August was a busy month for TEXAS YES! We distributed 78,000 school supply kits to 144 schools across four markets including: San Antonio, Dallas Fort-Worth, Corpus Christi, and Austin. In the Dallas Fort-Worth area, TEXAS YES was excited to work alongside Farmers Branch council member Omar Roman who volunteered to help distribute school supply kits for the Box of Dreams program.
The Farmers Branch council member shared with TEXAS YES about the experience the “Box of Dreams” distribution left him with.
Q: Tell our readers a little about yourself?
A: My name is Omar Roman, and I have two younger brothers. I was born in a small town in Zacatecas, Mexico, and when I turned 4 my family decided to move to the U.S. to find better opportunities for our family. We moved to a close-knit community in Garland, Texas where I attended public school. I eventually made my way to Texas Tech University where I graduated with a BS and MS in Personal Financial Planning. I successfully obtained the Certified Financial Planner (TM) designation and now work with families to help them achieve their financial goals. I have lived in Farmers Branch since 2019 and now have the privilege to serve as a member of the City Council, where I continue to pursue my passion which is to make a difference in families’ lives.
Q: Can you share the experience you had volunteering with the “Box of Dreams” program and why local events like these are so important to the community?
A: I have fond memories as a child where I was the beneficiary of programs like Box of Dreams from TEXAS YES. I vividly remember my mom having to put scissors or erasers back at the checkout line because school supplies were too expensive, as they still are now. “Box of Dreams” was just as the name implies, a “Box of Dreams” for the kids at Farmers Branch Elementary. It was a school supply package with everything they need to have a successful school year. These programs were instrumental in my successes in academia because they provided the fundamental tools that anyone needs to excel. Giving my time to pass out school supplies at Farmers Branch Elementary was a “full circle” moment for me because that was me many, many years ago. Programs like these help bridge the gap of inequality that a child may experience for circumstances that they are not responsible for, so I was privileged to have played a small role in making Box of Dreams a success.
Q: TEXAS YES is always in need of volunteers, especially during our “Box of Dreams” distribution. What advice do you have for those who would like to volunteer?
A: Others should strongly consider volunteering for this event because it is a direct way to positively impact our next generation of leaders. School is where children begin to dream, but those dreams cannot become a reality without you.
Q: Moving forward, what are you excited to see from TEXAS YES in the future?
A: As a council member for Farmers Branch, I am appreciative of the fact that TEXAS YES selected our city to be recipients of the “Box of Dreams” program. Their investment in our community is notable, and we look forward to finding creative ways for us to partner together to provide value to underrepresented communities. I am excited to see where our future partnership takes us and the things TEXAS YES and their team will come up with next.
This interview has been edited for clarity and style.
If you would like to share your experience with TEXAS YES, including the impact our organization has had on you or your community and be featured in an upcoming blog email us at info@texasyesproject.org
