Heroes go unnoticed everyday. One of these unnoticed heroes lives in Vicksburg. Everyday Emma Roberts goes to work at the Central Mississippi Prevention Services. She is the assistant director for the nonprofit organization that offers after school services to the children of Vicksburg.

“Our goal is prevention and academic enrichment,” Roberts said.

On average 35 to 152 children will make use of the prevention services everyday. Students start arriving at the center around 3 p.m. When students first get to the center they are given something to eat and then receive help with their homework and are allowed to stay until 5 p.m. to get the extra help they need in their academic studies.

Even though funds have been cut, Roberts is determined to help the students who come to the center. During the summer Roberts helps plan and host a leadership camp for the students at the CMPS. “We figure by providing academic assistance and leadership it will help them to grow up to be better citizens,” she said.

When Roberts isn’t at CMPS she can be found at United Way of West Central Mississippi, another nonprofit organization that Roberts invests her time and energy in. United Way is an organization that aims to help serve the community.  Roberts has served with United Way for more than 10 years. At one time she served on one of the advisory boards and now serves as the campaign chair for the Vicksburg area. She also volunteers her time to bring awareness to United Way by going and speaking to different business in Vicksburg.

Roberts worked for the Corp of Engineers for 29 ½ years before retiring. After retiring she went back to work as a teacher assistant. It was as a teacher’s assistant that Roberts realized, children need help outside of the classroom.

“One son, grown and gone,” said Roberts as she spoke of her family. Her son is a photographer in Nashville Tenn. She can’t convince her 97-year-old mother, who is in good health, to live with her so she travels to Edwards to visit her a few times a week.

Roberts is a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist church. She is the church administrator and sings in the choir.

In her spare time she likes to take piano lessons. She said she’s always wanted to learn.

Roberts has lived in Vicksburg all of her life. She graduated from Rosa A Temple high school in 1969. She received a bachelor of science degree in office admiration and a minor in accounting. “I just wanted to be a better Sunday school teacher,” said Roberts about going back to Jackson State University to get a bachelor of science degree in theology.

Roberts, 63, isn’t out of energy yet and says she has a lot more to give to Vicksburg. When Roberts does retire from CMPS she plans to pour all of her energy into Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.