Supporters, patients and partners of The University of Texas at Dallas’ Callier Center for Communication Disorders shared stories, raised funds and honored the Moody Foundation during the 12th annual Callier Cares Luncheon.
The center’s signature fundraising event was held April 17 at the Dallas Country Club, bringing in more than $300,000 to support the Callier Care Fund, which benefits patients who otherwise could not afford clinical care for speech, language or hearing disorders.
“To date, the Callier Cares Luncheon has raised nearly $2.6 million, which has transformed the lives of countless children and adults with communication disorders,” said Angela Shoup BS’89, MS’92, PhD’94, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Callier Center Executive Director. “I am deeply grateful for the philanthropic leadership of our foundation trustees and the luncheon chairmen over the past 12 years.”
Keynote speakers Kristina and Valmichael Leos shared the story of their son Joseph’s Callier journey.
“The growth we saw and continue to see in Joseph is life-changing for him and us. Joseph went from not speaking to truly communicating — not only communicating with us, but with his sister, peers and other adults as well. He has friends now. He can play with his sister. He communicates his needs,” Valmichael Leos said. “From the beginning, Callier has exceeded our expectations. Callier’s programs have changed Joseph’s life. The unique services and programs were difference-makers for Joseph.”
The Callier Care Fund was established by Ruth and Ken Altshuler to ensure that children and adults can access clinical care regardless of their income level or insurance coverage. All gifts to the Callier Center count toward the Callier Family Care Campaign’s $15 million goal, which is part of New Dimensions: The Campaign for UT Dallas.
Callier Care Award
The Callier Center recognized the Moody Foundation with the Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award, which is given to an individual or group who has contributed significantly to the betterment of the community and to advancing the care of patients with communication disorders.
The Moody Foundation was honored for its instrumental role in growing Callier’s pediatric programs, including the innovation hub for pediatric care and advancing alternative and augmentative communication for children without verbal speech.
Jamie Williams, regional grants director for North Texas, accepted the award on behalf of the foundation and referenced a few lines from Emma Lazarus’ poem “The New Colossus” — “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
“For Callier, it’s not so much about the masses; it’s about individuals,” she said. “For Callier, it’s: Give me your young, your old, your silent ones in need, yearning for the liberty of language.”
Luncheon chair was Kim Hext; honorary chairs were Rosemarie Ewton and Dr. Maynard Ewton Jr.