Welcome to Amigas Para Niños, a non-profit organization aimed at helping students who have experienced hardships.
It is that again! The Amigas Para Ninos Annual Gala will be happening Tuesday, September 27 at the Omni Houston Hotel – Galleria. Select the button below to learn more!
Meet the Gala Committee (L-R)
Gretchen Gilliam – Gala Chair
Sharleen Walkoviak – President
Tracy Sarver – Gala Co-Chair
Our Mission Statement
“To provide opportunities, encourage participation and reward achievements to youth with financial needs, affiliated with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ or other agricultural or art educational programs in the State of Texas.”
What We Do
Guardian Angel Awards
Working in conjunction with the 5 junior auction chairmen, we identify students who face hardships or adversity in the course of their competition and we send them their Guardian Angel Awards accompanied by a personal letter. Each award is a check for $1000 that the student may use as he/she needs or wishes. The number of awards is reviewed each year by the funding committee and approved at the fall Board meeting. Examples of past recipients include the students whose lambs and goats and trailer were stolen during the 2016 Show. Another child lost his chicken pen in a fire weeks before showing and yet another lost his pig a day before showing. The situations are heartbreaking and it is an honor to be able to give these students a sense of hope. Their sweet notes remind us of the impact we can have.
Educational Assistance
We offer a scholarship program based on financial need for students attending Texas schools. The high school senior must complete our application process which includes a clear explanation of the need, referral letters, a student letter and resume. Our Funding Committee reviews the applications and recommends the allotted number of students to the Board. Once approved, each student is assigned a mentor who extends a helping hand and assists in communications regarding grades and expenses. Expenses are paid on a semester basis by our Treasurer. The student – mentor relationship is a special one, as many of our students are the first in their families to attend college. Our mentors serve as the lifeline between students and Amigas. We had 5 students graduate from college in 2021-2021, and we have added 4 new students for the fall of 2021 school year.
Junior Commercial Steer Feeding and Management Program/Auction
Amigas have been supporting the Junior Commercial Steer Auction for years. It is an exciting and fast moving day and we love supporting these exhibitors, many of them future ranchers, as they compete in this comprehensive management process. We take lots of photos of and with them to share on written material and with our donors. We also sponsor the George Willoz Award for the best rookie record book.
Amigas Para Niños 