The Rise School of Houston opened in 2000 and it is Houston’s first and only school dedicated to the education of preschool aged children with Down syndrome and other disabilities. The unique aspect of The Rise School is that children with AND without disabilities learn together in an amazing environment and intervention that is provided year-round, five days a week. One notable aspect of their program is that no child is ever turned away from Rise for financial reasons.  For the 2015-16 school year, 66 of their 94 students received some amount of financial aid.  Because of this, children of all socio-economic backgrounds are able to attend The Rise School. Rise graduates are fully prepared to participate as they enter kindergarten, and continue a successful life despite their disabilities.  Spindletop has supported the Rise School’s speech and motor therapy program since 2012.

“Through Spindletop’s generous gifts, our children have made remarkable gains in the areas of speech and motor development which will greatly add to their successes in kindergarten and beyond.” – Janis E. Stailey, Executive Director

For more information: www.riseschool.org

Casa de Esperanza de los Niños – the House of Hope for Children – provides safety, hope, and a home to children whose families are affected by domestic violence, substance abuse, poverty, homelessness and mental illness. Children age birth to six years are admitted through referrals from family shelters, hospitals and children’s protective services. Casa also is committed to including children affected by HIV/AIDS.  Since opening in 1982, Casa has cared for over 4,000 children and their families.

Casa de Esperanza neighborhood occupies three acres of donated land featuring 10 homes, trees surrounding a tranquil meadow and a playground designed for small children. Casa de Esperanza charges no fees for their services. Their longevity and growth have been possible because of the dedicated support of many partners and friends throughout the greater Houston area. Volunteers are critical to the success of caring for these children. By forming strong relationships, generational change and healing are possible

For more information: www.casahope

Spindletop has a long history with the Children’s Assessment Center, a leading organization designed to meet the physical and emotional needs of sexually abused children, their siblings and non-offending caregivers. As a collaboration of Harris County Commissioners’ Court and The Children’s Assessment Center Foundation, The CAC represents a true partnership between the public and private sectors for the most effective service delivery to children and families. CAC is one of the largest advocacy centers in the nation. In 2017, it served nearly 5,000 children in our community, and since 2000 it has served nearly 56,000 sexually abused children.

The CAC houses 53 professionals from 53 partnering agencies, which include law enforcement, psychological/psychiatric services, family advocacy, a medical clinic and governmental investigative entities. All agencies have the common goal of protecting children.  Recognizing the need for space conducive to the healing process, The CAC has included Family Rooms in its building for use by Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.  These rooms are safe spaces for supervised visitation, reunification, mediation and general family support. The most recent donation from Spindletop is sponsoring the Spindletop Family Room.

For more information: www.cachouston.org

Pro-Vision School is an Texas State charter middle and High School serving the youth of the Sunnyside area of Houston. Pro-Vision has been impacting the lives of youth for 24 years by teaching them to honor themselves and by providing a safe and structured environment in which to learn, grow and succeed. Pro-Vision offers academic classes, job training and enrichment activities that challenge students and provide opportunities for short-and long-term success. The Manhood Development Program, The Job Enterprise Program and The Urban Farm are the three programs that Pro-Vision utilizes to make a difference in the lives of its students. Spindletop has aided with its Urban Farm and their Project 180 Literacy Programs.

During the interesting tour of the Urban Farm, most specifically the hydroponic Spindletop Greenhouse, the Pro-Vision staff guided the visitors on the importance of caring for and learning about plant life. The skill-set of responsibility is taught, and the students discover a passion in horticulture that they may not have otherwise experienced. Pro-Vision School offers a multitude of extra-curricular activities for the students.  The Spindletop guests visited the STEM classrooms and were treated to special presentation of the Pro-Vision boys choir.

For more information: www.provision-inc.org