Houston Controller Chris Hollins Hosts Press Conference Supporting Jobs for Special Needs Residents

[Left to Right] Shayna Barrett (Community Affairs For Kroger), City Controller Chris Hollins, Rod Batson (CEO of Helping Heroes), Michael Marino (HR leader For Kroger), and Steve Harris (Kroger Representative)

With a mission to break employment barriers for individuals with disabilities, award-winning entrepreneur Roderick Batson has officially launched Helping Heroes Staffing, a new agency dedicated to equipping people with special needs with real-world job skills and providing them with employment opportunities.

The initiative was publicly announced on July 1, 2025, during a press conference hosted by City of Houston Controller Chris Hollins at City Hall, alongside executives from Kroger and Batson himself. Drawing on over five years of experience serving the special needs community through his franchise, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, Batson is expanding his impact through a structured staffing model that focuses on life skills, marketing, and communications training.

City Controller Chris Hollins shares his support and partnership with the Helping Heroes Staffing

Batson’s motivation is deeply personal—his late cousin, who lived with disabilities, inspired him to advocate for inclusive hiring practices.

At Howdy Homemade, where over 90% of the staff are individuals with special needs, Batson witnessed the power of meaningful employment to transform lives.

The overwhelming interest in his business led to consistent waitlists, prompting him to expand operations into a staffing agency that can collaborate with local businesses, major brands, and nonprofits.

Michael Marino (HR leader For Kroger) sharing his excitement for this new program

As part of the agency’s launch, Kroger has committed to hiring at least 70 individuals across six locations this summer. Team members will be trained to promote select brands in-store, using marketing strategies that build both confidence and long-term career skills. Stores participating in this partnership include League City, Bryan, Friendswood, and multiple Houston locations.

Psychological studies show that hiring individuals with disabilities can have profound positive effects on workplace culture.

According to the Harvard Business Review, inclusive workplaces see lower turnover rates, higher employee loyalty, and boosted morale across teams.

Moreover, the American Psychological Association emphasizes that with appropriate support and job matching, individuals with disabilities often match or exceed the performance of their non-disabled peers.

While workplace safety is always a priority, experts note that mental health evaluations are only necessary when roles involve high-risk environments or specific behavioral concerns.

In general, accommodations—not assessments—are what create safe, successful, and equitable workplaces.

Helping Heroes Staffing stands as a testament to what’s possible when empathy meets entrepreneurship. With the backing of local leaders like Chris Hollins and corporate partners like Kroger, the agency is paving a new path for inclusion, dignity, and economic empowerment.