Head Start of Greater Dallas

> Head Start SUCCESS stories are made every day. At Head Start, we provide children with the foundation of skills and knowledge they need to be successful in school and life. Many have come back to share with you how having a "head start" has helped shape their lives. Are you a Head Start Alum? Know someone who is? Inspire others with your Head Start experience. Write Your Story Now
A short story by Brookhaven Head Start parent Asia Richards: My Enchanted Forest Once upon a time, there was a single struggling mother named Asia. She always tried her best to make her life and her son Ke’Juan’s life better but it always seemed like they would go through trials and tribulations. Asia knew with hard work and determination she could have the fairytale life she always dreamed about. She imagined herself starring in movies, writing plays and stories and producing television shows; however, to her, that was only a dream, a fantasy that would never come true. In her real life, she couldn’t keep a job more than a month because she didn’t feel passionate about it and wanted more. Job after job her daddy asked her, “Asia, what you gonna do with your life? You can’t keep quitting. Maybe you need to go back to school and find a career that you love, then you’ll finally keep a job!” Those words sparked a fire because she began to search for a school that would give her a second chance at life. Finally, she found a school called Brookhaven College. So she rode the bus for two hours until she reached the enchanted forest that was filled with beautiful reddish-brown brick buildings, amazing waterfalls, huge forest-green trees and little singing birds that sung peaceful tunes and happy little squirrels that ran past her feet eating acorns. Asia realized this was more than a school, it was a family filled with people that wanted to see her succeed in life. Now, it’s been three years and her family-school has blessed her with Brookhaven’s Head Start program that taught Ke’Juan how to recognize and write letters, numbers, his name and even the days of the week. Asia was blessed with finding her true passion in writing. She won first place in Brookhaven College’s Literary Contest for playwriting and third place in district finals. She was also featured in the Brookhaven College Courier, the school’s paper, for being an outstanding student. Finally, in 2010, Asia became a graduate of Brookhaven College and received an Associate Degree in Arts with honors. Now, continuing her education at the University of Texas at Arlington, she is focused on receiving her Bachelors in Broadcast Communications. “Therefore, I’m standing before you today to say, every time I believed a little bit, something good would happen, I just kept going. And this is why I live happily ever after. Thanks to you all!” - Asia Richards, Brookhaven Head Start parent and 2010 graduate of Brookhaven College
"My husband and I have six children and they all attended The Head Start of Greater Dallas program. Our oldest child is now 24 years old and she started out in the West Dallas PCC program. She was about 6 months old at the time and I was still in high School. [I] remember being excited when it was time for me to get out of school and go to the center to do my volunteer hours. I was taking Child Care Development and her school was my choice to work in. My child was walking at the age of 9 months because of the hard work of Ms. Zetti and the other staff members in her classroom. All of my children have been successful in school and five of the six have graduated from high school. Four out of five graduated in the "Top Ten Percent" of their class. This program has given a lot of students a head start in education and in life. My volunteering helped me to understand as a young mother how important it is to be involved in the education of our children, especially when they begin to attend middle and high school. Thank you, Ms. Wanda for your hard work and dedication that you and your staff members have put into this wonderful Head Start program. Your hard work is paying off. Keep doing what you all are doing." - Yvonne Granger
"Bernard would not be the type of student he is today if he had not attended HSGD..." Former Head Start student, Bernard Sloan, was selected as one of three students from Albert Sidney Johnston Elementary, to attend the inaugural activities in Washington D.C. and experience history in the making. “We want them to see how far their intellect can take them,” said Johnston Elementary librarian and Books Build Brilliant Boys Book Club coordinator Sharanza Williams. “Bernard is a leader and exceeds all of our expectations. We ask him to read four chapters and instead, he’ll finish the entire book.” Bernard’s accomplishments began at Science Place Head Start, where he attended school from the age of three. Shaunda Thomas, Bernard’s Head Start teacher, recalls the preschooler as a quiet but attentive three-year old who spent most of his time reading. “Bernard had this motto, ‘I came to school to learn’ and took pride in everything that he attempted to do.” Bernard’s mother, Tracie Sloan, now a teacher at Davids’ Place Head Start, attributes his success to the Head Start program. “Bernard would not be the type of student he is today if he had not attended HSGD. Over time I watched my child grow academically and socially and he has never stopped.” Sloan, an active parent volunteer during Bernard’s preschool years, also attributes the Head Start program to her success as a mother. “The parent classes and meetings that I attended taught me how to be a more involved parent. I attend all PTA and parent conferences and his teachers and principal assure me that adds to a students success.” “We strive to improve programs so that our families get what they need,” said Wanda J. Smith, CEO. “Bernard is a fine example of what early childhood education can do for young children. Especially for those who are a step behind their more advantaged peers.” Now a fifth grader at Johnston Elementary, Bernard has won first place in the school’s science fair competition for four years in a row. The A-Honor roll student is enrolled in a Talented and Gifted program and says, “I want to see history being made. I want to see the swearing in of President- Elect Barack Obama. When I am an adult I can look back on this very exciting event."
"Head Start gave my baby an early start..." "Before my daughter Melanie went to Head Start, she only understood Spanish. Not even 2 weeks of Head Start had passed that my baby came back speaking both English and Spanish fluently. I was so proud of her! Whether it was saying her ABC's, counting or telling me her shapes, Melanie loved going to Head Start and I loved seeing my baby come home with a big smile on her face excited to tell me about her day. Her teacher Ms. Anderson was so nice and very sweet. I love Head Start and I am also so happy to see how excited Melanie is to go back to school. I am so happy that Head Start gave my baby an early start at her education and I couldn't be more pleased with the staff and teachers at Lake June Head Start. Thank you much Head Start and I hope that this early educational program continues to expand because you guys really do make a difference in young children's education!" - *Sandy Gutierrez, Head Start Parent at Lake June Head Start 2007*
Future Leader Jazkira Combs, a 3rd grader at Charles Rice Elementary Learning Center, can attest that Head Start is paving the way for success! Her mother remembers how she was concerned about Jazkira’s reading in the beginning of her second year at Head Start...
"I am where I wanted to be." Barbara Ausborne found the support she needed for herself and her daughter Quinice at Davids' Place Head Start...
Starting Over Victoria Tarpeh received her certification as a home health care nurse and found employment with the help of her Early Head Start Family Advocate...