12 People Who Make Things Happen for Kids in Houston
by Stacy Curtis
Great stuff happens for families in our area. WHO makes it happen?
Lots of folks do. We're sharing 12 people who make things happen for families and the stories BEHIND the scenes from some of Houston's greatest kid-friendly treasures.
Kimberly SorensenTexas Parks and Wildlife |
Kimberly Sorensen's fondest memories as a child were time spent together as a family camping and fishing. As the Outdoor Education Diversity Specialist for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, her hope is that by sharing her love of the outdoors with others she can create a new generation of stewards for our natural spaces. TPWD partners with non-profit and school groups in the greater Houston area to provide outdoor education and recreation activities to inner city youth and families. Kim's work days are highlighted by moments of sheer gratitude and appreciation when she sees a spark of hope and interest from youth as she engages them in knowledge and understanding of the outdoors. |
Roy WootenShield Bearer Counseling Centers
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Roy Wooten is the Executive Director of Shield Bearer Counseling Centers, a nonprofit "fighting for hearts" on the front lines of healthy relationships. Shield Bearer helps children, and those who raise and train them, to develop in healthy ways through programs like Strong Fathers Strong Families in preschools and elementary schools. Every child needs to have a positive male in their life. Roy's 20+ years of leadership experience in youth and family social services helps him connect fathers and father figures with children and reinforce their important role in child outcomes. |
Lori Ann San MiguelDiscovery Green
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Lori Ann San Miguel relishes planning family events as Programming Communications Coordinator for Discovery Green because it brings her happiness to see the kids and their loved ones having such a wonderful time at the park. Although it can be a challenge at times to coordinate so many events, she wouldn't change what she does for anything! Besides the fact that most Discovery Green events are free, they are OUTDOORS. Being outdoors allows kids to exercise not just their bodies, but also their minds and imaginations. |
Santana DraperPaper Toy, LLC
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Santana Draper's joy has been to create and donate from the time he was very young. At just age 11, he is the youngest member of our list. Santana is a self-taught visual artist. Upon seeing hurricane devastation on the news, he couldn't stop talking about doing something to help people. He combined his artistic talent and his desire to help peers to create Paper Toy, LLC, by designing graphic T-shirts. Proceeds of his sales go to Kids Meals of Houston. Santana has donated 700 meals to-date and counting. |
Terry KeelThe Children's Center, Inc
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James "Terry" Keel says that being President and CEO of The Children's Center, Inc. provides him the best opportunity to serve youth and families with special needs. He delights in serving homeless and runaway youth, immigrant families, those challenged by adversity, and other brave people. The organization's newest endeavor is a Basic Center Program providing outreach and host homes for runaway and homeless youth throughout the 13 counties surrounding Houston. Through foster homes located in Brazoria, Ft. Bend, Galveston and Harris Counties the organization continues to touch and change many lives. Click here for more about Terry Keel |
Miriam MendozaHouston Center for Contemporary Craft
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Miriam Mendoza loves kids and loves teaching as the Education Director for Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. At HCCC, she coordinates a free monthly Hands-On Houston Family Day giving parents and children an opportunityt o experience different craft media and techniques first-hand. She engages kids to become active makers and to have a tangible connection to craft. She even develops kid-oriented exhibition activity guides to engage children with the objects of art on view and coordinates after-school craft classes at local elementary schools. |
Beau ListerYMCA of Greater Houston
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Sandor "Beau" Lister has worked for the YMCA of Greater Houston in youth development since 2009. As the Youth Program Director for the Thelma Ley Anderson Family YMCA in Alvin, Beau enjoys offering a safe place for children to come after school and during the summer. Parents appreciate his ability to turn a game into a learning experience; he is known for helping everyone learn from a play call by talking it through with the kids. |
Kristin MillerKaty Visual and Performing Arts Center
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Kristin Miller is Outreach Director and a founding member of Katy Visual and Performing Arts Center, a non-profit bringing art opportunities to all children. KVPAC serves 30,000 people annually - 70% at no or reduced charge. Kristin is very active in two of KVPAC's premier programs: Books Alive!, an academic and arts program for children ages 3-8, and With All Your Art, providing therapeutic arts programs. Kristin serves Books Alive! as part of the writing team, producing all productions, and serving as actor, director, and booking agent. |
Angela ColtonThe Woodlands Children's Museum
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Angela Colton feels that being the Executive Director of The Woodlands Children's Museum allows her the opportunity to start her days with wings. The mission of the museum is to create opportunities that educate, empower, and excite children and their families through play while inspiring a lifelong wonder of discovery. They easily do this by presenting cultural events at themuseum, and by providing magical opportunities for children to indulge their curiosity. |
Cristina VetranoKids' Meals Inc.
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Cristina Vetrano is honored to help children in need right here in her own community. As Executive Director for Kids' Meals, Inc., her mission is to end hunger among children by delivering nutritious meals to their doors free of cost, every weekday, year round. Texas is number one in our nation for food insecurity for children according to Children at Risk. She encourages anyone interested in volunteering for Kids Meals Inc. |
Carolyn GrayConnecting Hearts Coaching
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Carolyn Gray is a certified professional coach, author and gratitude enthusiast at Connecting Hearts Coaching. She teaches the KinderReady curriculum at The Woodlands Children's Museum preparing young children for kindergarten socially and academically. Her All About ME (Manners and Etiquette) course teaches young children self-esteem, how to make introductions, proper handshakes, showing respect and much more. She loves seeing the change in behavior from one shy 4-and-5-year-olds to mature, expressive KinderReady students. |
Monica Bomkamp EniaEducation for Tomorrow Alliance
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Monica Bomkamp Enia serves as President of Education for Tomorrow Alliance, a nonprofit empowering tomorrow's adults. Monica loves helping young people open their eyes to new possibilities and taking steps toward their desired future. She believes education can help open doors to a variety of options. EfTA's Student Internship Program offers high school students exactly that by providing hands-on experience, as well as a glimpse into a particular career field. Each summer, EfTA partners with about 75 companies of all sizes to pjlace about 100 students in professional internships. |
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Stacy Curtis is the Houston Site Manager for KidsOutAndAbout.com