From Struggles to Strength: One mom's transformation
September 23, 2024

How a Single Mom in Addiction Recovery Transformed Her Life

to Become a Recovery Coach

As a single mother in addiction recovery, trying to balance work and school, Maggie Memmott turned to CAPCIL for support through the Head Start program. She never imagined she would find a community of people that would eventually feel like family. Maggie shared, “they didn’t just help my kids; they supported me immensely with kind words and encouragement, pushing me to believe I could achieve great things. And whenever my kids or I needed something that CAPCIL didn’t offer, they always provided the information we needed.” The CAPCIL community welcomed Maggie without judgment, cheering her on as she continued on her journey to becoming the best version of herself.


Growing up, Maggie was surrounded by addiction and had a front row seat to the devastating impact it can have on a child’s life. She endured both physical and emotional trauma leaving her feeling voiceless, anxious and scared. Sadly, school was no escape. Kids were mean and exacerbated the thoughts of shame, isolation, and inadequacy. Eventually, around age 14, Maggie began developing her own addictions and fell into the difficult path she had always known.


Maggie reached her lowest point when her children were taken away. As a loving mother who knew all too well the pain of growing up in an environment plagued by addiction, she found a powerful motivation to break the cycle and create a better future for her family. This journey demanded immense grit and strength, requiring daily resilience and perseverance. Despite the challenges, she fought tirelessly for her sobriety and ultimately regained custody of her children.


Support can be one of the most challenging barriers for someone struggling with addiction. Without the support of Head Start, Maggie wouldn’t have been able to attend school or work. Now, she is paying it forward by working at the Piatt County Mental Health Center. There, she has found meaningful work as a coordinator and recovery coach, helping those suffering from substance and alcohol abuse. Maggie’s story is a testament to the CAPCIL belief that by helping one person at a time, you can ultimately change the lives of many.


Samantha Carton

Freelance Writer

9/17/2024


Maggie is a dedicated mother with a child who has graduated from Head Start, another child currently enrolled, and one in Early Head Start. She has also received valuable assistance through CAPCIL’s LIHEAP program and CSBG Case Management, highlighting the range of support CAPCIL provides to families.

From Barriers to New Beginnings: Journey to Safe, Stable Housing

By Breann Titus • February 24, 2026
In September 2024, Hayle first connected with our team when her son, Grayson, enrolled in our Menard County Head Start program. What began as a typical school-year relationship between a parent and our staff quickly grew into something more — a partnership focused on stability, advocacy, and hope. Over time, Hayle began sharing some of the challenges she was facing. She and Grayson were living in a trailer that had ongoing maintenance issues. Pipes frequently broke, the furnace did not function properly, and repairs were a constant financial strain. The instability of the home environment added stress to an already difficult season of life. At the same time, Grayson was celebrating remission from cancer — a milestone that came after an incredibly challenging journey for their family. While navigating follow-up care and the emotional weight that comes with recovery, Hayle remained determined to give her son as much normalcy as possible. Near the end of the school year, another obstacle arose when the engine in Hayle’s car failed. Without bus transportation available, she worked tirelessly to find ways to get Grayson to school most days. Her resilience and commitment to her son’s education never wavered, even when reliable transportation was no longer an option. Earlier in January 2025, Hayle had applied for public housing in Petersburg and was placed on a waiting list. By August, she still had not received any updates. After reaching out to the local housing authority, we learned that a lease from more than eight years ago — tied to a previous relationship — had an unpaid balance that was preventing her approval. As part of her ongoing engagement as a CSBG client for over a year, Hayle had consistently worked toward improving her family’s situation. After speaking with the property manager and explaining her circumstances, the housing authority agreed to give her a second chance if the outstanding balance could be resolved. With approval from leadership, we were able to assist in paying the remaining amount owed on the prior lease. One month later, Hayle received life-changing news: her application had been approved, and her apartment keys were ready. Today, Hayle and Grayson are living in a safe, stable apartment in the same town as Grayson’s school. The move has relieved the financial burden of constant home repairs and made school attendance far more manageable while Hayle continues working toward securing reliable transportation. Stories like Hayle’s remind us that community action is about more than services — it is about relationships, advocacy, and removing barriers that stand in the way of stability. We are proud of Hayle’s perseverance and honored to have walked alongside her family on this journey toward a brighter future. ~Submitted by Danelle Clutter, CAPCIL Family Advocate

Building a Brighter Future: A Family Journey with Head Start

By Breann Titus • 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.