Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Adams.
Tammy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
DIC is a 501c non profit that has been rowing on White Rock Lake since 2002. In 2015, it was flailing and being rejected by the community. Our lease had been terminated by the city and our boats were actually being evicted from the lake! I felt like I inherited the Titanic with the financial debt that went along with it. I was approached by one few remaining board members to step in. I knew absolutely nothing about rowing, but I did know about relationships, community and basic business. That is how my journey began, but my vision came from my son.
Hunter started rowing (CREW) on White Rock Lake the summer before he started high school at DISD’s School of Science and Engineering Magnet. Hunter was very academic and a natural athlete, but he never really “took to” any particular sport, although he tried them all. That was until he tried DUC’s summer camp. He was instantly hooked and has flourished. His life is forever changed due to the sport of crew. Hunter received a $175K full ride college scholarship to TAMU. Not many people realize that CREW offers the highest percentage of collegiate athletic scholarships.
I felt that every kid, especially the at risk teens in our community should have this same opportunity to flourish.
DISD has an alarmingly high rate of homeless students and teenage pregnancies. Our 75228 zip code consist of a large demographic of these students. My goal and vision it to continue to reach out to our community and recruit these kids to row. This opportunity not only gives them much needed structure and team work, it opens a path for many of them to become first generation college graduates.
We had to completely reoragnize the board of directors and rebrand ourselves as a community staple.
Dallas United Crew is now the “The NEW Blue”!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a very bumpy road. We were considered “enemies” and users of the lake. We had lost our contract/lease to row on the lake and to build our boathouse.
CREW was perceived as a bunch of “rich white kids rowing” DUC was accused of using the lake, without giving anything back to it. That was one of the first perceptions we had to overcome.
Our organization partnered with For The Love Of The Lake, where I am also a board member and started to campaign for a recycle program around the lake. We adopted a lake shoreline and our organization won the Group of the Year for our community service. We also participate in local food drives, shoe drives, coat drives and disaster relief. DUC logged over 7500 Community Volunteer Service hours last year.
In a short 2 1/2 years, we have become a true staple of the community, almost quadrupled in size, passed unanimous Dallas Park Board and City Council Vote to renew our lease and build an equipment shelter at the lake for our boats.
Our mission is to transform lives and community through oar and paddle sports.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Dallas United Crew – (DUC) story. Tell us more about the business.
Dallas United Crew is such a unique non-profit as it benefits many sects of the community:
Youth from over 57 DFW schools
Inner City – At Risk Teens – Successful pilot program from local high schools
DUC – Pink – 40 Breast cancer survivors
DUC Adaptive – Our wheelchair veterans
DUC MASTERS – Adult Rowing
DUC Delite – Adult Dragon Boating.
Crew offers what no other sport does. It’s all-inclusive and there are no star players. There is no revered quarterback or point guard. Everyone needs everyone to sync in perfect harmony in order to move the boat. I’ve noticed adults, just like the kids want to Go FAST and WIN! It doesn’t matter whether you’re white, black, red, green or purple, young, old rich or poor. You absolutely need each other and you HAVE to work together. You just need to keep our head in the boat and pull your weight! Everyone needs each other in order to succeed.
There is no other integrated into high school sports like this one.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck as much as I believe in God’s favor. (You reap what you sow.)
I have been the recipient of many, many blessings and I believe in paying it forward. I have the most amazing husband and four beautiful children that all share a desire to serve the community. My twin sons, who are now 27 years old, were born 3 months premature. Baby A – “Adam the Attitude” and Baby B “Brandon the Brave”! Brandon has Cerebral Palsy and endured 16 brain surgeries. They said he would never be able to walk or talk and the hospital encouraged me to remove him from life support when he was only 3 months old. I am so thankful for the doctors that saved his life, but God has the last word! Adam is recently married and Brandon is totally independent, living and working on his own, and engaged to be married this August.
I have also had health issues such as Lupus and Breast Cancer that was thankfully caught in the early stage… TWICE! I believe that an active lifestyle combined with Nature and giving back are key treatments for a healthy mind, body, and soul! You can be a victim or a victor. The choice is yours.
I have had the same favor in my businesses…taking the lemons and making the sweetest lemonade possible! 😉
Contact Info:
- Address: Dallas United Crew
417 E. Lawther
Dallas, Texas 75228 - Website: DallasUnitedCrew.Org
- Phone: 972-904-9910
- Email: president@DallasUnitedCrew.Org
- Instagram: @DallasUnitedCrew
- Facebook: Dallas United Crew
- Twitter: @RowDallasUnited
Image Credit:
DUC parents and participants
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
