Today she serves as Information Technology Specialist for both Shawnee Mission Head Start and Early Head Start. And, she has a second job as Administrative Assistant for the Kansas Head Start Association, handling databases and mailings for Head Start programs across the state of Kansas.

Her children thrived as a result of Head Start, too.

“When they went on to Shawnee Mission schools they never had problems. They were very successful in kindergarten, and all have graduated from high school,” Lee explained.

In addition to gaining academic skills, a top Head Start priority, Lee said her children benefited from the structure, health screenings, social acclimation and stimulation Head Start provided.

“Head Start was like a family. They made sure the children all had physicals and up-to-date immunizations, which makes you see those things as priorities. And, it exposed them to healthy foods I didn’t offer at home. The program also gave them a structure, a routine that was important, given the environment we were living in at the time. And, they really enjoyed the field trips to the zoo and other places they wouldn’t have had the chance to go to without Head Start.”

“They believed in me…gave me the tools…made me believe in myself.”