Uplifting Stories

When I think about uplifting stories in my work over the years I think to the impact Head Start program has made to the State of Alaska and especially the Bering Strait region in Alaska.

The foundation of Head Start is based on the research to help disadvantaged groups, compensating for inequality in social or economic conditions.  When I think about the work I had done in working with Head Start I think of one mother our program worked with starting 5 years ago.  When I first met G.T. she was a single mother with no high school diploma.  Her son with special needs was enrolled in our program.  She told me she wanted to work in our program.  I told her that she needed to get her GED.  We worked with her in setting her goals.  By the end of the school year she had gotten her GED and was hired as a teacher aide the following school year.  She then got her CDA and told me she wanted to get her AA degree in ECE.  She has continued to take college classes and only needs 4 more classes to complete her AA degree in ECE.  This is quite an accomplishment when 5 years ago she didn't even have a high school diploma.  She continues to work for the Head Start program but as a family advocate now.  She is now helping other parents with their goals.  Our program was able to help her accomplish her goals and she is now setting an example for her own children in showing that when you put your mind to it your goals can be accomplished. 

To find out of the history of Head Start check out this website http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ohs/about/history-of-head-start