“Understanding People with “Unique Abilities”
3 Rotarians Working Hard To Make A Difference
Three Rotarians who are members of the Rotary Club of NW Houston Sunset are principal volunteers working together among many other influential persons in Houston to make a difference in young adults who have Unique Abilities, having been partially mentally, emotionally or physically challenged. These Rotarian volunteers who work with the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation which originated out of the Barbara Jordan High School for Careers are Thelma Scott, founder of the corporation; Myeshi Briley,MS,HS-BCP Human Services practitioner and instructor for two University’s with a long-time career involvement in those with unique abilities; and Dr. Ben Thomas, a professor, scientist, and advocate for those with unique abilities also serving as Executive President of the Texas Polio Survivors’ Association. Myeshi and Dr. Thomas are both advisory board members of Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation and share responsibilities related to the implementation of the assistive programs given out to the students and their parents in monthly workshops. Both Myeshi and Dr. Thomas have been inspired by the fellow Rotarian Thelma Scott, a Texas Department of Assistance and Rehabilitative Services consumer, who was in turn challenged by wheelchair-bound Congresswoman Barbara Jordan in May 1995 when Thelma met her at the LBJ School of Public Affairs where she taught Ethics at UT Austin. Barbara Jordan, a Texas Congresswoman, a giant of social services and education assistance in Texas, was at that time impacted by multiple sclerosis and Thelma Scott was struggling with breast cancer, effects of chemotherapy and spinal injuries. Barbara Jordan told Thelma to get out there and "make something happen" developing an organization for students with unique abilities to earn their maximum potential in life, career and in the community. Her famous quote to further inspire the maximization of those with unique abilities is listed on the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation website (barbarajordanambassadors.org)
“Let each person do his or her part. If one citizen is unwilling to participate all of us are going to suffer. For the American idea, though it is shared by all of us, is realized in each of us.”
Thelma Scott has added her own motto to tell students serving as Barbara Jordan Ambassadors out of the high school programs:
Greater college-ready superstars, “Never give up, no matter what it takes!”
Healed and impacted with her own hidden disabilities, Thelma Scott and her husband Otis founded the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation in December, 2000, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization to help students with unique abilities target for success. In April, 2003 the late Barbara Jordan’s sister, Rose Mary McGowen, a retired Houston teacher and philanthropist, gave her full support and Barbara Jordan name recognition to the Barbara Jordan Ambassador Program comprised of high school students and scholarships recipients who were awarded recognition and assistance under the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation. The first gem of an idea was to partner with the Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, and local schools, Chambers of Commerce and businesses to inspire and enlighten Texas Houston students with unique abilities to earn their maximum potential and become self-sufficient and productive citizens in their communities. In addition, the goals of Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation is to encourage the students to combat any instances of bullying and not drop out of school but instead plan and target for a career path, and utilize government agencies, charitable organizations, universities, schools and businesses to educate the public about the high value of recognizing and allowing for the development of career skills of those with unique abilities. People First Language (Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities) is encouraged to be used by advocates and the public in reference to a person with unique abilities in which “a person who has a physical disability or cognitive impairment” is the preferred identification. Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation with its inspirational and instructive workshops and scholarship awards has grown to be involved in several Houston school districts such as Houston ISD, Spring ISD, Aldine ISD, Klein ISD and Cy-Fair ISD. Concrete plans are being made to extend the program to high school districts beyond Houston and statewide.
On Aug 1, 2011, the "Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation" received a Texas government grant out of the Texas Council for Development Disabilities to support the growth and continuance of the program and to accomplish the following listed goals:
1) Hold nine (9) monthly workshops from September, 2011 to May, 2012 in which students and their parents are instructed about networking, letter writing, self-advocate training and how to contact local legislators.
2) Students learn to utilize Resource Guides to plan the implementation of their earning skills applicable to lifetime careers.
3) As students achieve goals they are recognized and win scholarships to trade schools, community colleges and/or universities with which they will earn the skills to be self-sufficient and practice their professions.
4) Students and parents are taught about the provisions of the local and federal laws which benefit those with unique abilities such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
5) Students learn the history of persons with disabilities, to promote high self-esteem through individual achievement and recognition of self-worth. They are encouraged to work and win skills that will allow them to make positive contributions in their private and public worlds. The achievements of the young professionals herald expanding possibilities for those students affected with disabilities who follow in their footsteps.
The corporation honored one of their first ambassador graduates, Troy Myers in May 2000 as a first recipient of the Rosemary McGowen Striving for Excellence VIP of the Year award and a scholarship for $500 while he progressed in his studies at North Harris College and eventually earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Houston. A Marine veteran and professional currently working at the Houston Center of Independent Living, Troy was also honored with a proclamation from Mayor Parker in December, 2010 and featured in the Houston Chronicle in September, 2010. The 2011-2012 Ambassador students will be followed and mentored throughout their college education and graduates will return to help new ambassadors. Recent honorees of the Barbara Jordan Ambassadors Program are Gabriela Hanrahan, a graphic design artist who won a state award usually reserved for professionals and junior Nelson James who is certified in computer aided design. (ABC news program feature link abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=8452907).
The ambassador students are promoted by several influential individuals in the community who work alongside the first Rotarians listed. Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corp Advisors Emeritus are the referenced Rose Mary McGowen and Juanita Jackson, Dean of University of Houston. Also Advisors Emeritus are Mr. and Mrs. Sam Smith on Staff at Prairie View University A & M, who are responsible for the Barbara Jordan Ambassadors Program at Barbara Jordan High School for Careers.
Executive Board Member Chairman is Chris Galvez, who earned his BS in Computer Science NROTC at Prairie View A&M University, became a 1998 Systems’ Analyst for Roy G. Perry College of Engineering at Prairie View and is currently Staff Advisory Council at Prairie View A&M University over all 3 locations. The First Vice President is Mrs. Ruby Bridges, CEO, who has earned her BS in Business Management at University of Phoenix, a mother and caretaker of a family member with a disability and having 21 years in the legal profession as a paralegal and has established her own company, Patent Solutions Unlimited Company.
One of the special 10 Board members is Mr. Troyen Myree, superstar graduate of the Barbara Jordan Ambassador program and Senior Ambassador Coordinator for Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation. A few of the many Advisory Board Members for 2011-2012 are Rotarian Myeshi Briley, CEO of ESHI Therapy Center ( http://eshi.vpweb.com/default.html) and appointee from the Texas Governor’s office to serve on the “Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee” also carrying a Masters in Human Services and instructing at Prairie View University. She is in charge of implementation of several school district workshops. Serving as Advisory Board Member is Rotarian, Dr. Ben Thomas, a self-advocate and Executive President of the Texas Polio Survivors’ Association, and a notable environmental biology expert specifically in chemicals related to the body and the environment. He has presented programs telling about one’s succeeding with unique abilities and assisted at several workshops. Another Advisory Board Member is Ms. Tina Williams who is also Commissioner for the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
In addition, Toni Davenport, CEO and founder of the Progressive Rehabilitation Services (PRS) advises the corporation and offers a complete vocational rehabilitative program in which pre-employment and job readiness services, as well as job development, coaching, job retention and life-skills techniques are addressed for persons of unique abilities. The PRS is located at 10101 Fondren #240, Houston, TX 77096 (713-774-5216). Also, the Community Outreach Partner and Sponsor is Deavra Daughtry, an internationally known philanthropist, CEO and founder of Excellent Care Management, one of the nation’s largest personal in-home care agencies, author of several inspirational achievement books, and founder of TWEF/IEF through which she has reached over 100,000 people with workshops and seminars about achieving one’s maximum potential.
Many businesses and organizations are supportive of Barbara Jordan Endeavors’ Corp. Just a few of them are Childrens’ Books on Wheels (whose founder, Rita Wiltz,), Houston Community College, Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, HISD, Walgreens, Texas Project First and Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Trinity Trimmers, Laughlin Photography, Museum of Cultural Arts, Houston, Women of AT & T, and Neighborhood Centers, Inc.
Rotarians strongly believe in helping others to overcome difficulties through accepting the assistance which allows them to become self-sufficient and in turn inspire others to do the same. Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation seeks to assist students with unique abilities to give back to the community. Thelma Scott lists desired contributions from businesses or the public to include lap tops, desktop computers, USB/Flash drives, store gift cards and used vehicles. The address of the Barbara Jordan Endeavors Corporation is P.O. Box 38699, Houston, Texas 77238.
