RaiseUp Families
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  • May 5, 2026
    11:30 am - 1:00 pm
    Join us as we celebrate our 2025 HandUp program graduates! 

    HandUp graduates have completed 9 months of budgeting, financial management, and parenting courses and have participated in ongoing peer support groups.
    Their dedication to ensuring their children receive an education uninterrupted by eviction is matched only by your commitment to ensuring that no family experiences homelessness and that every child has the opportunity for a brighter future!  

  • $165,192

    raised of $250,000 goal
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Valedictorian

  • Janice and Erich Teske

Salutatorian

  • Pam and Mark Callahan

  • Wilchester Mens Club, Inc. logo

Summa Cum Laude

  • Amy Bray / Michelle and Bryan Ritchey

  • Elizabeth and Jesse Libby

  • First Congregational Church of Houston

  • Garage Door Doctor logo

  • James and Mallory Shaddix

  • Joy and Don Haley

  • J.P. Morgan and Tyler and Lindsey Ellis

  • Nicole and James Spaur

  • Patricia Gillies in Memory of John Gillies

  • Regions Bank

  • Sarah Holm

  • St. Peter's United Methodist Church logo

Magna Cum Laude

  • Barry and Sue Abrams

  • Blazer Building - Matt Fuqua

  • Carlton and Kathy Cook

  • Carol Gruen

  • Elizabeth Chipinski

  • John and Kari Work

  • Lucy and Alex Branca

  • Melissa Ratnala

  • The Houston Constellation Group at Morgan Stanley

  • The Rubenstein Foundation

Cum Laude

  • Courtney Scardino and Page Vogelsang

  • Dana Hinzmann

  • Fifth Third Bank logo
  • Focused Business Partners logo

  • John J. Lavoi, Jr. DDS, South Shore Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

  • Kimberly Morris

  • Laura and Ned Davenport

  • Pam and Bob Leibrock

  • Robin and Chuck Stilwell

  • Susan and Bob Bolling

  • Tammy and Scott Smith

Contribution

  • Ady Fisberg

  • Daniel Coleman

  • Del Monte Realty - Shannon Strickler logo

  • Erik Janitens

  • Frost Bank of Texas

  • HEB logo

  • John Warner

  • Mary Brannies

  • Ramsay Elder

  • Suzanne and Adam Stiles in honor of Michelle Ritchey

  • The Richard S. Cassidy Charitable Fund

  • The Wetz Charitable Fund

RaiseUp Families logo
In Support of RaiseUp Families
RaiseUp Families stabilizes parents from vulnerable communities who face unexpected financial crises so their children can focus on their education, giving them the opportunity for a better life. These families live paycheck to paycheck and have fallen behind in rent due to an unexpected financial crisis. 
 
Our mission is to stabilize families in their homes before an eviction occurs, then provide them with skills and resources to become self-sufficient so their children can focus on their education, giving them the opportunity for a better life. Established in 1994 as Westside Homeless Prevention (and later known as Westside Homeless Partnership), RUF’s founders completed 2 years of research on how best to create life-long stability. We currently offer a holistic program focusing on five life domains: Financial Literacy, Housing Stability, Emotional Wellness, Academic Enrichment and Professional Development. We have a current 91% graduation rate and last year's graduates saw a 26% increase in their income. 
YOUR GIFT MATTERS

$500

Offers 2 families with childcare for a month as they pursue their dreams

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$250

Purchases a mattress and bedframe for a child sleeping on the floor

4
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$100

Provides Internet Services for 2 families for one month so they can participate in online peer support groups and career advancement workshops

5
MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$50

Offers counseling for an hour for a parent working to build new confidence and improve habits

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MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$25

Helps offset the cost of credit card fees for clients working to get out of debt

MAKE A DIFFERENCE