Rosenberg TX – January 16, 2017  – Last Saturday, students from different Fort Bend County-area high schools gathered together with clients of the Texana Center at their Rosenberg location to participate in the “Texana Amazing Race,” event.

The student participants were volunteers assembled by Youth in Philanthropy (Y.I.P.), an organization funded by The George Foundation, in a partnership with Fort Bend Chamber Commerce, to assist high students in volunteering with local non-profit organizations in their community.

Each Y.I.P. volunteer was paired with a child or teen from Texana’s Autism Social Skills Group and After School program, creating a team identified by their different colored bandanas. As soon as they were told to begin the race, streaks of bright orange, green and other colors blurred through the campus as they began the competition.

For over two hours, nearly a dozen teams of two raced to finish different team-building activities. Each activity served to help build social skills for the Texana Center’s clients. By completing each game, such as a water balloon toss and blind-folded obstacle course, the teams worked together to gain as many points as possible.

At the end of the event, the top three teams received ribbons and candy, but the real winner was the purpose behind the activities; to practice social skills and interacting, solve problems as a team; gain knowledge, experiences and meet new friends. If you are interested in volunteering for the Texana Center, please contact Andi Wallis at andi.wallis@texanacenter.com

Author and Photo Credit: Allison Hess