A HEART FOR THE HURTING
BECAUSE EVERY LIFE
DESERVES DIGNITY
THE PROJECT
The Candy Project is a recovery support service committed to assisting individuals in maintaining their dignity despite their experience of dis-ease. The Candy Project is a subsidiary of Jonah’s Place (a transitional living facility since 2003) which is a non-profit 501(3) organization. Our goal through the Candy Project is to assist hurting people in the most basic human needs.
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Our support services include (but, not limited to):
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Showers
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Meals
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Clothing
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Recovery Meetings
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Supportive Counseling (Spiritual/Emotional)
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Life Skills
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Resource and Referral
THE CANDY STORY
Once upon a time there was a woman, but no one knew her real name. Because she was so sweet, they called her Candy on the streets. Who would ever have known this was the same little girl with big dreams and high hopes; and in all of her predictions there was never a mention of her using any kind of dope. Sometimes life just ain't fair and unforeseen disappointments makes it hard for one to bare. Candy is the woman who never really existed, she was only a cover up identity when life became twisted. Candy has a name, and make no mistake, she was accomplished and well acclaimed. Candy learned that unaddressed issues lead to agony, and it certainly helps if one showed compassion instead of pity. Fortunately, Candy understood well, a person’s position does not determine the person’s worth; and her hope was to one day be free to help others live in self-dignity.
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Candy isn’t here to give that help away, but there were those who believed her dream should not just go away. A shower, a meal, and when needed a listening ear, are the kinds of things her legacy will ensure are always near. Now we know Candy was just a name, please take a little time to know the woman before all of this pain! The Candy Project was established in honor of the beloved Constancia Sherrell Whitten, July 8,1967 – May 19, 2016.
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Constancia’s love for theatre was undeniable! Theatre was a part of Constancia’s entire life. She has appeared in a variety of shows including “School for Scandal,” “For Colored Girls,” “Amen Corner,” “Bury the Dead,” “But Lord What About Me?” and a host of other productions. She furthered her acting career and ventured into the field of Writing/Directing/Producing. Alongside her sister Pastor Tabatha C. Whitten, she successfully wrote and directed the hit Gospel Play “Crystal Clear.” It proved to have tremendous success and created the avenue for her to start her own entertainment company, (YPEC Entertainment Company). Constancia received such awards as Best Actress and Most Talented Awards. Conastancia completed an Industrial Film Project, aired in New York, which added to her career achievements.
Among her accomplishments are:
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Presidential Scholar-Jarvis Christian College, Miss Jack Yates- 1984-85 Miss Jarvis Christian College- 1988-89
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Miss Black and Gold, 1985-85, 1986-87
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Miss Black and Gold Texas at El Paso 1987
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National Dean’s List
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Sigma Tau Delta- National English Honor Society
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Who’s Who Among High School Students
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Who’s Who Among College Student
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HISD Student of the Year Finalist
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Women’s Senate President
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Student Government vice President
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Teacher of the Year- ESL Marshall Middle School 1996-1997
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Teacher of the Year- Jack Yates 1999-2004
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H.A.A.B.E. Teacher of the Year Finalist 2000
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Constancia had a heart for the hurting; despite her struggles, she never lost her desire to help people. Her spirit of helps is the heart of The Candy Project. Constancia’s belief that every life deserves dignity inspired this service to support with basic human needs.
Constancia Sherrell Whitten was a beautiful woman with brains and Big Dreams. A native Houstonian, (Fifth Ward/Third Ward proud), she attended schools in the Houston Independent School District. Constancia was an exceptional student who excelled academically; graduating from Jack Yates Senior High School with honors and as Summa Cum Laude Valedictorian of Jarvis Christian College (Hawkins, Texas). Constancia continued postgraduate studies at St. Thomas University.
As an educator, Constancia was employed by the Houston Independent School District where she taught at Jack Yates Sr. High and Marshall Middle School. Constancia was English Department Chairperson, Title III Lead Instructor, and the Advanced Academics Coordinator at Yates Sr. High. During her tenure in HISD, she received several awards such as ESL Teacher of the Year 1997-Marshall Middle School and Jack Yates 2000-2004. She was also awarded Teacher of the Year with the Houston Area Alliance of Black Educators in 2003.
