Night of Champions Celebrates Growth as The Champion Project Expands Mentoring and Tutoring for Youth in Group Homes

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Champion Project (TCP) welcomed almost 100 guests to Night of Champions at Blue Magnolia on October 20,2026. The evening featured signature bites by Cocina Tradicional and a stunning atmosphere created by Woodland Style House. and music provided by David Collins. Community support has nearly sold-out sponsorships for TCP's annual gala, Love Big 2027: Every Story Matters, on April 1, 2027.

TCP extends its deep gratitude to title sponsor Waste Connections, whose generous partnership helps make it possible to bring mentors, tutors, and the Book Bus to more children in care across the Greater Houston area.

The night celebrated remarkable growth. Since April, TCP has expanded from 9 to 11 mentoring programs, grown from 5 to 6 church partners, and increased tutoring from about 50 youth in 4 schools to roughly 70 youth across 15 schools and homes.

"Behind every one of those numbers is a child," said Elizabeth Chappell, co-founder of The Champion Project. "And they are the real story."

The Champion Project is a trauma-informed group mentoring program serving youth who live in 24-hour staffed, group homes, today’s alternative to traditional orphanages across the Greater Houston area. These children have often experienced trauma, multiple placements, multiple schools, and adults coming in and out of their lives. TCP surrounds youth in care with stable, caring adults who help them build belonging, confidence, and academic success.

TCP brings stability and consistency through three programs:

• Mentor Teams that show up consistently for youth in each home

• One-on-One Tutoring to close significant academic gaps

• The Book Bus, a traveling library delivering books, Bibles, Legos, and stuffed animals directly to kids in care and opening doors to new group homes, churches, and communities​

Key Impact & Metrics

• Program Expansion: TCP now operates 11 mentoring programs in partnership with 6 local churches, expanding from 9 programs and 5 church partners in April.

• Increased Tutoring Reach: The organization provides academic support to 70 youth across 15 schools and residential facilities, up from 50 students in 4 schools earlier this year.

• Addressing Academic Gaps: Assessments of 60 youth revealed that the average 7th-grade participant performs at a 3rd-grade level in mathematics and reading.

• Demonstrated Results: During a recent summer pilot, students receiving two hours of weekly tutoring over eight weeks advanced an average of one full grade level in both math and reading.

What's Next

• Love Big 2027: Every Story Matters April 1, 2027. Limited sponsorships remain; tickets are available at www.TheChampionProject.org.

• Long-term vision: Service to all Texas groups within 10 years.

"These kids are 6, 10, 16, 18 years old. Their stories are just beginning," Chappell said. "We can't change what has already happened, but what happens next matters. Their story isn't defined by what's already been written."

The community can support The Champion Project by becoming a mentor or tutor, sponsoring or attending Love Big 2027, or by way of donation. For more information go to www.TheChampionProject.org

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