Philanthropies

The Center (formerly The Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation), a private not-for-profit agency, provides residential, vocational, and day services that promote individual choice, personal growth, and independence for persons with developmental disabilities. Founded in 1959 by a group of parents who believed their children could learn if given the proper support, The Center continues to listen to the needs of the developmentally disabled and their families. The 700 people served by The Center range in age from 6 months to 78 years. Houston area Chi Omegas have given over $2.5 million to The Center in the past 45 years. The Center can be reached at www.cri-usa.org.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana was founded in 1984. The chapter covers 47 counties and 64 parishes with a 7 person staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Chi Omega Kaleidoscope will be granting one wish to a child with a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish can be reached at www.texgulf.maw.org.

The Chi Omega Alumnae Association of Houston established a scholarship fund through the Chi Omega Foundation in 1999 to assist Houston area young women in attaining their educational goals. Earnings from this endowment, along with contributions from local Chi Omega alumnae, have allowed the organization to distribute more than 40 scholarships since 2000 to Houston area Chi Omegas pursuing their undergraduate degrees. Proceeds from the 2010 Chi Omega Kaleidoscope luncheon will allow the Chi Omega Alumnae Association of Houston to further broaden its scholarship impact.