Reyna’s Family Relief Nursery Journey
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A decade ago, Reyna’s journey began when she arrived in the U.S. seeking a new life. Here, she built a family, and today, her home is filled with the laughter of her husband and three young daughters. But like so many, her first few years navigating a new world were stressful, lacking the traditional safety net of extended family. “It’s difficult to be here without family—siblings, mom, or any extra help for the care of my daughters,” she recalls. Her most acute need was simply connection: help finding resources for diapers, clothes, and support.
That lifeline came through a neighbor who recommended Family Relief Nursery. From the very first interaction, she felt a shift. “The Outreach staff helped me enroll the girls in the program. They spoke to me in Spanish and I felt welcomed.” Respite care became her first taste of relief. “While I dropped off my daughters at Respite for three hours for the first time, I was able to take a break and felt very happy that my daughters were playing with other children under the care of the teachers.” The teachers’ attentive, culturally sensitive care meant the world to her.
The impact on Reyna’s family deepened as she explored more of FRN’s services. Through home visits, she began to absorb a new philosophy of parenting. “I have learned a lot from the teachers about everything the children learn through play in therapy class, as well as the importance of fostering a safe and positive relationship that allows children to feel secure, seen, and protected.”
The transformation has rippled through her entire household. Even her husband, initially on the periphery of childcare, has been drawn in. “When he comes home from work, I talk about how the girls’ day in therapy class went… nowadays he is also a very committed father when it comes to the education of the girls from everything we have learned in the program.”
The most profound proof came this year. “One of my girls this school year transitioned to kindergarten, and her first day of kindergarten was very easy for her because she had already learned so much from the therapy class.” For this mother, FRN has become more than a service provider—it is family. “I am very grateful to be a part of Family Relief Nursery, which is why I wanted to share my story.” In her words, we see the enduring truth of our mission: when we strengthen a parent, we build a foundation for a child to thrive.
