Crime Stoppers of Houston Unveils Youth Ambassador Program at Raise ’Em Up for Texas Gala
Crime Stoppers of Houston Unveils Youth Ambassador Program at
Raise ’Em Up for Texas Gala
Shirley Treichel Swinbank honored as Houston celebrates young voices and more than
9.2 million students reached in 2026
HOUSTON (October 27, 2026) – Young voices took center stage as Crime Stoppers of Houston unveiled its Youth Ambassador Program at the annual “Raise ’Em Up for Texas” Gala on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at The Revaire. Chaired by Stacy Johnson and Jamie Burns, with board members, gala advisors and major donors Vanessa Ames and Jordan Seff, the gala welcomed nearly 400 guests and raised $1 million to support Crime Stoppers of Houston’s crime-solving and prevention programs.
Among those joining the celebration were Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Police Department Chief J. Noe Diaz, alongside elected officials, members of the judiciary, and law enforcement representatives. Mayor Whitmire was introduced by Evelyn Mankarious. Crime Stoppers’ board and advisory leaders were also recognized, including Board Chair Chris Massey and Vice Chair Patricia King-Ritter.
Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious guided guests through a program built around “Voice. Action. Results. What’s Next.” Through mission videos and personal stories, guests saw how one person speaking up can set action in motion, helping solve a crime or prevent harm before it happens.
By the time of the gala, Crime Stoppers had reached more than 9.2 million students through its school safety programming in 2026. Its SafeSpace Student Hub, launched in February, had 179,000 active student users, extending access to trusted safety information beyond the classroom.
“Behind those numbers are opportunities for a child to recognize danger. To make a safer choice. To know how to help a friend,” Mankarious said.
The unveiling of the Crime Stoppers Youth Ambassador Program gave guests a look at what comes next. Designed for students in fourth through twelfth grade, the program will offer age-appropriate safety education led by Crime Stoppers staff, helping young people recognize concerns, find trusted information, and connect peers with adult support. Students will have opportunities to develop leadership skills and put what they learn into practice in their schools and communities.
Following a student mission video, the inaugural Youth Ambassadors took the stage to be recognized for helping write scripts and film ReelStories for the SafeSpace Student Hub. Their work has already brought student perspectives into safety content for their peers. In welcoming them, Mankarious emphasized that young people do not have to wait until adulthood to make a difference.
For Claire Whalen, a 16-year-old Stratford High School student and host of her own podcast, Claire in a Chair, the conversation was personal. She spoke about navigating school and life online, the importance of anonymous reporting, and why students need practical guidance when they recognize that something is wrong.
“Sometimes the best person to reach a teenager is a teenager,” Whalen said.
Her remarks brought the evening’s vision back to the students themselves: young people who want to help, need reliable information, and deserve the confidence to reach out for support.
“Because every kid deserves to feel safe enough to dream big,” she said.
State Representative Mano DeAyala stood alongside Crime Stoppers of Houston CEO Rania Mankarious for the presentation of the McIngvale Family Humanitarian Award to Shirley Treichel Swinbank. Through Yorkshire Academy and the Yorkshire Foundation, Swinbank has devoted more than four decades to educating children and helping them discover who they are and what they can become. A Texas flag was flown over the State Capitol in Swinbank’s honor.
In her tribute, Mankarious described a commitment that extends far beyond the classroom, touching generations of children and families.
“Every child deserves to feel safe, to feel valued, and to have someone who believes in their future,” Mankarious said. “Shirley, you’ve spent a lifetime being that person for so many children. And the impact of that kind of love, leadership, and commitment reaches far beyond what we can ever measure.”
The award reflects the spirit of service exemplified by Jim McIngvale and the McIngvale family. The program also featured a recorded congratulatory video message from Governor Greg Abbott recognizing Swinbank’scontributions.
Gala chairs Stacy Johnson and Jamie Burns shared why the mission matters to their own families. Johnson connected her family’s MetroNational roots with wanting people to feel safe in the places they live, work, and gather. Burns spoke about her family’s personal connection to Camp Mystic and how Crime Stoppers’ camp safety advocacy motivated her involvement.
Returning for his third gala with Crime Stoppers, emcee Johnny Bravo brought humor and energy to the live auction and program. Guests also enjoyed a silent auction and a raffle featuring two e-bikes courtesy of Space City Golf Carts. The Honky-Tonk Revivalists kept the celebration going with live music and dancing.
Major supporters included Alicia Smith, Brigitte Kalai, and Susan Boggio; Stacy and Jason Johnson; Jordan and Dylan Seff; Vanessa and Chuck Ames; Steven and Natalie Mohtashami; Brooke and Kevin Lee; Alex and Tammy Janos; Lindzey and Eric Winter; Maya and Ziad Fleyhan; Jill and Charlie Talisman; Megan and Walker Weston; Jake and Tiffany Herd; the C. James & Carole Walter Looke Family Fund; the Hildebrand Foundation; Kalynn and Reagan Swinbank; Meg and Dick Weekley; Meredith and Langston Turner / UBS Wealth Management; Amerapex; Innovative Legal Solutions; MetroNational; Tena and Tyson Faust; and Hallie Vanderhider.
For more information, visit crime-stoppers.org.
Posted by on 27 Oct 2026