HPL News - Visit Us at Houston Public Library

HOUSTON, TX - Houston Public Library (HPL) is excited to present the After School Wellness Fun series of activities to K-12 grade level students across Houston. The series was developed with generous support from OST CARES, an initiative of the Texas Partnership for Out of School Time (TXPOST) that provides technical assistance and funding to enhance mental health support and awareness within Texas out of school time (OST).

After School Wellness Fun will provide children with mental and emotional support through fun, creative and calming activities at eight HPL locations: Carnegie, Heights, Pleasantville, Moody, Oak Forest, and Young Neighborhood Libraries; Park Place, and Stella Link Regional Libraries. The series begins September 16, 2025, and sessions are hosted Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., through May 2026.

Program highlights include:
•    Relaxing yoga sessions
•    Personalized self-care bag creations
•    Visits from therapy dogs
•    Beautiful henna designs
•    Painting workshops
•    Author visits
•    ... and more hands-on wellness-focused programs

“Practicing self-care and finding time for fun is important for our overall well-being, especially for our children,” said Sandy Gaw, Library Director. “Houston Public Library is happy to bring the After School Wellness Fun series to life at our locations and provide impactful resources to children and families in our communities.”

"We are proud to support Houston Public Library and more than 100 out of school time programs across Texas through OST CARES," said Jenna Courtney, TXPOST CEO. "This initiative recognizes the unique potential of community-based OST programs, like HPL, in implementing promotion and prevention strategies to better support the well-being of youth."

About The Texas Partnership for Out of School Time

The Texas Partnership for Out of School Time (TXPOST) is a statewide intermediary whose mission is to convene, educate, and advocate to improve the quality and increase the availability of out of school time (OST) opportunities for Texas youth. TXPOST works in partnership with vital local and regional organizations that invest deeply in their own communities to offer professional development opportunities, drive continuous quality improvement, engage in system and capacity building work, advocate for the OST field, and promote sustainable access to high-quality OST programs for all Texas children.

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HPL Launches After-School Series Supporting K-12 Mental Health & Wellness

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