“In the early ‘90s, Central Heights was the type of neighborhood where you would get off the school bus, do your homework, and come to the park to play ball until the street lights came on. It was a tough neighborhood, with rivalries and occasional fights. Not the gun violence you see today. You would fight, take your licks, and get up to play again.

“You built mental toughness out here. It’s where I learned everything. There was a church next door. So those are probably the two biggest foundations for my life: church and the playground.

“There were elements of drug dealing and violence. But overall, this was a good place to grow up: good foundation, good principles, people helping each other.

“I was fortunate to have mentors. My dad exposed me to certain things, like opportunities to play sports. I had coaches and principals who looked out for me. They saw something in me, and gave me an extra push to help me out.

“But as I got into education, I began noticing things that were missing the mark. Things we weren’t teaching students. Like, no one ever sat me down and talked about finances: credit, the difference between rent and mortgage, ownership versus working for someone. No one ever showed me how a job application works. No one taught us etiquette, like how to open doors for someone. Everything I learned about dating was from my fellas, or watching my parents or other relationships. But there were no lessons or classes for it.

“One of my best friends from this neighborhood — talented athlete, smart, funny, good looking — died at a young age. I feel like the big thing missing for some of my friends who died or went to jail were the opportunities, the exposure.

“There are young people today with million dollar minds, but they have a small town mentality. They think they can’t do anything else. But you can. You can travel. You can come back and give back. There are so many opportunities available. But until you know, you don’t know. So I decided to do something about it.”

Heron launched the TIE program — Thomas Institute of Excellence — in 2018 as a way to mentor young men.

Showing them the way

“Everything we do in the TIE program is built on excellence, and a model of service before self. A big component is exposing these young men to all the opportunities available to them. We let them meet business owners, and give them the blueprint for what they can aspire to do with their lives.

“What I try to teach the kids that I didn’t get as a young child is the power of relationships. Everywhere we visit has either a tie to myself or the hometown community. Putting them in front of successful people who ran the same streets, hung out at the same parks, went to the same schools, shows them that, hey, you can do this, too. There’s nothing stopping you.

“We take trips. We do community service. We expose them to all types of experiences, like fine dining. We’ve had dinners at places like Del Frisco, Steak 48 and Taste Bar.

“And then just giving them opportunities to look good. A lot of these kids have never worn a nice shirt and tie. The effect they see when they dress up and walk into a place, the attention that turns on them, is awesome.

“They love pulling up to restaurants and seeing the nice vehicles, and enjoying nice meals. Not saying you have to live that type of lifestyle. I’m good eating off a food truck, but I do like a nice steak sometimes. But I know that if they aspire to be like that, we have to teach them now what it takes. You can’t wait until they’re 25 and struggling and say, you should have done this and that. We have to give them the ‘how’ and ‘why’ at an early age.

“Hopefully, the program will grow, and we’ll be able to be a blessing to more students. That’s really my goal: to be a positive influence for as many kids as possible. That’s all I really care about, giving kids an opportunity. When you know better, you do better.

“I just pray God continues to bless me, so I can continue to bless my community. This is home. This is where the seeds were planted. I consider everyone who comes from here just another branch on that family tree that I can help.”

Taking time to listen

Heron also is principal of the Eagle Positive Intervention Center in Barbers Hill ISD. The student-centered program focuses on academics, discipline and structure. Its mission is to provide an environment where students will recognize they have the ability to learn, add value and have worth.

“I feel like I have the best job on the planet. I just love it. I’m able to reach kids that a lot of people can’t reach. It’s always been my forte. I’m kind of like a child whisperer.

“It’s just being vulnerable and open to provide students an opportunity to be heard. Sometimes as adults, we want to force things on students without ever actually giving them the opportunity to speak. You have to see where they’re coming from. You have to be relatable. And they have to know that you care.

“My biggest thing is, I show up. When my kids need me, I’m there. I don’t care if it’s a sporting event or dance recital. Or it can be difficult situations with parents. I’m just going to show up.

“That’s the most important thing. Kids have to know that you care about them. Once they know I’ll show up in that way, they’ll do anything for you.”

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“I’d say I was a curious kid. My mom would say destructive. When she was in my room cleaning, I only allowed her to touch my bed or chest of drawers. I had piles all over the room. I had a pile for an old, dead radio that I took apart. I had a pile for an old, dead clock that I took apart. I had a pile for an old TV that I was taking apart. I would take them all apart and try to put them back together. I just wanted to see how stuff worked.

“It paid off in the long run. When I got to graduate school and beyond in my career, some of the equipment we used could be pretty complicated mechanically. So it was nice to be able to take apart the guts of your own electron microscope, for example, and swap out a stage without having to call a service guy. I also kind of built machines that were computer controlled, writing codes for the device drivers and things like that. I definitely knew all the basics.

“When I was asked if I was interested in being an industrial sponsor for the Goose Creek school district’s robotics team, I said, sure. The kids had a great time. They learned all about computers and gears and motors, all that good stuff. There were competitions where you’d build a robot, and it was supposed to do tasks better than the other robots. It was fabulous.

“During my career at Exxon, I always enjoyed being a mentor. When it came to the kids on the robotics team, it was the same thing. I really enjoyed watching the transformation of the smart, geeky kids. Some kids who are really smart and make good grades can be kind of loners. They spend a lot of time playing on their computers and stuff, and they don’t have much in the way of social interactions. So to see them make friends and learn how to come together to be part of a team, that was pretty cool.

“It helps their skills, too, especially since robotics is becoming so important in manufacturing. Robotics is really changing the scheme of production, as far as how things will be done in the future. It’s neat to think about some of these kids being a part of that.”

— Jeff Butler

A physicist, Jeff built “the laboratory of my dreams” at Exxon Mobil (formerly Exxon) in Baytown. He spent his entire 34-year career there.

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“Throughout my life, it seems like people have always been seeking my advice on how to handle certain situations. I’ve often wondered, why me? What is it that I provide that’s helpful? Maybe it stems from the fact that I’ve been through some hell, and I’ve persevered. Also, I tell the truth. I don’t hold back. I say, ‘I’m telling you this out of love. But know that you’ve got to do different if you want to make a change.’

“I have mentors, too, who help me figure out what I want in life. Really, that’s what life is all about. You have things you want to achieve, but you may not know how to make it happen.

“I’ve always been a person who lives by truth, no matter how ugly it is. I teach my children: you’re responsible for you. I am legally. But spiritually, you’re responsible to connect with who you are and know who you are, so that you can then impact others around you. Because we’re only here for a split second. My kids are fully aware that they’re going to die one day. That is the one thing everyone is promised. So what is it that you want to do before then? Who is it that you want to impact?

“I’ve started to do life coaching because I love helping people figure out who they are and where their next step is in life’s journey. When I sat in therapy and looked at the therapist, I was like, that’s the chair I want to be in. I want to help people understand why they think the way they do, why they’re in the situation they’re in, and help them move to their future selves. I think that’s my gift, and I enjoy sharing it.”

— Rebekah Mansker

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• Her childhood was ‘really, really hell’

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He was raised by a strong, loving mother who worked three jobs. She tried to make sure that he did the right things, and she disciplined him when he didn’t.

But as he got older, Allen drifted into waters that eventually led to a stint in jail and completion of a rehabilitation program for drug addiction.

It was during his time in rehab that the idea came to him. He wanted to do something with his life that would positively influence young men in the community.

“I came to the realization that I needed to change my life. My goal was to help others so that they didn’t make some of the same mistakes I made and didn’t have to go through some of the things that I went through,” Allen said.

That’s how YBS Mentoring was born. 

“YBS stands for young, blessed and saved. I was given another chance at life, and serving as a positive male role model for these young kids is the thing that drives me,” said Allen, who turns 31 in September.

Leading by example

He has been walking the talk the past four years as the non-profit organization’s leader.

Classes held two Saturdays a month in Baytown cover topics ranging from the basics of how to shave and tie a necktie, to taking a personal life inventory and the importance of respect.

Sessions also have touched on the dangers of drugs.

“You’d be surprised at how many young people in our area are smoking meth, doing cocaine and openly talking about it,” Allen said. “Some of these kids may have older siblings who think it’s cool. So we try to show them why it’s really not cool and why it’s important to make smarter decisions.”

While more than 60 boys have filled out applications and attended classes, YBS has a core group of about 20 active regulars. They meet at 2401 N. Alexander in a facility provided by Baytown Housing Authority.

With the help of parents and other interested individuals, and support from local businesses, YBS holds charity events throughout the year. Activities have included serving hot meals to homeless people, and collecting and delivering gifts to needy families for Christmas.

Proud moments

Allen is thrilled to watch kids grow from their YBS experiences. Topping his list is 17-year-old Chris Cerino, who now serves in a junior mentor role.

“I continue going to the classes to learn, but I also enjoy being a positive role model and someone the other kids can turn to for help,” said Chris, a Goose Creek Memorial High School student who is involved in more than a dozen clubs and organizations.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from YBS is the importance of staying humble, presenting yourself well, and being a respectable member of the community. When I hear people tell me, ‘You’re such a nice young man, I wish more young people were like you,’ it’s really a compliment to Mr. Allen for all the things he’s taught us.”

Allen emphasizes that his relationship with the young men in YBS is a two-way street.

“As a person, as a man, I still have my struggles. I still go through things in life every day, like everyone else. So these guys are really my therapy,” he said. “Some of these kids think I help them a lot. But honestly, they’re really helping me, inspiring me, at the same time.”

When Allen was growing up, he had what he calls a “weekend dad.” 

“Some weekends he was there and some he wasn’t. Sometimes I’d be sitting on the curb waiting for him to pick me up, like in the movies, but dad would never show up,” he said. 

“So my number one rule with YBS is that I will never leave your child’s life. I will stay involved. I won’t do what my dad did to me.”

Anyone interested in becoming involved with YBS Mentoring can contact Allen Guy through the organization’s Facebook page.

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“At my day job, I manage tech support for the Harris County Department of Education. We provide support services to all the schools in the county. Along with that, I volunteer through our head start programs. I read to children once a month at two different schools. These are kids who may come from broken homes or disadvantaged parts of town. The head start program basically makes sure they don’t fall through the cracks and aren’t behind when they enter public school.

“As a magician, I do lots of kids shows, parties and family-type events, so I’m really good with kids. When one of the principals told me about this mentor program where people from the community come in and read to the kids, I thought it sounded like a great opportunity.

“A lot of these kids don’t have fathers or a male role model in their lives. I love seeing how some of them who start out real quiet and shy when I meet them are interacting with other students and so open to learning by the end of the year.

“To me, life is about learning. It’s a good feeling to know that in some small way, I’m helping them to open up and be ready to learn.”

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“I’m part of the PALS program at Lee High School. We help out in the community with mini-service projects.

“Every week we have assigned schools that we go to. We mentor kids from elementary schools to middle schools. You get to meet and connect with them, see what they’ve been through and compare it to your own childhood. We’re like mentors, seeing how we can help them.

“I feel like I’m always there for them and a reliable role model, someone they can open up to and talk to. It’s been a great experience.”

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