The holidays came early for two Harris (Texas) County Department of Education (HCDE) Head Start moms as they received the gift of transportation from community partner Bates Collision Centers, which has two locations in Baytown and Channelview, TX.
After years of relying on borrowed vehicles and ride-sharing apps, single moms Octavia Lafayette and Quantasia Williams received refurbished cars, a 2016 Nissan Versa and a 2015 Buick Encore, at the annual Bates Collision Centers Responsible Parenting Award receptions, held Dec. 11-12.
The receptions marked the 21st year of partnership between Bates Collision Centers and HCDE’s Head Start Program, giving deserving parents and young students an opportunity to improve their lives. The vehicles were the 47th and 48th donated thanks to the collaboration.
“I’m a guy who rode the bus at 22 years old and didn’t get a car until I was 22, so I know just how important a vehicle is,” HCDE Superintendent James Colbert Jr. said of the impact this can have for the honorees. “You need to use this as a pivot point. It can change the whole trajectory for not only yourself but your family, and certainly your kids.”
Award recipients are nominated by Head Start staff, chosen for their commitment to their families and bettering their lives despite adversity and challenging circumstances. Bates Collision Center employees then take on the large task of reading these amazing stories of perseverance and choosing the recipients.
Recipient Octavia Lafayette, left, with Bates Collision Centers owners Leila, center, and Lee Bates, right.
“I feel thankful, and I feel favored,” said Lafayette, a Humble Head Start parent of three who received her new vehicle at the Channelview location Dec. 11. “Just knowing that everything as of today is going to be lifechanging. I have been praying, faithful, stayed consistent, and my hard work definitely paid off. I’m happy and I couldn’t have asked for better people to come into my life.”
Said Williams, a Baytown Head Start parent of one who received her car at the Baytown location Dec. 12: “I’m just so grateful. This opportunity doesn’t happen often so I’m very grateful, excited and blessed for this. I’ll be able to get Malaysia where she needs to go -- back and forth to school and to doctor’s appointments. I won’t have to depend on other people. I’ll even be able to go back to school.”
Throughout the year, Bates staff search for salvaged or donated vehicles that can be repaired and rehabilitated. The cars are then gifted to those deserving parents during the holiday season. Collision center employees volunteer annually for the project, giving their time and skills to work on the cars.
The award is also an opportunity for the Baytown and Channelview communities to give back -- residents, local sports teams and businesses donate gifts, gas, insurance and materials needed to maintain the vehicles.
“We can’t always see all the details when we’re making that decision, but we love that the families are nominated by people who know them well,” said Bates Collision Center co-owner Leila Bates. “It’s reassurance that these were the right families to pick. It seems like with each year, we learn that this is somebody who needs the help and is going to do something with it. And our staff is always willing to do it. We feel a sense of responsibility for them to make sure we’re picking a family that’s working as hard as they are.”
Juggling her overnight work schedule and the demands of three children was challenging enough for Lafayette. Without reliable transportation -- there are no public transit options available where she lives in Humble -- Lafayette said she had to withdraw from college courses and find a cost-effective private transportation service to ensure youngest son Tremond got to and from Head Start. However, that didn’t stop her from making an impact in the community, as Lafayette volunteers with afterschool programs and supports families in need while navigating her own challenges.
Williams lives with her mother and brother and also works overnight, serving as a phlebotomist at Houston Methodist in Baytown. She rushes home after work to ensure daughter Malaysia gets ready and arrives at her Head Start center each day. In October, Williams borrowed her grandmother’s car but was involved in a hit-and-run accident, once again leaving her without transportation and relying on family or rideshare apps to get to her destinations. Having her own vehicle, she said, will provide independence and more time to return to college and volunteer at Malaysia’s campus.
For Lee and Leila Bates, the feeling never gets old. As they watched Lafayette and Williams drive off, their smiles were big. They’ve positively impacted the lives of Head Start families for more than 20 years, and each time they’ve said the same thing.
“You can do this.”
“That’s the most important part,” Leila Bates said. “The message that we’re trying to send and reward is you can do this and you did this. We’re just going to help you out a little bit.”
