Taking the Pursuit of Purpose to the Streets: The Pro-Vision Story

Growing up in New Orleans, Roynell “Coach Roy” Young was confronted by the disparities of poverty and prosperity within his community. He experienced first-hand what it’s like to be faced with the difficult choice to succumb to the lure of life in the streets or pursue a higher purpose. After a run-in with the police as a teenager, and the possibility of jail time averted through the help of a Vietnam war veteran in his community, Coach Roy soon realized that he wanted to do more with his life.

“Looking back, I understand how that kind of environment shapes your mindset,” Coach Roy said. “Even though I came from a solid and respected family, growing up in a community where going to prison was lauded, I was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to ‘earn my stripes’ in the streets.” Seeing how that chance encounter with the community war veteran set his life on a totally different course, Coach Roy understood what could happen when people reach out to show concern and care. “There’s nothing more empowering than people making you feel like you matter,” he said. And this is the premise upon which Pro-Vision was formed.

Founded in 1990, in southwest Houston at the corner of West Belt and Gessner, Pro-Vision has used the tools of recreation/character development, education, nutrition and soon to be safe affordable housing, to help young people in the Sunnyside community develop character and aspire to achieve their full potential. The organization has impacted the lives of more than 6,000 students in its 30-year history.

What began on a basketball court, as an after-school program servicing young men in an 800 square foot rented space, has flourished into a comprehensive program to address hopelessness and poverty.  Pro-Vision has now evolved into a multifaceted ecosystem which includes the following programs:

“When young people are assisted in developing character, have access to good education, can afford healthy food options and live in a community with decent accommodation and amenities, it’s much harder for them to be co-opted by the delinquent sub-cultures that exists in communities throughout the country,” Coach Roy said.

While Pro-Vision has made significant progress, its journey toward community upliftment has not been without a few challenges. From working to access the right resources without compromising on integrity, to ensuring the right branding and messaging for its programs, to guaranteeing the successful transitioning of the organization’s leadership for posterity, Pro-Vision has had its fair share of the pain-points of running a nonprofit.

Another dimension to the challenges Pro-Vision faces is getting the community on board with the prospect of change. “We want people to realize that they can participate in creating their own reality instead of sitting on the sidelines and thinking that someone else has the power,” said Coach Roy. “We need to understand the power we have as a people to make a difference and effect change.” 

Evidently, having strong community partners who buy into Pro-Vision’s mission is critical to its success. That’s why, the personal involvement of stakeholders in the community such as Amegy’s Houston President Dave Stevenson and Executive Vice President of Administrative Services Diane Maben, go a long way in driving support for Pro-Vision’s programs. Dave and Diane have been involved with Pro-Vision for several years and currently sit on the Pro-Vision Inc. board.

“When young people are assisted in developing character, have access to good education, can afford healthy food options and live in a community with decent accommodation and amenities, it’s much harder for them to be co-opted by the delinquent sub-cultures that exists in communities throughout the country,” Coach Roy said.

“I got involved with Pro-Vision 10 years ago through Will Bowen of Bowen, Miclette and Britt Insurance Agency, a client of the bank and board member of Pro-Vision,” said Dave. “I started out by donating lunches to the Pro-Vision Academy. But what keeps me going back is the knowledge that everyone we impact is one person who is saved from the system. These kids come out of Pro-Vision’s programs inspired and empowered to do better for themselves.”

Diane’s commitment to Pro-Vision stems from her passion for helping children, as well as the organization’s focus on rebuilding the community from the bottom up. “Coach is touching on all the fundamental aspects of a person’s life that will help them to be better, and he’s doing this by reaching out to young people who are at the lowest levels of society,” said Diane. “We will not be a great city or community until we take care of people who are at the bottom. When we elevate the community from the bottom up, that’s when we really raise everyone up.”

Speaking of Pro-Vision’s long-standing relationship with Amegy, Coach Roy said, “Amegy bankers understand that community service is at the very heart of what makes us human. The leadership and employees know the importance of staying in touch with our humanity, and it makes for a good working environment when people can show kindness and appreciation.” 

As he reflects on how far Pro-Vision has come, Coach Roy is humbled by what the organization has accomplished. From the first three beneficiaries of the program who turned their lives around and have become upstanding members of the community (one of them currently works at Pro-Vision), to the thousands of others who have come through Pro-Vision’s doors, it appears the organization’s efforts to dismantle hopelessness and poverty has gained ground in Houston’s Sunnyside.

"Amegy bankers understand that community service is at the very heart of what makes us human. The leadership and employees know the importance of staying in touch with our humanity, and it makes for a good working environment when people can show kindness and appreciation.”

“I used to go to young people’s funerals,” said Coach Roy. “Now I attend the christenings, graduations weddings and anniversaries of kids whose lives have been transformed by Pro-Vision.”

Things in Houston’s Sunnyside are still far from perfect, but Coach Roy understands that perfection is a journey. “We’re never going to attain perfection,” he said. “But as an organization we must continue to set high standards, challenge our ideas and set goals that can make a real difference in the community.” And in this regard, Pro-Vision is certainly raising the bar.

For more information about Pro-Vision and how you can get involved, visit the Pro-Vision website at: www.provision-inc.org and follow Pro-Vision on Facebook.