Who We Are
WHO WE ARE
We also expose young people to the arts, math, science, technology and the value of community service in practical and non-traditional manners that appeal to their inquisitive natures and create a passion for new fields of study.
Historic cemeteries are treasured repositories of a wealth of discoveries and historical data that in the past have been both accidently and intentionally destroyed and covered up. Progress and industrial encroachment is a continuing threat. A typical example is the Old City Cemetery in Houston which once existed behind old Jefferson Davis Hospital. This piece of history is now the site of the Houston Fire Departments Training Facility. Lessons have been learned
HISTORY OF PROJECT RESPECT
Officially, Project Respect was founded in 1995, but its founder, Woodrow W. "Woody" Jones was involved in cemetery preservation well before that. He became involved with maintenance of the Olivewood Cemetery and was part owner of the New Home Cemetery in Sugar Land, Texas, as early as 1993. He has been the sole owner of the New Home Cemetery since 1995. New Home is almost three acres of history and represents the memories of the families that worked at the Sugar Mill and State of Texas Prison System nearby. He personally maintains New Home. Read his personal narrative about when and why he founded Project Respect.
WHAT WE PLAN TO ACHIEVE
- Preserve as many of the identified properties as we can and inspire and direct others in accomplishing the same.
- Introduce preservation of historically African-American, Hispanic, and Native American abandoned and neglected cemeteries to K-12 grade level students.
- Develop cooperative partnerships as educational, community and personal development models for youth and students.
- Foster cross-cultural cooperative efforts, inter-personal relationships, and understanding through exposure to historic preservation.
- Inspire and foster exploration of individual interest, enhance creative expression, expose youth to non-traditional careers, and build their self-esteem.
- Increase civic interest, volunteerism, service learning and community pride.
- Institute annual recognition of Buffalo Soldiers into cultural heritage awareness programs.
ACADEMIC / TECHNOLOGY
New technologies significantly reduce the time and cost of what we do. We have identified trans-disciplinary technology that will enhance the preservation processes. As examples, the Trimble 5600 workstation incorporates the latest innovations in satellite-assisted survey techniques. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) enables us to see what’s below the surface without disturbing old remains with invasive excavations and disinterment. We’ve also begun a Transect Map that will be used in conjunction with GPR images to provide 3-D imaging effect of the entire cemetery. Technicians will be able to look at images in layers (top soil, underground, etc.), via our internet website.
An amalgam of corporations, organizations, and individuals make up the Project Respect team. They include, but are not limited to, those listed above as well as Prairie View A&M University’s Cooperative Extension Program/College of Agriculture & Human Sciences, Texas Institute for Preservation of History & Culture Center/School of Architecture, Elected Officials, the 5th Ward Enrichment Program, Wheatley High School Seniors, Texas Trailblazers, The Lieutenants House, The Buffalo Soldiers Museum, City of Houston, City Council, ConocoPhillips & Harris County’s 4-H & Youth Program Advisory Board and Staff.
We have committed ourselves to the laborious task of removing waste and debris, wading through overgrown brush, grass and assorted wild life. Volunteers brave the elements, insects and rodents to go about their task.
Education / Community & Economic Development
Our young people are being exposed to non-traditional careers and educational applications in community development, genealogical research, history and archiving, science, technology, archaeology, surveying, digital mapping, structural engineering, geology and geophysics, computer technology, digitalization, web-Internet applications, and many more disciplines as we apply them to our projects.
People representing all walks of life, cultural, ethnic, and social interest are now involved. Community Development in the vicinity of each cemetery promotes industry and economic development while creating an enchanting cultural icon in the communities midst. We use all of these disciplines to foster a lifetime of beauty in the form of an historic park in a garden-like environment. Future history centers will provide individualized footnotes for all to enjoy. You may download and reprint our eight-page brochure in PDF format (6.1 mb).
Project Respect, Inc., a Non-Profit Corporation
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