Changing The Way The World Thinks About Adults With Disabilities

A Night to Remember – Celebrating the Works of Heart

Last night, The Brookwood Community hosted our very first Works of Heart Art Auction & Dinner at the beautiful Post Hotel—and what a night it was! Over 600 people came to support Brookwood and enjoy a stunning event.

The evening featured over 90 stunning works of art, each a collaborative masterpiece created by Brookwood Citizens and local professional artists. The collection included pottery, jewelry, photography, woodwork, paintings—and even two hand-painted guitars! These pieces are more than just art; they represent joy, discovery, and the incredible talents our Citizens continue to uncover within themselves.

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Event Leaders:

Event Chairs: Kay and Howard House
Honorary Chairs: Johnny Carrabba and Mary & Bill Flores
Citizen Honorary Chair: Diane Phillips
Art Committee Chair: Belinda Hillhouse

The evening was emceed by Deborah Duncan, host of Great Day Houston and longtime friend of Brookwood. The Brookwood Handbell Ensemble graced us with a beautiful performance, and Vivian Streit Shudde, Director of Brookwood’s Center for Learning, announced the naming of the Laura Lee & Jack S. Blanton Legacy Award for Civics and Arts which was accepted by Jack S. Blanton, Jr. in memory of his parents.

We then turned up the energy with an exciting live auction, led by Cowboy Auctioneer Heath Hale and his dynamic team of champion ringmen!

Live Auction Highlights:

Private Dinner for 30 donated by Johnny Carrabba and he surprised us by offering it twice!
Signature Paintings, starting with "Don’t Break my Crystal Heart," an original painting created by artists Liz Flores Callahan, Belinda Hillhouse, and Citizen Austin Hanson and one created live by Brookwood Citizens and artist Cindy Howard
Exclusive access to a Brookwood Street Party
FOUR Majestic Montana Adventures: 5 days, 4 nights in a luxury log cabin with chef-prepared meals, horseback riding, ATV tours, fly fishing, and more—complete with a custom 20x24” landscape painting of your favorite trip photo!
Houston Astros Private Suite Experience: 25 tickets for the Astros vs. White Sox game on June 12, with VIP parking, food, and drinks—generously donated by our longtime friends at Mustang Cat
Become Brookwood Famous for a Day: A hands-on experience creating art, growing plants, making fudge, dining at our Café, and discovering the heart of Brookwood alongside a Citizen Ambassador

Thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters, over $1,000,000 was raised to benefit Brookwood Citizens!

As our Founder Yvonne Streit reminds us: “We all have an ember inside of us, it’s up to us to fan the flame.”

Thank you for helping fan that flame—and for changing the way the world thinks about adults with disabilities.

Host Deborah Duncan and Honorary Chair Johnny Carrabba

Citizen Austin Hanson, Art Committee Chair Belinda Hillhouse, and the Cowboy Auctioneers

Brookwood Founder Yvonne Streit with Event Chairs Mary Flores, Kay House and Belinda Hillhouse

Citizen Jennifer Schultz and Artist Laura Williams

"Don’t Break my Crystal Heart"

An original painting created by artists Liz Flores Callahan, Belinda Hillhouse, and Citizen Austin Hanson

Upcoming Brookwood Events

Breakfast with Bunny

Hop on over for a breakfast experience like no other! Join us for a delightful breakfast buffet and meet the Easter Bunny along with his friends from Katy Feed & Tack. Enjoy family-style, European seating at Breakfast with Bunny!

Choose your Saturday and grab your tickets today!

Sat., April 12

Sat., April 19

Spring Wreath Workshop

Bring your friends out to the Brookwood Gift & Garden Center and make beautiful door hangers on Saturday, April 12 with Mesh With It!

Choose between four Spring wreaths.

Be sure to stop by the Brookwood Café for a delicious lunch while you’re here.

April 12 Wreath Workshop

Wildflower

Lunch & Learn

Discover the beauty and versatility of wildflowers on Friday, April 25! Learn about their unique benefits, how to grow them with minimal care, and creative ways to use them in your garden and home. Savor a delicious meal at The Brookwood Café as you immerse yourself in the world of wildflowers. Have your wildflower-related questions answered by an expert. Every attendee will receive a special gardening gift to take home and enjoy!

April 25 Lunch & Learn

Meet & Greet SQuire Rushnell

Join us at The Brookwood Café on Saturday, April 26 for an exclusive Book Club Author Meet and Greet with authors SQuire Rushnell & Louise DuArt.

Husband and wife SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt are co-founders of Godwink Brands and Pray Together Stay Together™, a nonprofit encouraging partnered prayer for stronger marriages & families. SQuire is the New York Times Bestselling author of 13 Godwinks books, seven co-authored with Louise. Their newest title, Godwinks for Moms, features uplifting Godwink stories for Mothers Day 2025.

Join them for a delightful lunch, followed by a special Meet & Greet and book signing session. You receive a brand-new copy of GOD WINKS for MOMS with each ticket!

April 26 Meet & Greet

Spring Extravaganza

Come shop a huge array of exceptional vendor booths, and let your retail dollars do double duty, just in time for Mother’s Day, graduation, and teacher appreciation!

Thursday—Saturday

May 1-3

9am-4:30pm

Let’s show our local artists some love while supporting Brookwood’s adults with disabilities. Our small businesses need your support now more than ever! Visitors can also shop at Brookwood’s retail store filled with the Citizen’s handcrafted products and gorgeous spring flowers. Enjoy a wine bar in the garden.

Enjoy an amazingly delicious lunch buffet at Brookwood Café! Enjoy family-style, open seating from 11am-2:30pm.

Enjoy lunch, wine and beer bar, and shop with a purpose!

Learn More Here

WHY TOUR?

Come and see for yourself how the Citizens at Brookwood are changing the way the world thinks about adults with disabilities. Ready to be inspired by our community's amazing work and divine purpose?

Our experienced volunteer tour guide will take you on a walking tour of Brookwood’s campus. You can see the Worship Center, Reynolds building, cafetorium, gym, pool, horticulture greenhouses, and the new Education and Enterprise building. For groups with ambulatory concerns who arrive on a bus, the tour guide will narrate a driving tour through the Community. Typically, all group tours end at the Gift & Garden Center and Café where you will have time to shop and dine at Brookwood.

Don't miss out—schedule your tour today and see how we exceed expectations!

Tour Brookwood

WHY VOLUNTEER?

We invite you to come join us where purposeful work and joy abound! Become a volunteer. Your time and talent make the difference. Come join us and together we can change the way the world thinks about adults with disabilities!

Volunteering at Brookwood is a fulfilling and fun way to make a difference in the lives of our Citizens. Whether it’s assisting in the garden, helping at Cafe events, or simply spending time with our community, your service will have a lasting impact. Are you ready to join us and experience the joy firsthand?

"Serve one another humbly in love." – Galatians 5:13

Come be part of something special—volunteer today!

Volunteer Here