Today Fall 2009 by DePelchin Children's Center

Today fall 2009

D e P e l c h i n C h i l d re n ’s C e n t e r

getting back on track Two years ago Andrew Molina was at a crossroads. At the age of 16, Andrew was arrested for trying to sell an illegal weapon on a school campus, a third degree felony. Since he had an assault charge pending, he was placed in San Jacinto County Jail to be held there temporarily. His incarceration should only have been short-term, but because he kept getting in physical fights when other inmates tried to steal his food, he was assigned to solitary confinement and his time at the jail lasted an entire year. Andrew was then shuffled around different rehabilitation centers, until finally he was offered a choice—Texas Youth Commission or DePelchin Children’s Center.

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olitary confinement gave Andrew time to think about his choices in life. When offered another chance, he decided to take it. Andrew entered DePelchin’s Elkins Residential Treatment Center, which offers inpatient facilities and a temporary place to reside for youths aged 5-17.

Another Chance DePelchin operates two Residential Treatment Centers—the Isabel Elkins RTC at the main campus in Houston, and the Richmond RTC in Fort Bend County. The RTC provides housing, 24-hour intensive treatment, therapeutic care, family services, and socialization skills, among other services. The program treats children and adolescents who suffer from mental, emotional and other behavioral problems that are so severe that outpatient or day treatment services cannot provide the stabilization and intensive treatment necessary for the child to function in a home setting. Andrew remarked: “DePelchin gave me my life back. You could say that they gave me my life—

Now when people talk about me, I feel like Superman.

DePelchin has always been a part of Andrew’s life. When he was three years old, Andrew and his older sister were placed with a family through the adoption process. Because of several challenging behaviors, Andrew found himself back at DePelchin in the RTC when he was 17. He graduated from DePelchin’s charter high school on June 5, 2009. Today, at 18 years old, Andrew is a student at Wharton County Junior College, living in an on-campus dorm. He’s out of foster homes, out of Children’s Protective Services. He’s happy to be independent, on his own, and not part of any “system.”

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and more. At DePelchin, I earned my life back. Then I earned a bunch of other stuff as well, so it’s pretty cool.” Andrew received individual therapy at DePelchin. He says that therapy was important for his growth, because it helped him have a good relationship with his adoptive mother again. Although residents’ daily schedules and treatments vary and are based on individual need, a typical day at the RTC is structured and may include academic studies, group therapy, recreational activities, meals, individual therapy, milieu groups, life skill-building lessons, and sports. Treatment in the RTC is short term in nature and is expected to last an average of

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90-120 days. Once a child leaves the program, continued therapy and medication monitoring are often necessary.

Letter from the Chairman Getting to Know The Hamill Foundation Just Do It! A Daughter’s Directive Motivates a Mom to Mentor

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“I came back to DePelchin when I was going through the criminal part of my life—getting in fights, stealing—and I was threatened with TYC and told that this was my last resort. The day I came here was when everything just changed. I became the little angel I should have been. Now when people see me they say, Who’s that? That’s not Andrew. But it’s me, just not the old me. Part of me is dead and gone.” Growing up, Andrew loved sports. He was passionate about soccer and football before he was placed in jail. His father trained Andrew in soccer, and he played on teams with his friends. continued on page 2

Kezia DePelchin Society Join Friends of DePelchin Support DePelchin’s 2009 Holiday Project Lowe’s Heroes Friends of DePelchin Events

Today

| Fall 2009

Letter from the Chairman Dear Friends of DePelchin,

y term as chairman of the board of DePelchin will expire at the end of this year, and I would like to thank each of you for the myriad ways in which you have supported the children and families we served during my tenure and beyond. As of December 31, 2009, I will have served nine years on the board, and I will continue serving as immediate past chairman through 2011. What is it about DePelchin that would inspire a commitment of this duration? I would like to give you three reasons. First, I am inspired by DePelchin’s commitment to providing excellent services for the children in our care. We are not an organization that settles for mediocrity as a standard; we are an organization that stands for excellence. Providing this high standard of care means hiring the best staff possible, adhering to the most stringent accreditation and licensing requirements available, and attracting and retaining the strongest community leaders as board members. It has been an honor and a privilege for me to work with each of these groups in settings large and small. Second, I am inspired by the support of our community. DePelchin is 117 years old this year. Within a year of its establishment, the organization’s founder, Kezia DePelchin, died from pneumonia, leaving her young, struggling orphanage in the hands not of one person but of the citizens of Houston. Since that day, the city and its citizens have never failed to support what was first a small shelter for infants and what has become Houston’s largest and most comprehensive provider of child welfare services. Though I am amazed by the number of children and families we serve—16,000 in 2008—I am not surprised by the excellence of care they receive. Third, I am inspired by our potential for growth. Following a diligent, dedicated effort to create a strategic plan for the next five years, DePelchin is now positioned to grow in a unique and effective way that will provide for the mental health needs of all children in the community as well as to strengthen the services it currently provides. One board member remarked that the reason DePelchin has been successful is that it is flexible—just think what flexibility meant when DePelchin, along with the rest of the country, experienced two world wars, the Great Depression, epidemics of flu, malaria, and polio, and hurricanes of all dimensions. Like Houston, DePelchin was born to survive and thrive. Serving this great organization for the past two years has been one of the most meaningful experiences I have had since coming to Houston 35 years ago. The position of chairman is one that I have taken very seriously, and it is one that I am proud of completing. Thank you for the resources you have invested in DePelchin Children’s Center. They are guaranteeing the health and well-being of our most precious possession—our children—for the future.

getting back on track continued

Andrew was also first string quarterback on the varsity team when he was a freshman in high school. At the RTC he was able to participate in sports again.

Opening Doors Andrew credits DePelchin for helping him learn to become the person that he was always told he could be but didn’t know how to become. “Before, I would never hold the door open for anybody, I would just let it close on people. Now I’m holding doors open for everyone. One of the supervisors on the unit said to me, ‘Andrew, even though your file says this about you, you’re nothing like that; I would want to take you home as my own son.’ People tell me I’m a gentleman and a pleasure to be around. It makes me feel great. I do things without being asked, and even offer to do things. For some people in my family, they can’t believe it; they wonder if it’s a trick. But this is really me.” While at the RTC, Andrew earned the nickname “Unit Savior.” The staff often asked Andrew to talk to children who were acting out. If a child tried to run away, Andrew would intervene and convince the child to stay. One child was placed as Andrew’s roommate because the child kept disobeying rules. Andrew remembers the child’s plotting some kind of prank: “I talked to him for an hour and told him about my own past and said this is going to happen to you if you don’t get your act together. It finally hit him. He stayed out of trouble and he got to go home.” “Everyone says I should be a counselor. But I want to be an engineer, in robotics, petroleum, or nuclear power. I love math and I love inventing things.” Andrew hopes to be an engineer at a power plant in Houston, and also in the military, either the Marines or the National Guard.

M. James Henderson Chairman, Board of Directors

“It feels great being DePelchin’s success story. Before, I was always the ‘Beware Of’ story, and now everyone’s praising me. Whenever I hear someone talking about me, I know it’s going to be good so I want to go over and listen because it’s something that never happened before. Now when people talk about me, I feel like Superman.”

DePelchin Children’s Center Board of Directors

Our Vision

Best wishes,

Officers of the Board M. James Henderson, Chair Debbi M. Johnstone, Vice Chair Flo McGee, Past Chair Tandelyn S. Weaver, Secretary Board Members Nancy Abendshein Arthur Baird Valerie Bergeron Efrain Bleiberg, M.D. Martha E. Braniff Jay Allen Chaffee Steve R. Cherek Nancy I. Cook, Ph.D. Susan Distefano Anne S. Duncan Karey Dubiel Dye Stephen T. Dyer

Henry Florsheim Stephen M. Fraga Miles Harper III Peggy A. Heeg Nancy G. Kinder Pamela Lovett Margaret C. McNeese, M.D. John S. Moody, Jr. Roxann S. Neumann Carolyn J. Pope Charles D. Powell Pat Powers Leslie Sprague Ellie Sweeney Susan R. Tortolero, Ph.D. H. Richard Walton Janeana White, M.D. Geraldina Interiano Wise Don Woo

Foundation and Trust for DePelchin Children’s Center Jesse H. Jones II, Chair Susan Light Lawhon Rahul Mehta Robert W. Paddock Paul J. Sarvadi John E. Stokes Charles Szalkowski DePelchin Psychiatric Services Manuel C. Ramirez, M.D., Chair Efrain Bleiberg, M.D. Matthew N. Brams, M.D.

We envision a world in which every child is safe and healthy.

Our Mission We strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being.

DePelchin Children’s Center

Getting to Know The Hamill Foundation Claud B. Hamill, independent oil man, and his wife, Marie Garrett Hamill, established The Hamill Foundation in 1969 as a way to direct their charitable giving. Before he passed away in 1986, Mr. Hamill asked the five current Directors to serve on his Foundation Board. Today, these same Directors remain determined to carry on Mr. and Mrs. Hamill’s legacy and philanthropic intent.

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he Hamill Foundation, which is currently among the largest foundations in Houston, has the reputation for being one of Houston’s most stable and consistent grant-making organizations. “What makes us different is that we try to really get to know our groups,” says Tom Brown, Grants Director of the foundation. “We don’t do one-time grants but we do try to build long term relationships. We try to meet with every group every year.” This philosophy has proven effective for many people in need. The foundation has made an incredible impact in the community. The foundation funds grants to approximately 80 non-profits totaling over $6 million per year. Since 1987, The Hamill Foundation has given more than $1.3 million to DePelchin Children’s Center in support of foster care, adoption services and children’s mental health services. The Hamill Foundation is one of DePelchin’s top three foundation funders. Tom Brown says, “One common thread in the groups we fund is that they provide a positive adult role model in kid’s lives. DePelchin provides forever families for kids that need them. We have always been pleased to support that effort.” The Hamill Foundation is managed by loyal people who remain committed to Mr. and Mrs. Hamill and their legacy. Charlie Read, Foundation President, says, “The Hamills were great people who wanted to share their generosity with the Houston community.” Tom Brown adds, “Mr. Hamill was a wonderful person to work for, and Mrs. Hamill was a grand and gracious lady.” Charlie and Tom and the rest of the Directors are proud to carry on the Hamill legacy.

Adopted and Loving It

hen Kareem was just 25 years old, he learned about an important adoption. HIS OWN. Kareem had been adopted through DePelchin Children’s Center by the Wilkerson family when he was six weeks old. After the age of six, his adoptive grandmother assumed permanent care for Kareem due to his adoptive mother’s failing health. Today, Kareem is married and raising five children in Houston. He is proud of his DePelchin ties and thankful that he was adopted into a loving, forever family. Now he happily passes that love on to his family. There are 1,700 children currently available for adoption in the Houston area. Although DePelchin places 100 children in adoptive families each year, there are many, many more who need a home. To learn how you can provide a loving, forever family for a child, visit www.depelchin.org. 3

The Hamills were great people who wanted to share their generosity with the Houston community.

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Today

| Fall 2009

JUST DO IT! A Daughter’s Directive Motivates a Mom to Mentor Cindy Kahle, a longtime Houstonian, was always familiar with DePelchin, as most people who grow up in Houston are. But what Cindy didn’t know is how comprehensive DePelchin’s services are. “It’s incredible how many programs they offer to people that need them. I thought it was just a home for children who were taken away by CPS. I didn’t realize that they do so much. It blows my mind what they do—not just for children and adoption and foster families, but there’s counseling and psychiatry and services on family dynamics and parenting. It’s shocking.”

urrently a volunteer, Cindy serves in the mentorship program, which provides enrichment and leadership skills to children and youths who need positive role models in their lives. Mentors work with children currently residing in the Elkins Residential Treatment Center. It is a flexible commitment Monday through Sunday. The mentor/child relationship will continue for as long as the mentor and child wish. This June, Cindy began mentoring her first child. “Being a mentor involves as much as you and the child want it to involve.” Currently, Cindy sees her child every day because they’re studying for the child’s SAT so she can apply for college. At other times, Cindy will visit a few times a week, and if she is out of town she maintains daily cell phone contact with her child. Cindy’s child often presents her with beautiful and thoughtful handmade gifts—a papiermâché box, colorfully painted notecards, and jewelry. “I think we’re both lucky. I know that she really likes me. And I know I really like her. That doesn’t always happen. That was one of the questions that I asked myself when I was going through training: What if we didn’t match up personality-wise, then I would go through the mentorship program not feeling real and true. I was lucky enough and I think my child was lucky enough to have almost an instant connection.” Cindy always wanted to do something along these lines. She has been involved in a great deal of board work and wanted to do something more hands-on. She remembers being inspired by a Rosie O’Donnell program called “America” about saving one child. When she was vacillating about whether to commit to the mentorship program, Cindy’s daughter, who has a master’s degree in social work and is a clinical therapist, said to her, “Mom, just do it.” The one-on-one, hands-on interaction that the mentorship program entails was just the kind of opportunity for which Cindy was looking. “What is so fulfilling is the actual connection I have with this one child. I can see that in life this child truly will need guidance. She has not lived on her own forever but she has been in non-family situations for many years. Therefore, she may not know boundaries, may not know

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The people here are committed, have empathy, and they’re here because they really love what they’re doing.

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just everyday stuff. I do feel that this mentorship program is the way you can make a difference. I see already an incredible difference in her life, and it is so fulfilling.” Cindy gives credit to DePelchin’s staff and board for making the mentorship program work so well. “The people here are committed, have empathy, and they’re here because they really love what they’re doing. So the programs do good things for people and it’s fulfilling for all involved.” Cindy has looked into other mentor programs, but she feels that at DePelchin the mentors are able to offer more critical care to children who need it. Cindy received her undergraduate degree in sociology, and then taught children for ten years in several different cities. Next, she raised three children of her own and became involved in various volunteer activities—Child Advocates, Wildlife Rehab and Education, the Med Center’s YMCA, the Junior League, and Texas Children’s Hospital. She even sings to the elderly. In 1991 when Cindy was working for Child Advocates, she helped three children in CPS find their aunt and uncle; now the family lives together in Louisiana. Oprah Winfrey was so moved by the story that she did a show about it and flew Cindy to Dallas to be a guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show. “Being a mentor is really rewarding because with this one-on-one contact I can see where I’m making a difference with her, with trust and loyalty, and she is giving back so much to me in different ways… like all my presents that I got today.” Together, Cindy and her mentoree are making more than just crafts. They are making CHANGE!

DePelchin Children’s Center

Kezia DePelchin Society Continuing the Legacy of Faith Home In 1892, Kezia DePelchin was a matron and teacher of older orphaned children. When she learned of three infant boys who had no place to go because they were too young for orphanages, she took them in herself. Thus began her mission to provide a refuge for children in need. She used two borrowed rooms and personal earnings to care for the boys, and knew she could count on the community to come through with support. She was right.

ezia’s fellow Houstonians believed in her mission and helped provide a safe and loving home for the children she was helping. A few weeks after taking in the orphaned boys, Mrs. DePelchin was able to move the children into a small, rented house on Washington Avenue. “Faith Home” was born.

Charles Powell, Chairman of KDS, believes that it’s significant that the donations members make to the society go directly into DePelchin’s programs. “DePelchin has a small administrative cost for fundraising, and there’s a development staff but it’s small relative to the overall budget. If the dollar-for-dollar amount coming to KDS goes straight into the programming, it really helps fulfill DePelchin’s mission, which is the most urgent mission and need that we have in our society today.” KDS also provides members a continuing connection to DePelchin and the Society over an extended period of time. While there is, of course, the benefit of giving, there is also the benefit of connecting to a network of people who share a common interest: members receive direct communications from DePelchin and KDS and are given the opportunity to attend programs, lectures, luncheons, and symposia. Members also enjoy the benefit of being ambassadors for DePelchin by sharing the message and raising consciousness for the need to help children in distress.

In January 1893, Mrs. DePelchin contracted pneumonia and died from the illness. Even though Faith Home had only been open for one year, the Houston community had already embraced Mrs. DePelchin’s vision. The  Kezia Payne DePelchin, founder of home stayed open and grew. Faith the DePelchin Faith Home, now called Home is now DePelchin’s Children’s DePelchin Children’s Center. Center. Mrs. DePelchin couldn’t have known how her passion would spread and affect so many people. Her singular vision has improved the lives of children and families in need. Mrs. DePelchin believed in the generosity of Houstonians, and this quality is seen with every child and family DePelchin is able to serve.

Individuals interested in becoming part of the Kezia DePelchin Society can learn more at www.depelchin.org/KDS.

KDS Gift levels:

The Kezia DePelchin Society (KDS) is a group of individuals who are committed to the same vision that inspired Mrs. DePelchin to love and care for the three orphaned boys so long ago. The goal of KDS is to ensure that this vision lives on through DePelchin Children’s Center and to expand and promote DePelchin’s mission to serve children. Through membership in KDS, donors help Houston’s most comprehensive children’s social service agency continue to provide excellent services to the community. The generous donations from members of KDS are more than just financial gifts; they are representations of a heartfelt dedication to improve the lives of children and their families.

$25,000 Lifetime membership $5,000 Benefactor $2,500 Patron $1,250 Friend

The generous donations from members of KDS are more than just financial gifts; they are representations of a heartfelt dedication to improve the lives of children and their families. 5

Today

| Fall 2009

Join Friends of DePelchin

riends of DePelchin is a vibrant group of young leaders and professionals committed to supporting DePelchin’s mission through community awareness, philanthropy and volunteerism. The funds raised by Friends of DePelchin through membership and events will directly support the core programs and services at DePelchin Children’s Center. Throughout the year, the group organizes networking events, an annual fundraiser, and service projects. Friends of DePelchin is recruiting new members and invites you to join!

 Friends of DePelchin Board Back (L-R): Sergio Leal; Vice-chairman, John Harmon, Jeremy Little, Jenn Ross Front (L-R): Hope Young; Chairman, Ashley Powell, Meredith Rose, Lauren Friedrichs, Anne Hoppe

To learn more, visit www.depelchin.org/friends or contact us at 713-802-6268 or friends@ depelchin.org. You can also join our Facebook group and view photos, read discussion, stay in contact with other members, and keep connected about upcoming events. Don’t hesitate—join the Friends today!

 Friends of DePelchin Members (L-R): Lisa Kollenberg, Whitney Rape, Taylor Franklin, Jessica Lacy, Jill Ballard

Friends Fundraiser Saturday, November 14 Refs, Ribs and Rock n’ Roll Armadillo Palace – 5015 Kirby Drive 2:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Cocktail Reception Thursday, December 3 Holiday Art Box Show Bering & James – 805 Rhode Place, #500 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Support DePelchin’s 2009 Holiday Project

he holiday season is arriving, and once again, it is a time of giving. With the help of generous donors and volunteers, DePelchin’s annual Holiday Project brightens the season for hundreds of children in the agency’s care. This year, DePelchin hopes to provide gifts to more than 1,800 children and families. As in years past, DePelchin is asking local businesses, community groups and individuals to donate new, unwrapped toys, clothing and other items to help fill the children’s wish lists. Gift suggestions for the Holiday Project are located on the Web at www.depelchin.org. The success of the Holiday Project depends not just on material gifts but also on gifts of time and talent. More than 100 volunteers are needed December 8-12 and December 15-17 to sort and bag gifts. Several shifts are available and any amount of time donated makes a difference. To volunteer, make a donation, sponsor a child or family, or receive an information packet explaining how to become involved in this year’s project, please email holidayproject@depelchin.org or call 713-802-7611. Note: DePelchin gratefully accepts safe, fun and educational toys but cannot accept toy guns or other toys that imply violence, including water pistols, toy bombs, military action figures or military toys, wrestler action figures, toys that are made to punch (such as a punching bag clown) or toys made to strike others (such as boxing gloves). The Holiday Project welcomes large, unused trash bags or packing boxes of any size. Donations of giftwrap, gift tags, bows, ribbon, tape and batteries are also appreciated.

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DePelchin Children’s Center

Lowe’s puts DePelchin on a new high!

ore than 35 volunteers from local Lowe’s stores gathered in midOctober to install two fabulous outdoor decks—one next to the boys’ wing, the other next to the girls’ wing—at the Elkins Residential Treatment Center on DePelchin’s main campus. The volunteers, known as “Lowe’s Heroes,” measured, sawed, hammered, laughed, and sweated through a week of hot, humid days to finish the job. The project was augmented by landscaping designed by Scotts/Miracle-Gro, completing the project’s look and contributing to its overall beauty. DePelchin thanks Lowe’s, Scotts/Miracle-Gro, and each of the 35+ volunteers who spent their time and effort to make this incredible gift for the enjoyment of our kids.

2009 Texas Bowl

ast year, Rice University captured the 2008 Texas Bowl with a 38-14 victory over Western Michigan at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. While it was Rice’s first appearance in the Texas Bowl, DePelchin Children’s Center has been a part of the Texas Bowl since its inception in 2006 as the charitable recipient of the annual event. Over its three-year history, the Texas Bowl has donated more than $200,000 to DePelchin. The date for the 2009 Texas Bowl is Thursday, December 31, with a 2:30 p.m. kick-off time at Reliant Stadium. For the first time, the game will be televised on ESPN, which promises more publicity for the teams and for DePelchin, as well. For ticketing and additional information, visit www.texasbowl.org.

Today

| Fall 2009

Episcopal High School Plays Fair, Supports DePelchin Students from Episcopal High School put on a fun family fair to help raise funds for DePelchin Children’s Center. In addition to the community, children from DePelchin were invited to bounce, play and eat cotton candy. Taylor Adams, Episcopal High School student and one of the fair organizers said, “I had such an amazing time working with DePelchin. It was such an honor to be able to serve such a prestigious organization and help them with funds.” DePelchin thanks everyone who helped host and those who attended the fair for supporting our children.

D e P e l c h i n C h i l d re n ’s C e n t e r

Today is published by DePelchin Children’s Center. DePelchin Children’s Center is a non-profit organization providing comprehensive counseling, autism, and parent-education programs to children, adolescents and families, as well as adoption, foster care and residential treatment services. The agency has served the Houstonarea community since 1892. For more information about services, call 713.730.2335 or toll-free at 1.888.730.2335. DePelchin Children’s Center gratefully receives its support from government grants and fees, United Way agencies, corporations, foundations, and individuals. Jim Henderson – Board Chair Curtis C. Mooney, Ph.D. – President and Chief Executive Officer Peggy Roe – Senior Vice President, Advancement Jerry Heinold – Manager, Marketing & Communications Lisa Lee – Writer Cregan Design – Designer Chas. P. Young (CPY) – Printer “DePelchin,” “DePelchin Children’s Center” and the window/sun logo are registered trademarks of DePelchin Children’s Center. © 2009 DePelchin Children’s Center. All rights reserved.

4950 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77007 713.730.2335 www.depelchin.org

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