The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) celebrated its Golden Jubilee in May 2019 and in doing so recognized Spindletop Charities, Inc. with a generous $300,000 grant. The beautiful gala attended by several hundred OTC corporate participants gathered to kick-off the OTC Week events and celebrate its 50th anniversary. While many were familiar with Spindletop Charities, many were introduced to Spindletop for the first time and realized just how important the organization is to the oil and gas industry and to the Houston community.
“The committee is highly impressed by Spindletop’s commitment to greater Houston charities.”
Wafik Beydoun, Chairman, OTC Board of Directors.
Working together, the Spindletop Board of Directors and the OTC Gala Dinner Committee and Executive Advisory Board selected the following youth organizations to receive these funds:
Amigos de las Americas is an international youth development organization providing students authentic leadership and volunteering experiences in Latin America. Through this year-long program, American students expand their understanding of the world and develop leadership skills to affect positive change in communities at home and abroad. OTC Funds provided $25,000 in scholarships to Houston-area students.
Crime Stoppers of Houston is developing its much-needed Safe School Institute Webinar Series thanks to this initial donation of $75,000. This first-of-its-kind webinar series will provide schools, parents, community outreach programs, law enforcement, and Crime Stoppers programs across the country educational topics specific to cyber safety. Materials will include prevention education in areas of such topics as mental health, teen dating safety, human trafficking, substance abuse, animal safety and more.
Palmer Drug Abuse Program (PDAP) is a peer-to-peer program successful in helping teens who have alcohol and/or substance abuse issues. The OTC funds of $50,000 allows PDAP to establish a proven prevention program targeting at-risk populations of elementary schools. The Botvin Life Skills Training provides drug resistance skills to help students build effective defenses against pressures to use tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. This curriculum also increases self-confidence and develops healthy attitudes.
Today’s Harbor for Children is home to more than 80 children referred by Child Protective Services. Due to unsafe living environments with their parents because of abuse, drug use or incarceration, The Harbor provides a safe and loving environment. The $50,000 donation helped repair damages from Hurricane Harvey on the playgrounds and common areas of the property, so these special children will be safely enjoying the outdoors.
Workshop Houston encompasses “shops” within its after-school programs located in Houston’s East End. The Discovery Shop received $50,000 to enhance its science, engineering and robotics curriculum, including a fully equipped technology and engineering studio. This after-school program is changing lives for these middle and high school students who now have a goal to attend college. Additionally, a van was purchased to assist in transporting students to the program from area schools. The Spindletop Emerging Leader Steering Committee are volunteers with this program and recently judged its inaugural Drone Competition at Space Center Houston.
YMCA of Greater Houston – Hurricane Harvey relief needs continue for several YMCA locations in the Greater Houston area. This grant provided $50,000 for the YMCA Spindletop Scholars Academy, a new summer enrichment program for elementary school students who have fallen behind academically due to the loss their Cossaboom Family YMCA and its after-school programs. Located in Houston’s East End, the Spindletop Emerging Leaders provided STEM enrichment activities during the summer held academy.
