Head Start Group
Wayne County Head Start Success Stories
Runae Ford, Jalen McQuiller's Grandmother
Hello! My name is Runae Ford. I am the grandmother of a 4-year-old Head Start child. Our site is in Highland Park and is operated by the Wayne Metro Community Action Center.
My grandson, Jalen McQuiller entered Head Start in January of 2004 in a half-day classroom. His first half of the year I only volunteered in his classroom. Now this year, I volunteer in the Classroom setting. Head Start has really encouraged me to step up and be a part of my Head Start community. They have shown me how to work with my grandson and how to share and to participate with other parents. Head Start has shown me how to be an effective part of my community. Head Start has taught me how to go out and show other parents that the children who are enrolled in this program do learn early. Children are more sociable, more open, and more creative. Head Start has given me many resources and workshops to better myself and my grandson’s life. When Jalen first came to Head Start, he didn’t like to share and play well with others. Now he is outgoing and really freehearted in being around other children. So with this mind, Head Start really does work. Come and check us out! Trust me – Head Start is a program that is for you and your child. Here are just a few of the committees I serve on:
- Parent Committee
- Policy Council
- Parent Mentor
- Literacy Member
- My Brother’s Keeper
- Michigan Head Start Association
- Wayne Metro Board of Directors
Joanne DeHetre, YWCA Head Start parent
What Head Start did for me………….
When I first inquired about Head Start for my son, I was totally unaware of the depth this program had to offer. We were in a financial hardship and looked into Head Start for some pre-schooling for our 3 rd son, Benjamin. Soon after he started the program, my husband and I attended our first parent meeting. That’s where it all really started. We both volunteered for many different activities. There is never a shortage of opportunity to volunteer at Head Start. They have opportunities at all levels – your center, your delegate, your grantee, and your community.
I volunteered for Policy Committee Representative at our parent meeting. I did not understand what this was but thought I could spare one day a month to attend this meeting. What an experience that has been! This Policy Committee was totally overwhelming at first. There were so many levels, rules, procedures, and policies. The Policy Committee offered many opportunities for training on many subjects such as Robert’s Rule of Order, Program Governance, Team Building, Fiscal Responsibility, Effective Communication, and Parent Conferences. The training is an ongoing process designed to improve my skills. I now feel much more sure about myself, have the ability to participate in a business meeting effectively, have great knowledge of how a non-profit organization is structured and operating, and much more.
In my second year of the program, I decided to also participate in the Policy Council, which is a level up from the Policy Committee. This was even a better and broader experience. I can now see how Head Start is run at the County level. It is incredible to see the depth of the program. I continue to keep learning so much and this helps me help others. I can take my knowledge back to my delegate and parent meetings to share what I have learned with other parents.
Before this program, I struggled with some parenting issues and prayed to God for some help. Well my prayers did get answered – I found Head Start. I recently had the opportunity through Head Start to go to an Annual Parenting Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. At this conference, there were many educational sessions on a variety of parenting issues. I also had the opportunity to meet with other parents from all over the United States where we shared stories and knowledge. What an awesome opportunity for learning that was! My husband is involved in the Fatherhood Initiative, which promotes father involvement. He has recently attended a Fatherhood Conference, which offered many parenting sessions and the opportunity to network with other fathers. He is learning many new skills himself and continued to improve his parenting. Head Start has been a great help in this and continued to offer training for self-improvement.
I never realized how the Head Start program is not just preschool until I became part of it. Head Start is for the entire family, offering opportunities for involvement for everyone in the family. They have resources for the families to get help in so many areas other than preschool. They can help assist your family to find programs to help with food, health insurance, employment, housing, schooling, childcare, and so much more. I am amazed at how many community organizations work with Head Start. I have seen this program work wonders for the entire family not just the preschool child. I have been so impressed with all the knowledge that my husband and I are getting through all the various activities and programs offered to us. Just recently, my son has started a mentoring program with Head Start, My Brother’s Keeper. They have the older child help the younger child. He is also given ongoing training and got to see a bigger view of the program and meet some great people. He loves working with his younger brother and the children at the Head Start center.
People are what make this program and this program has some great people. This is a great program to help the entire family improve themselves and help improve their community around them. What an awesome experience this is! I will take my knowledge and experience and utilize it for years to come. My family is blessed to have found this program and be part of such a great community of people.
Joanne DeHetre and family,
YWCA Head Star
Mervat Elghouri, YWCA Head Start parent
One day, I told my husband “Do you know what the best thing was that happened to us this year?” He thought for a moment, and said “What?” and I responded “Head Start!” Then I started to talk to him about Head Start, step by step. I realize now what is going on --- my role as a parent is to involve myself in the program. I feel my life has changed – I am more knowledgeable and more active; therefore, I am more effective in my community.
The funniest thing happened to me! Another parent thought I was working in Head Start. When I told her I was a volunteer, she said, “I thought you were part of the staff because you work from your heart!” I said, “Yes, because I love this program. It teaches me a lot. Try to get involved with us and you can feel what I am feeling”.
I try to use my position as parent committee Chairperson to let the other parents know how their participation is important. I tell them and show them how much they miss when they just play the role of watching and not actively participating.
Mervat Elghouri,
YWCA Head Start Parent Committee Chairperson
Andrea Hayner
My name is Andrea Hayner; my son was a Head Start student at the YWCA-St.John Bosco, from 2002-2004. I am pleased for myself and my son to have had the opportunity to experience the benefit of the Head Start Program.
My son began Kindergarten in the fall 2004, and I truly believe that the Head Start Program helped in his transition from early education to his current status. During his 2yrs. with Head Start I attended several workshops/seminars, and gotten the chance to travel out-of-town to Dallas, TX ,San Juan, Puerto Rico and Chicago, IL. I served as Parent Committee Chairperson at St.John Bosco, Policy Committee Chairperson for the YWCA delegate and served as a Representative on Policy Council for 2yrs., as well as serving on sub-committees for both Policy groups; Finance/Budget, Chairperson for Activities, etc. I have fostered many friendships as well as new relationships, from being a part of this program.
In addition to reaping the rewards offered, I am now an employee of the Head Start Program with the YWCA at St.John Bosco where I am the Nutrition Aide/Substitute teacher. I am currently in the process of receiving my CDA in which case, I will then be in the classroom full-time. I am grateful to the program and will continue to support Head Start as best I can. Thank You.
If you are a Head Start Success Story, please send your story to Wayne County Head Start.
Email to Ann Wolfe: