In Crisis
"Mumma" and Her Nephew
Our Early Education team received the following message from a woman who was able to access a scholarship funded by EITC for her nephew to enroll in a CAP early learning program. She shared with us his journey of healing from trauma he experienced within a neglectful family and how he was thriving with the support of encouraging, thoughtful teachers.
Hello!
I am the “Mumma” and my husband is the “Daddy” of a child in Thrive to Five enrolled at the Pequea Valley Early Learning Center.
In 2022, my husband and I became responsible for my nephew, who was the subject of abuse and neglect to the fullest degree and ultimately homeless. He came to us at the mere age of 2 1/2 years old, only able to speak a max of five words. Of course, I took him to the pediatrician to be checked out and he was diagnosed with developmental delay of approximately one year old, malnourished, and below the lowest percentile available on the growth chart of his age. His dental was so bad he had to go to a pediatric oral surgeon to be under general anesthesia to fill 12 cavities, pull six teeth, and cap all of his front teeth.
I was clueless where to go from here, but when I finally found Thrive to Five and started to work with them, I was astonished by just how helpful, caring, and truly invested they were in helping me get with the right people and helping me every step of the way! Anyone you see our case connected with has been nothing short of fabulous, helpful, and caring. I eventually got hooked up with the supervisor of the Pequea Vally Early Learning Center. They are super, wonderful, and well, and so special I don’t even have the words! My nephew went from his above-described status to impeccably intelligent and talented and has continued to be his caring and super sweet self, but more outgoing and confident. This is all thanks to the committed, excellent services and approachable outreach of Thrive to Five and the PV ELC team! They took him in and treated him as one of their dear students and helped us get him to where he is today. I hope one day you will get to meet him in person, just to see how great, dedicated, and supportive ALL staff truly are!
We were and still are paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes that is not even enough. When we were given the opportunity to apply for the scholarship I almost didn’t fill it out, as we had been struggling for so long that I didn’t think we would even be considered for it, but by the grace of God and heartfelt staff of Thrive to Five, we are so honored and blessed to be recipients of the scholarship. Words really can’t describe truly how much positive impact it has made for our child and our family.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, for the scholarship, to CAP & Thrive to Five for everything!
With respect, admiration, and thankfulness!
“Mumma”