The Woodlands, TX May 2026

The Ladies Issue

LIFE + CULTURE

INSIDE THE LEGACY OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE

STYLE + BEAUTY

BECKY HILLYARD: FROM SIDE HUSTLE TO STYLE EMPIRE

HEALTH + WELLNESS HOW ONE LOCAL PHYSICIAN ANSWERED A CALL TO HEAL

LEADING ORTHOPEDIC CARE KEEPS YOU MOVING

When an injury puts you on the sidelines, your Houston Methodist orthopedic team puts expertise into play. We’ll customize a minimally invasive treatment plan to get you back out there — doing the things you love.

That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. For you.

houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics 936.321.8000

170 GOLDEN SHADOW CIRCLE

THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS, 77381

BEDROOMS: 4 BATHROOMS: 3 FULL & 1 HALF SQFT: 3,730 LOT SIZE: 13,312

Completely remodeled custom home in Cochran's Crossing! Located in the heart of The Woodlands, this home features a brand new roof and gutters, 2 new Trane a/c units, 2 new water heaters, new whole house water softener and filtration system, all new engineered wood floors, new interior doors, designer light fixtures, sky high ceilings, all new soft close cabinetry and drawers, 3 car garage w/epoxy floor + porte-cochere, and much more! Both formals open to one another, with a marble fireplace and coffered ceiling; the study is stunning w/custom built-ins and faces the front of the home. Spectacular open kitchen with Taj Mahal leathered counters, huge island, all new appliances (fridge included), pot filler and warming drawer. Primary bedroom suite down w/customized closet and breathtaking bath; 3 bedrooms with 2 remodeled baths and game room up with beverage fridge. Screened in porch with new summer kitchen overlooks the beautiful pool.

The Ladies Issue

In the L.M. Montgomery novel Anne of Avonlea, an unusual portrait of femininity emerges from a forest of evergreens.

The lady of Echo Lodge, Ms. Lavendar Lewis, is beautiful with stark white hair in middle-age, radiant with youthful vitality, and preemptively hospitable—in a moment of make-believe, she imagines visitors to tea, so she is already prepared for the curious girls who unexpectedly arrive at her doorstep. A strange, tragic, yet charming character, the lonely Lavendar living off the beaten path grows before the reader’s eyes. But rather than a bedecked debutante such as Sabrina Fairchild or Eliza Doolittle, she crystallizes into a picture of a woman whose hospitality is the means by which true joy, contentment, and long-awaited love finds its dwelling place.

When contemplating the feminine inspiration blooming up from our annual Ladies Issue, I couldn’t help but think of Ms. Lavendar Lewis. Like her, there are women throughout The Woodlands whose particular talents are the means by which so many lives are enriched.

With that in mind, in the following pages, you are invited to sit down to tea with stories and wisdom from leading ladies Becky Hillyard, Jessica Huxel, Rebecca Smith, Dr. Elizabeth Helander, Dr. Leah Zils, Dr. Erica Cummings, and Haley Garcia, and to discover how each woman uses her gifts to strengthen our community.

And with Mother’s Day approaching, we could do nothing less but honor the wonderful mothers and mother-figures whose indelible impact on the lives of their children, grandchildren, and beyond captivates us all. We dedicate this annual Ladies Issue to you. And for those looking for a gift for Mom, enjoy our gift guide just for that purpose.

To the women who quietly, confidently beautify our community by doing what they are uniquely equipped to do, thank you from all of us at The Woodlands City Lifestyle. Our publication would not be the same without the inspiration gleaned from your lives.

Happy reading!

MANAGING EDITOR

May 2026

PUBLISHER

Tonya Butler | tonya.butler@citylifestyle.com

PUBLISHER ASSISTANT

Alison Bridges | alison.bridges@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Alex Gray | alex.gray@citylifestyle.com

COPY EDITOR

Dawn Allen

STAFF WRITER

Travis Hager

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Arielle Alston | arielle.alston@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

The Woodlands City Lifestyle woodlands@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Travis Hager, Alex Gray, Carol Mowdy Bond, Aunika Anderson, Dawn Allen

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich

LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com/franchise. ALEX GRAY,

Proverbs 3:5-6

Buyers are searching for the right home. Sellers are searching for the right representation. Both start with local knowledge, strong strategy and a team trusted across The Woodlands for 25+ years.

WHO YOU CHOOSE MATTERS.

city scene

1: The 2026 Celebration of Excellence Gala raised nearly $950,000 to support Interfaith of The Woodlands. 2: Hometown Heroes, past and present, were in attendance to support Interfaith’s mission. 3: Julie Mayrant, Interfaith Board Chair and Co-Presenting Sponsor. 4: The 2026 Hometown Hero Recipients. 5: Will Murphy, Auctioneer and Interfaith Board Member. 6: The 2026 Celebration of Excellence Gala Committee. 7: Linsey and Ryan Bibler. Photography Provided by Interfaith of The Woodlands

Erica K. Cummings, DDS, MAGD, D-ABDSM is a board-certified general and cosmetic dentist crafting gorgeous smiles throughout The Woodlands. With 18 years of experience as a dentist, Dr. Cummings is proud to own a practice that treats its patients like family.

SERVICES OFFERED:

• General Dentistry

• Cosmetic Dentistry

• Crowns

• Dental Implant Restoration

• Sleep Apnea

• Teeth Whitening

• Full Mouth Reconstruction

• Fillings

Excellence in Dentistry

Dr. Leah has taken over 140 hours of continuing education with the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and is working on her Fellowship distinction. Dr. Leah Zils is set to take over Dr. Cagle’s dental practice, dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of exceptional dental care established by her predecessor. Dr. Zils attended the University of Arkansas on a soccer scholarship before finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology at Texas A&M University, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She then graduated from UT School of Dentistry in Houston and hit the ground running with her dental career.

She has taken over 140 hours of continuing education with the world-renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI) and is working on her Fellowship distinction. She is certified in laser dentistry as well as oral sedation. She is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Zils looks forward to welcoming new clients into the practice, where she can apply her extensive education and experience to provide top-notch dental care.

Welcoming New Patients.

Acero Bella Now Open in The Woodlands

Acero Bella, a luxury kitchen and bath hardware showroom, is now open in The Woodlands.  The beautiful new showroom is located at 3000 Research Forest Drive, Suite 110.  At Acero Bella, they strive to make building or remodeling a fun and stress-free endeavor for homeowners.  They have created a beautiful and relaxing environment in the heart of The Woodlands where clients can select the perfect "jewelry" for their new spaces.

Photography Mike Wilcox with Endo Media

Interfaith Adds Three New Members to Board of Directors

Interfaith of The Woodlands recently  welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors: Noemi Gonzalez, General Manager of Market Street, Michelle Little, VP of Community Affairs and Corporate Giving at Waste Connections, and Jordan Watson, Director of Community and Government Affairs for Howard Hughes’ Texas Region. They each bring a wealth of leadership experience and strong community involvement to their roles and remain committed to Interfaith’s mission of building a more caring community through service.

Photography Provided by Interfaith

Where Celebrations Take Flight

Mesón Sommelier offers a variety of event spaces designed to host everything from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations.

Whether you’re planning a corporate holiday party, milestone celebration, wedding reception, baby shower, private tasting, or any special occasion, our team will craft the perfect atmosphere to suit your needs.

AB Energy USA Selects The Woodlands for North American Headquarters

AB, a global energy leader in energy sustainability solutions has chosen The Woodlands as the headquarters for AB Energy USA - their American commercial and operations subsidiary. The company expects to add approximately 45 new jobs in The Woodlands in 2026. Beginning in 2027, AB plans to add an additional 30 jobs annually over the next five years across engineering, service, maintenance, and integration roles to support its U.S. operations.   gruppoab.com/en-us/

Nicole and Doug Freer run a top-producing real estate group bringing expertise and an impressive track record of over 1,100 homes sold and a half billion dollars in sales in 2025. With a background in Finance and Real Estate Investment, their team is able to correctly price and market your home to sell for top dollar! Are You Ready to Buy or Sell a Home?

HOUSTON MARKET INNOVATORS bring their expertise to The Woodlands !

ARTICLE BY ALEX GRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STOCK

TEA,

ANYONE?

“WHEN IT COMES TO AFTERNOON TEA, THE TABLEWARE AND AMBIANCE MATTER MORE THAN MOST PEOPLE REALIZE.”

Have you ever wondered what the difference was between “afternoon tea” and “high tea”? (If you haven’t, aren’t you wondering now?) Us, too. So, we tapped The Tea Kettle Café’s Kari Dangler to, well, give us the tea on tea.

TWCL: WHAT FIRST DREW YOU INTO THE TEA WORLD, AND WHAT DID YOU FIND MOST CAPTIVATING ABOUT IT?

KD: Tea kind of found me; the business that is. Ten years ago my husband bought the business on a whim as a good investment. It showed up at a

HOW TO RECREATE AN AFTERNOON TEA EXPERIENCE AT HOME

time when I needed something calming and creative, as if it was meant to be. The more I played with different tea types and herbs and learned how different ingredients talk to each other as a unique art form, the more I realized I wasn’t just interested in tea, I’d fallen in love with it.

TWCL: COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRADITIONAL BRITISH AFTERNOON TEA AND HIGH TEA, AND WHICH STYLE IS MOST OFTEN RECREATED IN AMERICAN TEA ROOMS TODAY?

KD: Traditional British afternoon tea and high tea are often mixed up, but they’re actually very different. Afternoon tea is the classic, elegant experience most people picture: finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, little pastries, and a pot of tea served mid-afternoon as a light, social treat. High tea, on the other hand, was historically an evening meal for working families, with dishes like meat pies, eggs, bread, and vegetables. In the United States, almost every tea room recreates afternoon tea, even when some places call it “high tea,” because the tiered trays, scones, and pretty china are what guests expect and enjoy.

TWCL: WHAT TEAS ARE MUST-HAVES AT YOUR TEA ROOM, AND WHICH SELECTIONS DO YOUR GUESTS TEND TO RETURN FOR AGAIN AND AGAIN?

KD: One tea that has been with us from the very beginning is Old Town Spice. It’s one of those blends that feels like the heart of our tea room; warm, cozy, and a little nostalgic. It’s become a must-have on our menu. Guests discover it once and then keep coming back for it again and again.

CONTINUED >

TWCL: WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE TEA? WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?

KD: My personal favorite has to be one of our signature Tea Kettle Café blends, Berry Kiss Comfort. It’s an herbal blend we created with wellness in mind, and it just hits all the right notes for me. It’s fruity, soothing, and naturally caffeine-free, so it feels like something you can enjoy any time of day.

TWCL: FOR READERS WHO WANT TO HOST A TEA PARTY AT HOME, COULD YOU SHARE A FEW KEY TIPS FOR CREATING AN ELEGANT EXPERIENCE— WITHOUT GETTING OVERWHELMED?

KD: A common misconception is that afternoon tea is supposed to be rushed or formal. In reality, it’s meant to be slow, cozy, and conversational and a chance to unwind, not a performance. People also tend to think tea is limited to black tea with milk and sugar, when in truth there’s a whole world of herbals, florals, fruits, spices, and wellness blends that surprise them once they start exploring. In my opinion, hot tea should never be overly sweetened or have too much milk as it takes away from the flavors of the tea leaves and herbs.

TWCL: HOW IMPORTANT ARE TABLEWARE AND AMBIANCE—TEA SETS AND TABLECLOTHS, MUSIC AND DÉCOR—

TO THE OVERALL TEA EXPERIENCE? IS THERE A PARTICULAR DETAIL THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE?

KD: Hosting a tea party at home can be surprisingly simple if you focus on a few key elements. Start by choosing just one or two teas you really love. Choose something comforting, something fruity, or something floral. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many options. Keep the food easy: a few finger sandwiches, store bought or homemade pastries or desserts dressed up on a pretty plate, and warm scones (homemade or from a bakery) are more than enough. What truly creates the “elegant” feeling is the presentation, not the complexity. Use your favorite teacups, add a small vase of flowers, and set everything out on a tray or tiered stand if you have one. And most importantly, don’t rush. If you keep the atmosphere relaxed and thoughtful, your guests will feel the charm instantly!

TWCL: DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL TIPS OR WISDOM TO SHARE?

KD: When it comes to afternoon tea, the tableware and ambiance matter more than most people realize. The teacups, the tablecloth, the music in the background, the little touches of décor; they all work together to set the tone long before the first sip or bite. In many ways, it’s all about the experience. The food and tea is only the second act.

ARTICLE BY KALI KASORZYK

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

BECKY HILLYARD

From Side Hustle to Style Empire

The power of taste, trust, and the courage to “just start.”

She didn’t have a business plan, a media budget, or even a name anyone could pronounce. What Becky Hillyard had was taste, a young family, and the instinct to just start. Today, her lifestyle brand Cella Jane commands an audience the size of Vogue’s, she’s nine collections strong with Splendid, and she’s built it all while raising three kids — refusing to sacrifice one for the other. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Becky shares what it really takes to build a brand, a career, and a life you love. Read the highlights below, then scan the QR code for the full conversation.

Q: WHEN DID YOU KNOW CELLA JANE WAS MORE THAN A HOBBY?

A: Two moments. Women started emailing me saying they bought something I recommended and felt amazing — asking me to help them find a dress for a wedding. That felt incredible. Then I looked at my affiliate numbers for one month and realized I could cover our mortgage. I thought, I can actually do this. I never set out to build a business. I started it because I genuinely loved it.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST RISK YOU EVER TOOK WITH THE BRAND?

A: Designing my own collection. It’s easy to point at items on a website and say I love these. But to create something from scratch, put your name on it, and wait to see if people connect with it — that’s terrifying. I had an incredible partner in Splendid, and women loved the pieces. It was the biggest risk and the biggest accomplishment.

Q: HOW HAS INFLUENCER MARKETING CHANGED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A: When I started, brands didn’t know whether to take it seriously. Now it’s a legitimate line item in their marketing budgets — sometimes bigger than TV. Because what we’ve built is trust. People trust a real recommendation from someone they follow far more than a commercial. There’s no question about it now.

Q: YOU’RE A MOM OF THREE RUNNING A FULL BRAND. WHAT DOES YOUR DAY ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

A: I try to get up at five and not hit snooze — that first hour before the house wakes up is the most productive, most peaceful hour of my day. Then it’s all hands on deck with the kids and school drop-off. After that I work — planning content, connecting with my team, editing. After pickup, the day shifts completely and it’s all about them. I’ve learned to protect both halves fiercely, because both matter.

Q: WHAT WOULD YOU TELL SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BUILD SOMETHING OF THEIR OWN BUT KEEPS WAITING?

A: Don’t wait. Don’t wait for the perfect camera, the right strategy, or enough followers. We find every excuse to stay comfortable. Just start, be consistent, and be authentically yourself. The right people will find you — and they’ll stay.

This conversation is just the beginning. Becky goes deeper on the risks that almost stopped her, the design process behind her latest Splendid collection, and what she’d tell her 2012 self today. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on the Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

“Trust is the only metric that actually compounds.”

— Becky Hillyard

ARTICLE BY ALEX GRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

P.S. I Love You, Mom

BECAUSE MOTHER’S DAY IS JUST A FEW SLEEPS AWAY

BIRDIES The Speedbird, $160

Our publisher loved this bold new sneaker from the beloved Birdies brand, styled in gold leather as a “soft crushable ballerina retro jogger.” The shoe’s suitcase-ready collapsible form features a classic grosgrain ballet ribbon enclosure.

PAPIER The Mother’s Day Mini Hardcover Photo Book, $36

What mother—or grandmother— wouldn’t love this artful, compact collection of priceless memories? Customize up to 100 glossy pages of her favorite photos in this adorable 6.5” x 6.5” photo book from Papier. Bring tissues.

ERIC JAVITS The Artista, $395

With summer on its return trip from a hiatus in the Land Down Under, keep Mom shaded in this wide-brimmed nod to mid-19th-century sun bonnets by New York designer Eric Javits. Bonus: it won’t fly off.

M Is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt, $13

Described by one reader as her “go-to baby shower gift,” this little book on motherhood encourages moms of all ages and parenting stages to pursue excellence—rather than average—and reveals how to do just that.

RMS BEAUTY The New Skincare Lineup, $130

Named for professional makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, RMS Beauty soars above other “clean beauty” brands with their customer-adored products like this Kakadu Beauty Oil, SuperSerum Mist, and Luxe Cream trio. Editor’s Note: Try their foundation, too!

A League of Its Own

INSIDE THE LEGACY OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF THE WOODLANDS

ARTICLE BY AUNIKA ANDERSON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

Celebrating 125 years of history, The Junior League stands as an organization that has built a remarkable legacy through leadership and service. Founded in 1901 by Mary Harriman, a 19-year-old New York debutante, who used her status, network, and privilege as a platform for social reform, The Junior League distinguished itself with a clear and enduring mission: to empower women through leadership development while creating lasting community impact through meaningful volunteerism—a focus that continues to define it today.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE

From its earliest days as a small group of prominent women, The Junior League’s purpose was to better conditions in their communities. Guided by this vision, its first initiatives focused on addressing critical needs among immigrant populations in Manhattan, including improving living conditions, nutrition, and literacy. These early efforts reflected both compassion and a commitment to practical, hands-on change.

What set The Junior League apart was not only its dedication to service but its insistence on effectiveness. It was never enough to simply do good—the organization sought to train its members to do the greatest good, as skillfully and sustainably as possible. This commitment to developing capable, informed volunteers became a hallmark of The Junior League’s approach and a key driver of its long-term impact.

Over time, The Junior League has contributed to meaningful advancements across a wide range of areas, including child welfare, education, literacy, healthcare, and community infrastructure. Its influence has been both broad and enduring, shaped by generations of women committed to leadership and service.

Its membership has included influential women across many fields—from public service to the arts. Notable members have included figures such as

Eleanor Roosevelt and Barbara Bush, as well as Julia Child and leaders of organizations like the Girl Scouts of the USA. Together, they reflect the breadth of impact and leadership that The Junior League continues to cultivate among women.

IMPACT OF THE WOODLANDS’ LOCAL CHAPTER

Over the years, The Junior League has grown into a global movement across six countries, with nearly 300 leagues worldwide—each united by a shared mission to cultivate women’s leadership through meaningful community impact.

Within this expansive network is our local chapter in The Woodlands. Established in 1990 and boasting over 800 members, it is among the largest and fastest-growing leagues in the country.

“This proves there are women in our area who want to jump in, get involved, make an impact, and grow themselves,” says Jessica Huxel, President of the Junior League of The Woodlands.

A defining feature of our Junior League is its dual focus on service and leadership development.

“We’re not just a volunteer organization—we’re a leadership incubator,” says Huxel. “We like to think of ourselves as a launch pad for women.”

This philosophy is reflected in a diverse membership that spans generations and backgrounds, with the majority balancing careers alongside their Junior League commitments.

Central to the organization’s impact is its leadership development program, which equips members with skills in community engagement, strategic leadership, and project management, among others. These experiences not only strengthen Junior League of The Woodlands’ work but also prepare women to lead beyond it.

“When I joined The Junior League...what I found was lifelong friendships.”

— Jessica Huxel, the President of the Junior League of the Woodlands

“When I joined The Junior League, I was definitely looking for a group of women that I would align with,” says Huxel. “What I found was lifelong friendships—and the ability to jump in and impact the community in ways that maybe the average citizen isn't aware of.”

Through this approach, Junior League of The Woodlands empowers women to understand community needs better, develop meaningful expertise, and step into broader leadership roles in service of lasting impact.

INITIATIVES AND INFLUENCE

The organization creates its impact through a combination of leadership development and hands-on volunteer work within the community. To support these efforts, Junior League hosts fundraisers throughout the year, the largest of which is their annual Holiday Market, held the week before Thanksgiving at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. This signature event helps fund key initiatives that directly serve local needs.

Among its most impactful initiatives is the Healthy Appetites Promote Positive Youth (HAPPY) program, which aims to alleviate food insecurities by providing children with backpacks of nutritional meals. This effort has grown significantly over the last few years. Today, the program serves approximately 50 schools and provides more than 31,500 backpacks annually across Montgomery County.

“We’ve been able to stand in the gap,” says Huxel, “and help ensure that those elementary-aged children have consistent weekend nourishment.”

The Junior League’s reach extends beyond students to educators through its Increase and Motivate Positive Awareness

in Children and Teachers (IMPACT) conference. Designed to inspire and equip teachers, the conference reinforces the League’s broader commitment to strengthening the community through education.

“We're able to help fund those programs because, ultimately, it's giving right back into the kids, which is super important when it comes to a community impact, because the children are the future,” says Huxel.

These are just two of the numerous programs The Junior League offers that directly impact our local community.

“I really hope that we are continuously known for our ability to identify and support any of the programs or pillars that are making a difference in the community and continue turning out leaders, because it strengthens us from the inside as well,” says Huxel.

A SINGULAR MOVEMENT

“There is power behind a group of 800 women, all focused on the same thing,” says Huxel.

That collective purpose is evident in The Junior League’s lasting impact—women coming together with intention can create meaningful, measurable change.

“It is a movement for community impact, led by women who are very interested in building a better community and leading alongside each other,” says Huxel. “That's really what we're here to do—to support the area we live in and make it the best place possible.”

Strengthening the community we live in is a shared responsibility, and the Junior League of The Woodlands offers a powerful way to be part of that work. For those interested in getting involved, more information can be found at thewoodlands.jl.org

chose them THE WOMAN WHO

The room fills fast. Forty teenagers file in, some with arms crossed, some scanning the space like they're already looking for the exit. Most have heard a version of this before: another program, another adult with a plan, another place that isn't home.

But this isn't what they expect.

The stations are set up around the room: financial literacy here, life skills there, a boutique full of clothing theirs to keep. The theme for the day is Vision and Insight—and each month brings a new theme. There's a homecooked meal waiting. And somewhere tucked inside all of it, almost invisibly, is counseling.

They just don't know it yet.

"They don't want counseling," says Rebecca Smith, founder of Love Heals Youth. "But this? This they'll show up for."

A CALLING, NOT A CAREER

Rebecca Smith didn't stumble into her work. She grew up idolizing Little Orphan Annie and Punky Brewster: children without parents, finding their way in a world that wasn't built for them. Long before Love Heals Youth, she was driving to residential facilities on her own time, spending her own money, trying to fill gaps she couldn't quite name. It was her appointment to the Child Welfare Board that revealed the full magnitude of unmet need— and moved her to launch Love Heals Youth.

Founded in 2008, the organization is dedicated to restoring hope for foster youth through free counseling, meeting physical needs, and supporting spiritual growth.

Guided by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Love Heals Youth prioritizes physical and emotional safety, allowing trust to take root and resilience to grow.

LOVE HEALS LEADERSHIP SERIES

Love Heals Youth hosts a monthly leadership initiative for foster youth. The series is a carefully designed experience—part life skills training, part mental health intervention—built for teenagers in congregate foster care facilities across Montgomery and Harris counties. It fills gaps that most of these teens have rarely known.

On a given leadership day, youth rotate through stations staffed by volunteers and licensed counselors, learning about bank accounts, balancing checkbooks, and shopping the Threads Boutique, a free pop-up closet where they choose outfits to take home for good. Since June 2023 alone, Love Heals Youth has distributed more than 27,000 clothing items through its boutique.

CONTINUED >

Throughout the day teens earn "leadership bucks" to spend at an in-house gift shop or deposit into savings. This system teaches financial habits and provides something most of the youth have rarely had: a sense of agency.

"When you meet their basic needs," Smith says, "healing becomes possible."

THE REALITY THEY'RE LIVING

Many of the children served by Smith's nonprofit have been moved as many as 40 times over the course of their childhoods. They carry their lives in bags. Every door in their living facility requires a code. They ask permission to use the bathroom. Nothing belongs to them, and no one belongs to them, either.

Thanks to Smith's initiative, when a child is placed in a new facility, Love Heals Youth delivers a welcome bag within 48 hours—731 bags delivered since June 2022—each filled with full-size hygiene products, a new blanket, pillow, towel, water bottle, and a Bible. For a teenager who sometimes arrives with nothing more than the clothes on their back, it's the first message that says someone saw you today.

THE IMPACT

Love Heals Youth currently serves more than 33 residential facilities, six aged-out foster youth programs, and eight homeless shelters across the greater Houston area and into Dallas. The nonprofit runs on volunteer generosity and pays zero

A MOVEMENT—AND MINISTRY

With at least 731 welcome bags delivered in the last four years, that means at least 731 Bibles. Smith delights in the encouragement she feels when teens express their earnest desire to read, understand their new Bibles, and grow in faith.

THE CHOSEN CAMPUS

“When you meet their basic needs healing becomes possible.”

— Rebecca Smith of Love Heals

Youth

salaries or rent. However, in only three years, services have grown by 260 percent.

Since January 2022, the team has logged more than 15,194 direct counseling hours serving 1,008 clients—providing consistency in a world where these kids have had precious little of it. Love Heals reports that quarterly clinical assessments document a 40 to 50% reduction in anger, depression, and anxiety after just three months of services. Hope, it turns out, is measurable.

Smith's next goal is a permanent home: The Chosen Campus, a counseling, worship, and leadership center where youth can gather weekly and programs can run daily. The campus would include a worship center, a storefront for the boutique, and space for programming—a place where foster youth, even those who've aged out, always have a place they belong.

The kids Love Heals Youth serves are not cases. They are teenagers with gifts, humor, faith, and startling resilience, waiting for someone to show up and remind them they matter. You can be part of that.

Donations to Love Heals Youth support the development of The Chosen Campus, a permanent facility designed to support foster youth. You can contribute knowing that every dollar goes directly to the kids. Clothing donations, hygiene products, and Bibles are always needed and always meaningful. Volunteers are also welcome.

Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?

Or maybe it’s someone you know. If this isn’t the right time for you, but you know someone who could be the perfect fit, we’d love an introduction.

DR. ELIZABETH HELANDER ANSWERS THE CALL TO HEAL WITH GOOD CITY HEALTH CLINIC

A MINISTRY OF MEDICINE

It requires a special kind of person who builds something not because the world tells them to, but because they simply cannot imagine not doing it. Dr. Elizabeth Helander is that kind of person. She grew up in Spring and The Woodlands, married her high school sweetheart, and today is raising five children in the same community that shaped her. On paper, her life reads like a beautiful continuity. In practice, it reads like a calling answered.

Helander is an emergency room physician and the founder of Good City Health, a no-cost urgent care clinic operating out of The Woodlands, Texas. The clinic, housed within Church Project at 602 Pruitt Road, sees patients on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It charges nothing. It turns no one away. And it has quietly become one of the most meaningful expressions of community care in the greater Houston area.

A CALLING CLARIFIED

Medicine wasn't always an obvious destination for Helander. "It felt more like a path that fit the strengths and abilities I'd been given," she says. For a season, she wrestled with how a medical career would sit alongside what she had always understood to be her deepest calling—motherhood and family. Then came a moment in medical school that she describes with quiet certainty. She had prayed, asking God to let her fail her next exam if medicine wasn't the right path. Instead, she made a perfect score. "In that moment I had a strong sense that God had something bigger in mind for how medicine would be used in my life." She has been walking toward that something ever since.

Good City Health didn't arrive fully formed. Its seeds were planted during the COVID era, a time when fear and isolation exposed something Helander had long observed in the emergency room: physical health, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual wholeness are not separate systems. They speak to each other. They affect each other. "It was a time when you could see how

deeply those pressures were affecting people physically as well," she reflects. She and her husband began having conversations with friends, neighbors, and anyone willing to dream alongside them about what it might look like to serve the community in a more tangible way. Those conversations led them to discover a remarkable network of free and charitable clinics operating across the country.

"What began as simple conversations," she says, "slowly turned into a real opportunity to build something that could bring hope and healing to our community."

SEEING BEYOND THE SURFACE

The Woodlands carries a well-earned reputation as one of the most prosperous planned communities in America. Beautiful neighborhoods, manicured amenities, excellent schools. But Helander sees past the surface, as all good physicians learn to do. "There are still many people who quietly fall through the cracks," she says. "People working hourly jobs, individuals between insurance plans, single parents, or families who simply can't afford healthcare. Those needs aren't always visible, but they are very real."

The geography of need is also wider than the zip code suggests. Good City Health has drawn patients from more than 60 different zip codes across the Houston region. Some drive over an hour to receive care. The clinic sits in The Woodlands, but its reach is something considerably larger.

A typical clinic day begins before the doors open. Volunteers gather, share a brief devotional, and pray together before stepping out to meet patients. It is a small ritual, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. The medical needs are varied: infections, acute illnesses, injuries, wound care, chronic disease management, and guidance for those simply trying to navigate a healthcare system that can feel impenetrable. On days when specialty

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clinics overlap with urgent care services, the space becomes, in Helander's words, "very active." But the pace never seems to compromise the quality of presence her team offers. "Many people don't just leave with their medical concerns addressed," she says. "They leave feeling encouraged, supported, and uplifted."

POWERED BY COMMUNITY

Good City Health runs largely on the generosity of volunteers, both medical and non-medical. Licensed physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, nursing assistants, and administrators all contribute their time. Translators help patients who might otherwise face yet another barrier to care. Volunteers are available to pray with patients, too, if that support is welcome. "Watching the community come together to serve at the clinic has been one of the most meaningful parts of this work," Helander says. She pauses in the way people do when they're reaching for a word adequate to the experience and settling for honesty instead. "The volunteers encourage me every day."

Ask Helander about leadership and she pivots, almost instinctively, away from a discussion about authority and toward something quieter. "Leadership isn't about having all the answers," she says. "It's about doing the best you can with the resources you've been given and stewarding them faithfully." It is a philosophy she

carries into the clinic the same way she carries it home, where five children, a garden, and long walks in fresh air constitute what she calls her most reliable form of restoration. Balance, she acknowledges with a knowing smile, is something we're all striving for.

Good City Health is certified by the Texas Medical Board as a nonprofit health organization and is overseen by a board of licensed physicians. By every formal measure, it is a legitimate and credentialed institution. But its real credibility lives somewhere else entirely. It lives in the patients who walk through the door not knowing quite what to expect and leave feeling cared for in the fullest sense.

"My hope," she says, "is that Good City Health continues to be a place where people who might otherwise go without care receive compassionate medical treatment. Beyond that, I hope it becomes a testimony to what can happen when a community comes together to care for their neighbors in practical ways."

Some institutions are built to last. Some are built to matter. Good City Health is quietly doing both.

Good City Health is located at 602 Pruitt Road, The Woodlands, Texas. The clinic is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit goodcity.health.

Meredith Boudousquié Founder | Editor-In-Chief

ARTICLE BY CAROL MOWDY BOND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY STOCK

the tooth of the matter

Top Tips from Two Leading Local Dentists

May is National Dental Care Month. So, we asked two dentists in The Woodlands — Dr. Erica Cummings, DDS, MAGD, D-ABDSM, and Dr. Leah Zils, DDS, PLLC — to answer some chomper-worthy questions.

TWCL: What is your top dental care advice for teeth-and-gum health protection?

DREC: Drink lots of water regularly to keep your mouth hydrated and pH neutralized. Brushing morning and night is minimum for oral care. If you don’t like flossing, keep a cordless water flosser in your shower for less mess! Keep flossers for midday cleansing.

DRLZ: Saliva testing customizes necessary dental treatment. Utilize a sleep appliance or night guard to protect joints and teeth from irreversible damage. Routine visits with the hygienist for preventative care.

TWCL: When should parents first take children to the dentist?

DREC: We recommend a meet-and-greetstyle Happy Visit when the first teeth come in around 7-12 months old, to discuss bottles, pacifiers, oral hygiene and establish habits for optimal growth and development.

TWCL: Do men and women have different dental issues?

DREC: Men are more likely to snore and have sleep apnea. When women reach menopause, the issues even out between the two. Men more commonly have acid-reflux-accelerated tooth wear. From their 20s-40s, women are more likely to clench/grind their teeth.

TWCL: Do dental issues differ among children, teens, and adults?

DRLZ: More prevalent adult issues are gum disease, failing dental restorations, missing teeth, sleep apnea, teeth destruction from grinding, bone loss, TMD, and cavities. Teens and children can be more susceptible to cavities and gingivitis due to poor homecare. Older teens can have issues from erupting wisdom teeth that need removal.

TWCL: Is sleep apnea a dental issue?

DREC: Yes. Negative intrathoracic pressure causes gastric reflux and altering of oral pH to a more acidic environment that in turn accelerates tooth wear/abrasion.

DRLZ: Sleep apnea can cause significant wear on the top of teeth due to night grinding to

“If you don’t like flossing, keep a cordless water flosser in your shower for less mess!”

—

Dr. Erica Cummings

either wake up to breathe or dilate airways. Sleep apnea patients commonly breathe through their mouths at night which causes dry mouth symptoms and increases risk of gum and cavity issues.

TWCL: When should patients consider dental implants?

DRLZ: Dental implants are a great option for missing teeth and the closest option to restoring teeth to their natural state. If a patient does not have any medical contraindication and the area has adequate bone, an implant should be considered as a restorative option. If a patient is losing all their teeth and is moving forward with a denture, implants help retain the denture in the mouth.

TWCL: What are the top ways that laser dentistry benefits patients and their dental care?

DREC: Laser dentistry reduces bleeding, removes excess gingival tissue for necessary exposure of tooth preparation, removes gum

tissue that inhibits proper hygiene, allows for cosmetic modifications to improve a gummy smile, and removes small lesions for pathology evaluation.

DRLZ: Laser dentistry is a less invasive way to treat tongue ties without using a scalpel. Laser dentistry reduces bacteria in the mouth, helps with healing, and reduces inflammation.

TWCL: Has dental care changed in the past 10-20 years?

DREC: There is more prevention. We are preventing fires instead of putting out fires!

DRLZ: There is a better understanding of the mouth and body connection.

TWCL: What new technology do you see on the horizon?

DREC: Digital dentistry for smile designing and 3D printing!

The New Frontier

Haley Garcia on Investing in AI, Real Luxury, and the Future of Home Selling

What do you do when AI swirls in like a curious, silvery mist across a static landscape? According to local real estate agent Haley Garcia, you don’t just stand there; you step ahead of it, anticipating how it may transform the world. Recently, The Woodlands City Lifestyle had the opportunity to ask Garcia about new technology developments, what they mean for the real estate industry and the nonprofit sector, and what the Garcia Real Estate Group aims to achieve next.

TWCL: Haley, you recently announced that the Garcia Real Estate Group is leveraging AI through the real estate

platform Real Luxury to expand visibility for your listings—including reaching newspapers like The Wall Street Journal. What drove you to make this move, and how do you see it benefiting your clients?

HG: With the pace of technology and AI advancing across every industry, I’ve always believed my job is to lead our firm in the direction that best serves our clients. When it comes to listing visibility and buyer access to inventory, reach matters. Leveraging AI through Real Luxury helps ensure our listings are syndicated broadly, optimized for SEO, and distributed across partner platforms at the highest level. That matters to me because clients hire us

ARTICLE BY ALEX GRAY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEX WOOD

for both our deep local expertise and our ability to position their property with maximum exposure.

TWCL: With a 99% closing ratio for your team, did you have any concerns about how platforms like Real Luxury, or AI in general, might impact your hands-on approach to serving clients?

HG: No—I see it as the opposite. Our 99% close ratios reflect the strength of our relationships and trust, built through past clients and deep community roots in The Woodlands over the last 26 years. AI and technology support the behind-the-scenes work so we can be even more present, responsive, and hands-on where it matters most—serving our clients and showing up in the community.

TWCL: Some people may feel uneasy about the use of AI in the sale of their home, whether due to diminished personal interactions or privacy concerns. How would you respond to them?

HG: AI is not a replacement for personal service. It is a tool that helps us serve clients better by improving marketing language, strengthening listing syndication, and helping position each property in front of the right buyer demographic, while also helping us more efficiently identify better-fit opportunities for buyers. Our use of AI does not involve sharing private homeowner information or confidential personal data; it supports the marketing and search process behind the scenes so our relationships, guidance, and hands-on service remain fully personal.

TWCL: You are President of The Woodlands Arts Council and a board member for local Woodlands nonprofit New Danville. As AI continues to evolve, do you see potential for these community

spaces to adopt technological advancements? How does that balance with the necessity of human involvement—such as in the creation of original art or the running of a nonprofit?

HG: I believe AI can help all of us—including nonprofits and community organizations—to use our time more wisely and become more efficient and effective. It can help streamline systems, improve processes, and expand visibility for marketing, communication, and fundraising. But I see that as very separate from the human side of what makes these spaces so meaningful—relationships, connection, emotional bonds, and the care we give one another in community. Technology can support the work, but it cannot replace the heart of it. And when it comes to the Arts Council, nothing will ever replace a human being’s ability to create a truly beautiful piece of art.

TWCL: Considering the rapid growth of AI in recent years, how do you believe advanced technology will impact luxury real estate in the near future? How do you see the Garcia Real Estate Group having a role in that?

HG: I believe AI will continue to accelerate innovation across every industry, including luxury real estate. We’ll see ongoing improvements in marketing, data, and property visibility—especially in how luxury listings are positioned and exposed to the right buyers locally, nationally, and globally.

At Garcia Real Estate Group, our role is to continue leading at the local level in The Woodlands by combining advanced technology with trusted community expertise. We will keep adopting the right tools to maximize exposure for our clients’ properties while delivering the high-touch, local service that defines our brand.

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MAY 4TH - 10TH

Insperity Invitational Presented by UnitedHealthcare

The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course

Insperity Invitational is the marquee event of the PGA TOUR Champions. This event brings together 78 of the game's greatest for an exciting competition and fun games. May 6th - 7th Woodforest National Bank Championship Pro-Am, May 8th First Round of Championship Play, May 9th Second Round of Championship Play, May 10th Final Round of Championship Play, insperityinvitational.com

MAY 7TH, 14TH, & 21ST

Market Street Spring Concert Series

Market Street | 6:00 PM

Live music is back at Market Street as the Spring Concert Series returns!  Enjoy this free event from 6 - 8:30 p.m. every Thursday night through May 21st.  Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs. The lineup includes: May 7th – Walter Suhr & Mango Punch, May 14th – Bayou Roux, May 21 – Grand Illusion, shopatmarketstreet.com/events/spring-concert-series

MAY 13TH

STING 3.0 Tour

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | 7:00 PM Sting is bringing his highly anticipated STING 3.0 Tour to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this spring.  Fans can expect an unforgettable evening filled with chart-topping hits and electrifying live energy from one of rock’s most iconic artists.  This is truly one of the can't-miss concerts of the Pavilion season! woodlandscenter.org/events/2026/sting

MAY 22ND - 24TH

COMiCPALOOZA

George R. Brown Convention Center

Get your cosplay costume ready for COMiCPALOOZA 2026 - the largest annual, multi-genre, comic book, science fiction, anime, gaming, and pop-culture convention in the southern United States.  This fun weekend has it all: panel discussions on fan chosen topics, a top-notch celebrity line up, and a massive exhibition floor featuring unique art and one of kind handcrafted goods. comicpalooza.com

MAY 24TH

Memorial Day Tribute

Town Green Park | 5:00 PM

The Woodlands Township invites residents to the Memorial Day in The Woodlands event on Sunday, May 24th. This event pays tribute to military service members who lost their lives while serving our country.  Enjoy live music, children's activities, strolling entertainment and a fireworks display (weather permitting) choreographed to a patriotic soundtrack. thewoodlandsparks.com/Events/Festivals/Memorial-Day

MAY 28TH, 30TH, & 31ST

Houston Ballet - An Evening with the Stars

Wortham Theater Center

An Evening with the Stars will feature the work of three amazing choreographers: World Premiere: Choreographed by Alice Topp, Music TBA, Tapestry: Choreographed by Stanton Welch AM, Music by W. A. Mozart, Dances at a Gathering: Choreographed by Jerome Robbins, Music by Frederic Chopin. This limited engagement will run May 28 – June 7, 2026. houstonballet.org/seasontickets/2025-2026-season/ an-evening-with-the-stars

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