What Parents Have to Say

“The whole-family approach that Head Start Program uses has afforded me opportunities to grow and use any leadership skills I may have developed throughout my years of parenting. I have had opportunities to give and to receive support from other families. I have been shown many opportunities to volunteer time and experience to the program on many levels from the local program site all the way to the state house and take pride in mentoring other parents to take advantage of the same.

At Head Start, a parent is encouraged to have a voice in advocating for their children. For families of “lesser means” the “American Dream” is not necessarily the house with the white picket fence but that while they struggle to break the cycle of abuse or poverty in their families, their children be loved by the people they come into contact with at school no matter their differences and that their children be given a fair and equal “Head Start” on their way to success. In my program I have witnessed that our staff have provided every aspect of this dream and more.”

Taken from the testimony of Dolores Fortier, Parent at MOC Head Start in Fitchburg to the Early Care and Education Advisory Council, MA Statehouse, November 2003.

What Graduates Have to Say

“I am a former Head Start student. Math, science, and literacy were a part of my daily preschool experiences whether I worked in the block area, dramatic play, or writing area. These classroom experiences allowed me to explore, observe, experiment, and socialize with other children, teachers and volunteers. It allowed me to grow, increase my vocabulary, problem solve, and most of all feel good about myself. This is what I believe was the foundation for my later school success.”

Taken from the testimony of Carenza Jackson, Alumni of the Worcester Child Development Head Start Program, Worcester, MA to the Early Care and Education Advisory Council, MA Statehouse, November 2003. Carenza holds a degree in Economics and Education from Fordham University. She is currently teaching Mathematics to 9th graders at South High School in Worcester and has a Masters in Education from Clark University.