Charity Challenge spotlight: This 123-year-old children's center changes foster kids' lives

Houston's a city of great giving and the CultureMap Charity Challenge, presented by Yellow Cab, aims to highlight that. CultureMap selected 12 deserving nonprofits to compete for a grand prize as they all raise awareness for worthy causes. And your votes will determine the winner. CultureMap will be highlighting the charities over the next several weeks. First up: DePelchin Children's Center.

DePelchin Children’s Center, founded in 1892 by 64-year-old widow and teacher Kezia Payne DePelchin, is the leading center in Texas for children’s well-being, focusing on mental health, foster care and adoption services.

For more than 120 years, DePelchin has been turning lives around with comprehensive care for children, including psychiatric services, counseling, programs for at-risk youths, parent education, residential treatment, foster care and adoption.

The Gallaghers, shown in the photo above this story, began as foster parents to four children, eventually adopting them to be a permanent part of their family, while continuing to foster other children as well. The Gallaghers are simply some of the many loving foster and adoptive parents connected with children in need through DePelchin's programs.

As a not-for-profit organization, DePelchin receives support from individuals, foundations and corporations, as well as from government grants and United Way agencies.

In 2009, the organization launched its first specialty program, DePelchin Autism Services, to provide coordinated assessments and other therapeutic support services for children whose symptoms suggest an autism spectrum disorder and their families.

DePelchin expanded beyond Greater Houston in 2012 by joining with Caring Family Network, an Austin-based foster care and adoption agency with locations throughout Texas.

Vote now for DePelchin Children's Center — or one of the other worthy local nonprofits — in the CultureMap Charity Challenge.