National Roll of Achievers

Arkansas

Vicki Wheat Barry
Ms. Barry moved into public housing from a Battered Women's Shelter on September 8, 1988. She brought with her nothing but her child and the desire to improve herself. She mentioned that a counselor said "if you are riding a dead horse you need to get off" and so she did. She took part in every program that the Housing Authority of Texarkana offered including the Family Self-Sufficiency and job training programs. She was interested in helping people, and the housing authority was able to place her in a training program with the Department of Human Services. The funding for her training was done through the housing authority's Drug Elimination grant. She soon became an asset to the Department's staff and played a key role in obtaining donations for the family programs. The Department wished to hire her in a permanent position, but they did not have the authorization of the State, so the housing authority extended her training time until the Department was authorized to hire her.

Ms. Barry also coordinated the "Shop with a Cop" program, done in cooperation with the Texarkana local police department and Wal-Mart, that allows low-income children to have $100 to spend while shopping with a police officer for things they wish for Christmas.

In December 1999, she moved into a house the authority offers to Family Self-Sufficiency participants who are fulfilling their agreement. She is building up her escrow account in the FSS Program, which will one day help her to buy her own home. Last year the Housing Authority of Texarkana's Commissioners selected her as the resident commissioner. They were impressed with her energy, good-humor and desire to make public housing the best place in Texarkana to live. Ms. Barry's job at the Department of Human Services and her role as resident commissioner are helping her fulfill her wish to help others.

Sponsored by:
Texarkana Housing Authority
Texarkana, AR

3/01/2001