A Diploma for Her Daughter
A Diploma for Her Daughter
“She just never gave up.”
That’s how Christine Hoeflich-Olley describes AJ, a young mom with whom she’s partnered for home visits over the last year.
And that perseverance isn’t for lack of obstacles in her path. When Christine met AJ, she’d been unhoused for about eight months – during which time she’d raised the infant daughter she gave birth to while living on her sister’s couch.
But AJ could see beyond the moment, and she had important dreams for her daughter.
That’s why, a year after beginning a home visiting partnership with Christine, AJ received her diploma at a high school graduation ceremony – with Christine in the stands cheering her on.
“Living on a couch. Giving birth to a baby. And having a newborn is hard enough,” said Christine. “To be also doing your schoolwork and working …. Super proud of her.”
AJ’s story highlights the power of someone willing to persevere, and the importance of a strengths-based partnership. The Parents as Teachers model focuses on goals important to the caregiver, leaving space for current life realities to inform the next best step. As parent educators listen and learn from caregivers about their goals for the future, they support them in creating specific, measurable, achievable steps
“When we’re talking about goal setting,” Christine said, “[it’s] really important to make sure that we’re listening.”
AJ’s decision and drive to graduate high school revolved around her daughter; she wanted to set the example that obstacles don’t have to stand in the way.
And the decision not to graduate college – not yet – revolved around her daughter, too. After enrolling, she decided to back out in order to work more hours. The reason? She’d moved into a place of her own and needed the additional funds. Replacing her daughter’s Pack-and-Play in someone else’s home for a crib in her own bedroom was the right choice for right now.
“The dream hasn’t changed,” said Christine. “It’s just changed course a little bit.”
The Parents as Teachers model is designed to respond to every family – meaning that when family circumstances change, home visiting support can change course right alongside. What doesn’t change is the consistent listening ear, resource connection, and partnership between parent educator and caregiver.
“We will continue our journey,” said Christine, until AJ graduates from the Parents as Teachers program and into the next bright step of the future – whatever that step may be.