About NABA

 

A Community Vision

Navigation Area Business Association (“NABA”) is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 1988. It’s sole mission today is to provide brand new shoes for school aged children in the East End Area of Houston, Texas with its “Shoes For Kids” program.   The “Shoes For Kids” children attend participating East End elementary schools.  The children are identified and selected by their schools’ administrators and teachers.


Over the years it has provided well over 30,000 pairs of shoes. The shoes have brought smiles to thousands of children.  The “Shoes For Kids” program is now up to 2,300 participating children. That’s close to about 5,000 feet that are kept warm, dry, and comfortable, each year because of our great donors and volunteers. 


“Shoes For Kids” began when Mr. Bill Woodby, formerly of Navigation Bank, and Ms. Yolanda Black Navarro were having a conversation about how they could help needy families during Christmas. Mr. Woodby recalled how, as a child going to school, he would walk to school with no shoes. He felt that providing new shoes would help the self esteem of deserving children, especially during the Christmas season.


“Shoes For Kids” began by providing 50 families with a dinner and shoes for their children.  At first, the “Shoes For Kids” program was at Ripley House. More recently Austin Sr. High School has graciously allowed NABA “Shoes For Kids” to use their facilities to distribute the shoes.  

Thanks to the philanthropic efforts of Rack Room Shoes, and all of our donors, we are able to purchase, at a discount price, high quality, name brand shoes for these children. Thank you all.

2022 – 2023 Board of Directors

President

  • Bernadette Torres Selmon
  • president@naba.org

Vice President

  • Linda Trevino
  • vicepresident@naba.org

Treasurer

  • Samantha Torres
  • treasurer@naba.org

Shoe Event Chair

  • Brett Trevino
  • EventChair@naba.org

Marketing Chair

  • Diandra (Dede) Ellis
  • Marketing@naba.org

Public Relations Chair

  • Noel Marie Baldovino
  • PublicRelations@naba.org

Past Presidents

  • Yolanda Black Navarro (1998 – 2015)
  • Christian Navarro (2015 – 2022)

Past Board Members

  • Bill Flores
  • Eva Becerra

Lifetime Advisors

  • Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)
  • Lolita Guerrero
  • Mary Ramos
  • Olga Rodriguez
  • Christina Morales