When Chekyva applied to Head Start, she and her child were experiencing homelessness, and
she set her main goal on furthering her educa on to build a be er future for her family. Once
her child was accepted into the program, the stability and daily support from the teaching
team and Family Advocate gave her the confidence and space to focus on her studies. With her
child safe, engaged, and thriving in a structured environment, Chekyva was able to complete
her certification in Medical Billing and Coding, and she is now working toward her Bachelor’s
degree with the hope of finishing next year. She o en expresses her gra tude, thanking staff
almost every day for the encouragement and care that helped her reach this point.
Today, Chekyva not only con nues advancing her educa on but also serves as the Parent
Commi ee Chairperson, showing her growth as a leader and role model for other families. Her
story is meaningful because it highlights how determina on, paired with the support of Head
Start, can transform a family’s challenges into success, confidence, and new opportuni es for
the future.
