Alan

Alan has been enrolled at the United Way-funded Child Development Center of St. Joseph since he was 3 years old. Now, at age 6, he is thriving, thanks to his involvement in the center’s Art Alive program.

Prior to his participation in Art Alive, Alan was having some behavioral problems and had difficulty speaking. “He would stutter at first when he tried to talk,” Alan’s mom Veronica explains. “My family speaks Spanish at home and Alan is in an English classroom all day long, so he wasn’t sure what language to use when he began to speak.”

But after spending time in the Art Alive class, Alan developed stronger language skills and became much more comfortable speaking English. His teachers say he found his calling there and maintained good behavior. Taking part in the class allowed Alan to participate in hands-on art experiences and eventually he was able to clearly describe his art work.

Art Alive is one of the many early childhood education programs the Childhood Development Center of St. Joseph provides. Teachers at the center stress the importance of a maintaining a family focus, and work with parents to deliver a childcare experience that is nurturing and developmentally appropriate.

Alan’s mom says the program has really helped Alan expand and grow his imagination along with developing his language and art skills. “He really focuses on art,” Veronica says. “I have several favorite pictures that he has drawn. We frame the ones we like the best and hang them in his room.”

Every parent’s dream is for our children to succeed. United Way focuses on education and helping children and youth achieve their full potential.