As a young mom in nursing school with her second baby on the way, Brenda felt overwhelmed. She knew she needed help but wasn’t sure where to find support. Then a relative told her about the Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) program.
“I had nowhere to turn and no one to talk to,” Brenda said. “I was keeping it all in, and I wanted a different approach in my parenting.”
Brenda was matched with Belinda Henderson, an early childhood specialist. They quickly formed a bond.
“The HOPES program is designed to connect with families, to develop a safe place where they can come and basically tell us anything that they’re struggling with,” Henderson said.
HOPES is a free program for parents with children from birth to 5 years old. Services often include home visiting, parent support groups, health screenings, help with early reading, parent education and other resources.
Free Counseling
During Brenda’s first call, she got information about the HOPES program and signed up for free virtual counseling sessions.
“Counseling can be very expensive, and I was very in need at the time,” Brenda said. “I was like, ‘How are you able to offer this free counseling?’ They explained they’re a nonprofit. I was met on that call by a sweet lady who was very nurturing. I was pretty sure she heard I was on the verge of tears.”
The HOPES program allowed Brenda to share her challenges and find new ways to parent.
“Growing up, it was like you have to keep a perfect front at all times,” Brenda said. “As I saw that my therapist was nonjudgmental, I started opening up a little bit more.
Brenda said she talked about everything with the therapist.
“It just felt liberating,” she said. “And I felt a change in the weight on my shoulders, just not having to keep everything in.”
From Counseling to Classes
Brenda was so happy with the counseling services that she also tried parenting classes. She said the groups helped her feel she wasn’t alone in her parenting challenges. The HOPES program has helped her become a better listener and communicator.
“Going through the program helped me be able to sit down and put together the words I need to say to someone when I’m feeling something versus just reacting,” Brenda said. “My fiancé could see the changes, too, and he would tell me, ‘I’m so proud of you for doing this.’ It helped our relationship tremendously. It helped our family as well.”
Breaking the Cycle
Brenda knows that by doing this work she’s setting a powerful example for her children.
“By taking care of myself, I knew that I was going to be able to be a better parent,” she said. “I wanted my children to see that it’s OK to reach out and ask for help. That’s something that I didn’t really have, and that’s my main goal for them, to just know that those emotions can be managed.”
Hope for Parents
Henderson said she enjoys helping moms like Brenda through the HOPES program. She knows that it can be life-changing for the entire family.
“I love my job because I see change, and I see the impact that we make on families,” Henderson said. “There’s nothing easy about parenting, so if we can help you build your toolbox — how exciting.”
Brenda encourages other friends and family to learn more about the HOPES program.
“The HOPES program was life-changing because it showed me that I’m not alone on this parenting journey,” she said. “We’re all trying to better ourselves. If you’re struggling or you need some encouragement as a parent, I would encourage you to reach out. You won’t regret taking that step to better your family.”
Finding Programs Near You
The HOPES program is currently available in Archer, Bell, Bexar, Brazoria, Brazos, Brown, Callahan, Cameron, Chambers, Clay, Coleman, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Dimmit, El Paso, Ellis, Erath, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Gregg, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hood, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Kleberg, Lampasas, Liberty, Lubbock, Maverick, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Navarro, Nolan, Nueces, Orange, Palo Pinto, Parker, Potter, Randall, Rusk, San Patricio, Shackelford, Smith, Somervell, Stephens, Tarrant, Taylor, Travis, Upshur, Waller, Webb, Wichita, Williamson, Wise and Zavala counties.
To qualify for HOPES, families must live in the specified service delivery area county or combined service area. Because the program is offered through local community partners, availability, eligibility and resources vary by county. Find programs in your area.
