Success Stories

Sara

When Sara started attending the Expresiones program, she was a shy, insecure girl. Katie Lethe, the program coordinator, was worried the other children wouldn’t include Sara. She was a bit sheltered and didn’t know how to use the internet or know much about pop culture. But the children worked hard to include her. During computer free time, the children showed Sara how to use the internet and use e-mail. And as the children include her, her confidence is noticeably growing and she seems bolder and has better self-esteem. She also seems to be working harder on school assignments. “I’m the only kid in my group that gets 100% on all math assignments!” she proudly told Katie.

Katie says, “Sara begs me not to cancel class on holidays.  I think it is becoming a safe social network for her."

Lydia

Lydia is a 38-year-old mother of three and struggles with weight problems and high blood pressure. At every meal, she would pour a small mound of salt on a dish so she could dab her finger in it and place the salt on her tongue before every bite. But when Lydia began attending Portland Niños’ exercise group with her grandchild, she began learning about proper nutrition and cut out excessive salt from her diet and became much more physically active. Since then, Lydia has lost 17 pounds and cut her blood pressure medication in half.