Half Helen

02/02/2026

Last week, we hosted our very first Vision Field Trip of 2026! We welcomed 24 students from Lockhart ISD to the half Helen Eye Clinic, where they received comprehensive vision care and prescription glasses.

A huge thank you to Warby Parker’s Pupil Project for supporting our Vision Field Trip initiative and helping make access to eye care possible. We’re excited to have several more field trips scheduled in the coming weeks—stay tuned!

01/25/2026

Update: half Helen will open at 11:00 AM on Tuesday.

Actualización: half Helen abrirá hoy a las 11:00 a. m.

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Our office will be closed due to inclement weather on Monday, January 26. We will reopen for regular hours on Tuesday, January 27.
If you had an appointment, a member of our team will reach out to reschedule.
Please stay safe and warm.

Nuestra oficina estará cerrada debido al mal clima el lunes 26 de enero. Reabriremos en nuestro horario regular el martes 27 de enero.
Si tenía una cita, un miembro de nuestro equipo se comunicará con usted para reprogramarla.
Por favor, manténgase seguro y abrigado.

01/19/2026

On MLK Day, we reflect on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of unity and service. Today is a reminder that lasting change begins with how we care for and uplift one another.

01/14/2026

It's a new year for half Helen! Check out our newsletter for the latest updates:

New Frame Line At half Helen, we’re always looking for ways to enhance our patients’ experience. One of the ways we do this is by offering a wide variety of frame manufacturers, so everyone can find something that fits their personal style.

01/06/2026

New year, new goals!

Do you have an eye-related resolution this year? Maybe it’s scheduling that long-overdue eye exam, upgrading your glasses, or finally trying contacts.

Make your appointment today and start the year seeing your best.

01/01/2026

Hello, 2026! Thank you for an incredible year. We can’t wait to continue this work with you in the year ahead.

12/29/2025

Earlier this year, a 15-year-old Del Valle high school student came to half Helen struggling to see clearly. He had been diagnosed with keratoconus—a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge, leading to severe blurriness, light sensitivity, and distorted vision. Without treatment, his vision would continue to worsen.

Keratoconus often begins in the teenage years and requires specialized care, including custom contact lenses or surgery, to stabilize vision. The cost of treatment can reach several thousand dollars, far beyond what this student’s family could afford.

Because of donors like you, half Helen was able to step in. With help from the West Austin Lion's Club, we connected him with a specialist and covered the cost of the specialty contact lenses he needed to see clearly again. Today, he can read, drive, and plan for his future with confidence.

Your generosity made that difference.

As we close out the year, we’re asking you to help make stories like this possible again. Your donation ensures that cost is never a barrier to vision care for patients who need it most: https://halfhelen.org/donate/

12/25/2025

Happy Holidays!

We’re so thankful for our amazing community and the trust you place in half Helen all year long. Wishing you cozy days, joyful celebrations, and a bright start to the New Year!

12/22/2025

We closed the office early on Friday to celebrate the people who make half Helen work.

From karaoke and dinner to a cookie exchange and gifts, it was an evening of well-earned fun. Our team spends every day showing up for our community, and this was a small way to say thank you for everything they do.

We’re so grateful for this team and everything they bring to half Helen—every single day.

Not pictured: the Mario Kart tournament that officially established office dominance.

12/17/2025

Each year, half Helen continues to grow, expanding the number of schools we serve, increasing the services available in our clinic, and finding new ways to break down barriers to care. From comprehensive eye exams and glasses for students, to expanded specialty services for adults, our work is only possible because of supporters like you.

Donate today and help someone see the world more clearly: https://halfhelen.org/donate/

With government programs shifting and demand for care increasing, community support is more important than ever. Your donation helps ensure that children can learn with confidence, adults can work and care for their families, and no one is turned away because of cost.

12/10/2025

Another cooking challenge is in the books!

Omar, the winner from our last challenge, picked this round’s theme and we had the chance to showcase some creative sandwiches! Our team brought their A-game, and while every entry was fantastic, Destiny took home the top prize with her Pambazo.

These quarterly cooking challenges are one of our favorite traditions. They give our staff a chance to bring a little friendly competition into the workday and show off skills we don’t get to see in the clinic. Every time, we’re blown away by the creativity, talent, and commitment that shine through.