We are delighted to be making the first grants from our Foundation this year. One of the charities that our employees from our Midwest Project Control & PC Sports offices chose to support is The Collective for Hope, which combines the strength of its program brands (Grief’s Journey, HEALing Embrace, Ted E. Bear Hollow) and co-located services to lead response to loss, elevating the value of grief companionship. Photo: (L-R): Rebecca Turner from The Collective Hope and Adam Hoebelheinrich, Project Control Regional Vice President, Midwest. Learn more about this charity: https://thecollectiveforhope.org/
The second charity that our employees from our Midwest Project Control & PC Sports offices chose to support is Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, which works to empower people living in poverty to reach economic stability. Photo (L-R): Brett Wasko and Caleb Swanson with Project Control; Heather Loughman, CEO Community Action Partnership. Learn more: https://canhelp.org/what-we-do/how-you-can-help/who-we-are/lancaster-saunders/
Project Control & PC Sports employees continue their Raba Kistner Foundation donations to their local communities in Nebraska with a gift to CEDARS, whose mission is to help children and youth achieve safety, stability and enduring family relationships. Photo: (L-R): Brett Wasko and Sienna Cipriano with Project Control; Rico Zavala with CEDARS. Learn more: https://cedarskids.org/
As part of his retirement commemoration last year, Raba Kistner former CFO Bryan Helbert selected the charity of his choice to receive a contribution from the Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation. Bryan’s love and support of the arts led him to serve as Treasurer of Musical Bridges Around the World, a multicultural arts organization focused on education and creating one-of-a-kind performances by internationally renown artists for the benefit of the general public and underserved youth and elderly communities, while fostering San Antonio’s reputation as a cosmopolitan cultural center. Learn more: https://musicalbridges.org/.
Photo (L-R): Anya Grokhovski, Artistic Director & CEO; Bryan Helbert, former Raba Kistner CFO; Susan Filyk, Raba Kistner Corporate Director of Marketing; Julya A. Jara, CFRE, Director of Development.
On behalf of the Raba Kistner Foundation, (L-R) Raba Kistner’s Bruce Nipp and Project Control and PC Sports Liz Harvey joined Mary Kay Cosmetics’ Chris Lesher in presenting the Mary Kay Ash Foundation with a $1,600 check in Addison, Texas. Bruce and his wife, Toni, are avid supporters of the Mary Kay Foundation and have been for the past 10 years. Be sure to ask Bruce more about how you can get involved!
The Mary Kay Foundation raises and distributes funds to invest in breakthrough cancer research and clinical trials to find a cure for women-related cancers and ending gender-based violence against women and girls. They also support awareness initiatives, community outreach programs, and advocates for legislation to ensure women are healthy and safe. They have a global reach which includes Brazil, Canada, China and the United States. Learn more: http://blog.marykayfoundation.org/
The Raba Kistner Foundation donated employee funds to Texas Reach Out, Inc. a nonprofit organization based in Austin, TX that provides faith-based transitional housing for men and women leaving the criminal justice system. (L-R) Dale Brown, Executive Director of TX Reach Out Ministries, Amy Jimenez, Aaron Mullins, Nika Petaia (back), Meike Drewell (holding check, front), Office Administration TX Reach Out Ministries. Learn more: https://texasreachout.org/
On behalf of the Raba Kistner Foundation, Project Control and Raba Kistner (Lecia Mavros, Rob Lamberson, Isidoro Arjona, Liz Harvey, Hank Wilke, and Hank’s wife, Becky Wilke) joined Jan Fite Miller and Jim Fite in presenting a $1,600 check for the Judge Fite Charitable Foundation.
The Judge Fite Charitable foundation provides relief to victims of home fire, crime, and other life-changing occurrences, supporting through their time, talent, and treasure to improve the quality of life in the Judge Fite Company communities. They have 25 offices spread throughout the DFW metroplex. Please read more about their organization here: Judge Fite Charitable Foundation website.
Raba Kistner Foundation Charity donations continue with Raba Kistner employees distributing employee-provided and selected donations to Magdalene House of Austin. (L-R): Debra Wilson, CQA, Toni McKinley, Community Director of Magdalene House of Austin, Marion Trapolino, Co-Founder and President of Magdalene House of Austin, and Aaron Mullins. Magdalene House is a survivor-led community for adult women who have survived sex trafficking. They are a community centered in love that provides safe and supportive housing, access to healthcare services and counseling, and vocational training. Learn more: https://www.magdaleneaustin.org/.
As part of his retirement commemoration last year, Raba Kistner former COO Paul Lampe selected the charity of his choice to receive a contribution from the Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation. Paul is a big fan and supporter of the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB). He said, “They do such a great job all of the time, but they really had to step it up during the pandemic to help San Antonio and the surrounding community. I wanted to support them with this enormous responsibility.”
Joining Paul on the tour was Joe Irizarry, Mike Frisbie, Andrew Hunt and Susan Filyk. In addition to being a favorite charitable organization of our employees, the San Antonio Food Bank is also one of our valued clients. Project Control recently served as project manager for the Food Bank’s culinary center expansion project. Photo (L-R): Joe Irizarry, Mike Frisbie, Paul Lampe, Michael Guerra, Chief Resource Officer of the SAFB, Susan Filyk and Andrew Hunt. Learn more about the San Antonio Food Bank: https://safoodbank.org/.
Raba Kistner’s central Texas employees chose to donate to Living Grace Canine Ranch. Living Grace Canine Ranch is a senior dog life care sanctuary. A 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to saving, serving, and valuing the lives of displaced, unadoptable and unwanted Texas senior canines. Their mission of mercy celebrates all breeds, regardless of physical, emotional and medical challenges. This charity is based out of Bertram, Texas, which is outside of Austin. Learn more about this charity: https://www.livinggracecanineranch.org/.
Raba Kistner’s Denise Pemberton is an advocate of Operation Kindness in Carrolton, Texas. She adopted one of her cats, Holly Ween, from them in 2013. She believes in their mission of no-kill and their overall approach to caring for animals. Our North Texas employees couldn’t agree with her more! We joined Operation Kindness’ Amy Udell, Grant Manager, in presenting them a $1,600 check as part of our employees’ participation in the Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation and received a personal tour of their facilities. Operation Kindness is a pioneer in Texas for assisting animals in need of medical care, companionship, and a home. In addition to pet adoptions, they provide extensive medical care for animals, a foster program, a pet food pantry, a surrender prevention program, education to pet parents, and volunteer opportunities. They go above and beyond to give every animal the care and kindness they deserve. There are many ways to help this amazing nonprofit. Be sure to check them out at Operation Kindness | North Texas No-Kill Animal Shelter: https://www.operationkindness.org/.
(L-R): Raba Kistner employees Amelia Hudson, Riley Hewston; Amy Udell, Operation Kindness; Douglas Wiersig, Denise Pemberton and Liz Harvey, Project Control and PC Sports.
Our employees continue their charitable giving through the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, with this donation selected by our Houston employees for Citizens’ Environmental Coalition’ (Houston) – (CEC – Houston). CEC – Houston’s mission is to foster dialogue, education, and collaboration on environmental issues in the Houston / Gulf Coast region.
Their vision is an environmental community recognized as a vital part of the fabric of our society. They connect concerned citizens and community leaders with well over 100 diverse environmental organizations. CEC – Houston shares, supports, and enhances their efforts and environmental advocacy. CEC – Houston does this through our programs, which include events that enhance understanding, and publications that give a balanced perspective on environmental issues. Learn more about Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (Houston): https://cechouston.org/.
(L-R) Raba Kistner Houston employees John Brown, PE, Sofian Sheikh; Paige Powell, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (Houston); and Julia P. Clarke, P.E.
Our employees, on behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, donated $10,500 to Boysville, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charity that provides a home for boys and girls, ranging in age from newborn to 23 years, who cannot remain in their home due to abuse, abandonment, neglect, poverty or family crisis. Boysville works with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to strengthen the lives of children by providing a continuum of services that foster healing and promote the well-being of children. Their mission is to provide a safe, family environment for children in need so that they can become responsible adults. Learn more: https://boysvilletexas.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, our employees donated $7,500 to Church Under the Bridge, now named Communities Under the Bridge (CUB). Raba Kistner was able to provide construction materials engineering and testing services for the charity’s building foundation about ten years ago. Communities Under the Bridge is a ministry with a twofold vision: 1) to provide a safe place for churches, organizations, non-profits, and individuals to come and serve those in need (a local mission field or hub for community service) and 2) as a place where the homeless and those in need can come for church, spiritual growth, food, clothing, and referral to longer-term social services. Community teams hosts church, worship, prayer, bible study, meals 7 nights a week, clothing, medical and dental clinics, veterinary clinics, emergency winter shelter, and more. Photo (L-R): Mike Frisbie, RK Senior Vice President & Central Texas Marketplace Leader; Susan Filyk, RK Corporate Marketing Director; Dianne Talbert, Executive Director; Billy Long, Chairman – Board of Directors; Amanda Hattman, Kitchen Manager for CUB; Pastor Mark Smith, Spiritual Services Manager; Philip Valadez, Board of Directors. Learn more: http://www.cub-sa.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, our employees donated $7,500 to Magdalena House in San Antonio. Magdalena House is a beautiful 5-acre neighborhood of transitional homes in San Antonio that serves mothers and their children who have fled dangerous and abusive lives. Women and their children receive wraparound services and 24/7 support in a home-like environment, full of hope and accountability. Utilizing a dual-generation approach, Magdalena House provides safe homes in an expansive natural environment, basic needs and educational programming, nurturing community and therapeutic services.
Mothers attend accredited academic programs year-round, including college, high school, GED or ESOL. They participate in peer enrichment group covering a variety of wellness topics and parenting classes. Families stay with Magdalena House for multiple years until they have completed their educational goals. (Photo L-R): Rev. Becca McNitzky, Director of Program and Partnerships; Cori Kurth, Director of Behavioral Health and Wellness Services; Rev. Denise Barker, Kristine Thomas, Raba Kistner Marketing Brand Specialist, Susan Filyk, Raba Kistner Corporate Director of Marketing and Janice DaSilva, Senior Director of Development. Learn more: https://maghouse.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support K9s For Warriors as a $10,000 charity recipient. K9s For Warriors is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to end veteran suicide. K9s For Warriors is the nation’s largest provider of trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery.
Photo: (L-R): Victoria Kinzer, K9 Trainer, handling K9 Kooper; Jessica Mendoza, Development Manager; Chris Schultz, PE, PMP, President and CEO, Raba Kistner, Inc.; Ruby Mendoza, K9 Trainer, handling K9 Chinook.
Raba Kistner was fortunate to be able to donate our Geotechnicial Engineering and Construction Materials Testing Services for the K9s For Warriors – Petco Love K9 Center in San Antonio. Additionally, Project Control and PC Sports, a Raba Kistner company, donated their Owner’s Representative and Project Management services for the construction of this facility. Learn more about K9s for Warriors: https://k9sforwarriors.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support SAMMinistries as a $5,000 charity recipient.
SAMMinistries prevents homelessness in San Antonio through a compassionate, holistic approach that brings self-sufficiency, pride and dignity to struggling families with nowhere else to turn.
On any given day, San Antonio’s homeless population consists of approximately 2,743 individuals. However, nearly 50% of San Antonio’s population is living with no savings, putting them at risk of becoming homeless.
Photo (L-R): Mike Frisbie, Senior Vice President, Marketplace Leader for San Antonio & Austin with Raba Kistner; Dave Hamann, SAMMinistries Donor Advisor; Susan Filyk, Corporate Director of Marketing, Raba Kistner.
SAMMinistries is an interfaith ministry whose mission is to help the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless attain self-sufficiency by offering, with dignity and compassion, shelter, housing, and services. SAMMinistries also provides volunteers opportunities to be renewed and fulfilled as they serve. Learn more:https://www.samm.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Initiative. The Milwaukee Homeless Veteran Initiative provides the services that homeless and at-risk veterans need to reach and maintain their highest level of independence. They provide unique programs to care for veterans in need, and work in partnership with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin and other non-profit agencies. Learn more: https://www.mhvivets.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Sunny Glen Children’s Home, a 501(c)(3) non-profit caring for hurting children in the Rio Grande Valley since 1936. Sunny Glen Children’s Home is a Christian faith-based organization providing a loving home for abused and neglected children. Learn more: https://sunnyglen.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Dsquared Homes for the Homeless in Arizona. DSquared Homes for the Homeless is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit focused on prevention of homelessness for the Serious Mentally Ill (SMI) population. Their mission is to create a support system for the seriously mentally ill (SMI) through community collaboration, providing hygiene bags, mental health professionals, and rental assistance programs to assist those who live independently and experience a temporary setback. They seek to combat the growing homeless problem and stigmatization of those who are homeless in the state of Arizona. Learn more: https://www.dsquared4homeless.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Kids, Incorporated of Amarillo, Texas. They are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth sports organization founded in 1945 and based in Amarillo, Texas. With the commitment of volunteer coaches, Kids, Inc. serves approximately 16,000 children of all ages annually. They offer sports programs that provide the opportunity for children to experience the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and perseverance. Learn more: www.kidsinc.org.
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Heart of Dinner, a charity based out of New York City. Founded at the onset of COVID-19, Heart of Dinner works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian American seniors—two long-standing community issues heightened by the pandemic. Learn more: https://www.heartofdinner.org/
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Freeway Ministries Omaha, a 501(c)3 faith-based organization in Omaha, Nebraska dedicated to helping men and women struggling with substance abuse. The organization has been in Omaha 7+ years, and during that time lives have been changed, and new directions established. Learn more: https://www.freewayomaha.com/
Photo (L-R): Rev Devereaux (baby), Sherri Lechner, Pastor Rick Lechner, Brianna Valdez, Project Manager, Project Control; Dave Hoffman and Jeff Winget.
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Humble and Kind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Bellevue, Nebraska. Humble and Kind’s most important strategy is to build relationships with families and individuals to support them where they need it the most. It may be navigating job applications, assistance with food, assistance with clothing, teen mom care, language learning, a safe place, and more.
Photo (L-R): Megan McDonagh, Social Media Manager and Board Member, Humble and Kind; Hannah Holguin, Executive Director, Humble and Kind; and Brianna Valdez, Project Manager, Project Control.
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On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support Food Bank RGV INC and their indispensable work to help feed those in need in the Rio Grande Valley. Over the last 37 years, the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley has evolved to become the largest regional, non-religious, charity in south Texas.
They pride themselves in the fact that 98% of their expenditures are directed towards Program Services, ensuring donors’ contributions are helping feed as many as possible. The Food Bank RGV services Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy counties.
The Food Bank RGV is a proud member of Feeding America and Feeding Texas. Learn more: https://foodbankrgv.com/
Photo (L-R): Phillip Farias, Senior Manager, Corporate Development; Connie Ramos, Chief Financial Officer; Donato Amaya, Director of Business Development, Raba Kistner; and Libby Ann Saenz, Chief Executive Officer.
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas. Founded as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, they are dedicated to serving children affected by the loss of a loved one. They serve thousands of children, caregivers, and community members every year through ongoing support groups, individual and family counseling, and professional education and training programs. Learn more: https://cbcst.org/
Photo (L-R): Marian Sokol, Executive Director; Kristina Hernandez, Chief Development Officer; Susan Filyk, Corporate Director of Marketing, Raba Kistner.
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to donate to AMIkids Rio Grande Valley. Since 1986, AMIkids Rio Grande Valley has been dedicated to helping kids discover the potential within them, transform their lives and strengthen our community. Located in Los Fresnos, Texas, AMIkids Rio Grande Valley empowers our kids through care and guidance to reach that potential and, as a result, breaks the cycle of failure and poverty.
Photo (L-R): Javier Ibarra, Executive Director, AMIkids – Rio Grande Valley; Donato Amaya, Director of Business Development, Raba Kistner.
On behalf of the employee-driven Raba Kistner Charitable Foundation, we are proud to support the Rita B. Huff Humane Society, a 501(c)3 charity that promotes the wellbeing of animals in their community. Photo (L-R): Kayla Cooper, Animal Care Technician; Lori Toliver, Charity Director; Jessica Gannaway, Animal Care Technician; and Debra Epstein, Business Manager II, Raba Kistner.