North Texas Giving Day
When 15-month-old Sam* and his mom joined Lumin’s Home Visiting program in 2023, his mom was deeply concerned about his development. After an evaluation showed low communication scores, Sam was referred for Early Childhood Intervention and began receiving Speech Therapy.
As Sam transitioned to our Toddler Montessori classroom, he initially struggled with independence, expecting others to assist with basic tasks. However, with the support of his teachers and interventionists, Sam soon began showing significant progress: dressing with minimal help, choosing his own activities, and initiating conversations.
Sam’s growth reflects his resilience and his mom’s unwavering dedication. Sam’s mom is pursuing her GED while working to support her family and remains deeply involved in Sam’s education. The family has secured a safer living situation and achieved personal goals, contributing to Sam’s success. Sam continues to receive the support and encouragement he needs to grow into a healthy and independent person, both from his family and his teachers.
* Names have been changed for privacy
Amie and Julian joined Lumin’s home visiting program while Amie was pregnant. Both were eager to create a better future for their growing family. With the support of Angie, their dedicated Parent Educator, they set personal and family goals, including purchasing a car, finding a place of their own, and Julian earning his GED.
Over time, Amie and Julian worked closely together, supporting each other every step of the way. Angie provided them with valuable resources and regularly checked in, helping them stay focused on their goals. Amie reflected on how the accountability measures built into the home visiting program motivated them to stay on track.
Today, their little one is three years old, and Amie and Julian have achieved all three of their initial goals. Julian is particularly proud of earning his GED, a significant milestone in their journey. As a family, they are excited to set new goals and continue building a bright future together.
Max was an eager and attentive student with a wonderful and supportive family. While most students are able to focus for about 30 minutes, Max would often engage for an hour, always wanting to continue.
By February, Max’s progress was clear. He had moved from not being on the reading chart to reading at a level where he could decode words carefully and accurately. When he returned in the fall as a third grader, his reading abilities had not only been retained but had solidified. He zipped through reading assessments, achieving 100% accuracy and demonstrating a level of comprehension and fluency that showed he had mastered the skills.
With the help of dedicated Lumin instructors, Max became a confident reader, ready to tackle the challenges of third grade and beyond. His journey exemplifies the power of consistent intervention, dedication, and the belief that every child has the potential to succeed.
More than twenty years ago, Jacob entered a primary classroom at Lumin as an energetic three-year-old. Jacob encountered a supportive environment at Lumin that taught him how to connect with people from all walks of life. With the help of his teacher, Kecia, Jacob also discovered a lifelong love of math.
After leaving Lumin, Jacob enrolled in public school, eventually graduating from South Garland High School. Despite several challenges with his high school coursework, he was determined to succeed and graduated on time by taking summer school courses each year. His time at Lumin had instilled a sense of resilience and adaptability - lessons that proved invaluable as he worked full-time while attending high school and later when he joined the Air Force.
The transition to military life was a culture shock, but it was also a period of growth. Jacob served in various locations, including Turkey, Germany, and Afghanistan. After leaving the Air Force, he pursued a college degree, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of North Texas in December 2023. Motivated by his interest in math, he is now working on a second degree in mathematics.
Today, Jacob uses the math skills he discovered as a Lumin preschooler in his position as a Treasury Analyst at Platinum Dermatology Partners. The adaptability and problem-solving skills he developed at Lumin continue to guide his career and personal life. Jacob attributes much of his success, both personally and professionally, to his early experiences at Lumin.