“You can’t tell me what to do, or how to raise my kids!” That’s what I told Ms. Short Lady from Safe Children Coalition as she walked around trying to get parents to sign up for a program to help them help their children.

I didn’t know it then, but Ms. Short Lady was about to give me a chance for a New Beginning.

Years ago, I had lost custody of my two oldest children to foster care. Then later, I had two younger children
at home. I had managed not to lose them, but we were only barely surviving.

I was so deep in the gutter; I didn’t think I could get any lower. I couldn’t see any light.

I was living in the housing projects. I had no electricity. I was addicted to drugs, and alcohol. My children
were destined to live in the projects and have addictions just like me and the generations before me.

But Ms. Short Lady from Safe Children Coalition wouldn’t give up. No matter what I said – she kept coming back and wouldn’t give up on me and my kids.

She inspired me to get up. Get cleaned up. And get my life together.

She told me about Safe Children Coalition’s HIPPY Program (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool
Youngsters) where parents learn how to teach their kids. My heart sank. I hadn’t learned how to read. But the more she talked, the more she convinced me that there was hope.

She started coming to my home for weekly lessons to teach me, and then I would do exactly what she did
with my children.

I started looking forward to her visits. My self-confidence improved. Before I knew it, I was learning how to read right along with my children. I became the HIPPY cheerleader in my neighborhood – I convinced every one of my neighbors with small children to join the HIPPY program.

Then something unexpected happened. I had learned so much, that I had enough confidence to share with others. Ms. Short Lady took a chance on me and hired me to be a home visitor in the program! Now, I was the one going into homes and inspiring other parents to learn and teach their children.

I was so happy to finally be a role-model for my children and other parents in my community. The longer Safe Children Coalition was in my life, good things kept happening for me. After generations of my family living in housing projects, having little to no education, and no expectation of anything more – I broke the generational mold. I moved my family into our own home, and I attended community college and received my degree.

Because Safe Children Coalition wouldn’t give up on me – I didn’t lose my younger children. My children grew up in a happy and healthy home. And they were better prepared for life.

Before Safe Children Coalition, I was a nobody to my children and my community. Now, I’m a somebody – and because I’m a somebody – so are my children and their children will be somebody’s too.

And to think, it all started with one Ms. Short Lady from Safe Children Coalition who wouldn’t give up on me.

There are thousands of children and families who have been helped by Safe Children Coalition to have a New Beginning just like me.

I am forever grateful.