An evening of purpose, connection, and vision unfolded at Zanti Restaurant in River Oaks as community leaders, advocates, and supporters gathered for Loving Houston’s Harvest of Hope Official Kick‑Off Reception. The event marked the beginning of what promises to be one of the most meaningful gatherings of the fall season, an opportunity to reflect on impact and rally around a shared mission to uplift Houston’s children and schools.
The kickoff reception offered guests an inside look at the upcoming Harvest of Hope Luncheon, the chance to meet this year’s honorees, and hear firsthand how Loving Houston continues to create lasting change across the city. Conversations throughout the evening echoed a common theme: transformation happens when communities show up with consistency, compassion, and commitment.
Founded in 2013, Loving Houston equips churches to form long‑term partnerships with local schools, supporting students through mentoring, encouraging teachers, empowering parents, and addressing real needs beyond the classroom. Rooted in the belief that faith must be lived out beyond the walls of the church, the organization intentionally invests in children, an approach shaped by insights from Dr. Stephen Klineberg of the Rice University Kinder Institute, recognizing that lasting community transformation begins with youth.
Thursday night’s reception set a powerful tone for the Harvest of Hope Luncheon, scheduled for September 10, 2026, at the Junior League of Houston. This year’s luncheon will be led by Dr. Jacquie Baly, serving as Honorary Chair and Emcee, with Pitsami Norm as Luncheon Chair. Together, their leadership reflects both personal conviction and collective responsibility.
For Norm, the mission is deeply personal.
“I chose to serve and co‑chair this event because I know what it means when someone chooses to believe in one child,” said Norm, a board member and co‑chair. “Having escaped the Khmer Rouge, my life was forever changed by the compassion of those who invested in my future, just like an organization such as Loving Houston, now Loving Schools. If we can lift one child, we do not only change a life… we change a generation.”
At a time when funding for community‑based programs has declined significantly, the need for support has never been greater. The Harvest of Hope Luncheon is more than an event – it’s a platform for impact, uniting Houston around a shared vision: every school supported, every child seen, and every neighborhood strengthened through consistent care and connection.
This year’s luncheon will benefit Loving Schools and honor Terri Wang, former Director and Community Volunteer, and Pastor Clarence Ford of One Church at Bethel’s Family, a dedicated church‑school partner whose leadership exemplifies service in action.
Harvest of Hope is where love is sown, transformation takes root, and communities grow – one school, one child at a time.
Tickets and tables are available at https://lovinghouston.net/.