Category: Stories of Impact

Talking about challenges and changing outcomes for a multi-generational home

The following story comes from a woman enrolled in the Family Star Home Based Head Start and Parents as Teachers (PAT) program.

“Although we are a family of three (myself, my three year old daughter and a newborn), we are fortunate enough to have a support network in our multigenerational home which consists of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and, cousins. We have been a part of Family Star’s home-based program for the past several months and we love everything that the program has to offer. The visits are always fun and supportive.

In our family, we don’t usually discuss challenges we are facing, but home visits provide an opportunity to talk about our problems, explore solutions, and to just have someone listen. Prior to starting with our parent educator, we did not interact or talk with our kids. Now, we have a better understanding of the importance of engaging with them, responding to their feelings and how we can help them learn. We have noticed a big difference, my daughter and her cousins are talking more and are learning colors, shapes and counting. Home visiting is also changing things with the older cousins in the home and has been instrumental in encouraging communication and building relationships with each other.

The program (Home Based Head Start with Parents as Teachers) has made a large impact on our family. Our parent educator has connected us to the mental health and disabilities coordinator who came on a home visit to conduct a speech observation, explain the evaluation and IEP process and answer any questions we had. We were also able to get recommendations from the health and nutrition coordinator when we needed to find a milk alternative for one of the children. She provided us with several options and the benefits and concerns for each.”

The program (Head Start and PAT) has made a large impact on our family. Our parent educator has connected us to the mental health and disabilities coordinator who came on a home visit to conduct a speech observation, explain the evaluation and IEP process and answer any questions we had. We were also able to get recommendations from the health and nutrition coordinator when we needed to find a milk alternative for one of the children. She provided us with several options and the benefits and concerns for each.”

Finding Stability Through Home Visiting

A mother enrolled in Pueblo’s SafeCare and HIPPY programs shared the impact of home visiting on her family. Through home visiting from Catholic Charities of Pueblo she and her family were able to find stability.

Earlier this year, my family was having a very tough time, along with other challenges, we had a car accident. My infant, nine-year-old, husband, and I were fine, but our car was not. The money we saved to move into our own place went to car repairs.

Things seemed to be going from bad to worse, when I met Jewl with Catholic Charities. She was just what we needed at this low point. We joined the Catholic Charities SafeCare Program for the baby. SafeCare provided us with the information and tools needed to childproof our home and keep our crawling baby protected. Jewl also referred us to Catholic Charities’ Home Stability Program, where they provided our first month’s rent, and we were able to pay our deposit, with my husband’s first paycheck. At last, we had a home to call our own.

We were still struggling to make ends meet, and I was frantically hunting for a job when Jewl told me about the HIPPY Program where parent can serve by helping other families get their kids ready for school while earning and education award for themselves. Excitedly, I applied and was chosen as a HIPPY Home Visitor!

Now, my family is doing so much better. Our children are safe and thriving. My husband and I can envision a future for ourselves and our children. We are so grateful that Catholic Charities entered our lives, lightened and load, and helped us get back on our feet. I am serving as HIPPY AmeriCorps Member with Catholic Charities and love helping others, while serving with an agency that helps families.

HealthySteps Is “Life Changing,” Mom Says

Sometimes, parenthood is scary


Already a mother of two, Sara experienced complications during her pregnancy with her daughter, Emilee, that led to an early delivery. Her daughter’s lungs were underdeveloped, and she was put on oxygen to help her breathe.


Although Sara was an experienced mom, she hadn’t raised a newborn in several years, and she’d never cared for a medically fragile baby.


“I was afraid,” she remembers.


Thankfully, Sara’s family receives care through the Westside Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic in Denver. Her pediatrician asked if she’d like to enroll in their HealthySteps program, and Sara said yes.


HealthySteps is a unique early childhood program that places a childhood development specialist within a pediatric primary care team. Working together, the doctor and HealthySteps specialist provide integrated care and support parents through the challenging first three years of a child’s life. HealthySteps specialists also connect families to other community resources as needed.


Sara credits her HealthySteps specialist with coaching her through the first anxious months of her daughter’s life and helping her access groceries, clothing and furniture after she moved out of an unhealthy living situation. Today, Sara and her family are thriving, and, at 11 months, Emilee is off oxygen and learning to speak and walk.


“I don’t have the words to explain how grateful I am,” Sara says of HealthySteps. “Just knowing there’s someone there to support you with what you’re going through. It’s life changing.”