Friends of the Children – Houston Cheers on Simone Biles at World Champions Centre Watch Party

Youth, Friends, and families from Friends – Houston joined hundreds of supporters at an Olympics watch party yesterday to cheer on youth advocate, World Champion Gymnast and Friends of the Children ambassador Simone Biles! The Olympics watch party was hosted at the World Champions Centre where Biles and two other members of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team also trained—Jordan Chiles and Joscelyn Roberson. Youth were able to witness and celebrate the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team as they secured the Olympic team final gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

"The youth and their families were beyond thrilled to cheer on Simone and other Olympic teammates at the gym where they train, along with the Houston community," said Friends of the Children- Houston Executive Director Tre Maxie. "Watching Simone rise above her childhood obstacles to literally defy gravity is a defining experience they may never forget. This is one of those experiences in their childhoods that they will draw upon to overcome their own life's obstacles.”

Tre Maxie continued,” We are thankful to Simone and the World Champions Centre for bringing together the Houston community to rally our support for our local Olympic gymnasts who are global heroes."

Simone was instrumental in the launch of Friends of the Children – Houston. The chapter was announced at an event for the unveiling of a second Wheaties box featuring Biles and Friends of the Children in 2023.

“I know how special it is to have a mentor. Somebody who believes in you and helps you through each and every step of the way. I think that’s a really unique situation and it’s important, and I wish there were more Friends of the Children,” said Biles recently in her role as the organization’s national ambassador. “It is my hope that everyone who needs a ‘Friend’ has one so they too can be fearless, courageous, achieve their big dreams and have fun while doing it.”

Biles was recently selected as a CNN Heroes Sharing the Spotlight for her work with Friends of the Children. She also highlighted Friends of the Children in a People magazine interview and wrote an op-ed in USA Today about why she supports Friends of the Children.