IEA expands village with 21st Camp Bright Star

IEA-Inspire, Encourage, Achieve recently hosted its 21st Camp Bright Star (named in recognition of Entergy’s initial underwriting and continued support) Closing Luncheon & Ceremony at the Paul A. Brown Learning Center Gymnasium to honor 28 students completing the five-week summer program. In addition to the students, their parents and IEA staff, guests included representatives from numerous community agencies, sponsors, project partners and volunteers.

Since 1997, IEA-Inspire, Encourage, Achieve, founded by Regina Rogers and her mother Julie in honor of Regina’s father Ben, has been “Growing Healthy Minds & Promoting Healthy Lifestyles,” for at-risk youth in Southeast Texas by initiating and supporting educational programming and rehabilitative services. The summer learning endeavor furthers IEA’s ongoing mission to support youth who have experienced past hardships and personal challenges.

Daily curriculum includes learning experiences in reading, science, technology, engineering, art, math and a host of enrichment activities provided by IEA staff and community partners. Scholars receive team building, character development, and self-empowerment activities. Professional community volunteers, including Workforce Solutions of Southeast Texas, provide career exploration and awareness, health and wellness sessions, a dress-for-success shopping experience, professional mentoring and counseling, and exposure to higher education opportunities.

Key partners include Jefferson County Juvenile Probation, Beaumont Police Department’s Cops & Kids, Lamar Institute of Technology and Beaumont ISD, with added 2023 Camp Bright Star sponsors including the Jefferson County Commissioners Court, Valero Benefit for Children, Wilton & Effie Mae Hebert Foundation, Entergy, Family of Julie & Ben Rogers, H-E-B, Mildred Yount Manion Charitable Foundation, Motiva Enterprises, Capital One, H.E. & Kate Dishman Charitable Foundation Trust of Hancock Whitney Wealth and Asset Management, Port Arthur LNG, Simpson-Omohundro Foundation, Texas Women for the Arts - Texas Cultural Trust, YMBL, Mike Burrow / Burrow Global, Cheniere, Domino Family Charitable Foundation, Echo Group, ExxonMobil, Esther Friedman Family Foundation, GMJ, Inc. / The Honorable Carl R. Griffith, Suzanne and Donald Maloney Family Fund of the Foundation for Southeast Texas, BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals, Gladys D. Bevil Charitable Trust, Southeast Texas Plant Managers Forum, TotalEnergies and many more.

Symphony of Southeast Texas Maestro Chelsea Tipton offered a musical selection on the clarinet and explained how music has the power to change their lives during the celebration for Camp Bright Star’s graduating class of 2023, and guests reminisced over camp highlights, such as field trips to the ExxonMobil plant, the city of Beaumont, Jefferson County Courthouse and the Port of Beaumont.

A keynote message from guest speaker, Rising Sun Baptist Church Pastor Reverend James W. Reed III, served as a call to action.

“It takes a village to raise our youth, to inspire and encourage them to achieve,” he said, marking his next words to those in need, as well as those who can serve in time of need. “There is greatness in you.”