Houston Employer Relief Organization
About Houston Employer Relief Organization
When a City of Houston employee is killed while serving the community, HERO steps in with immediate financial help, emotional support, and guidance through city benefits and insurance. It is built for a very specific moment of loss, when families need practical help fast and a little steadiness to get through the days that follow. HERO also looks at future financial needs and can support dependent children’s continuing education.
HERO stays focused on one narrow, hard situation, the families of City of Houston employees killed in the line of duty. That focus shows up in the way it helps, with immediate assistance, benefits guidance, and longer-term support for dependent spouses and children.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Immediate financial assistance
Provides an immediate check to surviving families when a municipal employee is lost in the performance of duties.
Emotional support
Offers support to surviving families during a traumatic time.
Benefits and insurance guidance
Provides counsel to help families navigate the City of Houston insurance and benefits program.
Dependent financial assistance
Provides financial assistance to eligible dependents after review and approval by the benefits committee.
Continuing education support
Provides funds for the continuing education of dependent children.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
Provides financial and emotional support for survivors of City of Houston employees killed while serving the Houston community.
Who they serve
Surviving spouses, children, and other dependents of City of Houston employees killed while serving the Houston community.
Their impact
- HERO immediately donated $2,000 to Lisa Norwood for incidental expenses after her husband was killed while working for Houston Public Works.
How your donation helps
- Immediate support for surviving families
- The Survivor’s Fund
- Financial assistance for dependent spouses and children of municipal employees killed at work
- Continuing education funds for dependent children
- Publicizing HERO's goals
Our story
HERO was created in 2007 after Mayor Bill White raised $10,000 at the City of Houston’s 171st birthday bash. It was patterned after the long-established 100 Club and built to support municipal employees and their families when a loved one dies in the performance of duties.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Houston Employer Relief Organization’s services.
When a municipal employee dies in the performance of duties, HERO provides the surviving family an immediate check, offers counsel on insurance and benefits, and reviews the family’s financial needs for possible future assistance.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
City employees are all about service to our fellow citizens. In that spirit, we created HERO. It's about family helping families in a time of need.
HERO is the best thing they could have done for city employees.
I can't imagine what it would have been like to not have HERO there to help me.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Houston Employer Relief Organization has shared.
Current needs
- Financial donations for the Survivor’s Fund
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
Who does HERO help?
HERO helps the surviving families of City of Houston employees killed while serving the Houston community, including dependent spouses and children.
What kind of help is provided first?
The first help is an immediate check to help the family through its time of need.
Does HERO help with city benefits paperwork?
Yes. HERO provides counsel to help families navigate the City of Houston insurance and benefits program.
Can HERO help dependent children?
Yes. HERO can provide financial assistance to eligible dependents and funds for the continuing education of dependent children.
Similar nonprofits
Other fund raising & fund distribution nonprofits in TX.