Nueces County Republican Club Features HELP

Mike Bergsma, Nueces County Republican Club and HELP Board Member, introduces the HELP Program

Hammons Education Leadership Programs (HELP) was featured  at the June 20 meeting of the Nueces County Republican Club. Mike Bergsma, Club stalwart and a member of the HELP's Board of Directors, gave a warm Texas-style welcome to the attendees and explained the many reasons why he has chosen to support HELP, describing the positive values as well as the training opportunities made available to the youth of the Corpus Christi area via the HELP program. 

Mr. Bergsma then gave an enthusiastic introduction to Vance Feiler, the Chairman of the Board for HELP. Mr. Feiler explained that HELP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to enable students to become productive members of our local workforce after graduation from High School by helping them to discover their own potential and ability to find long term career opportunities in areas that they may have a real passion for. 

Vance Feiler, Chairman of the Board for HELP, prepares to introduce Dr. Ridge Hammons, Executive Director of HELP


Vance Feiler explained that, while the HELP program is non-political in nature,  this kind of program is well-suited to the long term economic benefit of Nueces County and the State of Texas, as well as for our Nation as a whole, by empowering today's teens to gain productive employment in a highly competitive global economy. Mr. Feiler then introduced Ridge Hammons, the Executive Director and founder of HELP. 

Dr. Hammons, a former CCISD teacher and administrator, has chosen to apply his lifetime of experience in guiding today's middle and high school students by helping them to discover the many high paying career opportunities that already exist in the Coastal Bend area. 

Ridge Hammons, Executive Director of HELP, and his assistant Jennifer Hollingsworth, give a multi-media presentation on HELP's positive impact on our student's futures.

Dr. Hammons, a life-long teacher and administrator, gave a couple of wonderful examples of how truly effective education must be a two way street where both the students as well as the educator need to be open to the sharing of ideas. Dr. Hammons also stressed the importance to students of gaining real-life experiences beyond the classroom walls, where students are engaged in hands-on learning activities.

Dr. Hammons helped the Nueces County Republican Club members to better understand the challenges that today's educators face in  motivating students who may not see for themselves the value of their education.

Dr. Ridge Hammons explains his vision, and passion for helping Students

Dr. Hammons has used  lessons that he has gained from his career as an educator to develop a truly unique learning experience for hundreds of area students outside of the typical campus-based curriculum. The HELP Program offers students the opportunity to gain real hands-on life experiences from many Coastal Bend industries and businesses who have chosen to become partners with HELP by offering guided tours of their facilities, and face-to-face contact with  mentors who have  volunteered their time and energies. HELP's ever growing list of supporters includes the The Craft Training Center, Valero, Sherwin Alumina, Air Liquide, the Port of Corpus Christi, and many others. HELP has received wonderful support from Ainsworth Trucking's   The Limousine Company, who offer students free transportation from their home campuses to their specific job-site locations, enabling HELP to increase the total number of students who have become active participants. 

What makes HELP unique from other student-centered programs is Dr. Hammons' desire to help students who come from economically challenged circumstances, as well as students with special needs. and run-ins with the law. While many opportunities and programs are available for academically gifted students, Ridge's passion is to help the kids who really need a temporary "hand up" in order to  prevent society having to provide a long-term "hand out." 

HELP is developing a strong collaborative partnership with  the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), as well as the Nueces County Juvenile Justice Center for the long term benefit of our local students.

Dr. Hammons confirmed that the majority of HELP's funding  is gotten via donations from the public, area partners, and sponsors, as well as through grants that go to cover the costs of the numerous off campus/on-site field trips. He also said HELP spends close to 80% of its funding on student-related expenses, and only 20% on administrative overhead. Since many of HELP's job site visits involve some degree of risk, the students are required to wear hard-hats and other protective gear such as proper boots and clothing to reduce the potential for serious injuries. HELP  also maintains the necessary and appropriate insurance to cover the needs of students and visited sites. This insurance can be expensive, and HELP is constantly in need of assistance to safely expand its positive impact on our local students' future careers.

Speaking of positive impact on the Coastal Bend Community: The Honorable Blake Farenthold made a surprise visit to the June 20, 2011 Nueces County Republican Club meeting! Blake always shows his true desire and willingness to represent us by keeping an open door of communication with his constituents in South Texas via his website Blake.com

HELP Board Member Ron Benavides gives an impassioned message about the importance of giving proper direction and guidance to our future generations.

James Sales, a local attorney who has extensively worked with our youth in times of trouble, gives his feedback on how programs such as HELP are vitally needed by today's teenagers.  He said they need more positive direction, and encouragement beyond that of their parents and teachers in order to develop a better self image and to see their own futures in a better light. Programs such as HELP, he said, are a great way to keep youth out of trouble.

Dr. Hammons wants to HELP our students discover their true potential by showing them the numerous opportunities for finding high-paying jobs right here in the Coastal Bend. With the increasing average age of our local skilled workforce, many area industries are forced to bring in skilled workers from outside South Texas. Our students need to develop a better understanding of the value of their education, and to see their need to learn advanced math and science.  Basic to it all is knowing why you are working - as HELP's motto proclaims:

HOW CAN YOU FIND THE JOB OF YOUR DREAMS, IF YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTS?