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Houston fine dining stars and community leaders honored in game-changing Center for Pursuit luncheon

Charles C. Canton, president and CEO of The Center for Pursuit with panel guests: Carlos De Aldecoa Bueno, Isabel and Ignacio Torras, and chef Luis Roger.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

What: “Centered on the Future,” the Center for Pursuit annual luncheon

Where: River Oaks Country Club

The scoop: Hundreds packed the River Oaks Country Club for the annual luncheon benefiting The Center for Pursuit. Themed “Centered on the Future,” the event was chaired by Tracey and John L. Buckley and honored Social Motion Skills, Inc. founder Wendy K. Dawson and acclaimed trial lawyer and community advocate Alistair Dawson.

The diverse, multi-faceted showcase raised $225,000 to directly support The Center for Pursuit’s myriad programs and services for individuals with IDD, autism, and similar conditions.

Center president and CEO Charles C. Canton briefed attendees on the mission of the organization, the future of its new $55 million campus, and the merger with Social Motion Skills, Inc.

Emcee Cyndy Garza Roberts, former director of community impact for Comcast, led interviews with Isabel and Ignacio Torras, the owners of BCN Taste & Tradition, MAD and Rocambolesc; Chef Luis Roger, head chef of BCN Taste & Tradition and MAD; and Carlos De Aldecoa Bueno, president of Cadeco Industries, Eximius Coffee, and Gulf Coast Distillers.

Always affable and generous, Chef Luis assists The Center by teaching cooking classes to its clients. De Aldecoa Bueno is helping to establish Café Nina, a coffee and bagel shop that will soon open at The Center’s new headquarters in Houston’s East End.

An exciting development is The Center and Social Motion Skills, Inc’s recently announced merger, scheduled to become effective July 1. This new partnership aims to create a synergistic progression of services for children to adults with IDD, autism, and similar conditions. The program is considered unparalleled in Houston.

In operation for more than 70 years, The Center has long provided training and services to uplift those with challenges and help them live a fulfilled life. The new facility will now serve approximately 200 Houston-are children, adolescents, and young adults along with more than 450 adults with IDD, autism, and similar conditions.

Who: General counsel for Senator Carol Alvarado, Oscar Aguilar; East End Chamber of Commerce president Frances Dyess Castañeda, Harris County Precinct 6 Constable, Silvia Trevino; The Honorable Christine Weems; Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen; Harris County Precinct 1 assistant chief, Carl Shaw; Houston assistant fire chief, Michelle McLeod; District J Council Member Edward Pollard; Gow Media CEO David Gow and wife, Audrey, and many more.

Wendy and Alistair Dawson receive award from Charles C. Canton.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Wendy and Alistair Dawson receive award from Charles C. Canton.

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Giving Power

Country chords hit the right notes for Houston charity's fundraiser

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Hallie Vanderhider, Farida Abjani, Brigitte Kalai, and Alicia Smith.

The third annual Leaders and Legends for Mission of Yahweh once again proved that Houston’s heart beats loudest when community calls. On September 26, more than 430 supporters filled the Post Oak Hotel ballroom for an evening that raised a record-breaking $650,000 to support women and children in need.

Chairs Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff, and Cynthia Wolff led the charge, joined by emcees Frank Billingsley and Ernie Manouse, who kept the evening flowing with warmth and wit. Honorary chairs Jody Merrit and Christine Johnson rounded out the leadership, lending presence and polish to the evening.

The night’s honorees — Nichole and Benny Agosto Jr., Rose Cullen, Sidney Faust, and Winell Herron — received heartfelt tributes through videos produced by FireFox Video, each highlighting their passion and commitment to the cause. Helen Gay, daughter of the founder, took the stage with a poignant story about a young boy named Carter whose life was changed by the organization’s programs.

Rounding out the program, Johnny Bravo took the mic for the live auction, stirring up excitement for big-ticket items like earrings from Nini Jewelry and a once-in-a-lifetime trip with the Houston Texans, described onstage by Joanna Marks, that sent paddles flying.

As the night carried on, Nashville songwriters Phillip White, Brice Long, and Marla Cannon-Goodman brought a touch of country soul, strumming guitars and swapping stories behind hits written for legends like Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, and Chris Stapleton.

The Mission of Yahweh continues its work expanding housing for women and children, many arriving with only the clothes on their backs.

Spotted were Samantha Kennedy, Warner Roberts, Larry Martin, Kari Work, Glenda Haynes, John Work, Robin and Danny Klaes, Janelle and Greg Reid, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Kirk Kventon and Daniel Irion, Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, Farida Abjani, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Jane-Page Crump, Mark Haas and Monica Hartland, Lori and Todd King, Susan and Henri Soussan, Nini Hale, Sylvia Forsythe, Pam and Ron Sterlekar, Regina Rogers, and Joanna Marks.

Mission of Yahweh Leaders and Legends 2025

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Hallie Vanderhider, Farida Abjani, Brigitte Kalai, and Alicia Smith.

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