Just starting out on my own professionally, much of my time outside of working on clients in my treatment room is dedicated to developing the business aspect of my massage therapy practice. However, there are a few causes and organizations with which I would like to dedicate more of my time and efforts to, so I've decided to create this page in an attempt to do so and in turn, raise awareness as well.

Houston Area Women's Center - www.hawc.org  - The Houston Area Women's Center helps individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence in their efforts to move their lives forward. HAWC provides shelter, counseling and advocacy to support them in building lives free from the effects of violence. HAWC seeks social change to end domestic and sexual violence through community awareness and education. HAWC's services are confidential and available to everyone.

Helping the Homeless - On the side, myself and a group of friends and acquaintances get together every so often to try to do things to assist the homeless in our area with a few things they need. Last winter, we handed out blankets and bottled water to those less fortunate right before the weather got really cold. This year, we plan on putting together care packages with some basic necessities and are calling it Backpacks for the Homeless, after a post on Upworthy got passed on to me with the inspiration. Here's the Upworthy post: http://www.upworthy.com/ive-often-wondered-how-i-can-personally-help-homeless-people-i-just-found-a-great-idea?c=ufb2

Dynamo Charities - http://www.houstondynamo.com/es/charities - Dynamo Charities believes in using the sport of soccer and the power of the Dynamo organization as a catalyst for Building a better Houston. Dynamo Charities has multiple causes within its organization:
The House That Ching Built - http://www.houstondynamo.com/charities/housethatchingbuilt - A partnership with Brian Ching and Houston Habitat for Humanity to build a “green” house for a local Houston family.
Bald Is Beautiful - http://www.houstondynamo.com/charities/baldisbeautiful - Raises awareness and money for Curing Children’s Cancer Fund, a pediatric cancer research organization. 
Brad and Tally's Banded Brigade - http://www.houstondynamo.com/charities/bradtallybrigade - Brad Davis & Tally Hall have teamed up to support military families and service men & women through their charity Banded Brigade Outdoors.
Diesel's Toy Chest - http://www.houstondynamo.com/charities/dieselstoychest - Dynamo Diesel is sponsoring a toy drive (and fundraiser) to fill the Toy Chest for B.I.G. Love Cancer Care.
Will's #12 Club - http://www.houstonspca.org - Will Bruin has partnered with the Houston SPCA to promote commitment to and respect for all animals in the Greater Houston Area.

Upcoming Events 

Race Against Violence Annual 5k Run by Houston Area Women's Center - Saturday, March 2020- Houston, TX
Fight for Flight Team - https://www.houstonrav.org
This one has a special place in my heart as the subject matter is something I have unfortunately personally experienced. Domestic violence is a serious and delicate issue that is often very difficult to overcome. Oftentimes the local authorities are also ill-informed or poorly educated to handle these issues, and even friends and family members can have trouble understanding the situation, which makes it even more challenging for the abused victim/survivor to seek help. If you'd like to join our team, click the link above. If you're unable to attend but still want to support us, you can donate to HAWC through our team here: https://www.houstonrav.org/rav-donate

Kaitlyn Vallery Foundation - Kaitlyn's Crop Scrapbooking Event - July 11-13, 2019
www.kaitlynspromise.com 
Kaitlyn's Promise aka Kaitlyn Vallery Foundation was established to help adults and teens understand the dangers of inhalant abuse. Their mission is to bring awareness of the dangers of drug use and the long reaching effects of those choices, providing resources to young people and their families, and offering scholarships to local high school students.

Past Events

Race Against Violence Annual 5k Run by Houston Area Women's Center - 2015-2019 - Houston, TX
Fight for Flight Team www.hawc.org www.houstonrav.org
This one has a special place in my heart as the subject matter is something I have unfortunately personally experienced.

MS150 - April 27, 2019
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/
This year I got to work on one team, just outside of the LaGrange halfway point. It was an exceptional experience, and I'm glad I got to meet so many genuine people working for a great cause.

Kaitlyn Vallery Foundation - Kaitlyn's Crop Scrapbooking Events - July 12-14, 2018, March 15-16, 2019
www.kaitlynspromise.com 
Worked on scrapbooking participants with a few other LMTs. What a very fun group supporting a very good cause.

Veteran's Day Run - November 8, 2014 - The Woodlands, TX
www.teamrwb.org/get-involved/events/event-listings/team-rwb-veterans-day-races-series 
Worked on participants with a few other LMTs. Glad I got to be a part of this event. A special thanks to all who served, both past and present, for your sacrifices.

MS150 - April 12, 2014 - LaGrange, TX 
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=25298&pg=entry
Worked on race participants and volunteers with a team of LMTs at the mid-way point of the race (LaGrange). This was my first event like this; it was a full-day event, and we were busy from the moment we arrived throughout the day to nightfall. While it was a long day, it was a fun one and we met many wonderful people. I hope to work other events similar to this one in the future.