Aramco Americas and the Houston Health Foundation celebrated and expanded support for the Houston Health Department’s See to Succeed school vision program at a Houston event, where a donation of 500 books was announced to create a reading library for students who visit program stations.

The See to Succeed program, which conducts school vision screenings and provides exams and glasses when needed, has “generously served more than 120,000 students across Houston,” said Dr. Teresa Tran, director of the Houston Health Department. Dr. Tran said the program captures about 10,000 students a year but that “there are up to 40,000 students each year whose needs have gone unmet.” She added that when students come in for exams, “very often in 92 percent of the cases… they do need glasses.”

Billy Burge, founding board chair of the Houston Health Foundation, praised the public–private partnership and emphasized the long-term stakes: “As you get older, you realize health is something you take for granted. And then when you see it in the lives of young people… that’s where life begins.” Mayor John, who attended the event, thanked Aramco for its volunteerism and support and said the city and its partners are “helping children see better so they’ll be successful.”

A former program recipient spoke about the direct impact of the screenings. Hung (a former See to Succeed student) told the audience he was screened in seventh grade, received glasses and experienced an immediate improvement in school performance and confidence: “I didn’t know I needed glasses… from then, that’s when I got my glasses, and I realized I’ve been excelling without one of my senses.”

Nicholas Sawicki, executive director of the Houston Public Library Foundation, presented a donation of 500 books to be available to students visiting See to Succeed stations; program staff said the books may be taken home when permitted by students’ schools. Ahmed Alamilhem, president of Aramco Americas, spoke of his personal connection to Houston and pledged continued support: “We look forward to continue working together, for our kids.”

Program leaders and partners characterized See to Succeed as more than vision screenings and glasses. Dr. Tran described the initiative as integrating public health, schools and community partners to improve education and long-term outcomes for children. Organizers encouraged attendees to remain involved and noted the need for continued resources to reach the many students whose follow-up care remains unmet.

No formal votes or city actions were recorded at the event; it was a partnership announcement and community recognition gathering.