A message from
Doug Harris
Executive Director,
StellaNova Foundation
Since we last spoke, the StellaNova Foundation has staged two Wild at Art fundraising events and has scheduled Wild at Art III for the weekend of September 27th. Our Estate of Grace Sale last May raised over $60,000 for Houston charities and with the launch of our Operation: Stars, Stripes, and Strings initiative, we are ramping up our efforts to assist the veterans community.
You may recall from previous conversations that I am looking to give back to my community, in a way that will provide real help to those in need. My professional and personal endeavors have made me aware of the connection between mental health issues and many of the social conflicts and financial uncertainties faced by Houstonians and I have seen firsthand the often-disastrous results when remedies for these challenges are neither sought nor provided.
Is there anyone among us who hasn’t witnessed a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or a business associate experiencing a mental health issue or episode? Depression, addiction, domestic violence, even self-harm?
Since this journey began, I have been introduced to a variety of care, treatment, and diagnostic options available, including some which do not rely solely on long term medication. I am intrigued by the power of music, art, and other creative expressions to improve the lives of those who have been separated from the social and familial support most take for granted.
The StellaNova Foundation mission is to provide funding in support of responsible mental health care to those in our community in need of this relief.
Your attendance and participation in StellaNova Foundation events, in combination with donations throughout the year, fund our support of worthy organizations and mental health care providers.
See you upstream.
The StellaNova Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide care and treatment to Houstonians experiencing mental health issues who may not have access to, or resources for, care and treatment.
A message from Doug Harris
Executive Director, StellaNova Foundation
With the advent of a new year, the StellaNova Foundation looks forward to continuing our work to fund mental healthcare services to those who may not have access to treatment or care.
Since our "birth" some 4 years ago, the Foundation has staged three Wild At Art fundraising events, an Estate of Grace Sale, had a presence at the Houston Home + Garden Show, and successfully staged the inaugural edition of Houston Art Weeks. In support of our local veterans' communities, the Foundation introduced Operation: Stars, Stripes, and Strings along with Psychedelic Psunday: A Tribute to the Sixties Brunch.
To date, the Foundation has provided meaningful financial support to the Montrose Center, Healthcare for the Homeless-Houston, the Purple Heart Project, and AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors and our funding has been credited for the robust rejuvenation of the Houston chapter of Guitars4Vets.
As we look ahead to 2026, our conversations with some of our colleagues in the philanthropic and charitable arenas reflect a level of uncertainly, but all remain resolute in their commitment to the mental health of our communities.
It is our hope that the StellaNova Foundation will have the resources to continue our support or worthy, relevant mental healthcare to improve everyone's quality of life. With your help, that is a manageable goal.
You may recall from previous conversations that I am looking to give back to my community, in a way that will provide real help to those in need. My professional and personal endeavors have made me aware of the connection between mental health issues and many of the social conflicts and financial uncertainties faced by Houstonians and I have seen firsthand the often-disastrous results when remedies for these challenges are neither sought nor provided.
Is there anyone among us who hasn’t witnessed a friend, a family member, a neighbor, or a business associate experiencing a mental health issue or episode? Depression, addiction, domestic violence, even self-harm?
Since this journey began, I have been introduced to a variety of care, treatment, and diagnostic options available, including some which do not rely solely on long term medication. I am intrigued by the power of music, art, and other creative expressions to improve the lives of those who have been separated from the social and familial support most take for granted.
The StellaNova Foundation mission is to provide funding in support of responsible mental health care to those in our community in need of this relief.
Your attendance and participation in StellaNova Foundation events, in combination with donations throughout the year, fund our support of worthy organizations and mental health care providers.
See you upstream.
The StellaNova Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide care and treatment to Houstonians experiencing mental health issues who may not have access to, or resources for, care and treatment.
Become a part of the StellaNova Foundation’s growth and success!
Proceeds from the StellaNova Foundation’s fundraising events benefit organizations who share the Foundation’s mission.
AHEPA SERVICE DOGS
FOR WARRIORS
A specially trained PTSD dog can provide a sense of security, calming effects, and physical exercise that can make a positive difference in the life of those that suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder. The AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program directs funds towards securing, training, and placing service dogs for veterans in need. In memory of the late Anthony Kouzounis, one of the StellaNova Foundation’s first directors and a Past Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA, , the Foundation has fully funded a service dog who will be named “Andoni” in his honor.
HEALTHCARE FOR THE HOMELESS
Healthcare for the Homeless – Houston (HHH) exclusively provides care for individuals who are homeless or at high risk of becoming homeless. Taking a holistic approach, HHH provides medical care, mental health services, addiction counseling, case management and dental care as well as specialized programming for those dealing with mental illness, those battling addiction and people who have experienced chronic homelessness.
GUITARS FOR VETS
Nearly one million of our Military Veterans are afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In fact, more soldiers have committed suicide since the Vietnam War than have died in actual battle. But many are finding hope in an unlikely place: behind the wood and strings of an acoustic guitar. The healing power of music therapy helps soldiers cope. Guitars4Vets provides Veterans with guitars and a forum to learn how to play.
THE MONTROSE CENTER
In February of 2024, the StellaNova Foundation made its first distribution to the Montrose Center. The Montrose Center helps LGBTQ+ youth and adults live healthy, actualized lives with the tools and resources they need to feel affirmed. As the cultural hub of Houston’s LGBTQ community, the Center is “home” to dozens of LGBTQ-affirming social and civic organizations. For more than 45 years, the Montrose Center’s team of state-licensed clinicians, masters-level therapists, skilled educators, support staff and dedicated volunteers have worked together to create healthier futures for individuals in Houston’s LGBTQ communities.
PURPLE HEART PROJECT
In March of 2024, the StellaNova Foundation fortified its outreach to the veteran’s community with the addition of The Purple Heart Project to our community of beneficiaries. Navy veteran Steve Gregg will serve as the Foundation’s liaison to this worthy group. The Purple Heart Project's mission is to introduce physically and mentally Combat Wounded Veterans, still suffering from the negative effects of combat, to the peace and joy that can be found through the therapy of traditional hand tool woodworking. The Purple Heart Project envisions a community of Combat Wounded Veterans that share the joy and peace found through the bond of woodworking, who know that they are supported and never alone or forgotten.
