When Nora walked across the graduation stage with her son, Elias, the moment was more than an academic accomplishment. A few years ago, doctors told Nora that Elias might experience speech and motor function delays due to three strokes he experienced before his third birthday.

Now, Elias is almost six years old and ready to start kindergarten after completing our Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program.

Our HIPPY program helped Elias develop the speech and fine motor skills he’ll need for success in school, and the confidence to succeed in life.

“HIPPY is a godsend for us. All of you opened your hearts to us and became our family,” Nora said.

HIPPY provides parents and caregivers with in-home instruction and the early learning resources they need to help prepare their children for a lifetime of success. Elias and Nora were a part of the program’s inaugural year after Nora learned about HIPPY from a coworker.

“It is very special to us to see this graduating class, because they were the first families who welcomed us into their homes when HIPPY started,” said Catalina Gonsales, United for Families senior manager.

Making Learning Fun

When Elias was an infant and toddler, Nora noticed an unusual pattern of behavior. Elias’s head would suddenly droop while she held him, or he’d slowly fall to the ground while playing with his cousins.

Doctors told Nora that Elias had experienced two strokes before his second birthday. As neurologists sought the causes for his symptoms – including a medically induced coma after a third stroke – Elias received physical and speech therapy to help him catch up.

The speech therapy was helpful, but the provider worked only in English, while the family speaks Spanish at home. When Nora learned about HIPPY – which primarily provides services in Spanish – Nora knew it could help her and Elias.

“HIPPY helped me support Elias’ academic growth and his personal growth,” she said. “There even were gross motor skill activities where he got to move and jump. HIPPY made movement fun instead of something he just had to do for therapy.”

HIPPY’s early learning curriculum also supported Elias’ language development. When he began preschool, his teacher told Nora that Elias already knew many key words and letters and encouraged his classmates in their own learning.

Our wraparound support for Nora and Elias extended beyond HIPPY. The family received assistance from our 211 Help Center for food and health care resources. Nora and Elias also deepened their connection to Mile High United Way and our community at events like Back to School Bash and Children’s Holiday Party.

We also helped Nora enroll in early childhood educator classes at the CU Denver, where she finished top of her class.

“I can’t change jobs right now, but the seed has been planted. I know that one day I will help other families the way HIPPY helped me,” Nora said. “I know there are many people behind the scenes supporting the programs that helped me. Thank you to everyone for everything.”

Now, as Elias starts kindergarten, Nora hopes her son continues to grow and stay healthy.

“I hope and pray he becomes a good community member who helps others. I would love to see him as a grown man, healthy and living a full life,” Nora said. “It’s the end of this era of our lives, but I know that Mile High United Way will always be there to support my family.”

Learn more about how you can join our work to help parents support their child’s early learning.