The Brownsville Independent School District employees’ organization BEST-AFT this past week donated $1,000 to the Moody Clinic, a nonprofit rehabilitation clinic where children receive speech, physical and occupational therapy regardless of ability to pay.
BEST-AFT members said the donation grew out of the organization’s desire grow community power and empower community members within and beyond Brownsville ISD.
Lazaro Cardenas, BEST-AFT communications chairman and a teacher at Porter Early College High School, said the group decided to make the donation after touring the Moody Clinic, seeing the services provided first hand, and recognizing the need in the community for such services.
“We did the tour of the facility, we saw the services that they offer and the need that exists. It’s obviously needed here. We collectively made a decision to donate,” he said.
Patrick Hammas of BEST-AFT said that during the tour the group’s board of directors saw youths receiving treatment.
“Very powerful,” Hammas said. “We believe in giving back to the community. This is our community, these are our kids. We want to make a difference in our community. Anything that’s kid related, that’s education related. BEST-AFT wants to try and make a difference. We believe in giving back.”
Esmeralda Garcia, a special education teacher at Casteneda Elementary, said she believes in the Moody Clinic’s mission of helping kids with disabilities.
“As a special education teacher, I can see that our money would be for a great cause, and it services BISD students,” she said.
Deborah Hill, a dyslexia teacher at Garcia Middle School and BEST-AFT member, said she had not previously known of Moody Clinic.
“During the tour when they talked about parents who couldn’t afford for their kids to receive certain things, this place kind of fills that gap and I was very impressed,” she said.
BEST-AFT stands for Brownsville Educators Stand Together. It is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers.
The Moody Clinic, 1901 E. 22nd St., is a United Way of Southern Cameron County partner agency but also relies on donations and fundraising events.
