Our Namesakes

Our foundation was created by Amber and Steve Mostyn to honor the memory of two caring and generous Texans: Glenda Jean Mostyn, mother, grandmother, sister and educator in East Texas and Texas State Representative Joe E. Moreno, son, brother, friend, and legislator. Both cared very deeply about education and providing the best for the children of Texas.

Glenda Jean Mostyn (1939 – 1996)

Glenda Jean Mostyn – Jean raised four children and was always a positive impact on their lives.  She was at every game, school event, or activity that her children were involved in.  While raising her four children, she lived in three different countries, created a caring home and always put them first. Jean’s love of family and friends was the foundation for her compassionate, dedicated, and loving work with significantly impaired students.

In August of 1988, she accepted a position with the Saint Louis School in Tyler, Texas.  This campus serves children with significant impairments.  Jean loved these students and truly enjoyed meeting their needs.  Jean worked in this position until her death in October 1996. Up and until her death, she was strongly motivated to empower this special group of children to achieve all they could.  Two days prior to her death she was shopping for clothes to wear back to work.  Jean’s love for all children impacted her daughter Jackie’s career choice as an educator of students with special needs. Her youngest son Steve was also impacted by the love of these special children. In Jean’s memory, Steve and Amber Mostyn created the foundation to honor Jean and provide unique and special opportunities for the students that she loved.  Jean’s love for these students was amazing and continues through her children and the mission of the foundation.

The Honorable Joe E. Moreno (1964-2005）

Joe E. Moreno was born in Houston, Texas on August 12, 1964. The first of three children, Joe Moreno grew to love his community and the Houston area. He graduated from St. Thomas High School and later attended the University of St. Thomas and Texas Southern University.

He was elected in November 1998 to serve in the Texas Legislature from House District 143.

Representative Moreno was experienced both as a legislator and staff member in the Texas House of Representatives. He previously worked as a Legislative Aide for former District 143 State Representative Al Luna, as well as serving as Chief of Staff and Campaign Manager for State Representative Jessica Farrar (Houston).

As a long-time activist in helping to improve his community, Representative Moreno had been involved for many years in the Resurrection Catholic Church, Harris County Tejano Democrats, and the League of United Latin American Citizens Council #60.  He had also held the position of Harris County Precinct Judge for Precinct 62.

As a member of the Texas Legislature, Representative Moreno served on the House Committee on Business and Industry and the House Committee on Juvenile Justice and Family Issues. He also served as Vice-Chair before becoming Chair of the Harris County Delegation, which is made up of 25 State Representatives, all of whom represent districts within Harris County.  In 1999, Representative Moreno received the outstanding legislator award from the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities. He also was named the 2003 Legislator of the Year from the Justice of the Peace and Constables Association.

Representative Moreno considered it a privilege and honor to serve the residents of District 143 and always used his experience in the legislature to provide the highest level of representation for the people of Southeast Harris County. Representative Moreno, who was serving his fourth term in the Texas House, resided in Denver Harbor and also represented Magnolia, Manchester, Jacinto City, Galena Park, and parts of Pasadena and North Shore.

Representative Moreno passed away on May 6, 2005.

There are Many Ways to Donate to Our Cause!

The Mostyn Moreno Education Foundation has several ways you can contribute your time and treasure that will assist us fulfill our mission to help children with disabilities. There are simple things you do in your everyday life that can help the Foundation significantly. These include engaging us on social media, hosting and/or attending fundraisers and benefits, and shopping at designated sites online.  Check out these opportunities and begin donating today!

Opportunites to Help Us!

The Glenda Jean Mostyn and Joe E Moreno Educational Foundation is a 501 (c)3 charitable organization. Your gift is very much appreciated and fully deductible as a charitable contribution. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing Mostyn Moreno Foundation, 3810 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77027.

Donor’s Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.

To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.

To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

The Leadership Circle

The Leadership Circle is a volunteer advisory group comprised of our most valued volunteers.  They are very active in our programs, fundraising, and promoting our mission. Each member provides great insight and brings a unique perspective to the foundation.

Sarah Moreno Blancett (Greater Houston Area)

Sarah is the owner of SJ Wedding Design in Houston, TX.  She joined the Leadership Circle in 2015 and currently serves as the president of the volunteer advisory group.  Sarah was the driving force behind creating the Joe E. Moreno Memorial Golf Tournament in 2015.  Using her professional background in event planning, Sarah continues to be the lead volunteer in planning and implementing the annual tournament now named “Joe Moreno Charity Classic”, the foundation’s primary fundraiser.

As the sister of the late State Rep. Joe Moreno and the mother of a son with autism, Sarah is passionate about the mission of the foundation.

James Dinkins (Greater Houston Area/Southeast Texas Area)

James Dinkins joined the foundation’s Leadership Circle in 2015. He has over 15 years of experience advocating for those with Special Needs and their families. He works with Legislators at the state and federal level to ensure our most vulnerable live in a place that is free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. He was very instrumental in defeating Texas Senate Bill 204, which called for the closure of State Supported Living Centers, home to those with Special Needs.

James works in healthcare, where he serves as Senior Leader in Human Resources. He earned a Bachelor of Business Management and Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Cathy and Morris Hallman (East Texas Area)

Information and photo to be added soon.