Today we’d like to introduce you to Vallerie Dean and Erica Jackson.
Hi Vallerie and Erica, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We met by chance one random day (on campus) in September of 2018. Erica was given an assignment to give support on my (Vallerie) campus (Autism Unit). At first, we expected the assignment to be brief, so we didn’t exactly hit it off at first. After a few months, communication started flowing and we found out we had several interests in common. After many conversations, we sat down at a coffee shop in Uptown Dallas and decided to take our ideas and create something purposeful. One of which was how we could further serve the Special Needs Community. With the support of God, friends, family, and co-workers we took a leap of faith and purchased our LLC for No Labels. After purchasing our LLC at the beginning of 2020, we thought we had everything planned and ready but as you know COVID hit us hard. Initially, we wanted to focus on tutoring kids with special needs but quickly became challenging after teaching virtually for our own students in the classroom. We had to pivot, like many other businesses, and restructure what services we would provide to our community and the special needs community. After going back and forth to the drawing board, we began hosting Virtual Social Hour’s for individuals with special needs. The love and support from the Social Hour’s drew us in even more because we wanted to create authentic encounters and life experiences. We enjoyed working with adults with special needs so much we decided that the next step was to work towards opening up an Adult Transition Center for Special Needs. (Opening Summer 2022).
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Has this process been smooth? Absolutely NOT!! We have refined our business over and over and over again. We have struggled with which population to work with, age group, and which capacity to serve in. We just knew we wanted and needed to serve the special needs population. After working in the Autism Unit, we quickly learned that it is only so much we could do as teachers. We recognized several problems within Special Education and the community as a whole. Another problem we encountered was the lack of support and information on how to properly open your own Adult Transition Center. To this day with many people working from home, it is still hard to get people to answer the phone and respond while seeking information. On the rare occasions we received a response it seemed as though everyone had different answers to our running list of questions. Other struggles included navigating through business finances/taxes, operating multiple social media accounts, and FUNDING!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about No Labels LLC?
No Labels is an establishment run by two young Black Women, Vallerie Dean and Erica Jackson, with over 10 years of experience working with the special needs population. No Labels ensures an experience unlike other companies because of our genuine care of others and our desire to help others find their purpose. Everything that we do is client-based and personalized to fit individual needs. We look past the label that is given and instead provides intensive support to maximize talents and gifts. Forward-thinking technology with energetic and fun personalities is the driving force behind the establishment of No Labels. We are most proud of our consistency and perseverance to continue providing quality service and care in an overshadowed profession. Teaching provided the connection we needed to see what was needed and we want to provide it. We want current and future clients to know that we operate with love, kindness, compassion, and integrity. We simply love what we do and it shows.
Our services include:
A licensed Adult Transition Center provides, adults with disabilities, daytime services. These services focus on life skills, academics, social needs, physical needs, and client-driven activities. No Labels focuses on real-world experiences, creating meaningful relationships in the community and continued education. We take our clients out into the community to develop skills and navigate within their community.
Unbox Your Senses- Educational/Sensory box dedicated to those with special needs, early childhood, and those who may need continued education. Each box includes a social story with a communication board, multiple hands-on activities, and a surprise in each box!
Consultations- We provide families with ARD meeting assistance and support. We help families become advocates for their child. We ensure that our clients receive the maximum care and education that any school can provide. We believe that all students have the right to a fair and equal education. We provide consultations on the following items below
*Introduction to Special Education
*ARD Meeting Prep
*Behavior Implementation Plan
*Transition/Aged Out
*504 Meeting Prep
Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve and provide for special people with special services. As individuals deeply rooted in the special needs community, we used our expertise and love to create No labels LLC. No Labels is an organization that provides an array of services for the special needs community. Our group home benefits young adults (ages:18-30) who are aged out of school, persons in foster care, and elderly guardians who can no longer provide.
Values
Our Values are to:
Educate individuals about the special needs community. To be a resource and an aid for our special learners, their guardians, and the community.
We provide an inclusive environment that offers an array of services that cater towards building social skills, creating jobs, and providing life skills training
Our team includes all professionals that are dedicated, loving, and supportive individuals. We focus on having a compassionate environment that shows your loved ones the love, care, and respect that’s truly deserved.
We are advocates! Our team is here to take a stand and be the voice for our special learners.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, we see the industry expanding greatly. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 Americans currently has a disability. There is an unprecedented demand for programs and services for persons with disabilities between the ages of 21 and 65. Persons attending Adult Transition Centers (21-65) is expected to increase each year. We foresee our community offering inclusive programs, jobs, schools, housing, and much more. Additionally, we believe that we can continue promoting a trend of our own; promoting a purpose-driven life.
Contact Info:
- Email: nolabels32020@gmail.com
- Website: www.nolabelsllc.com
- Instagram: no_labels_llc
- Facebook: NoLabelsLLC
- Youtube: No Labels LLC
- Other: TikTok: no__labels
