She knew it from the time she was a child.

In 1967, Amy Doby-Adams became a Head Start child. The Head Start program provides no-cost education and comprehensive services to children and families from low-income families to prepare them to succeed in school and life. As a young child, Amy benefited from these services.

Years later, when Amy became a mother, she enrolled her own children in the program.

Right away, she knew she’d made the right decision.

“My youngest daughter has severe allergies, and Head Start took the initiative to get her the foods that she could eat. Also, the dental– I took my child to school knowing she’d get these kinds of services.”

Today Amy works as a mentor coach with Head Start.

“Now that I’m working with HS and found my niche, to be with children who are below the poverty level and enrich their lives is very fulfilling to me.”

Amy is one of many people whose lives were positively impacted by being in the program. The parents and families of children enrolled in Head Start take full advantage of the program and often go back to school to earn degrees and certificates which qualify them to go on to do even greater things, setting a new trajectory for their children.

“Head Start has a history of giving this kind of support,” says Bob Bialas, Executive Vice President of Lutheran Services Florida overseeing children and Head Start services. “I’m proud to be a part of Head Start because it’s true to its mission from the beginning: here to support children and their families.”

And it’s about so much more than childcare.

“Head Start provides an education, but there’s also child development support, parenting resources, and health screenings,” says Lashonda HS director for Pinellas County Early HS program. “If people give HS a try, you’ll see your child will blossom as well as your entire family.

Amy is a shining example of what Head Start is about and was once a child herself

And with all that she’s seen both as a child, parent, and employee of Head Start, Amy knows how powerful it can be.

“If we can start with the youngest children, we’ll be better off as a group of people in the future.”

Listen to Amy tell her story on Lutheran Services Florida YouTube channel, and learn more about LSF Head Start by visiting Head Start/Early Head Start • Lutheran Services Florida (lsfnet.org).