History
Keeping
Ben Rogers’ dreams alive
The
"I Have A Dream" program is based on a successful
model begun in 1981 by Eugene Lang, a New York native and
businessman. When asked to give a graduation speech to sixth
graders at his East Harlem alma mater, he looked out onto
their faces and realized that over two-thirds of the children
sitting in front of him would not graduate from high school.
In a bold move he promised every student in the class a
college education if they successfully completed high school.
By this one act he changed their lives. The graduation rate
rose from 25% to an amazing 90%, with 60% of those graduating
students going on to college. Mr. Lang's program grew into the
national "I Have A Dream" Foundation with 160
programs in more than 60 cities across the country.
As
Ben Rogers approached his 75th birthday in 1988,
his wife Julie and their children were planning a surprise
birthday party. When Ben got wind of the plan, he told them he
did not want a party and instead would prefer to bring 75
children from single-parent homes to Houston to see an Astros
game. His family was not surprised at the request since
Ben’s concern for others had always exceeded that for
himself. Ben’s idea, however, inspired a vision and his
family selected a more lasting tribute as a birthday milestone
with a contribution of $150,000 to Lamar University to
establish 75 scholarships in Ben’s name. Through a
partnership with the Beaumont Independent School District (BISD)
and Lamar University, they began a local affiliate of the “I
Have A Dream” Program. Thus the Ben Rogers/Lamar University/BISD
"I Have A Dream" Program was birthed in Beaumont and
has remained a strong advocate for local youth for more than
fourteen years. This initiative was a fitting tribute for a
man who had
dedicated his life to uplifting people and setting them
on the right path.
IHAD’s
mission is to provide academically talented students who face
obstacles to completing their education with encouragement and
support to graduate from high school and pursue a higher
education. Each student is paired with a “dream” partner
mentor and, upon completion of high school and enrollment in
Lamar University, receives a $3,000 scholarship - $2,000 of
which has been provided by various individuals, businesses,
churches and organizations locally and throughout the country,
and the additional $1,000 made available by Regina Rogers. The
Ben Rogers family continues to assist with operating expenses,
and donations remain “untouched” in the student
scholarship fund. In addition, the Rogers Brothers have
graciously provided office space for the program for
day-to-day operations of the organization.
The
IHAD program has enjoyed astonishing success in its
sixteen-year history with 59%
of the 300 “dreamer” graduates of 1996,
1997, 1998 and 1999 pursuing a higher education (with
approximately 100 students currently attending Lamar
University and more than 80 having graduated from college including
50
from Lamar).
In addition, a new class of seventy-seven “dreamers”
was inducted into the program in 2000. These students are now
in the 12th grade in BISD schools.
To assure “dreamers” are academically prepared to enter
college, their grades and attendance are monitored on a
regular basis.
Individual, professional tutoring is also available.
Workshops, field trips, cultural events, music camps
and Summer Institutes at Lamar University give students
additional opportunities to broaden their horizons.
Community service and participation in community events
are expected and encouraged of all “dreamers.” For those
students having difficulties adjusting to their home or school
environments, individual counseling is provided.
One
of the “dreamers” from the Class of 1998 recently wrote
the following to Regina, “I am writing this letter to thank
you for the continuous years of support and encouragement I
received through the ‘dream’ program. For the past eleven
years of my life, you and the IHAD staff really made a
difference, whether through cards and phone calls, or
financial support in college. I can recall in middle school
when your father would come to our school to encourage us to
do well and reach for the stars. It really brings me to tears
when I think of him, because I truly do miss him. He really
cared about what happened to us, and our future. He inspired
me so much, and I am thankful for him, your mother and you. I
am proud to say that I have graduated from Lamar University
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology, and I owe part
of it to you and your great program. There were many times
when I wanted to give up, but your father taught me to always
reach for the stars and to do my best. With words of
encouragement from everyone, including my family, I succeeded
and I am so grateful that I am a member of your amazing ‘I
Have A Dream’ Program.”
One
of the last events Ben attended before his death in 1994 was a
graduation banquet for the first class of students inducted
into the program. Even though it was later determined that he
was ill that night and should have been hospitalized, it was
an appropriate irony that Ben entered the last steps of his
life doing what he loved best – hugging, kissing and giving
unconditional love to the children he helped the most.
A
favorite phrase of Ben Rogers was “Shoot for the moon, but
if you land in the stars, that’s not so bad.” The “I
Have A Dream” program has incorporated this motto as the
official creed of the organization, and through the
outstanding generosity of the Rogers’ family, almost four
hundred “dreamers” have been given a boost to reach their
dreams.