Houston, Texas (May 25, 2010) – More than 25 students from the 2005 - 2006 Taxis Fiesta / Yellow Cab mentoring program at McReynolds Middle School celebrated their high school graduation by throwing a “Thank You” party for their mentors. “For many of these students, high school graduation and going on to college were milestones that, according to statistics, might not have been possible without the one-to-one tutoring and motivation the students received from their mentors,” said Rosario Spinoso, director of marketing and special programs at Taxis Fiesta and Yellow Cab. The students invited HISD and City of Houston officials and civic leaders to their celebration at Discovery Park on May 14.
Ana Hernandez, State Representative, District 143 was the keynote speaker. During the festivities, the students presented plaques of appreciation to the Taxis Fiesta and Yellow Cab executives who were instrumental in creating the mentoring program and carrying it forward. Additionally, they presented three plaques of appreciation posthumously to mentors Rudy Bruhns, Stuart McKenty and Brenda Cunningham. Melinda Malek, who coordinated efforts between the company and the school district, was also recognized
Taxis Fiesta and Yellow Cab established a unique relationship with McReynolds Middle School and its students when the companies “adopted” the school in 2004. In addition to financial support, the companies offer a mentoring program that matches at-risk students with a Taxis Fiesta or Yellow Cab staff member as a mentor. The mentors’ chief goal is to inspire the students to reach their full potential and pursue the highest possible level of education through frequent one-to-one meetings, tutoring sessions and activities designed to motivate the students.
“Our mentoring program targets middle school students because drop-out risk intervention is most effective when it begins before high school,” explained Ms. Spinoso who facilitates the mentoring program. “However, the mentors provide guidance to the students throughout the remainder of their education. We started with a few dozen students. Today, we serve more than 100 each year,” said Ms. Spinoso. “It’s so exciting to see these students graduating from high school!”
“We encourage other companies to join us in this endeavor, so that students at all middle schools within H.I.S.D. can have access to a mentor,” said Roman Martinez, president of Texas Taxi (parent company of Taxis Fiesta and Yellow Cab). “There is no greater investment than giving back to the community.”
For more information about McReynolds Middle School Mentoring Program or the “Adopt a Middle School Program,” please contact Rosario Spinoso at 713-428-5826 or by e-mail Rosario.spinoso@taxisfiesta.com
About Taxis Fiesta
Taxi Fiesta has been serving bilingual independent contractor drivers in Houston for over 20 years and operates Houston’s only bilingual computer dispatch system. More than 200 independent contractor cab drivers provide taxi service 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. All cabs are equipped with digital cameras as well as Global Positioning Systems. For more information, visit taxisfiesta.com.
About Yellow Cab
Yellow Cab has Houston’s largest dedicated computerized dispatch system and provides services to over 1,200 independent contractor cab drivers. These independent contractor drivers provide taxi service 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. All cabs are equipped with digital cameras as well as Global Positioning Systems. For more information, visit yellowcabhouston.com.
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