Summer 2018: On Location
Check out behind the scenes of the swimwear shoot at H-Town's most expensive home on the market.
Jun. 5, 2018
What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.
What is your mission? Easter Seals Greater Houston is the only organization in the greater Houston area providing comprehensive services to individuals with all types of disabilities, veterans and their families. We impact where people need us the most – school, work, home, and in the community. Enhancing education, advancing health, expanding employment, and elevating the community.
Why did you launch the organization? Easter Seals was originally launched as the school district location for children with disabilities before the ADA was passed in the 70’s. Once ADA legislation was passed, the agency evolved into life changing services and programs serving babies, children and adults with all types of disabilities and their families, regardless of their ability to pay.
What are you most proud of? Easter Seals’ services focus on improving the physical, educational, cognitive, mental and financial health of our clients so they can live as fully participating members of our community. Even though we are very efficient, with over $.91 of every dollar used for direct client assistance, we have still been able to consistently expand services to fill gaps in services for an underserved population.
How have you impacted the community? Each year, we serve close to 15,000 families in Harris and surrounding counties, most living below poverty simply due to medical bills and caregiving issues; our programs not only address our direct client’s need for therapy, school, camps and more; but those of the family through respite, financial education, mental health services and emergency assistance.
Tell us about your big event. Easter Seals is excited to announce our 14th annual “Walk With Me Houston” Family fun walk on April 12, 2025, at the Houston Zoo presented by Prosperity Bank and attended by over 4,000 donors, sponsors, volunteers and clients. Following the walk, is an after-party with children’s activities, music, food, drinks and more. WalkWithMeHouston.org
How many employees and volunteers work with your organization? 250 and more than 200.
How much have you raised since you launched? In the past 20 years, Easter Seals has grown an average of 7% a year-in spite of economic downturns, government funding cuts and the fact that less than 3% of all charitable giving goes to organizations serving people with disabilities. That growth came through a combination of community support-from government funding, the United Way, individual donors, foundations and corporations so that our babies, children and adults receive the services they desperately need without worrying about the cost or their lack of insurance.
What are your major challenges? In spite of medical advancements and the power of technology to improve the lives of veterans and people with disabilities, the need for our services continues to grow-and with that the challenge of raising the funds necessary to support those expanded services grows.
Baber and Robart of The Well Pilates Studio
A NEW BOUTIQUE-fitness concept has sprung to life in West Houston. The Well Pilates Studio, founded by two Houstonians, opened this weekend on Memorial near Wilcrest, in the heart of a community noticeably lacking in studio-style gyms.
A labor of love, The Well is located in a space that was at one point a dry cleaner, but has been vacant for years. Owners Kristin Baber and Kate Robart, both blonde and bubbly and strikingly fit, outfitted the concrete shell with a palette of soothing greens and tans, aiming to give the fitness studio a spa-like feel. The open-concept-style floorplan feels airy and urbane.
As for the workout, expect a Pilates reformer routine with a big extra dose of strength training and cardio. Those famous Pilates “shakes” will find you early on in the 50-minute class, but don’t be discouraged: Between the encouraging instructors (Baber and Robart are among them) and the upbeat music, the class flies by. During opening weekend, first-timers and Pilates veterans alike left dripping in sweat and smiling wide.
The 10 Xformer machines are custom-made for The Well, featuring a beautiful brown leather on the platforms and carriage, and black and gold accents. Other features of the studio include sleek lockers, comfortable seating, and a curated retail section with giftable and funky little items, recalling a mini Kuhl-Linscomb.
The Well offers classes seven days a week, and clients can book their spot up to two weeks in advance. Grip socks are required, but can be purchased in-studio.
JUN is hosting a special Lunar New Year dinner (photo by Luke Chang)
THE CHILLY WINTER months aren’t slowing Houston chefs down from hosting hot events. Grab some friends, your appetite and a calendar and plan on attending one of these fetes for foodies.
Mutiny Wine Room in the Heights is celebrating five years with a bash. Enjoy the exclusive release of Kagan Cellars' 2019 Vintages and a grazing table from chef Eduardo, plus discounts on wine club memberships.
Chef Chris Shepherd and Chef Manabu Hori
Chris Shepherd and Chef Manabu Hori of Kata Robata are joining forces for a multi-course dinner to celebrate Houston’s vibrant culinary community. The evening is raising funds for Southern Smoke Foundation, Shepherds’ Houston-based nonprofit that helps hospitality workers in need — including those affected by the L.A. fires.
JUN is celebrating the Lunar New Year with Wine & Dine XV. This fundraiser for World Central Kitchen features a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Suu Khin and Chef Henry Lu with an option wine pairing. World Central Kitchen is also on the ground in L.A. helping those affected by the fires.
Super-chic Plume is taking steak nights to a whole new level. The pitmasters of Feges BBQ are firing up a premium six-ounce porcini-rubbed grilled hanger steak, with rich, flavorful romesco sauce and roasted cauliflower for $30. Don’t miss Mostly Chocolate's chocolate truffles and cookies, as well as Cosmic Ice Cream’s classic vanilla treat for dessert!
MARCH (photo by Julie Soefer)
Recent Michelin star recipient MARCH is hosting a five-course tasting menu with pairings from Littorai Wines, one of California's most iconic wineries. The evening toasts Littorai’s 30th anniversary and includes rare vintages from the 1990s through present-day.