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Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: CharleneStory Submitted By: Charlene, Head Start Parent
From the very beginning, my son had challenges with his speech and other developmental areas. Head Start was the perfect place for him — the environment was amazing, and all the staff members were so kind and welcoming. He attended school for about two to three months in 2024 before the fires happened and completely destroyed our home. We lost everything that day — things that were truly special to us,
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Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: Joe MoyeStory Submitted by: Joe, Head Start staff
I am a Navy veteran, and I learned how to maintain and repair weapons systems. When I entered the workforce after the military, I stayed in the industrial field, where I eventually ended up working on gold dredges in Northern California.
Unfortunately, I injured my back and went on disability. During my rehab, I began volunteering at my son’s preschool. This was a turning point in my life and career. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: Maria LuzStory submitted by: Maria Luz, Head Start parent & Staff
I came to this country 32 years ago, as a young person who didn’t speak any English. After a year of being here, I got married and had my first child; two years later, my second child was born. One day, I saw a flyer about Head Start at my doctor’s office. I called and enrolled my firstborn in the program and that’s when everything started to change. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: Stephanie
Story submitted by: Stephanie, Head Start parent & Staff
I was a fos-adopt resource parent in 2005 and cared for medically challenged babies and children. At the time, I worked for Salida School District as a Health Tech. My special-needs preemie daughter was enrolled in Early Head Start (EHS) to track her development. The staff were amazing in working with our child, who faced many challenges, and they fully included me as a hands-on parent. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: Cynthia
Story Submitted By: Cynthia, Head Start staff
Before joining Head Start, I was a young immigrant woman from Belize working at Carl’s Jr., studying early childhood education while trying to make ends meet. I carried the emotional weight of a difficult childhood and a strong desire to protect children from the kinds of challenges I endured growing up. When a friend told me about a job opening at the Los Angeles Urban League Head Start program in 1998, -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: GladysStory submitted by: Gladys, Head Start parent & Staff
In 1991, I moved to a small town with my family, hoping to leave behind the chaos of the big city. We built our home, started our life together, and dreamed of giving our children a better future. When my middle child turned four, I first heard about Head Start. Around that same time, my youngest daughter became very sick and had to be hospitalized. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: RochelleStory submitted by: Rochelle, Head Start parent & Staff
My connection to Head Start began in 1999, when I enrolled my daughter in the Berkeley-Albany YMCA program while I pursued my Bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley. As a young mother determined to complete my education, I relied on the care, stability, and support provided by Head Start. Without this foundation, I would not have been able to successfully finish my studies and achieve my degree. -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: CandaceStory submitted by: Candace, Head Start parent & Staff
My journey with Head Start began as a parent looking for support for my child. In 2021, I enrolled my son in the homebased program because I was concerned about his speech. I had already shared my worries with this doctor, but they were brushed aside. It was discouraging to feel like my voice as a parent did not matter. After I met our home visitor, -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: IrisStory submitted by: Iris, Head Start parent and Parent Voices Leader from Marin
Before I found Head Start, I was struggling. I had severe postpartum depression and anxiety. I was constantly scrambling for child care for my two-year old daughter Lulu—calling sisters, cousins, neighbors—just to be able to go to work. Some days, people would bring Lulu to my job crying, and I felt like I was failing as a mother. I was exhausted, -
Head Start Stories
My Head Start Story: KariStory submitted by: Kari, Head Start parent
At Head Start my older daughter picked up her letters quickly, but seemed to have trouble putting them all together in order to start reading. When she came home one day saying, “Mama, I’m not very good at reading,” I went to her teacher immediately for support. Within weeks, I saw my daughter’s confidence soar, with progress and results that have launched her to become an award-winning reader now that she is in Kindergarten.
