31 Jul 2021 A warm hello

By Aaron Brand

For Antonio Jamison, serving children with disabilities is a compassionate calling as he helps them better their lives with innovative projects that are getting noticed throughout Central Arkansas.

His commitment to social service extends deep. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, followed by a master’s degree in public administration from Arkansas State University.  He is a former University of Arkansas employee where he worked for a grant-funded program.

 “I have a degree in social work,” Jamison said. “I always wanted to help kids out because I always had someone to help me out. I was thinking a while back, when I was in junior high I had a mentor and they used to take us around to nursing homes on Valentine’s Day to hand out roses to the residents.” It brought him joy. 

 Today, Jamison lives in Mayflower with his wife and daughter and his day job is with Compass Academy.  The private, nonprofit school serves students with disabilities and those who struggle with fitting-in at public schools. He’s a fourth and fifth grade teacher with just shy of 90 students.

 His work to help these children find happiness and fulfilment extends beyond the classroom though. “I’m trying to bring kids with disabilities, or any hardship, joy and happiness, reduce anxiety,” Jamison said.

With that goal in mind, Jamison founded the Jamison Alexander Success Center which receives grant money for special initiatives. Realizing that kids needed different outlets to express themselves inspired him to start his nonprofit organization. The Success Center helps youth in several different respects, including self-esteem, career preparation, and setting goals.

His funders have included ^$700 from the Arkansas Community Foundation and a grant of ^$10,000 from the Department of Human Services. The grant money was used to purchase weighted blankets that soothe anxieties of kids with mental and physical disabilities.   “The blanket is like a hug. It helps with the stress level. It calms you down, and it helps you sleep and it helps reduce anxiety.” 

Another large grant of ^$25,000 from the Arkansas Community Foundation will further these efforts plus create new outlets for Jamison’s Center.  One of these outlets will be his HELLO Program that will include the online HELLO radio station.

HELLO stands for Healing, Encouraging, Loving, Lifting and Overcoming feelings of anxiety and isolation and loneliness through gratitude, volunteering, and community service. The HELLO program serves disabled children ages 10 to 17, but Jamison won’t deny any child the opportunity to participate. “We want all of the youth of Faulkner County to know we hear their pleas for help, we are listening, and we are here to help them overcome these trying times,” he said.

“With this new grant, we will be able to expand and bless kids across Central Arkansas with weighted blankets and therapeutic items to try to reduce their anxiety, loneliness, and isolation,” Jamison said.  Jamison will use input and assistance from his current HELLO participants to reach new children.

“We’re going to do Conway, Mayflower, North Little Rock, Little Rock, just all surrounding areas,” Jamison said. “The best thing? My kids that are already in the program are going to be the one to bless the new members and show gratitude. That will be their community service project, to bring joy to other kids.” 

Jamison’s new radio station will also be useful to spread his joyful messages.  “HELLO Radio started because we wanted to continue to let kids know we hear them and are listening,” Jamison said. This concept was proposed by Faulkner County Judge Jim Baker, he explained.  The radio station is meant to give a voice to children with disabilities or any hardship so they can tell their story to the world.

The internet radio station will enable him to broadcast remotely from various locations, such as a birthday party. “If they want me to come, I’ll be there. If the kids want to create a podcast I’m going to let them,” Jamison said.

Starting this month, he will open the radio to kids twice a week so they can hear themselves. They can call 501.725.0051 or find the station online at zeno.fm and search for HELLO Radio. Jamison says that listeners can expect wholesome family music and entertainment. “On Sunday and Wednesday, it’s going to be gospel hour,” he said. 

Currently, Jamison plans on holding events in various locations when the weighted blankets come in, but he encourages anyone to contact him if they know of youth in need.  He understands that with the continuing effects of COVID-19, children facing disabilities and other hardships need help.

“Reach out to me. I really want it to be personable,” Jamison said about delivering directly to Central Arkansas kids. “We’re going to try to uplift every kid here in Central Arkansas who’s going through any type of anxiety,” he said.  

Anyone interested in finding out more about Jamison’s work with children with disabilities through his non-profit organization can visit Jamisonalexandermentoring.org or on Facebook at Jamison Alexander Success Center Hello Program.