Getting Involved

At the heart of any energetic volunteer or any person deeply involved in their community, is a passion for serving others and making a difference. This may be what drives the many people in East Texas to give back via serving through non-profit organizations. Perhaps this is what drives Jeanette Deas Calhoun, PhD, to make a difference in her community. From early on in life, she has never been afraid to jump in and get involved.

Though not a native, Calhoun calls herself an “official Tylerite,” and has been for nine years. Originally from New Jersey (and South Carolina), Calhoun moved to Tyler from Dallas when her husband, Kirk Calhoun, MD, was appointed the President of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler. Jeanette currently serves as the Executive Director of Tyler AIDS Services and says that her PhD in higher education administration with concentrations in student services, community services and leadership helped prepare her for her current position.

From a young age Deas Calhoun has enjoyed the arts and being involved in her community. “When I was in elementary school, that is when I had my introduction to Broadway productions and to symphonies and opera and that was in New York,” she recalled. Apart from her enjoyment of the arts, Calhoun spent her early years perusing a career in administration. She recalls finally deciding her career path while working as the Dean of Student Services at Denmark Technical College in South Carolina. “Before that I worked in the same organization as a director of counseling. I also worked as the director of housing,” she explained. After finishing consulting work, the person who would later become her major professor asked her, “‘So what are you doing?’ And I said, ‘What do you mean, for lunch?’ He said, ‘No, what are you going to do with your career – your life?’ And I said, ‘I’m not sure.’ And he said, ‘Why don’t you come to Florida State [for your PhD]?’ And I did.”

After perusing her PhD, Calhoun served as the executive vice president for minority affairs and academics program coordinator at a medical university. She made the decision to be a stay-at-home mother, and continued her community service involvement in Houston then continued when her family moved to Tyler. “I served on the East Texas Symphony Orchestra board, I served on Parents Anonymous and just a number of things... I was the founding chair for Jack and Jill of East Texas about five years ago,” she recalled. “I served as the vice president of their interest committee and then served as president of the founding committee, then served as the first president when the [organization] was brought back on-line.”

Tyler AIDS Services is another organization that Calhoun was involved with prior to becoming director. “I actually became involved with Tyler AIDS Services because I was assisting someone with HIV and helping them to navigate the system for services here in Tyler.” she explained. Through that process, Calhoun became familiar with the various organizations and what they provided to help those living with HIV/AIDS. From there, she served as Honorary Chair and has danced in for Dancing with the Tyler Stars – the organization’s annual benefit fundraiser. “Shortly after that I was invited to serve on the board and I accepted the invitation,” Calhoun said.

After serving two months on the board of Tyler AIDS Services, the organization was in search of a new leader. So, with masters in counseling and psychometrics, an administrative services doctorate, not to mention her experience helping individuals within the organization, Calhoun thought she’d be perfect for the job. “I thought I could have more input in taking the direction of the organization as an Executive director, rather than as a board member. I applied, and the board accepted me, and I’ve been here since October of 2009.”

One thing is certain for anyone that knows Dr. Calhoun: she is the type of person that loves to get involved and help make a difference. “I feel like those that are in a position to give back have a responsibility to do that,” she said. “That’s why I’ve always been, in a sense, a community volunteer. [People shouldn’t] see things and not do something to help meet those needs... I think there is an area to be responsible in the community. I think those of us that are in a position to make a difference should.”

Yet, the main catalyst for Calhoun’s involvement with the organization was her initially helping someone to navigate the system. It made a profound impact in her life. “It was the sort of thing where I felt that I could help the person that came to this agency and needed services to enhance the quality of their life...” she said. “I think because of that, not only am I interested in persons managing their lives once they become infected, I become very concerned and very involved in protecting persons from becoming infected. I am equally concerned with prevention education.”

While Calhoun is executive director, on a daily basis she typically is more hands-on and stays busy with case management and proposal development. One proposal she is excited to reveal is called project “Reclaim.” The program will help the working poor to enhance their skills through education to help them eventually, not need social security. “We have 11 participants that are serious about this and just to see the growth and see them actually reaching their goals – their short term goals and long term goals – is really rewarding.

“Then occasionally you get a call, like I got before Christmas, from a client who no longer lives in Tyler; but he called to say ‘Merry Christmas and thank you’ for helping him get a hold on his life. He was in dire straights when he [lived] here and it actually took leaving the area and all of his triggers to have an enhanced quality of life.” She says calls like that make her job very rewarding..

Through her role as executive director, Calhoun gets to use all of her credentials – especially counseling. She explained that most people living with HIV have anxiety or depression. It is very difficult for them to process the life-changing illness they now have. While many of them are receiving medications, she points out that medications don’t really address their concerns. The process is about having conversations, support systems and purging what they need to purge. “And a lot of them don’t have support systems in place. So, starting in January I am excited that we are going to [start] a women’s support group. That is so needed, and eventually we’ll start a men’s support group.”

Calhoun is also very passionate about educating others and creating a dialogue within the community. She pointed out these two things will help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. “I don’t think young people are getting adequate information,” she said. “They need to know that this is not something that you can take HIV antibiotics and it all goes away... And they also need to understand why it is important to be abstinent and the psycho-social impact of not.”

In January, she will be submitting another proposal to the Department of State Health Services for that initiative and continuing to establish dialogue within the community to create more outward acceptance. “HIV can affect anybody. It’s not a moral issue. I see it as a health issue because I see the humanness of persons that are trying to live with this.”

Calhoun maintains that her two children and husband are very encouraging with her demanding jobs and other volunteer projects. Her husband is also very helpful, “He is very supportive, and I appreciate that. When I need to talk things through, he is always there to listen... I love being on his team and I love having him on mine.”

Calhoun maintains that her job is more than just a job. “It becomes a part of you. At some point it is not a job... it is more than that. And if it’s not, I don’t think you can do it very long, I don’t think you can keep giving and giving...” It will take time for major changes for the organization to take root in the community, and this won’t happen overnight. “I am in it for the long run. I am in it until I can see some of those changes evolving... maybe we will have more dialogue with the community.”