Kayla Martinez knows firsthand the power of early education. As a former Head Start child herself, she understood the importance of setting a strong academic foundation. But when the time came for her own children to start their educational journeys, she found herself overwhelmed. A single mother of three boys—now ages 4, 6 and 7—Kayla also carried the responsibility of caring for her mother and younger brother. Balancing financial and daily needs for a household of six was no small task.
The COVID-19 pandemic only added to her concerns. With a small baby at home and an older child approaching preschool age, Kayla worried about navigating her children’s education while managing her family’s needs. That’s when a friend introduced her to LSF Duval Head Start. Her friend had seen remarkable growth in her child after enrolling, and Kayla hoped for the same opportunity.
Despite initial hesitation, Kayla took the leap and applied. The Head Start team walked her through the process, and her Family and Community Engagement (FACE) specialist became a source of unwavering support. “They were wonderful,” she recalls. “They helped me every step of the way.”
The impact on her children was almost immediate. Within the first two weeks, her eldest son came home excited about a science project on the five senses. Before Head Start, she struggled to provide structured learning at home, but suddenly, her son was eager to share new things he had learned each day. “It was like an instant click,” Kayla says. “This was exactly what he was missing.”
As her children flourished, so did Kayla. Through the guidance of her FACE specialist, she set personal and professional goals, each milestone leading to another. Head Start not only supported her children but also gave her the accountability and resources she needed to succeed. With encouragement from her LSF Head Start family, she enrolled in college within six months of joining the program. Soon after, she set another goal—to improve her health for her family—and pursued gastric bypass surgery with continued support from Head Start staff.
Today, Kayla is only weeks away from earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in leadership. Her eldest son, now in second grade, reads at a fourth-grade level and takes pride in being an honor student—just like his mom. “Knowing that Head Start helped me learn how to be a good example for my children is something I’ll be thankful for forever.”
Kayla’s journey has come full circle. In her final semester of nursing school, she chose to complete her internship with LSF Duval Head Start, giving back to the very program that
helped her family. She credits Head Start not only for her children’s academic success but also for shaping her own future. “It takes a village to raise a child, and I’m so happy to say that Head Start is my village.”
With a heart full of gratitude and a passion for service, Kayla now volunteers with local organizations, including LSF Head Start, determined to pay forward the support she once received. “If it wasn’t for the resources Head Start provided, I’d be in a very different situation,” she says. “They helped mold me into a productive member of society, and now, I’m committed to giving back.”
For Kayla, Head Start wasn’t just an early learning program—it was the foundation for a brighter future, for both her and her children. At LSF Head Start, we pride ourselves on ensuring children are ready for school and prepared for life. We can confidently say both Kayla and her children are well equipped to take on school and the world.
