Community 180 to Host Choose Up Summit in Port Arthur on May 30

Public Registration Remains Open for Families, Youth, Educators, and Community Leaders Across Southeast Texas

PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Community 180 will host the first stop of its regional Choose Up Summit series on Friday, May 30, 2026, in Port Arthur, Texas, bringing together families, youth, educators, nonprofit organizations, faith leaders, law enforcement representatives, and community advocates for a day centered on awareness, accountability, resources, and collaborative action.

The Choose Up Summit is part of Community 180’s “3 Cities, 3 Weekends, 1 Community” initiative taking place across Southeast Texas. The summit series was created in response to growing concerns surrounding youth violence, truancy, vaping, emotional and behavioral health challenges, academic decline, family instability, and the growing disconnect between young people and community support systems.

The Port Arthur summit is designed to create a safe and solution-focused environment where community stakeholders can have honest conversations while also connecting families to practical resources and local support organizations.

According to David Richard, Executive Director of Community 180, the summit is about more than awareness.

“Communities cannot heal through conversation alone. We have to create spaces where families feel heard, where young people feel seen, and where organizations work together instead of separately. The Choose Up Summit is about bringing the community together to identify real challenges and build real solutions that can create lasting impact.”

The event will feature:

• Community panel discussions focused on youth and family issues

• Conversations surrounding truancy prevention and student accountability

• Discussions on youth violence prevention and community responsibility

• Educational conversations addressing vaping and youth risk behaviors

• Family empowerment and mentorship resources

• Access to local nonprofits, churches, agencies, and service providers

• Opportunities for networking and collaborative community engagement

• Youth and parent-focused support initiatives

• Community resource engagement activities

In addition to the forum and panel discussions, the summit will also include the HUG SETX Care Zone presented by Community 180. The HUG SETX initiative provides families with access to essential household support items and community care resources. Participating families who complete the summit engagement experience and visit participating community partner stations will have an opportunity to access the care zone while supplies last.

Organizers expect approximately 50 to 100 households to participate in the Port Arthur event, with additional summit stops scheduled in Orange and Beaumont in the weeks following.

Community organizations, churches, educational leaders, businesses, volunteers, and service agencies are still encouraged to participate as community partners and resource vendors.

Public registration for attendees remains open.

Event Information

Choose Up Summit – Port Arthur

Date: Friday, May 30, 2026

Location: Port Arthur, Texas

Hosted By: Community 180Admission:

Free and open to the public

Registration: Currently open

Families, parents, students, educators, mentors, and community members are encouraged to attend and participate in the collaborative effort to strengthen youth outcomes and community engagement throughout Southeast Texas.

For registration information, partnership opportunities, media inquiries, or volunteer opportunities, contact: Community180 via Email @ together@community180.com

Community 180 is a community-focused nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and supporting youth through outreach initiatives, educational engagement, mentorship, resource support, and collaborative community programming throughout Southeast Texas.