Internal Growth
You may have heard an adult say to a child— “You’re growing like a beanstalk!” Yes, children grow fast from their height to their shoes, and everything in between. Sometimes after a growth spurt more ankles show between the edge of the pant leg and their socks. Time for new pants!
Now, what about their internal growth? What is going on inside of their hearts and minds? Things are building and evolving, like an increase in self-confidence, a sense of self, feeling safe to express themselves, and feeling loved to share that with friends and family. We see things like these happen in the children at Saranam.
“If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow.” ~ Alfie Kohn
Growth Appears
Each family has walked their own unique and individual path to Saranam. Because each path is different, growth may appear quickly or take time unfold. At Saranam, as parents are gaining their education and developing new life skills, their children are watching, learning, and growing. Here are a handful of examples of what parents see occurring in their children’s lives at Saranam.
“My child is sleeping for the first time in months.” ~Mother at Saranam
“My daughter is more confident, better with routines, and more stable. We have dinner time and then get ready for bed. We read a book every night and she is asleep by 8:00. Then it’s time for me to do my homework!” ~ Mother at Saranam
“My kids and I love our new home! We all pile on the couch every night to read bedtime stories. We sleep like babies every night knowing we are safe and that our kids love their new rooms.” ~Saranam Alum
“My son is fighting less, and all my kids are into activities like football and cheerleading. My daughter used to isolate herself in her room and now she has joined student council. The children are getting along better and there is respectful communication.” ~Mother at Saranam
“My children feel safe playing outside and they feel more comfortable in themselves.” ~ Parent at Saranam
Positive Changes
Positive changes are good, big and small. They show progress, an openness to learning, and understanding healthier and more meaningful ways to live. It’s not always easy and may take lots of willpower to get up and out the door somedays, but the families are progressing and stretching aspects of themselves.
A Saranam parent who exited the program successfully shared how she felt about change.
“Some days I just wanted to crawl back into the old, familiar chaos because it was easier than facing myself.” she went onto say, “You’re not changing just your address. You’re rewriting your entire story, and your kids get to grow up in the new chapter.”
Our data has shown if an adult shows up for their classes and participates in the program in the first year there is a 95% success rate. No incoming characteristics, like age, history, or number of children, correlates with success at exit.
Families at Saranam have determination and hope. With stable housing, education, and supportive services, families can strengthen and rebuild their lives— creating stability, opportunity, and a future that once felt out of reach.
If you would like to help support families at Saranam there are many ways to get involved at Saranam. Explore our website or email Dianne Campbell at dcampbell@saranamabq.org.