My Head Start Story: Charlene

Story 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, like family photos and ashes. My family, including my son, was devastated. We never imagined something like this could happen to us, the Bunn family.

After the fire, we had to find another place to live. Thankfully, we were able to return to the same area where my son first started school, and about two to three months later, he was back in class. We were so happy and relieved that his school had not burned down. When we returned to the Pasadena Head Start, we were welcomed with open arms. Everyone was so loving, caring, and supportive. I’m beyond grateful for everything Head Start has done for my family and my son. He went through so much, but the school helped him heal and find himself again.

The staff has been wonderful — supportive every step of the way, from the time my son first attended to now, as we’ve finally found a temporary place to live. My son has made incredible progress with his speech, thanks to the Head Start team and their dedication.

Head Start is truly a wonderful program, especially for families with limited income. I feel so blessed to be part of this program, and I’ll continue to share our story so that other families can benefit, too. God bless the entire Head Start family — thank you for making such a difference in our lives.