HAVANA NIGHTS

It is with deep appreciation and sincere gratitude that HAPS thanks Betsy and Charlie de Vega and the KnILE Center for their generous support of our organization. Betsy, Charlie and the school's PTO chose H

Located in Richmond, TX the KnILE Center's mission is to develop confident students by providing them with the best tools and strategies to help them reach their fullest potential to succeed in school and life. This is accomplished through goals that focus on total development of the child through example, practice, empowerment and development of different learning styles and strives to offer a new way of learning with no limitations. How does KnILE Center and HAPS connect? Betsy de Vega, Founder and Head of School at KnILE Center, LLC. Here is her story...APS to be the recipient of their 10th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser. The Havana Nights event was held on Friday, September 21, 2018, and was a huge success with over 200 tickets sold, wonderful food, music, dancing and fun!

I am Cuban born, but raised in Houston. My husband, Charlie, is also of Cuban descent. We know all too well what hard work and sacrifice looks like since both of our families sacrificed everything to come to this great country so that we could live a good life. Because of our families’ sacrifices, we do not take our freedom lightly and are grateful for all the opportunities we have been given. Other than my amazing family, the biggest blessing I have been granted is KnILE and the opportunity to share my vision with others, while making a difference in our children’s lives. I have had the honor of growing KnILE for 10 years now and what a ride it has been!

A little over two years ago, I was on cloud nine—it seemed that everything was going exactly how I hoped. Then in 2015, I noticed a limp in my left foot and leg. By October of that year, I was noticeably walking with a limp. After many tests and appointments with doctors, it was confirmed on February 5, 2016, that I had early onset Parkinson’s. Talk about a blow! Learning that I had this knocked me down, but after much self-searching and so much support from family, friends, colleagues, and my KnILE family, I realized how blessed I really was and decided that I would not let Parkinson’s define me. I have since embraced my diagnosis and now try to raise as much awareness and funds for Parkinson’s as I possibly can. This is why I chose HAPS as the primary recipient of our 10-year fundraising celebration. After my diagnosis, I turned to HAPS for information and support. I have participated in several programs for individuals and families who are newly diagnosed and have benefited significantly from what HAPS offers the Parkinson's community.

Through the incredibly generous support and extraordinary efforts from her family, friends and community, the KnILE Center presented HAPS with a check for $16,132.76 in funds raised through their event. 

"This is an exceptional gift to receive from the KnILE Center for many reasons. It is a true testament to the love and support Betsy has invested in her community and they in turn have shown to her. Being a part of this event not only raised invaluable funds to support our mission, but provided a meaningful opportunity for outreach into the Ft. Bend County - an area HAPS acknowledges as a rapidly expanding territory within our service area which means the need for additional programs and support is critical." says HAPS Executive Director Kathleen Crist. "Opportunities like this, prove that we all do better when we work together. This is what community is about. HAPS exists to provide hope. This is done by empowering and engaging people in programs and services that improve the quality of life. Education is a powerful tool in that process and I believe that in this way, our shared missions and aligned values present an incredible opportunity to collaborate and make a difference in the lives of others in Ft. Bend County and beyond." 

CAREGIVER CONFERENCE

Houston Area Parkinson Society invites caregivers to attend this special, full-day educational event designed exclusively for those caring for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This program will offer participants helpful, practical information that is important to understanding and managing care of someone with PD; learn new skills; and discover local resources while providing an environment where caregivers can connect with others to learn together and learn from each other. This year's program will be held on Saturday, November 10th from 8:30 am - 3:00 pm.

This event is a free conference for caregivers only. Most sessions will be recorded and archived on the HAPS website for those who cannot attend.

Breakfast, lunch and educational materials are included. To see the full program agenda and session details, please click here.

Registration is required by Wednesday, November 8th by phone at 713-626-7114 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ANNUAL EVALUATION - YOUR VOICE MATTERS...

Each year, HAPS assesses its therapeutic programs, support groups, and educational sessions by evaluating the level of interest and need reflected by attendance andthrough feedback from clients utilizing HAPS services. Program evaluation is important as it improves program design and implementation by allowing us to identify areas for improvement and adapt activities to ensure they are as effective as they can be. Additionally, evaluation helps capture the impact of the program on the community and provides us with the information we need to communicate this impact to funders.

Through ongoing communication with our client base, we are able to remain relevant and work in partnership to provide programs that foster prolonged mobility, promote functional independence, offer enrichment, and encourage opportunities for social connection. This year's evaluation will be administered online as we attempt to increase the number of responses and reduce printed materials. The evaluation will be open September 1st – November 1st. Responses are recorded anonymously, but please only complete it once. If you prefer a paper evaluation, please contact the HAPS office and one will be provided to you. By completing this evaluation, your feedback allows HAPS to meet your needs and ensures that funding is allocated to programs that have been identified as meaningful priorities for our community.

Click here to complete our annual evaluation.

Thank you,

HAPS