Texas Center for the Missing was formed in March of 2000 after the disappearance of 17-year-old Gabriel Lester who was reported missing from his private high school. Gabriel’s mother, a Houston-area businesswoman, decided after his remains were located four months later to turn her tragedy into a positive effort that would have an impact on missing children and their families in Greater Houston.
We at Texas Center for the Missing strive to stay true to our founding mission to help searching families find hope.
Hear from our
Founder, Doreen Wise,
as she shares her story
and explains why
she saw the need for an organization like
Texas Center for the Missing.
In 2013, TCM established the Gabriel Lester Hero Award to recognize individuals whose extraordinary efforts have helped bring the missing home. The Gabriel Lester Hero Award is presented at our annual Champions for Children event, and the Gabriel Lester Corporate Hero Award is presented at our annual Golf Challenge for Children.
