A few years ago my daughter Maliya was six years old and had just started kindergarten after graduating from the Children First Head Start program. It was hard to believe we’d reached this major milestone, but with the love, care and guidance she received from her teachers, I’m confident that she will continue to thrive.
Children First and the Head Start program have always been close to my heart and the hearts of my family. My husband, Malik, is a Head Start graduate committed to our shared mission of raising the healthiest, happiest family possible.
Our lives center on family; in addition to Maliya, we have two other children, sons Jeremiah and King. When we had our kids, we knew we didn’t have to look far to find quality, affordable child care with amazing teachers we could trust.
Through Head Start, I also found support personally and as a parent. Due to the pandemic, I had reduced hours and was forced to seek other employment. During this time, I needed something that would allow me to feel professional and help me keep my skills up while at the same time offering me the flexibility to be a mom.
Children First was offering a Job Skills Training Course as part of the agency’s Family Strengthening services. The class was perfect because it provided a sense of accountability and belonging. I learned about identifying and overcoming obstacles related to employment, and there was a special focus on resume writing, interviews, and “acing” the first 90 days at a new job.
I was offered a position at Sarasota School of the Arts & Sciences, where I have been working as a paraprofessional. While working full time, I’ve also had the opportunity to go back to school to earn my bachelor’s degree to become a teacher.
My ambitions have led me to be a working professional, a full-time mom, and now a student, but I’m not stopping there. I would like to earn my master’s degree and work as an administrator, with one of my ultimate goals being to run for the school board.
Because of Children First, Head Start, it feels like a whole new world of possibilities has opened. Although we still face unique challenges, I feel grateful and am so proud of how far we’ve come. Because Malik and I were able to grow and thrive in a healthy environment at the earliest stages of our lives, the lives of our children have been transformed for the better.
Head Start is a changemaker for all communities. Child by child, family by family, the seeds that are sowed continue to blossom as they stretch higher and higher toward the sunshine. Their promise is simple: Every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, can reach their full potential.
As I look to the future — from my youngest child thriving to earning my teaching degree — I know that thanks to Head Start there is nothing to fear.
Olivia Harvey is a Head Start parent, Policy Council member, and alumna.