Helping Hand Home Honors Austin Changemakers and Raises More Than $1 Million

Helping Hand Home for Children raised more than $1 million at its 27th annual Champions for Children Awards Luncheon on Oct. 8, bringing 900 guests to the JW Marriott Austin to recognize people whose work supports children and families.

Chaired by Karen Harrell, Seth Johnston and Margaret Rigby, with Ed Clements serving as emcee, the luncheon honored contributions ranging from opening a home to children in foster care to helping thousands of Austin residents find relief from medical debt.

Philanthropic honorees Susan and Gary Farmer have supported the community through years of volunteer service and fundraising. Gary, president of Heritage Title Company of Austin, has chaired or co-chaired nine capital campaigns that collectively raised more than $200 million for community initiatives. Susan has volunteered with Helping Hand Home since 2004. The couple also chaired the luncheon in 2016.

1

6

Michelle Carlson and Jamie Chandlee. (Photo by Buster Jetter)

2

6

Margaret Rigby, Aliscia Brorman, Seth Johnston and Karen Harrell. (Photo by Buster Jetter)

3

6

Mary McDonald, Gary Farmer and Susan Farmer. (Photo by Buster Jetter)

4

6

David Hewlett, Erin Hewlett and Mary McDonald. (Photo by Buster Jetter)

5

6

Wendy Thompson and Heather Chesney. (Photo by Buster Jetter)

6

6

Mary McDonald and Aliscia Brorman. (Photo by Buster Jetter)

Supporting Austin families

This year’s community honorees included Austin FC’s 4ATX Foundation, recognized for soccer-based programs that develop young leaders and connect Central Texas families.

For honorees Amanda and Will Rivas, that commitment has taken shape at home. Since becoming licensed foster parents through Helping Hand Home in December 2019, they have welcomed nine emergency placements. They adopted a daughter in 2022 and two more daughters in 2024, growing their family alongside their biological son.

Youth honoree Eli Yorio began addressing another source of family hardship as a freshman at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. His initiative, 26 for 26, partnered with Undue Medical Debt with a goal of eliminating $2.6 million in medical debt before his high school graduation. It surpassed that target, helping erase more than $6.8 million for 6,210 Austin residents. Yorio is now a freshman at the University of Texas.

Keynote speaker Aliscia “Cia” Brorman, an author and co-founder of Full Circle Moment, brought her own experience growing up in foster care to the program. Her work brings people together to support children, families and communities.

Helping Hand Home has served children who have experienced complex trauma for more than 130 years. Its residential treatment, foster care, adoption and family support programs provide a continuum of therapeutic care aimed at helping children heal and families build stability.