donesta and el’s STORY

We found a safe space.

When Daniel was two years old, his parents, El Barca and Donestia Oliver, faced an important decision that they didn’t realize would change their family dynamic for the better. Daniel had a speech delay and struggled to connect with other children. They wondered whether to continue with speech therapy, where he was making some progress, or enroll him in St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore Head Start for a more structured early learning experience. Donestia, who had attended St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore’s Head Start as a child, felt certain it could provide the support he needed. “I wanted him to have the same head start I had,” she said.

Born during the pandemic and his mother’s only child, Daniel had very few opportunities to socialize. His parents lived in two different households, and communication between them was often tense. “There was barely any communication between us,” El recalled. “There was a lot of pain and animosity. We were at odds all the time.” These challenges made the decision about Head Start even more critical.

Once Daniel joined Head Start, his growth was remarkable. “One day his speech problems were just gone. It was like this environment unlocked something in him,” his father said. He became confident around peers and adults, formed friendships, and learned to express his emotions instead of having tantrums. His mother added, “It was amazing to see him communicate so well and enjoy being around other kids.”

Daniel’s academic skills flourished as well. He learned letters, numbers, colors, and animals. He developed a love for reading and often created stories from the pictures in his books. Writing, drawing, and curiosity became a daily part of his life, and he eagerly shared what he learned with his parents.

Head Start also helped heal his family. His parents learned they did not have to be at odds and could come together for the sake of Daniel’s growth and development. They began attending events together, participating in classroom activities, and supporting his learning as a team. “It became a safe space for all of us,” Donestia said.

As they prepare for Daniel’s transition to kindergarten, his parents reflect on the most important lesson the program taught them. “If SVDP didn’t teach us anything else, it taught us how to work together as a family,” they said.