The Chris Center receives transformational donation to launch Rudy’s Fund: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Rudolph Moreira

The Chris Center (TCC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving youth mental wellness through nature and human-animal interaction, announced on Monday the creation of Rudy’s Fund: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Rudolph Moreira.

Rudy’s Fund springs from a transformational donation from Dr. Katheryn “Kathy” Moreira of Noblesville that will allow the organization to expand its programs in Hamilton and Marion counties.

Kathy is Dr. Rudy Moreira’s daughter and the sister of The Chris Center’s co-founder and executive director, Dr. Sandra “Sandy” Moreira. Sandy, who lives in Carmel, co-founded The Chris Center with Nancy Elbert, also of Carmel, and became executive director in January, following Elbert’s retirement. Kathy has seen TCC’s profound impact in the three years since its inception and recognized that the organization was at a crossroads – ready to take its programming to the next level. She also knew how much their father, a regarded surgeon in Cincinnati who passed away May 26, 2021, embodied The Chris Center’s mission.

“Kathy is savvy enough to know that donations of this size and magnitude that elevate an organization are rare for young nonprofit organizations, so she stepped up to make it happen and took the beautiful step to honor our father’s legacy in the process,” Sandy said. “With this gift, Kathy has so generously, graciously, and beautifully weaved together everything that was most important to our father.”

The Moreira family at the launch of Rudy’s Fund: Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Rudolph Moreira. (From left) Dr. Robert Malinzak, Mackie Malinzak, Dr. Sandy Moreira, Emily Moreira, Dr. Kathy Moreira, and Jake Malinzak. (Photo provided)

Dr. Rudy Moreira had a strong connection with and deep love for animals his entire life, evidenced by the stories upon stories of him rescuing, saving, and even housing countless injured and stray animals – from dogs and cats, to fish and ferrets, to goats and geckos. He is described by those who love him as a fierce man with a very soft heart for his animals, and especially at the end of his life, they gave him great comfort and peace.

The Chris Center’s programs leverage the power of connecting with nature and animals to improve wellness and teach teens and pre-teens critical coping skills to build resilience. Its flagship program, PAWS Therapy Dog Program, is in seven middle and high schools in Hamilton and Marion counties. It also has alpaca-assisted wellness programs, in partnership with Zionsville’s Stone Farms, a Mindful Arts Program, and a Parent Education Series, done in partnership with the Carmel Clay Public Library.

TCC’s board of directors has committed 2024 to strengthening the organizational infrastructure for sustainable growth.

“Kathy knew we would need additional resources to further the strategic planning, fundraising and programming needed to achieve the kind of growth that will have a lasting impact on our community,” Sandy said. “There is such great need and demand for our programs, but we can’t grow into new schools and maintain the highest quality programming with our current resources. Kathy’s donation will allow us to hire a Program Coordinator at a competitive salary, who will help us take TCC to the next level, support sustainable growth, and have a lasting impact.”

Now, when anyone makes a donation to TCC, they will have the option of donating to Rudy’s Fund, which will honor his life and continue to build upon his legacy.