Marisa Gardener grew up with a college educated mother who instilled in her the importance of education. As a mother herself, with one-year-old Mason at home and baby Chase on the way, Marisa would remember the values her mother had shared. She and her husband, Anthony Gray, turned to Bon Secours Community Works’ Family Support Center to ensure their sons have all they need to be healthy and successful.

Bon Secours Community Works depends on donors like you to provide Marisa and Anthony with valuable resources for their family in one place. The Early Head Start program helped Mason get off to a good start educationally. The Family Support Center has a W.I.C. location in the building and Anthony found helpful support at Community Works, as well.

“Community Works is a good place for parents who are low income or without a big support system. They really want to help you move up and transition in society.”

Because of your generosity, the Bon Secours Early Head Start program helps from pregnancy to age three, making sure children are healthy and ready for preschool or Head Start. When Mason graduated from Early Head Start, he was potty trained and ready for the next step in school.

“They work with the kids on numbers, colors, building blocks,” Marisa shared. “They learn hand hygiene, brushing their teeth, and imaginary play. Mason is now in Pre-K and Chase got accepted to a full-time Head Start program.”