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Posts published in “Day: June 10, 2014”

Founder Sylvia Bolling resigns as active director at Aldine FHC

June 10, 2014

Sylvia Bolling has announced her retirement from Aldine YOUTH, the social organization she founded 24 years ago. Bolling issued the following statement:

Sylvia Bolling, a speech/language pathologist and sign language interpreter, founded Aldine Y.O.U.T.H. (Youth Organization United To Help) out of her home 24 years ago, in 1990. God gave her a vision to make a difference in the lives of youth here in our Aldine community.

Operating 5 years without a building, staff, funds, or needed equipment, she and her family along with a handful of committed volunteers, stayed faithful to that vision and planned a variety of activities which had a positive impact on many youth. She left her full-time job at Aldine ISD and dedicated her life to this mission.

In 1995, the organization was blessed to receive funds from Houston Endowment to pay the down payment on the 6.8 acres of land located at 4700 Aldine Mail Route and became the Aldine Y.O.U.T.H. Community Center. God provided everything needed to keep the Center operating, without government funding. Through partnerships with schools, churches, businesses, and agencies, the Center continued to flourish and today offers over 25 educational, vocational, social, and recreational programs and services to help transform and empower, not just the youth, but the whole family. Their board of directors, staff, volunteers, and donors, remained steadfast in helping to grow this much needed organization and touch the lives of so many people in our community. Along this journey, Sylvia and the Center were awarded a variety of local, city, state, and national awards for their valuable work and witnessed a positive change in so many lives.

In late 2010, Buckner International, a global Christian organization with corporate office in Dallas, visited the Center and was so impressed by the mission and effectiveness of what had been done, they requested that Aldine Y.O.U.T.H. be acquisitioned by them to become a part of their Buckner ministry.

After much prayer and counsel, an agreement was made and the acquisition was official in March 2012. This relationship with Buckner will ensure the sustainability and growth of services to our community and is truly a blessing. They renamed the center to the Aldine Family Hope Center, but kept the programs and services intact which were previously offered by the Center.

Sylvia Bolling explains, “God gave me this vision as an assignment to plant and nurture for the past 24 years. Now, my assignment is over at the Center in the role as director, and it is time for me to venture out and begin some new works. I have been so blessed to be used by God to witness His power and faithfulness and know that when He says something will be done, it will be done!! I want to thank the hundreds of people who have given so graciously of their time, money, prayers, and love to make sure that this organization became what God intended it to be. A special thank you to Shawna Roy, my daughter, who served as my Program Director for 9 years and had such a positive impact in the organization. She recently accepted a position as Club Director at the Havard Boys and Girls Club. To be able to establish such a wonderful organization, in spite of the fact we did not always have the funds needed, truly shows what can be done when people work together in one accord on behalf of making their community a better place for all, especially our children. To God be the Glory!”

Sylvia will now contract with Buckner International as a Community Liaison to continue to build relationships with community businesses, churches, schools, and agencies here in Aldine and also in Houston as a whole. She is so happy to be able to still be involved in the community and support the future growth of the Center and help and connect with other entities. Sylvia recently wrote her first book, “When God Gives You A Vision” to encourage others to follow their dreams and visions. You can learn more about her future plans and keep in contact with her by visiting her website at www.sylviabolling.com or email her at sylvia@sylbiabolling.com

“Ms. Alma DeAlejandro is the new director of the Aldine Family Hope Center. Please stop by and welcome her in this position and give her all the support she needs to carry on this mission”, Sylvia says. “There will be a lot of exciting happenings in the years to come, so I encourage everyone to continue to commit to being a part of the Center as it goes forth. Please continue to donate and volunteer, that will truly honor our legacy.”

For more information, visit the Center at 4700 Aldine Mail Rt. or call 281-449-4828.

Clerk killed in robbery of station on Eastex Freeway

June 10, 2014

NORTHEAST – A clerk was fatally shot in North Harris County on Sunday night, June 1 at a convenience store on US59, Eastex Freeway.

Police have arrested one person in connection with the crime, and are searching for the other men who fatally shot Satish Patel. Police said the shooting happened at a Phillips 66 located at 15615 Eastex Freeway (North U.S. 59) around 11:20 p.m.

Houston Police officials said three to four suspects wearing masks or hoodies entered the store and fatally shot the clerk during an altercation.

After the shooting, the suspects fled in a newer model four-door Dodge pickup truck with tinted windows, reported HPD Homocide Division Sergeant K. Tolls. The pickup truck was later found a short distance away in a residential neighborhood near the Eastex Freeway and Beltway 8 but there were no suspects. One of the suspects was also wounded and may possibly need medical attention.

Two months ago the same gas station was the scene of another robbery and shooting but that time the clerks shot and injured the suspect.

Satish Patel was 50 years-old, married and father of two kids. Satishkumar Patel, the late-night manager, was shot and killed during the robbery. After some investigation and checking the security cameras at the gas station, one of the suspects, a 17-year-old is in custody. Anthony Shannon Jamerson is in jail and has been charged with two counts of capital murder and being questioned about the killing of his accomplice.

Local 13 eyewitness news reported:

“Anthony Shannon Jamerson was encountered Wednesday, called to the scene of a homicide. In the backseat of a car, was the body of 18-year-old Jaylen Townsel. It’s believed Townsel, along with Jamerson, allegedly robbed the Philips 66 truck stop. Jamerson however, claimed he and his friend were robbed — displaying a gunshot wound to his finger he claimed he sustained in the robbery. A probable cause warrant states instead the injury was a result of Jamerson’s pistol accidentally firing during the truck stop robbery days before.

The teenager is also accused in the robbery murder of a guest at a north Houston motel last month. Ten thousand dollars was taken in that robbery.

Jamerson, also known as “Ant,” is being held without bond.” He made his first court appearance last Monday, June 9. The investigation continues.

Anyone with information on the identities of the suspects or about this case is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

HCC plans $40 million project in North Forest – New building to train workforce, academics; rebuild community

June 10, 2014

NORTH FOREST – Officials from the Houston Community College system held a Town Hall meeting with the North Forest community last Wednesday evening. The reason for the event, held in the previous public board room of the NFISD, was to show the community the plans for the new buildings on the NCC-NE North Forest campus, and to explain the programs that will take place in this facility and benefit the community as a whole.

Using funds from the HCC bond program approved by county-wide voters, HCC will build a new building of 92,750 square feet on a 43 acre campus at the corner of Homestead and Little York. The total program cost is about $40 million dollars, presenters Dr. Margaret Fisher and Dr. Cesar Maldonado said. This represents not only a commitment to HCC educational goals, but a very important commitment to the North Forest community, one that could turn around the economic base and social and crime statistics of the area.

Features of the design as shown on drawings, include a suite of rooms for workforce training, and automotive technology. There will also be academic classroom space, offices for administration and faculty, a library, student life center, and a conference center.

Dave Wilson, HCC board member for District II, spoke about what advantage this could bring to the North Forest community. Specifically, he said it would be a sparkplug to revitalize this community, and help to get businesses opening up. He envisions that working families will want to have their children come to this school, and said “It will be great for everybody.”

Also presenting at the town hall were project manager Marvin Daniels of Jacobs, and architects David Andrews and Jeanette DiCorcia of PGAL. Andrews presented a number of drawings of the design, and also spoke about the time it would take to build and then open. It is anticipated that construction will start by the end of 2014, and first classes will be in 2016.