Way to Grow is built on long-term relationships with families. Every family’s journey with us is different, but for Krystal Perry and her son Lelon, it’s been ten years. At yesterday’s Education is Power luncheon, Krystal and Lelon spoke about what that decade has actually looked like: the ordinary parts, the hard parts, and what it’s meant for their family.
We are so proud of them and grateful they were willing to share their story with us.
“That’s just somebody who cares.”
When you become a parent, one of the scariest things is figuring out who you let into your life. Who do you trust around your kid? In 2016, our first Family Educator was Colette. She didn’t come in like she had all the answers. She came in warm. She sat with us. She talked about what Lelon was going to do as he got bigger. She made me feel comfortable.
And then something happened that I wasn’t ready for. When Lelon was five, I had a miscarriage. Colette showed up for me. She brought gift cards and said, “When you feel up to it, go get yourself some food. Try to eat.” I think she even sent flowers. She checked on me. That’s not in the job description. That’s just somebody who cares.
When Lelon was older, Collette left Way to Grow. When that happened, I requested a Black male Family Educator for him. I was a single mom, and I wanted my son to have someone who looked like him. Someone he could look up to. They sent us Tony.
Tony is the best. I can call him any time. Over the years, he’s connected us to so much — Twins games, the circus, free bowling, movies in the park. He sends us resources for family activities and then wants to hear all about it after.
Lelon has graduated from Way to Grow, but Tony is still part of our lives. He works with my daughter Sian now — she’s three — and he still makes time for Lelon too. He’s like a big brother. We trust Tony.
Way to Grow didn’t just show up for Lelon. They showed up for me too. I’m building my credit. We moved into a house. I’m getting certified as an aid at a daycare. When you have people in your corner who believe in you and want to see you succeed, it changes what feels possible.
There are classes — I love the classes — nutrition, finances, parenting. And Tony always knew when I needed something different. He connected me with the right resources at the right time.
When I see a young parent struggling, I tell them about Way to Grow. The staff are patient, they’re open, and they go out of their way for your family. I want to share Way to Grow with others because it’s such an important program for me and my children. It’s made such a difference in our lives.
I’m proud to be here today, and I’m proud of my kids. We’re happy to be a Way to Grow family.
“When I grow up, I want to help others.”
Hi, my name is Lelon. When I grow up, I want to help others just like Tony helps me.
Tony is my Family Educator. He’s helpful, he’s kind, and he cares about me. I’ve graduated from Way to Grow, but he still checks in. Still asks how I’m doing. And when he comes over to work with my sister, we play basketball.
In third grade, I worked with my Way to Grow tutor, Amira. She taught me to take my time. When I started working with her, reading was hard. She taught me to slow down and focus. Now I’m reading at an eighth-grade level. “Take your time” is a lesson I use when I’m taking a test, or when I feel sad and I need to take some time for myself. I use it when I make my art.
Way to Grow gave me people who show up for me, and I want to do the same for other people someday.
What Stays With Us
There’s a phrase Krystal used that we keep coming back to: “That’s not in the job description. That’s just somebody who cares.” That’s the difference a Family Educator can make over the long arc of a childhood. It isn’t measured in a single home visit or a single school year. It’s measured in a decade, in a fifth grader who reads above grade level, a mom who’s building credit and moving into a house, in a three-year-old little sister now in good hands too.
Krystal and Lelon, thank you. Ten years is a long time to let someone into your family’s life, and we don’t take that lightly. The trust families like yours place in our Family Educators, our tutors, and our staff is what makes this work possible.
To everyone who joined us at Education is Power, who supports Way to Grow, who believes in showing up for families year after year: this is what your support builds.
If you know a family who could benefit from Way to Grow, or if you’d like to be part of what comes next, we’d love to connect with you!
