Head Start impacts lives in so many ways. Here are just a few stories of Head Start parents, teachers, and graduates that had their lives changed by their involvement in Head Start.
“As a parent, every one of my children have been a part of head start. Before my journey as a parent, I was a child of head start. I grew up in poverty; subsidized housing, food stamps, Medicaid. I was a part of the system. I worked on getting myself out of that system as an adult. I went to college, I worked 3 jobs from the age of 16, I did what I could to have a future for myself. I found myself in an emotionally, mentally, and financially abusive relationship with my older children’s father. I was unable to work, had to drop out of school, I was restricted from seeing friends and family, and I was collecting unemployment, food stamps, and on Medicaid again- a life I didn’t want to live. When I was pregnant with my second child, I applied for a prenatal program through head start. My daughter was on the waitlist since she was born. That year, I got into the prenatal program and my daughter got a preschool spot in the program to start in the fall. The prenatal program home visitor came to my home to do home visits with me while I was pregnant and after I had my baby until he was placed in a center based spot that fall as well. During that time, my significant other passed away unexpectedly in an accident- leaving me alone with two children, bills, and no income. I immediately started applying for jobs and applied for the very head start program my children would be starting in a few short weeks. Within days, I was contacted for an interview and hired immediately. Through head start, I was able to work the same hours my children went to school. I took a CDA course and the following year took the last two courses I needed to graduate with my associate’s degree. I met my current husband, purchased my first home, graduated with not only my associate’s degree but also my bachelor’s degree and had more children. I still work for the same head start program my children attend. As a parent, my children have participated in the prenatal program, the home visiting program, and the center based programs of head start. I have been with head start for 13 years as a parent and 12 years as an employee. Without head start, I would have struggled working and providing care for my children. I would have been homeless, jobless, and a single parent living on the system 12 years ago; I don’t know where that would leave me today. As a parent of head start, I am working full time and able to provide for my family- I was able to give them a permanent address, housing stability, food security, and access to health care with a single household income. My daughter is college bound with over a 4.0 GPA in high school. My son has straight A’s in middle school and has an interest in computer programming. My three younger children are all thriving in school and in head start. Head start not only gave my children a head start in life but gave me a head start too.” – Head Start Parent & Teacher
“My Name is Nelda Hughes and I am an Early Head Start teacher working for CEO, but I’m also a parent of a former Early Head Start Child. My son was an only child, no cousins or kids his age, he didn’t talk like other kids his age so his Dr. had him tested, they said he needed help and they told me about this program called CEO Early Head Start. I was a very hard-headed parent and didn’t want no one telling me that my son needed help. I fought sending him, I fought his teachers. But looking back (18 years ago) CEO was the best place for my son. The staff was awesome, understanding with me and my son and helped us out a lot. I saw my son thriving in the school, making friends, and talking non stop. CEO is the most amazing company, if it wasn’t for them, I doubt my son would have made it in Kindergarten. We parents need programs like this. It’s important for children who need support, and parents that need support. Now I am an Early Head Start Teacher working for CEO. I love my job. I love the company. Please don’t take the program from our kids that need it.” – Head Start Parent & Teacher
Head Start needs your support. You can help in several ways:
Letter to President Trump: If you’re a Head Start parent, caregiver, or former Head Start student or family member, your voice is needed now!
Join thousands of other parents/caregivers and alumni to sign the letter to the President and Congress to protect this life-changing program. Then share it widely!
Share your story with us!
