Today, Chris Rincon serves Precinct 4 as the assistant manager of the Freed Community Center in Spring Branch — but his commitment to helping others began long before he held a title.
It was mid-April 2016. The historic Tax Day Floods caused the Addicks and Barker reservoirs to reach record levels. Roads were closed, neighbors isolated, houses and cars underwater, and eight people tragically lost their lives.
Chris's home in Cypress Creek was spared, but all around him, he saw devastation.
“We didn’t get any water, but you’re seeing rising water all over the place,” he said. “It was heartbreaking. I couldn’t just sit there,” he said. “I remember I told my wife ‘I don’t know what to do, but I have to do something now.’”
That moment changed the course of his life.
Chris joined volunteer crews from his church, tearing out soggy drywall and hauling debris from flooded homes. Each house told a different story of loss, but one situation struck him deeply. With nowhere else to go, a family with two young boys was living in their damaged house while Chris and his fellow volunteers gutted the ruined walls and pulled up waterlogged carpet.
A few weeks later, Chris was clearing gutters and mowing for an elderly neighbor, when a passerby called out with an opportunity.
“You look useful! My church is hiring,” said the neighbor.
Chris stopped by the John Wesley United Methodist Church was offered a job as Director of Facilities — a major shift from his career in oil and gas, but one that allowed him to focus on helping others every day.
After several years there, Chris felt that he could do even more for the broader community. He joined Harris County Precinct 4 in December 2023.
Creating a space for the community
In November 2023, Precinct 4 assumed full operation and maintenance of Freed Park and the Freed Community Center from the City of Houston. The community center Chris walked into was dark and uninviting. But Chris and a dedicated Precinct 4 team, including , Shawn Peoples, saw its potential. The crew removed old trees, as well as the black iron fences and barred windows that kept people away. They worked to update the gym, all while greeting visitors who were curious about what was happening at the center and informing neighbors about the many programs they could access at Freed.
“We wanted the community to feel like this place is for them,” Chris said. “That was the goal from day one.”
The center updates are a continuation of Commissioner Lesley Briones’ focus on ensuring that projects in Precinct 4 create healthier spaces, enhance wellness, and improve the quality of life for all residents.
For Chris, the work at Freed felt familiar. After the floods, he had helped families reclaim their homes; now he was helping a neighborhood reclaim its community center.
'Showing up for people’
Today, Chris’s morning routine begins with preparing the facility. He starts by inspecting the bathrooms, gym, and community center to ensure they are clean and fully stocked with the necessary supplies. Next, he addresses any areas that need additional attention and then prepares coffee and snacks for the morning guests. Afterward, he reviews the day’s schedule, sets up the required rooms, attends meetings, and coordinates schedules with Precinct 4 staff, among many other tasks.
While Chris may no longer be updating and rebuilding the community center, he is working hard to ensure it stays the center of the community.
“I’ve always believed in showing up for people,” he said. “Whether if it’s somebody that is living in their car and comes in for a cup of coffee or the regulars that visit us often to enjoy the programs, they should feel seen, supported, and safe.”