Christie’s new beginning started at a shelter near an AVANCE center. This supportive place helped her continue recovery from substance use disorder (SUD), which lasted 15 years.
The proximity to the AVANCE center allowed her to enroll her daughter in Early Head Start and provided a safe learning space for Charlotte to grow. It also allowed Christie to focus on improving herself and building a better future for both.
“Charlotte was only six months old when we began our journey with AVANCE,” she says. “The Family Coach, Paris Davis, has played a pivotal role in our lives, providing valuable information about resources like the Wesley Food Bank and job training opportunities,” Christie explains.
With the staff’s encouragement, Christie felt confident pursuing work and education while Charlotte thrived in EHS.
Shortly after, Christie earned her Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC) certification and is about to complete her associate’s degree to become a behavioral health counselor. “This new path led me to a job at the Cenikor Foundation as a behavioral health technician, where I help others who are struggling with substance disorders, just like I once did.”
Celebrating two years of sobriety, she credits much of her transformation to the incredible support from AVANCE.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of AVANCE has been the development of my daughter, Charlotte. I trust the program completely because it follows the curriculum created by the National Head Start Association, which reassures me that she is receiving the best care and education,” she expresses.
According to Christie, Charlotte is thriving and excelling beyond her peers. She was potty-trained early and mastered both Spanish and sign language. Her rapid development is largely attributed to the dedication of the AVANCE staff, particularly her teacher.
“I am so grateful for AVANCE and its positive impact on our lives. I wholeheartedly recommend the program to my friends, and I’ve shared the benefits of AVANCE over other daycare programs with many of them. It’s a place where parents and children can grow and thrive.”
This website is supported by the Grant Numbers Early Head Start/Head Start 06CH011541, 06HP000564, 06HP000534, FRAMEWorks: 90ZB0030 and Ready for Life: 90ZD0003 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of AVANCE-Houston, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.