The Call Nobody Expected. The Recognition That Said Everything.

On April 14, 2026, something remarkable happened at The Junior League of Houston. In a room filled with Houston’s most committed advocates for human transformation, a screen lit up with a name: Ikon Kids.

The award? The Jeanne Rutherford Norsworthy Founder Award — presented by Santa Maria at their annual RISE 2026 Luncheon, A New Path Forward: A Celebration of Strength, Transformation, and Hope.

Who Was Jeanne Rutherford Norsworthy?

The award bears the name of a truly remarkable woman. Jeanne Rutherford was a mother, an artist, a visionary, and the founding voice of Santa Maria Hostel. Her generosity and hands-on support sustained Santa Maria through its most critical growth years in the 1970s and 1980s.

The award named in her honor recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership, compassion, and commitment embody that same pioneering spirit — and whose belief in the power of transformation continues to change lives.

RISE 2026: A New Path Forward

The RISE 2026 Luncheon was held at The Junior League of Houston, 1811 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, TX 77027 on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The theme — A New Path Forward — was a fitting backdrop for an organization like Ikon Kids, whose entire mission is built on the belief that every child and every family deserves a new path forward.

What This Award Means to Ikon Kids

Awards don’t define Ikon Kids. The families we serve do. But recognition like this matters — not for us, but for the children and families in Houston who are watching.

When a prestigious organization like Santa Maria says: “This is what transformational work looks like” — they’re amplifying a message to every parent who’s wondered if they’re too broken to be helped, every child who’s wondered if they’re too much to be loved: You’re not. Help is here. And it’s free.

About Santa Maria Hostel

Santa Maria Hostel is a Houston-based nonprofit providing residential and outpatient treatment services for women and children dealing with substance use disorders. Their annual RISE Luncheon is one of Houston’s premier events celebrating recovery, resilience, and hope. Ikon Kids is deeply honored to be associated with the transformational work they do.