Harris County Department of Education Head Start Mom Jessica Bouldin and two sons Jyree, 3, and Jasious, 6, were gifted a shiny, blue, rehabbed Nissan Altima this Christmas through Bates Collison Centers.

View photo album: https://tinyurl.com/txsz2w9

Bicycles, gifts and car were presented by Lee and Leila Bates and employees as they volunteered their resources through the Responsible Parenting Award, a philanthropic project which has been ongoing for 20 years.

The Bouldins received car number 37. Bates employees rehab the car and community members help with resources such as insurance, gas, tires and gifts.

“I think the important thing we need to recognize is that sometimes life gets in the way for whatever reason,” said HCDE Superintendent James Colbert Jr. “Someone needs a helping hand to get them back into a direction that can change their lives forever.”

Bouldin is a victim of domestic abuse and is raising her sons as a single parent with the help of her aunt. She must find transportation to get herself to work and her sons to separate schools each day. Recently she was promoted on her job.

“I know that this car is going to make a big difference in your life,” said Leila Bates.
Bates said she and husband Lee organize the event, but staff volunteer hours to rehab the car.

“They put cars back on the road every day,” she said. “That’s what they do for a living. But for this they are putting a family back on the road.”

HCDE Head Start programs like the one Jyree attends in northeast Houston are free and help prepare children and their families for success in school. Bouldin looks forward to volunteering in her son’s classroom now that she has wheels.

“I watched my aunt take people in that really needed help,” she said. “It taught me that helping others is very important.”

For more information about Head Start services and enrollment, go to www.hcde-texas.org/head-start .