Without reliable transportation, life is challenging as mothers juggle work and a family in a single-parent household. Car keys are a tool to help make a brighter future possible. Harris County Department of Education Head Start parent Sheena Gulley and employee Parishellia Banks receive rehabbed cars from Bates Collision Centers for their responsible parenting.

In its 20th year, Bates Collision Centers is gifting cars number 35 and 36 to two deserving parents as a part of their ongoing partnership with HCDE Head Start. Owners Lee and Leila Bates have been dedicated to the cause because they know about the sacrifices of being responsible parents.

The year, model and make of the two cars remain a surprise, which will be revealed through the unveiling and gifting of the cars. Bates employees donate time to work on the cars and help fill them with gifts. Community businesses/members donate gas, insurance and materials needed to rehab the cars.

Sheena Gulley receives her car on Dec. 12 from 10-11 a.m. at Bates Collision Center North Channel location, 15532 I-10 East, in Channelview, Texas.

Parishellia Banks receives her car on Dec. 13 from 10-11 a.m. at the Bates Collision Center Baytown location, 3219 N. Main, in Baytown, Texas.

About Sheena Gulley, HCDE Head Start Fifth Ward Center, recipient of the 35th rehabbed car: Sheena Gulley is a single mother of two sons and two daughters. Gulley relies on Metro and Uber to get to and from work. She is unable to spend much time with her children or attend their school activities because of her work schedule and no transportation.

About Parishellia Banks, HCDE Head Start Baytown, recipient of the 36th rehabbed car: Parishellia Banks is currently raising her niece’s two-year-old son after she passed away during childbirth. Banks has to rely on family and friends to take her and her great nephew to work and school. She also suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure and finds it difficult to make doctor appointments because of no transportation.

About Harris County Department of Education: HCDE provides special education, therapy services, early education, adult education and after-school programming. Services are funded by government grants, fees and a local property tax of less than $9 per homeowner. For every dollar in local property tax collected, HCDE provides $4.70 in services to the 25 Harris County school districts. We operate four campuses for students with profound special education needs and adjudicated or recovering youth who require a low, student-teacher ratio and highly structured environment. One-hundred percent of students served on HCDE campuses are at-risk. We are governed by an elected board of seven trustees and have1,076 employees and 33 facilities, including 15 Head Start centers. More info at www.hcde-texas.org.