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Chris and her husband, Christopher, wanted to provide the very best for their only child, Devin. Chris grew up in a home where the only advice she was given was to keep out of the way. "Children were not the primary focus in my household; neither was education. I grew up feeling negative about my abilities and my self-worth, and I did not want that for Devin."

When investigating a Head Start program in which to enroll Devin, Chris learned that the Head Start program served as the Children’s Education component of a family literacy program. Through the Head Start program, Devin participated in a bilingual program that gave him opportunities to learn phrases in another language and how to communicate with children speaking other languages. He learned how to express himself and deal with challenges...he became "a great problem solver."

Chris and Devin learned together, doing activities and experiments in Parent and Child Together (PACT) Time. They particularly enjoyed working with family math and science. Chris found the concepts she learned in PACT Time were ones she could use with Devin at home as well. 

Chris had never considered going back to school because of the cost, but when the opportunity came along for her to attend a family literacy program, her husband was supportive. It was through the family literacy program that she learned about AmeriCorps. "In AmeriCorps, I teach English and computer skills to parents every day." She helps parents get involved as volunteers in the elementary school and community and shares math and science activities with families ... "empowering them with the gift of being able to teach their own children."

Chris and another AmeriCorps member started a before-school program for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, "enriching their reading and writing abilities through arts and crafts." She also works in the after-school fine arts program at the elementary school.

Chris says she grew up in a ghetto and watched people make bad choices. She made a conscious choice not to take that road. She thinks about what she is doing every day. "We need family literacy because it opens doors for families. It helps them realize their potential, see that they can make changes in their lives and in their family’s future."

When her AmeriCorps service is complete, Chris is going to college to earn a teaching degree in multi-age elementary education. She continues to make good choices.