Building a Brighter Future: A Family Journey with Head Start
September 8, 2025

In 2023, Audrey, Luke, and their daughter Eloise began their journey with CAPCIL’s Early Head Start Home Base program, working closely with their Family Engagement Specialist, Sarah. At the time, Audrey was working part-time in their hometown of Emden, while Luke held a full-time position at the Christian Village in Lincoln.


Life took an unexpected turn when the Christian Village changed ownership and many dedicated employees, including Luke, were let go. Like so many families in our community, Audrey and Luke did everything they could to make ends meet during this difficult season—all while grieving a loss in their family and preparing for a move to Lincoln.


Despite the challenges, the family never gave up on their goals. Luke was accepted into the Department of Corrections Academy in Decatur, where he graduated and is now serving as a Corrections Trainee at the Lincoln Correctional Center. Inspired by his success, Audrey has also been accepted into the Department of Corrections Training Academy and is preparing to begin her own career path in the field.


Meanwhile, Eloise has grown alongside her parents’ progress. She successfully transitioned from the Early Head Start Home Base program into the Center Base classroom, where she is thriving with her teachers, Ms. Timbre and Ms. Lauren, since starting on August 18th.


This family’s story is a powerful reminder of the resilience, determination, and hope that shine through when families partner with Head Start. Through encouragement, resources, and support, the program helps families navigate life’s challenges and move toward stability and self-sufficiency.



The family continues to inspire us with their hard work and commitment to building a brighter future—not only for themselves, but for their daughter Eloise.

Journey to Success: From High School Diploma to CNA

By Breann Titus • April 21, 2026
When Rosanne Grzanich joined the Hand Up Project in January 2025, she was a shy 19-year-old who had recently relocated from Michigan to Illinois in search of a fresh start. She arrived with limited support, no personal transportation, and significant anxiety about testing, employment, and building a new life in an unfamiliar community. Yet, the simple act of walking through our doors was an act of courage. Rosanne had completed high school through her junior year and had been independently studying for her GED. She believed strongly in preparing herself and was determined to earn her diploma without enrolling in formal prep classes. After enrolling in the Hand Up Project, her goal was clear: complete all GED modules and enter the workforce so she could contribute, save money, and eventually retrieve the vehicle she had left behind in Michigan. In April 2025, Rosanne took her first GED module—the math test—and missed passing by just two points. For many, that might have been discouraging enough to step back. Instead, Rosanne immediately asked when she could retest. That moment spoke volumes about her character. Soon after, she passed the math module, gaining the confidence and momentum that would carry her forward. Over the next several months, Rosanne balanced multiple responsibilities. She secured employment, enrolled in a CNA program, and continued studying for her remaining GED modules. In September, she passed the Science test, followed closely by the Literature and Writing module. By October, she had completed the Social Studies module, leaving only the Illinois Constitution test standing between her and her diploma. At the same time, Rosanne completed her CNA clinicals and successfully passed her certification exam with an impressive score—demonstrating not only academic growth but professional readiness. Her journey was not without obstacles. Rosanne faced illness, underwent a surgical procedure, and navigated the challenges of balancing work, school, and recovery. Yet through it all, she never stopped moving forward. After healing from surgery, she completed the Illinois Constitution test and officially earned her high school diploma on January 29, 2026. In just one year, Rosanne transformed her life. She went from working toward her GED to securing employment, earning her CNA certification, and achieving her high school diploma. Her journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks do not define us—our response to them does. Rosanne’s perseverance, self-discipline, and unwavering determination have been inspiring to witness. As her Family Advocate, I could not be prouder of the confident, capable young woman she has become. Her story is exactly what the Hand Up Project is all about: providing support, encouragement, and opportunity—while our clients do the courageous work of building their futures. ~Submitted by Nicole Wilder, CAPCIL Family Advocate

From Uncertainty to Opportunity: One Mother’s Journey Toward a Brighter Future

By Breann Titus • March 24, 2026
Last summer, Paige made the courageous decision to leave an unsafe and unhealthy living situation. With her three children, she relocated to Logan County in search of stability, safety, and a better environment for her family. During that transition, they stayed on a friend’s couch while Paige worked to determine their next steps. By September, Paige and her children were able to move into their own apartment with the help of income-based housing. At the time, Paige was not working, so having rent based on her income created a crucial foundation of stability. With safe housing secured, she began thinking beyond immediate needs and started focusing on long-term goals. That’s when Paige shared something powerful: she wanted to earn her real estate license. She had already researched schools and found an online program—her only barrier was the cost. Together, we began working on scholarship paperwork and gathering the necessary documents, including her high school transcript, to explore funding options. In the meantime, an unexpected blessing arrived. Paige’s stepmother generously offered to cover the cost of her realtor classes. Paige immediately enrolled and began taking courses online, motivated and ready to build a new future. Then another challenge arose—her laptop broke. For many, that might have been enough to pause or postpone their plans. But not Paige. Determined to keep moving forward, she continued attending classes on her phone. While she made it work, certain assignments and features were difficult to access without a computer. When Paige mentioned the issue, CAPCIL staff reached out internally to see if we could help. With supervisor approval, we were able to lend her a laptop so she could fully participate in her coursework. Today, Paige is already halfway through her realtor classes. In just a few short months, she has navigated relocation, housing instability, financial barriers, and technical challenges—all while parenting three children and supporting her son Jaqson as he adjusts to a new school and community. Through it all, Paige has remained focused on creating a brighter future for her family. She has not allowed her circumstances to define her. Instead, she continues to push forward, setting goals and working diligently to achieve them. Her story is a powerful reminder that with stability, encouragement, and community support, families can move from crisis to confidence. We are honored to be part of Paige’s journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next. 💙 ~Submitted by Danelle Clutter, CAPCIL Family Advocate