Around the time her daughter Josie was born, Gail Brewer, like many mothers today, had to decide whether to return to work or stay home with her children.
Ultimately, she and her husband decided to try raising their three children on
one income.
When Gail's husband was let go from his job as a building engineer, their one income was reduced to none.
As her husband searched for employment, Gail enrolled their son Jack in the Head Start program of the Tallatoona
Community Action Partnership (CAP), where oldest daughter Grace had attended pre-k. Tallatoona CAP is supported by the
Paulding Collaborative for Families and Children, both of which are supported by United Way.
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Gail credits the structure and routine Head Start offered her children with reducing the disruptive effects of the
job loss on them. To have a greater voice in their education, Gail attended monthly parent meetings. This participation
also developed her confidence and leadership skills. She was especially grateful when, after her husband found a new job,
Tallatoona CAP "didn't turn us away."
Today Jack and Grace are in elementary school, Josie is in Head Start at Tallatoona CAP, and it's Gail who is the
community resource. After the husband of a friend suffered a stroke, Gail volunteered to look after their three children.
Gail is also applying the skills she learned at Tallatoona CAP to her own goal of becoming a nurse.
A program in Paulding County turns caring parents into better parents.
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