Raye’s Family Relief Nursery Journey
Click to read the whole newsletter!
The move from Orange County, California to the small timber towns of Oregon was a big shift for Raye Hlinka and her family. With her toddler Kyler adjusting to life after a pandemic, and a new baby on the way, Raye’s new life in Yoncalla felt isolating and overwhelming at first.
A chance encounter at a summer festival in Drain changed everything. Raye found Family Relief Nursery’s booth and was struck by the warmth and kindness of the teachers. They listened, understanding the unique challenges her oldest son, Kyler, faced. “He was a COVID baby so he had no socialization at all and he was pretty much non-verbal at the time,” Raye shared. His speech therapist had recommended FRN, and after that conversation, Raye knew she’d found a much-needed lifeline.
Enrolling Kyler in the Therapeutic Early Childhood Program was transformative. His teacher, Colby, patiently guided his high energy, teaching him how to have a calm body and follow routines. “Because of this program, my oldest is so much more successful now,” Raye said. She knows his smooth transition into Kindergarten in Cottage Grove was built in that classroom.
Raye’s younger son, Kennedy, enrolled at just one year old. For the last year, Raye has witnessed the profound impact of even earlier childhood support. “He’s flourishing in his speech and being able to follow routines in the classroom,” she says, beaming. Watching him confidently navigate a field trip— sitting in his cubby, knowing where to wash up— filled her with awe. “He’s a two-year-old! I think it really sets them up for success as they continue to grow.”
The support extended far beyond the classroom. FRN provided free diapers during tight months and held parent classes that helped Raye build community in her new home. Her family’s classroom connection became personal, with teacher home visits that delighted her youngest. “He gets so excited when teacher Ellie comes over.”
For Raye, FRN has been more than a childcare program. It was an anchor that turned unfamiliar ground into a foundation. Through unyielding wraparound support, it helped two children find their voices and their confidence, and it helped a mother, far from her old home, build a new and stronger one.
