News
Apr 24
Pursuit Center Celebrates 75 Years of Empowering People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Houston, TX – It was April 27, 1950, when a group of courageous and determined parents challenged a system that told them their children didn’t belong. At a time when institutionalization was the norm, these families dared to dream of lives of dignity, opportunity, and full inclusion for their children with Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Their collective vision gave birth to what is now known as Pursuit Center, launching their first classroom in a Bissonnet Street farmhouse. Over the decades, the organization has evolved from its humble beginnings into a regional leader—educating, employing, housing, and advocating for thousands of individuals with IDD and similar conditions.
On April 27, 2025, Pursuit Center will celebrate 75 years of defying expectations, breaking barriers, and empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in greater Houston. As a tribute to this legacy, Houston City Hall will display Pursuit Center’s signature colors of blue, green, and white on April 25 and 26.
“Everything we do today is rooted in that original belief—that every person deserves the chance to pursue a fulfilling, independent and meaningful life,” said Charles Njuguna, President and CEO of Pursuit Center. “Our founders built something extraordinary from necessity. We honor their legacy by continuing to expand what’s possible.”
Today, that legacy lives on in tangible ways:
In 2023, Pursuit Center opened its new state-of-the-art campus on Harrisburg Boulevard—a symbol of hope, resilience, and innovation. The campus now hosts vital healthcare partnerships with organizations that include Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Believe Dental. In 2024, Down Syndrome Association of Houston and The Harris Center joined the campus, expanding wraparound services and deepening community connections.
As the organization marks this 75th anniversary, it also sounds an alarm. Decades of hard-fought progress are now at risk. Waitlists for basic services stretch over a decade. Disability care providers are leaving the field in droves due to low wages. And access to affordable, supportive housing is rapidly declining.
“This anniversary is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action,” said Njuguna. “We cannot let the next 75 years be a story of stagnation or retreat. We must continue to build, innovate, and fight for a world where individuals with IDD are not just supported, but seen, valued, and included.”
About Pursuit Center
For 75 years, Pursuit Center has championed the potential in every individual with intellectual and developmental disabilities across greater Houston. Our organization creates pathways to meaningful, dignified lives filled with possibility. Thousands of lives transformed stand testament to our comprehensive approach, through employment support, health and wellness resources, community living options, and specialized educational and recreational programming. At Pursuit Center, we provide the tools and opportunities that empower individuals to develop their unique abilities, foster independence, and fully participate in community life.
