“In everybody’s life there are pivotal points that start you in the right direction,” says Monica Ireland-Hicks. “For me and my son Desmond, Perry Nursery School was one of those pivotal points.”

In 1996, Monica was single mother of a four-year-old son. She had managed to achieve an associate’s degree in criminal justice at Washtenaw Community College, but was unable to afford to further her education on her pay as a waitress. She had to rely on a succession of babysitters to take care of Desmond while she waited tables. Without a routine, he was shuffled from one family member or friend to another.

“Desmond was—and is—the light of my life and I didn’t want to bring him up that way,” says Monica. “I promised him that I would make a better life for us. I knew we had to have more stability in our lives.”

Monica spotted Perry Nursery School in her neighborhood and learned that Perry offered a sliding fee scale that made full-time child care affordable. Desmond’s two years at Perry allowed Monica to work in a full-time 9-to-5 job, first at the Engineering Center in Saline and then as the adoption intake clerk for Washtenaw County.

“It’s always scary to let your child go into the care of other people, but I felt very comfortable with the teachers at Perry right away,” she says. “As a single mom, I always felt accepted at Perry. My son is bi-racial, and the teachers were great with him. He thrived in Perry’s disciplined environment.”

“I learned that kids need stability and structure in their lives to be able to focus; Perry helped me to provide that for my son,” she added.

Now Desmond is a confident, independent teenager, interested in basketball, football, and art. He is considering a career in graphic design.

With the recent completion of her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, Monica became the first person in her family to graduate from a four-year college program. Now married and the mother of a two-year-old daughter as well, Monica is the adoption caseworker for Washtenaw County, where she helps families make positive changes in children’s lives every day.

“When you are a single parent,” says Monica, looking back on her own life, “your kids can be your inspiration—or your excuse. There are opportunities and resources to better yourself, especially in this community. You don’t have to look far in Washtenaw County to find help.

“United Way touches so many people’s lives,” says Monica, “when I see that United Way deduction on my pay stub, it makes me feel good to know that I am helping someone else the way I was helped.”