Dreams
Families’ dreams for their children
Stop the cycle. Poverty is a cycle...I want my kids to be a part of ending this cycle.
The reasons families need services vary. But what they hope to achieve for their families by using services is universal: stability, health, education, and a bright future.
When asked what their dreams were for their children, families responded in many different ways. Many spoke of wanting their children to go to college, get degrees, and have careers. Others mentioned stable housing, health, and income, many contrasting their current financial situations with their hope that their children would break the cycle and experience more stability and success. Finally, many responses focused not on their children’s situations, but on who they were and would be. Families wanted their children to have confidence, to feel supported, to be good people, and to follow their passions.
“[My dream is] they don't have to struggle like we do. They can provide for their own family."
“[My dream is] for my children to not have to work like us, in the fields even when it is raining, for them to lead better lives than our own.”
“I just want [my children] to grow up healthy and eat good foods and not have to eat microwave dinners—the things I had to eat growing up because we were poor but didn’t qualify for food stamps.”
“They’re able to buy their house, because they have a good job and can provide for the family they will have.”
“When you’re poor in these situations, it’s so hard to prioritize health, but we also need healthcare and fresh foods”
"[I want my daughter to have] love and confidence, a career, that support for herself so she won’t have to depend on a man even if she does have a husband."
“My dream is that the path to college be easier for not just my children but for everyone.”
"[I want my children to] be successful, know that they can be anything that they want to be and know that they have a strong support system in me and I’m going to support them no matter what. Whatever they decide to be, I will be there."
Mary’s story
Cassie’s story
Francisco’s story
Jasmine’s story
Graciela’s story
Lupita’s story