Welcome to the home of the Houston Area Visually Impaired Network (HAVIN).
HAVIN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of various volunteer groups and organizations from across Houston that serve the information, resource, and support needs of the blind and visually impaired. Our vision is to educate, provide peer support, and unify the blind and visually impaired community in the Greater Houston area.
Our mission is to provide training, education, workshops, seminars, and mentorship to the blind and visually impaired Community, providing skills and resources to help individuals live full and independent lives.
Because we are blind and visually impaired ourselves, we understand how large in area Houston is and the challenges this poses to the many people from across our great city who are also blind and visually impaired. Our goal when starting HAVIN was to try to make it a little smaller for us, at least once a year, for those of us who are blind and visually impaired. To do this, we bring together the various support groups and nonprofit organizations that serve the blind and visually impaired community and make up HAVIN to host at least one event a year, the annual Insight Expo. While its not practical to come to each of our group’s individual meetings, it is possible for us to come together for that one day a year and bring unity to our community.
That is how we started, but we have grown to do so much more than that today. Read below for the latest news and information about HAVIN. There are also links to our “About Us” page above, and “Our Groups,” if you want to find out about our history, or to contact one of the groups that comprise HAVIN.
Make a Donation to HAVIN
Even though we are a dedicated group of volunteers working collectively to serve our community, we still have expenses and rely on the generosity of donors to help us meet our financial obligations. If you would like to make a tax-exempt donation to support the work of HAVIN, know that it is much appreciated.
Secure donations can be made through Square using a debit or credit card at this link:
However, if Zelle, PayPal, or the Cash app are your preferred methods of donating, we also have accounts set up on each of those platforms to receive payments.
For Zelle and PayPal, send donations to
for the Cash app, our Cashtag is $HAVINTX
Are you a fan of opera? If so, this HAVIN fundraiser is just for you.
With our most sincere appreciation to the Houston Grand Opera (HGO), HAVIN is proud to announce that with a donation to HAVIN, you will be eligible to win two premium tickets to a performance of your choice . And, just so you know, these tickets have a value of $500!
These tickets are ideal for any lover of the arts. Also, remember that Christmas is right around the corner and these premium seats would make an ideal gift for a fan of opera.
Please visit HGO.org for a list of performances and dates
This promotion is open to all who register and make a donation to HAVIN.
🎟 This is a fundraiser for HAVIN. For donations in the following amounts, you will receive raffle Tickets as follows:
- $10 = 1 raffle ticket
- $25 = 3 raffle tickets
- $50 = 7 raffle tickets
✨ Donations to HAVIN are always welcome and appreciated. However, this fundraising drawing begins on Friday, October 9, 2026 and the deadline to enter in this promotion is 5:00 PM Central Time on Friday, November , 6, 2026. Winner will be announced during a live Zoom call on Saturday, November 7, 2026. All registered parties will receive an invitation to this Zoom call.
*The winner of this drawing will receive a gift certificate for two premium tickets valid for any HGO show in this season.
Ticket certificate Expires April 11, 2027 and must be redeemed two weeks prior to performance.
Tickets and reservations are subject to availability at time of redemption.
Black out dates may apply.
All proceeds support HAVIN and benefit the blind and low vision community.
After registering, make sure to send in your donation.
Remember, registering is only the first part. Registrants will not receive their drawing numbers until payment is received.
Here is the link to register for the drawing.
https://forms.gle/jejiCamBHds6r1Ur9
And, to complete your entry into the drawing, or if you simply wish to support HAVIN with a tax deductible donation, here is the link to
using a debit or credit card.
Payment can also be sent via:
Zelle and PayPal: havin.tx@gmail.com
Cash app: $HAVINTX
If you have any questions, please contact HAVIN at havin.tx@gmail.com
or by phone or text at (713) 570-6968.
Again, we would like to offer a very special thank you to the Houston Grand Opera for being the generous sponsor of this HAVIN fundraiser.
HAVIN welcomes our newest organization
One thing that has helped HAVIN grow over the years is being dynamic. Our board members have had to slide over and make a little more room to welcome our newest auxiliary board member, The Woodlands Low Vision Support Group.
Pete Poulsen and Chris Harbuck started this support group just over a year ago to fill a void and are finding great success in connecting their blind and low vision community in The Woodlands.
The Woodlands Low Vision Support Group
Meets monthly on the 2nd Friday of each month, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: The Woodlands Methodist Church
2200 Lake Woodlands Drive
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Entrance #1 (Atrium) and they meet in the Hayes Hall A
Contact information to RSVP & Questions:
woodlandslowvision@gmail.com
Pete Poulsen– 832-423-9565
Chris Harbuck – 318-393-1013
Opera Fans…This is for you!
Are you a fan of opera? Support HAVIN and you could win a pair of premium tickets to the Houston Grand Opera.
With our most sincere appreciation to the Houston Grand Opera (HGO), HAVIN is proud to announce that with a donation to HAVIN, you will be eligible to win two premium tickets to a performance of your choice . And, just so you know, these tickets have a value of $500!
These tickets are ideal for any lover of the arts. Also, remember that Christmas is right around the corner and these premium seats would make an ideal gift for a fan of opera.
Please visit HGO.org for a list of performances and dates
This promotion is open to all who register and make a donation to HAVIN.
🎟 This is a fundraiser for HAVIN. For donations in the following amounts, you will receive raffle Tickets as follows:
- $10 = 1 raffle ticket
- $25 = 3 raffle tickets
- $50 = 7 raffle tickets
✨ Donations to HAVIN are always welcome and appreciated. However, this fundraising drawing begins on Friday, October 9, 2026 and the deadline to enter in this promotion is 5:00 PM Central Time on Friday, November , 6, 2026. Winner will be announced during a live Zoom call on Saturday, November 7, 2026. All registered parties will receive an invitation to this Zoom call. The winner does not need to be on the Zoom call to win. If they are not present, we will contact you by phone and email.
*The winner of this drawing will receive a gift certificate for two premium tickets valid for any HGO show in this season.
Ticket certificate Expires April 11, 2027 and must be redeemed two weeks prior to performance.
Tickets and reservations are subject to availability at time of redemption.
Black out dates may apply.
All proceeds support HAVIN and benefit the blind and low vision community.
After registering, make sure to send in your donation.
Remember, registering is only the first part. Registrants will not receive their drawing numbers until payment is received.
Thank you
HAVIN wishes to recognize the
Houston Delta Gamma Foundation
For continuing to support our work in bringing unity to the community by providing HAVIN with another grant this year.
The Houston DGF is a phenomenal organization that supports many aspects of blindness and vision loss through their charitable efforts.
5th Annual Houston Community White Cane Safety Day
HAVIN was once again proud to be a co-sponsor of the Houston Community White Cane Safety Day (HCWCSD), which was held on Saturday, October 10, 2026. This was the fifth year for this Houston area grass-roots celebration of the independence that a white cane or guide dog brings to the blind.
Our tag line is “By people who are blind for people who are blind,” to reflect the five organizations that co-sponsor this day of celebration for our Houston blindness community.
Being an event organized and hosted by blind people is also representative of the core value of independence we find in our white canes and guide dogs.
This year’s theme was Creating Awareness Promoting Independence.
We also thank this year’s sponsors, H-E-B, Taco Cabana, and Fleetcard Inc.
# HEBHelpingHere
HAVIN Happenings
Want to know what HAVIN and our groups and organizations have planned for the coming months? Great news!
We now have the monthly HAVIN Happenings newsletter that comes out at the beginning of each month. If you’re not already on the mailing list, send an email to
And we’ll get you added to the HAVIN email list.
The Lighthouse of Houston also has a
community calendar for the blind and visually impaired
showing many of these activities. This shows not only activities from those affiliated with HAVIN, but other groups and organizations as well.
Get in Touch with HAVIN
If you want to reach us, our email is:
HAVIN also has a dedicated phone number. Contact us at (713) 570-6968.
Follow us on social media – We’re on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @HAVINTX
Or through your local group or organization email list.
Recognizing our sponsors and supporters
We appreciate everybody who has donated to support HAVIN. In just the past year alone, there has been an abundant number of charitable donations to HAVIN, and we want you all to know how grateful we are for these. This includes several individuals, as well as businesses. If you are one of the many individuals who have donated to HAVIN, thank you.
We would like to acknowledge the official sponsor of our annual Insight Expo,
The University of Houston College of Optometry
who have been part of HAVIN since our launch and have graciously hosted all of our Insight Expos.
Additionally, we would like to thank the following sponsors for helping us through charitable grants.
Houston Delta Gamma Foundation
WalMart Local Community Grants Team and WalMart Facility # 3579 in Kingwood
And, finally, HAVIN would like to say thank you to the following businesses for supporting us as we have delivered our programming and as we have expanded our operations and service.
Non-24 Sleep Wake Disorder/Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Hear how we began
If you would like to learn more and hear our president telling more about the formation of HAVIN, check out this interview with Chelsea Nguyen at Sight Into Sound studios.
Follow HAVIN on Social Media
We are on Twitter and Instagram: @HAVINTX
Also be sure to follow us on Facebook: (20+) Houston Area Visually Impaired Network – HAVIN | Facebook
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