Story 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.

After graduating, I relocated to Southwest Arkansas to begin a Master’s program at the University of Arkansas at Magnolia. During this time, as a single mother navigating the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy, I was forced to pause my education and work full time. It was then that I discovered the HIPPY home-visiting program for three-year-olds and soon after enrolled my daughter in center-based care. Through my role as a parent volunteer, I was encouraged to step into teaching—and I was hired by the Southwest Arkansas Development Council as a preschool teacher in a Head Start program serving children in an impoverished community. This was the beginning of my professional journey in early childhood education.

Two years later, I returned to Berkeley and came full circle when I was hired as a Family Advocate for the very same Berkeley-Albany YMCA Head Start program that had once supported me as a parent. In that role, I had the privilege of working with the Cal-SAFE program, supporting parenting teens, developing infant and toddler curriculum, and helping families access the resources they needed to move toward self-sufficiency.

My passion for this work grew deeper, and two years later I applied for—and was promoted to—a Center Director position.

Today, I continue to serve in that role with immense gratitude, supporting children, families, and communities with the same care and dedication that was once extended to me.

Head Start did more than provide childcare for my daughter. It gave me the opportunity to complete my education, to grow into a profession of service, and to dedicate my life to uplifting families who, like me, needed a strong and supportive community. Head Start is not just a program—it is a pathway to empowerment, resilience, and success for generations.

I am a Head Start leader because I believe every child and family deserves access to high-quality early learning, care, and community support—no matter their circumstances. As a young mother, I experienced firsthand how Head Start opened doors for me by providing the care I needed to finish my education and build a future for my family. That experience shaped my values and ignited my passion for giving back.

I do this work because I know what it feels like to need a safe, nurturing environment for your child while trying to achieve your own goals. I believe in the power of education, equity, and community to break cycles of poverty and create opportunities for self-sufficiency. Each day, I am inspired by the resilience of the children and families I serve, and I feel honored to walk alongside them as they grow, achieve, and thrive.