Early Literacy
Bethsaida, single mother of 3, emotionally expressed her gratitude during the holidays last year for the
generosity of our organization. Bethsaida, whose primary language is Spanish and has an incomplete high
school education works hard to provide for her children age 8, 4 and 2 years old. In November 2016, she
lost her temp job because her youngest son had to be hospitalized due to asthma just before Thanksgiving
and then again let go from another temp position a week and a half before Christmas. When surprised with
gifts which included bikes for her children for Christmas, “Thank you guys for helping me and my kids get
through the holidays. Without you, I don’t know what I would have done!”
In addition to providing her food for both holidays and gifts for Christmas, her 4 year old participated in our
Preschool Early Learning Enrichment Program. We were able to provide her with dual language support
which strengthened her English language and comprehension skills that are needed upon entering kinder-
garten.