NIDIA CERRATO AND YAHAIRA CERRATO are a mother-daughter duo who have not only been Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) parents, but who also both work at Lawson as Enrollment Specialists for HS/EHS. Nidia was hired as the Enrollment Specialist for EHS almost three years ago. Her daughter, Yahaira Cerrato, soon followed by joining the program as the Enrollment Specialist for HS almost a year later.
Alana Parsons, Region 10 ESC HS/EHS Program Coordinator, sees great value in having former HS/EHS parents return to the classroom as staff members.
“The parents who have been helped by HS/EHS provide a unique, insightful view of the program that other candidates don’t have,” Parsons shared. “They see the value of the program and they have experienced the support that can be provided to the families we serve.”
For the Cerratos, their interest in working at the program was sparked after observing how Yahaira’s daughter, Nidia’s granddaughter, was cared for at Lawson’s EHS program while Yahaira was finishing high school.
“My son learned a lot in the program. I think they better develop their way of thinking and their way of expressing themselves,” recalled Yahaira. “I also saw how they took great care of him, and when I graduated from high school I decided I wanted to learn more.”
That shared eagerness to learn is one of the qualities that stood out to Parsons. However, those are not the only qualities this duo brings with them to the program.
“Nidia is so organized, and I knew she would be that person who's going classroom to classroom, always willing to lend a helping hand,” Parsons shared. “Her creativity is just off the charts and she's so invested in the kids and she really knows the teachers.”
Even before joining EHS, Nidia understood the importance of education. After they moved to Texas from Honduras, Nidia encouraged Yahaira to finish her high school diploma despite the challenges of learning a new language and raising a baby.
“My mom would tell me, ‘You have to finish your high school education because it's very important here in this country to take advantage of the opportunity, and I’m here to help you,’” shared Yahaira, “I knew it would be difficult, but with her support I was able to learn English and graduate.”
After graduating, Yahaira worked several jobs prior to joining the HS team at Lawson. Her first job was in manufacturing, where she worked long hours in inclement weather building trailer axles and lifted heavy materials. It was a welcome change of pace when Yahaira transitioned to her role in HS, and she enjoyed the opportunity to help families who come from a background similar to her own.
“I don't like to see anyone in need. Obviously I can't change someone’s circumstances, but whenever I am helping a parent and I hear about the struggles they’re facing, it touches my heart and I want to do whatever I can to help them,” she shared. “I like to see the happiness on their face when I can support them.”
Nidia and Yahaira encourage each other to accomplish their goals, both in their families and in their career. They are both constantly taking courses and attending trainings to gain more knowledge in the field. Yahaira believes that having each other’s support is the key to success.
In the future, Yahaira wants to further her involvement in the lives of HS/EHS families by becoming a Family Resource Specialist (FRS) and helping more families, while encouraging Nidia to pursue her future career goals.
Their journey, from the early days of discovering the incredible impact of the HS/EHS program, to dedicating themselves to helping others in the program, not only brought them closer, but also serves as an inspiration to those around them as they continue to work hand in hand, mother and daughter, two generations, united by one purpose.
“They see the value of the program and they have experienced the support that can be provided to the families we serve.”- Alana Parsons, Region 10 ESC, HS/EHS Program Coordinator.