Head Start has truly changed my son’s life — and ours as a family. He started the program at 3 years old, and, at the time, he was barely speaking. He could only put together two words in a sentence and would often scream or have major meltdowns out of frustration, simply because he couldn’t communicate what he needed. We felt helpless — like no matter how hard we tried; we just couldn’t give him what he needed to thrive.
One of our biggest worries was that, without being able to communicate, he wouldn’t be able to make friends or connect with his peers. We feared he’d feel isolated or excluded. But thanks to Head Start and the speech services they provided, that all changed. My son was finally able to communicate with his classmates, engage in play, and form friendships. Watching him interact with others and begin to thrive socially was a huge relief and a moment of pure joy for our family.
I will forever be grateful to his teacher, Mrs. Albin, for her patience, encouragement, and dedication. She made him feel safe and supported every single day. And I am incredibly thankful to Mrs. Eisenhardt (Tri County Area Schools), his speech teacher, for helping him find his voice. Without their hard work and care, none of this progress would have been possible.
Head Start didn’t just help him with his speech — they helped him find his voice in a way that allowed him to advocate for himself and build confidence. As a mother, I finally felt hope. And as a teacher, I knew just how critical that kind of early intervention and support really is. Head Start didn’t just help my son — they helped our whole family. I will always be grateful for this program, and I truly believe in how vital it is that we protect and invest in Head Start for all families who need it.
– Deanna Sipes
