Deb Ambrosi did not start out to be a mental health advocate – even though she was a kindergarten teacher in her native Canada and dealing with students and their needs daily.

But life happens while we are busy making other plans.

Ambrosi and her husband Mark became foster parents – taking care of a total of 12 children over time, but adopting the last one – a child with special needs who required years of care and a tremendous amount of resources, including mental health resources. To meet her daughter’s complex needs, Ambrosi stepped away from her professional career and homeschooled for eight years, navigating countless appointments and advocating fiercely for her child.

In addition to other mental health issues in her famlly – including the suicide of an uncle – it was the foster parent experience that changed everything, Ambrosi told attendees at the “Treasures of Texas” luncheon on May 15. The event was sponsored by the Mental Health Alliance of Greater Houston at The Briars Club at 2603 Timmons in Houston where Ambrosi was presented with the “Spirit of Hope” award.

In Canada, she said, the first requirement for foster parents is “not to be judgmental,” she said. Through fostering, Ambrosi found her heart for mental health. “I feel bad when I see people struggling,” she said. “I want to help.”

When it was time to return to work, Ambrosi sought a career that allowed flexibility while still aligning with her values. Real estate was not her first choice — she loved teaching and the purpose it gave her — but she ultimately found a way to bring her servant’s heart into an industry where people often need guidance during life’s most stressful transitions.

The years 2024 and 2025 brought deep loss to Ambrosi’s community, including the deaths of sons of former colleagues and clients to suicide. These experiences reinforced the urgency of accessible mental health support and led her to partner with Mental Health America of Greater Houston. Despite a challenging real estate market, Ambrosi and her team fulfilled a $25,000 pledge to support mental health services in 2025.

What’s the connection between real estate and mental health? “I attract all kinds,” Ambrosi explained with a laugh. She found that she could help all kinds of people get into homes, regardless of their circumstances. And getting into homes gave her clients hope, she said.

“Please give someone some hope today,” Ambrosi said in closing, urging the audience to make a phone call, send a text or reach out to a friend.

The “Treasures of Texas” luncheon brings together community and business leaders to raise funds and awareness for mental health programs serving the Greater Houston region, including Katy. The “Spirit of

Hope Award” honors an individual or organization in the Greater Houston area whose work and leadership demonstrate an exceptional commitment to advancing the mental well-being of Houstonians through their profession, volunteer service, and example to others. For details about the event, head to: mhahouston.org/events/tot.