meet our honoree
JAN MENDENHALL along with THE TRINI & O.C. MENDENHALL FOUNDATION
For nearly a decade, Jan has poured her heart into the Child Advocates’ mission. She is a constant support serving the children she is assigned—even when that case spans more than seven years. She is diligent, compassionate, and a much-needed steady presence for these kids as they go through a tumultuous time. Jan has long supported Child Advocates by investing both her time and resources in the Angels of Hope Luncheon, Santa’s Wish List and other children’s events where she never misses a chance to have fun with her kids. Along with Jan, the Trini & O.C. Mendenhall Foundation has generously invested in the organization since 2001 with essential funding for its programs, allowing Child Advocates to serve nearly 75 children.
Both Jan and the Mendenhall Foundation have been staples of the Child Advocates family and part of shaping the organization to what it is today.
Since 1998, the Angels of Hope Luncheon and Fashion Presentation by Neiman Marcus has grown to be one of Houston’s premier events. It kicks off the holiday fashion season and benefits Harris County’s most severely abused and neglected children. The Luncheon was created to honor the countless angels who have guided Child Advocates in infinitely different ways. Each year, we recognize one or more of these angels for their dedication to the children we help in our community.
This year, Child Advocates is proud to honor court appointed advocate, Jan Mendenhall, along with longtime supporter and pillar of the community, the Trini & O.C. Mendenhall Foundation.
about the luncheon
Since 1984, Child Advocates has been helping Houston's foster children.
Every 8 minutes, a child in Texas experiences abuse or neglect. Nearly 3,500 children in the Houston-area have experienced such life-threatening abuse or neglect that they had to be removed from their homes and placed in foster care. Child Advocates trains everyday people to advocate for the best interests of these children in court so they can find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible. While the advocates, who give their time and voices to our children, are at the heart of our mission - none of this critical work can be done without our donors who give so generously to our mission.