A Mother’s Love, Strengthened by a Circle of Care
By Eric Steckel
May 14, 2025
You’re helping parents like Monica become powerful partners in their children’s success.
Your gifts helped Monica continue to be Miracle’s fiercest advocate in school … and in life.
The moment Monica Henderson brought her daughter home—tiny, fragile, and born 16 weeks early—she knew she had to be her daughter’s fiercest advocate.
“We call her Miracle because they say she’s a miracle baby. She weighed a pound and 15 ounces. She fought to be here, and I fight every day for her,” Monica shared.
From an early age, she worked with Miracle on reading activity books and games that helped her learn her ABCs and counting. “The doctors said she might be a little delayed or behind. I didn’t want that for her. So I was like, ‘What can I do as a parent to help her?'”
Miracle was ready
When it came time to enroll in school, the doctors said Miracle was ready.
This year, her teachers discovered that Miracle was lagging behind in reading retention. She enrolled in Succeeding by Reading, and Monica enthusiastically continued to fight for her daughter. She joined FamilyBridge, learning how to reinforce her daughter’s reading skills at home. She and Miracle work on reading comprehension, sight words, and math facts using tools like flashcards and shared reading time.
“I take what I learn from FamilyBridge and try to help Miracle the same way her tutor does,” Monica shared.
“I’m reassured that I’m doing the right things, and other people are helping me. It takes a lot to raise a child.”
FamilyBridge’s weekly messages and hands-on workshops have given Monica the tools—and encouragement—she needs. “Even the little notes that say what they’re working on… they really help me guide Miracle better,” she said.
Bedtime reading has become a way to enjoy reading together
Reading before bed has become a routine. “I let her pick a book out and then she can read it to me, or if she wants, I’ll read it to her. It just depends, but I try to do it to settle her down and get her to go to sleep.”
With your support, we can continue walking alongside families like Monica’s—offering guidance, encouragement, and the right tools at the right time.
Thanks to this team effort, Miracle is gaining both confidence and independence in her schoolwork. Her growth is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when families, tutors, and teachers work together to nurture a child in a circle of care.
“I’m grateful for the support,” Monica said. “We’re both learning. And Miracle is starting to believe in herself.”
With your support, we can continue walking alongside families like Monica’s—offering guidance, encouragement, and the right tools at the right time.
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* Children Rising respects the privacy of our students. While all the stories we share are genuine and true, we change names as needed to protect student privacy.