Full Circle: How Head Start Transformed a Family and Inspired a Career of Service

Supporting a child through their early years is crucial for a myriad of reasons. From education, health, and even family support, the Head Start program is a necessity for millions of children, parents, and guardians alike. Since its inception in 1965, approximately 40 million individuals across the United States have utilized Head Start throughout varying communities. Lupe Trevizo-Reinoso was one of those children.

Growing up, Head Start was a pivotal program for Trevizo-Reinoso, her siblings, and her mother. And now, as an adult, Trevizo-Reinoso is giving back to the community, serving as the Vice President at Easterseals Southern California. Speaking with Easterseals, Trevizo-Reinoso explores her time within the Head Start program, her current work at Easterseals Southern California, and her hopes for the future of Head Start.

Early Years

Growing up, Trevizo-Reinoso’s family were no strangers to the benefits and impact of Head Start. She fondly remembers her time within the program, noting that she had a “happy and healthy childhood” because of the services Head Start provided. From hot meals, a sense of community, and even work opportunities for her mother, Trevizo-Reinoso’s Head Start experience afforded her and her family opportunities that would have otherwise been unavailable.

“We had crayons, and paper, and chalk, which was not anything we had at home,” Trevizo-Reinoso said. “We didn’t have scissors, chalk, and cardboard. We came from a very limited financial family. We didn’t have those kinds of funds.”

Aside from toys and art supplies, Trevizo-Reinoso recounts a courtyard with playground equipment like swing sets and sandboxes, allowing her and her siblings to connect with other children and form friendships. But aside from recreational activities, Trevizo-Reinoso explains the importance of Head Start, especially for her mother. Not only does Head Start benefit children, but it also provides resources to parents, guardians, and families. And Trevizo-Reinoso’s mother’s experience is a testament to their importance.

“It was a place where my mom also got to drink coffee with other ladies that spoke Spanish,” she said. “A place where she was able to pick up a little bit of money. She was able [to]…just talk to folks and figure out how to make money when we didn’t have it. My mother was very resourceful, but [we] moved from New Mexico to California, and she just didn’t have any family or friends here.”

Giving Back

The sense of community and a place to seek opportunities within the Head Start program allowed Trevizo-Reinoso’s family to thrive, especially after moving states. And as Trevizo-Reinoso and her siblings grew, the impact of their time within the program helped to guide them to their respective careers as adults. She notes that of the four children, three, including herself, now work with their own respective communities, giving back to future generations of families.

“As I got older, as well as my siblings, we always stayed very connected with social service agencies or educational programs,” she said. “My older sister became a professor and got her PhD and teaches sociology at Occidental College. My younger sister does exactly what I do. She works with disability services and does intensive case management for families that are low income, homeless, or monolingual speaking. I do the same. I’ve been with Easterseals for 32 years. I started the Head Start program for Easterseals Southern California.”

Head Start’s mission is identical to Trevizo-Reinoso’s work in the Southern California region. Alongside offering support to young children, Trevizo-Reinoso’s work at Easterseals seeks to aid families with crucial resources to ensure they can not only thrive but also provide care to children. Trevizo-Reinoso notes that her decision to create this program for Easterseals Southern California was directly inspired by her own time in Head Start, as well as her previous work with pregnant teens and adults.

“I wanted to make sure that families, like me, have the ability to get education at a very young age,” she said. “Making sure they had resources, making sure that pregnant women that had complications with their pregnancies receive the right resources to give them a shot with a healthy pregnancy. I came to Easterseals in 1993 and convinced Easterseals we needed to get into the Early Head Start program. We’ve been providing Head Start services for over 20 years.”

The Future of Head Start

Trevizo-Reinoso notes that the Head Start services Easterseals Southern California provides now are a stark contrast to her childhood. From a local church offering hot meals and art supplies, to what is now a program that teaches kids how to garden with their own vegetable and flower gardens, the services even outshine what was offered to her children. Yet, despite the upgrades in the care and provisions, the goal remains – caring for young children and families who need support. However, Trevizo-Reinoso worries about Head Start’s longevity.

“I think that we are really shortsighted to cut education for kids that are so vulnerable, families that are vulnerable,” she said. “If we reduce early education for kids and families, we aren’t looking at what is possible. We are keeping people out of the workforce. We are keeping families out of the workforce. We are keeping kids out of the opportunity to connect with other children, to learn proper skill sets, to learn how to read and write. A place to have a healthy meal and have full meals.”

Head Start is not only beneficial for a child’s early years. The lessons taught, the communities built, and the opportunities provided are crucial for raising future generations. With over 40 million families serviced for approximately six decades, Head Start is a necessity, not only for local communities, but nationwide. Trevizo-Reinoso explains that it’s not just about teaching but also giving children and families a safe space to grow and learn during potentially tumultuous times. And it’s imperative that these services continue for decades to come.

“Without [Head Start], I don’t think I would have built the relationships that I have right now with some of the kids I grew up with,” she said. “My parents wouldn’t have had the opportunity to provide us with the education we had. I have a Master’s degree, my sister has a PhD. We all gave back. We all decided to give back to the community that gave to us.”