It Takes a Village: A Journey of Strength, Support, and Hope
May 19, 2026

When Emersyn was born in June of 2024, her family was overjoyed to welcome her home to meet her older brother, Bentley. But just five days later, their lives changed unexpectedly.


Emersyn was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield before later being transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). What followed was more than a month of hospital stays, daily visits with specialists, countless tests, evaluations, and many unanswered questions for her family.


During her time in the NICU, Emersyn received several diagnoses that qualified her for Early Intervention services. Hospital staff immediately began the referral process, knowing how critical early support would be for her development and future success.

Today, nearly two years later, Emersyn is thriving.


Thanks to the dedication of her family, medical providers, therapists, and support team, she is now receiving the therapies and services she needs to continue reaching important milestones. Every victory — no matter how small — is celebrated by the people who surround her with love and encouragement.


Because of her disabilities, Emersyn requires constant advocacy and specialized support. Her mother, Taylor, works tirelessly alongside doctors, therapists, and CAPCIL Head Start Family Educator Sarah Behrends to ensure Emersyn has every opportunity to succeed. The family is also currently pursuing in-home nursing support, which would allow Taylor the ability to return to full-time employment while ensuring Emersyn continues to receive the care she needs.


Emersyn faces unique challenges. She has severe to profound hearing loss in both ears and is currently taking steps toward receiving cochlear implants. She also has a vision impairment known as Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI), a condition where the brain has difficulty processing visual information even though the eyes themselves may function normally. Children with both hearing and vision impairments are incredibly rare, affecting less than 2% of the global population with dual sensory loss.


Despite these challenges, Emersyn continues to show incredible resilience.


Recently, Sarah and Taylor worked together to apply for Braille books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, made possible locally through CAPCIL’s valued partnership with United Way. Shortly after being approved, Emersyn proudly received her very first book — creating another meaningful milestone in her journey.


Partnerships like these help ensure every child has access to learning opportunities, regardless of their abilities or circumstances. Through collaborations with organizations like United Way and programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, CAPCIL Head Start is able to connect families to critical resources that promote literacy, inclusion, and lifelong learning.


At CAPCIL Head Start, we believe every child deserves the chance to grow, learn, and thrive. Emersyn’s story is a powerful reminder that disabilities do not define a child’s potential. With early intervention, compassionate support, community partnerships, and strong advocacy, children like Emersyn can overcome incredible obstacles.


Most importantly, her story reminds us that no family should have to navigate these challenges alone.


It truly takes a village.


Story submitted by CAPCIL Family Educator Sarah Behrends.

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