Desde El Principio - Family Network

RIGHT FROM THE START/Desde El Principio
WHO WE SERVE/WHAT WE OFFER:
Founded in 1994 to serve the unmet needs of the growing Latino population of Highwood
and Highland Park, Right From The Start/Desde el Principio (RFTS) provides education
and family support services to at-risk Spanish speaking families who have children or
are expecting a baby. The program promotes healthy family functioning, healthy prenatal
outcomes for pregnant women, and enhances the development of children. RFTS provides
intervention and prevention-based services for parents who may face cultural and language
barriers, isolation, parenting challenges, financial struggles, or postpartum depression.
Turning Lives Around
Blanca is a 34 year old mother with two children, ages 3 and 6. She
came to the U.S in 2002. Growing up in rural Mexico, Blanca was raised
in a household where domestic violence and alcoholism were present.
She was in an 8 year marriage with her husband, Arturo, where these
problems also existed. Often he would stay out late drinking with his
friends and when Blanca questioned him he would get very upset and
they would fight. Lucrecia, our family support worker, began working
with Blanca’s family when her first baby, Ashley, was born in 2005. Lucrecia
worked with both parents explaining to them what alcoholism is and
the importance of seeking help by referring Arturo to AA, in addition to
therapy. Unfortunately, he went to one meeting, but never went back.
As time went by, Arturo became more and more violent when he came
home drunk. Blanca did not know what to do, especially since she had
seen similar behaviors growing up. Blanca made some attempts to leave
her husband, but she always went back. Lucrecia, who has a background
in social work, educated Blanca about the cycle of domestic violence and
abuse over many visits and discussed the importance of establishing a
safety plan to protect herself and her children. One time after drinking all
night, Arturo came home and hit Blanca. Following this incident, Blanca
made the final decision to leave her husband.
Lucrecia referred her to a domestic violence shelter, but Blanca decided
not to leave her community where she had
support from friends and our program.
Blanca moved to an apartment with
her two children. Lucrecia helped her
to find furniture and child care at a
local agency. Blanca was able to find
a job, began supporting
her family,
and, eventually,
purchased
a used car.
Blanca
changed
her life
by leaving
behind
an abusive relationship
for a
brighter future for
her and her children.
The support, care, and dedication she
found from the RFTS program played a
vital role in helping turn her and her children’s
lives around.
2010-11 RIGHT FROM THE START STAFF —NORA BARQUÍN, PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Cristian Alvarez, Driver • Dinora Arias, Driver/Child Care Provider • Marilú Marbán Betancourt, Child Care Provider • Bertha Chávez, Family Support
Worker • Luisa Espinosa-Lara, Administrative Aide • Gloria Robles, Child Care Provider • Maria Antonia Sachica, Child Care Provider • Lucrecia Soruco,
Family Support Worker • Soledad Uribe, Child Care Provider • Lisa Wisniewski, Family Support Worker