewa International, the library system will offer free disaster-preparedness workshops for children and adults throughout May at locations across the county.
The initiative aims to equip families with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe during emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, winter storms, heat waves, and pandemics—disasters that have become all too familiar in Southeast Texas.
Family-Focused, Age-Appropriate Education
Each library event includes two sessions: a 30-minute session for children (recommended for ages 6 to 11) and a separate, more detailed one-hour session for adults. While parents attend the adult program, children can stay onsite and participate in engaging, age-appropriate activities.
“Learning about disasters can be scary, but when kids understand the basics and feel included, they’re more confident and helpful in emergencies,” said a representative from Sewa International, a humanitarian nonprofit that specializes in disaster relief and education.
Children will receive “Super Sewa Team” stickers, emergency contact cards, coloring sheets, and activity packets—all designed to make the topic both fun and memorable. Adults will leave with practical resources, including a disaster-prep cheat sheet, document-protection bags, and a certificate of completion.
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Backed by Experts, Built for the Community
This initiative aligns closely with recommendations from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which emphasizes the importance of household emergency plans and community-level preparedness.
“Preparedness starts at home,” according to FEMA’s Ready Campaign. “When every member of the family knows what to do, who to contact, and how to respond, the entire community is safer and more resilient.”
AmeriCorps, a national service organization, brings added strength to the program through its focus on local volunteerism and capacity-building. “These workshops offer hands-on learning and empower families to be proactive, not reactive,” said an AmeriCorps Texas spokesperson.
Free, Local, and Open to All
No registration is required, and all workshops are free and open to the public. The events are held at libraries conveniently located throughout Fort Bend County, including Sugar Land, Missouri City, Katy, and Fulshear. Here’s the full schedule:
Workshop Schedule:
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May 10 – George Memorial Library (Richmond) at 1001 Golfview Dr, Richmond, TX 77469
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Children: 10:15–10:45 a.m. | Adults: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
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May 17 – Sugar Land Branch Library at 550 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land, TX 77478
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Children: 10:15–10:45 a.m. | Adults: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
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May 20 – First Colony Branch Library (Sugar Land) at 2121 Austin Pkwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479
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Children: 5:00–5:30 p.m. | Adults: 5:45–7:00 p.m.
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May 21 – Mission Bend Branch Library at 8421 Addicks Clodine Rd, Houston, TX 77083
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Children: 6:00–6:30 p.m. | Adults: 6:45–7:45 p.m.
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May 24 – University Branch Library (Sugar Land) at 14010 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
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Children: 10:30–11:00 a.m. | Adults: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
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May 27 – Cinco Ranch Branch Library (Katy) at 2620 Commercial Center Blvd, Katy, TX 77494
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Children: 6:00–6:30 p.m. | Adults: 6:45–7:45 p.m.
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May 28 – Missouri City Branch Library at 1530 Texas Pkwy, Missouri City, TX 77489
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Children: 6:00–6:30 p.m. | Adults: 6:45–7:45 p.m.
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May 29 – Fulshear Branch Library at 6350 GM Library Road, Fulshear, TX 77441
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Children: 6:00–6:30 p.m. | Adults: 6:45–7:45 p.m.
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May 31 – Sienna Branch Library (Missouri City) at 8411 Sienna Spgs Blvd, Missouri City, TX 77459
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Children: 10:30–11:00 a.m. | Adults: 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
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Why Disaster Preparedness Matters for Families
“Many families wait until the last minute to prepare for emergencies,” said an organizer from Fort Bend County Health & Human Services. “Our goal is to help families feel ready, not rushed, when the next storm or crisis comes.”
These workshops serve as a proactive step for communities to build readiness together, reduce anxiety around disasters, and create a sense of empowerment through simple, practical knowledge.
To learn more, visit fortbendlibraries.gov or contact the Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
