TMO leaders celebrated word that Capital IDEA-Houston won a Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) grant, giving it half a million dollars to train hundreds more community college students for living wage careers in Houston. TMO, with its sister organizations in the Texas IAF, helped establish the Texas Innovative Adult Career Education (ACE) grant to support projects that prepare low-income workers to attain degrees and certificates in high demand occupations including nursing and information technology.

Texas State Representative John Zerwas (R-Richmond) praised Capital IDEA-Houston, declaring he "could not find a better use of $500K than to invest in Capital IDEA-Houston."

Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner (D-Houston) chimed in adding "we should continue to invest $5 Million in these [workforce development] projects."

The award will support about 250 students attending Houston Community College and Lone Star College. In an interview with NPR, Fr. Kevin Collins said the money will be used to prepare low-income students to enter careers in health care, information technology and manufacturing. "The graduates are thrilled to be part of our program, and their families are really benefiting and they are really excited to move into great careers!"

Financial Aid to Help Low Income Students in Houston Prepare for Careers, NPR