Joy needed help for her son Ayomide. “When it was just me and my son at home, there was no one else his age for him to talk to or play with. He was not talking enough, so I thought he would open up and start speaking more if he could be around other kids.”
Through a friend, she was connected to the Early Head Start program and applied for Ayomide to attend West Haven Child Development Center. Within three months of starting school, he began talking and socializing more. Even during COVID-19, when he was not able to go to school, the teachers called and still provided ways for him to learn at home. The engagement, even virtually, made a difference.
But Ayomide wasn’t the only one to grow. While her son was in class, Joy was able to use the time to go back to school. She is now starting her last year of nursing school at Gateway Community College and is looking forward to building a better life for her and her son.
United Way is focused on helping families like Joy’s get on a path to financial stability by making sure they have the resources and help they need to get ahead, from childcare to financial coaching and tax services.
“My biggest hope for my son is for him to be great. This program can help him do that.”
