With yet another Friday of snowy, chilly weather, Edmontonians may want to seriously consider hibernation. But wait! ABC Head Start has another story to warm your heart.
Mike & Shelley’s story dates back to the early 90′s when their family attended the ABC Head Start program. It is a story of incredible multi-generational family success. I truly believe that sometimes we may not realize the impact we are making on other’s lives. In the human services industry this is particularly true. In 1992, the ABC Head Start Social Worker gave Shelley a book mark and wrote on the back to “begin with a single step and don’t look back…” With this support and encouragement, Shelley went on to post secondary education which ultimately broke the cycle of poverty for their family. All of these years later, Shelley still has the book mark as inspiration.
Mike, Shelley’s son, was a student at ABC Head Start all those years ago. Mike describes his time at ABC Head Start as giving him “the tools to be successful in school and move on towards post secondary education.” Mike is now a committed member of ABC Head Start’s board of directors to give back to the agency which gave his family so much. And in turn, give back to other families who just might need that one supportive hand to help them out of poverty. “We are the people who can help other people now.”
And as if this story isn’t amazing enough, the teacher in the photograph with Mike is still teaching at ABC Head Start today. Watch Mike & Shelley’s incredible story and pass it on to whomever you think needs some inspiration on this cold and snowy day.
