[Editor's Note: After the Styles & Smiles 2013 Fashion Show on Tuesday, July 30, we received a wonderful email thank you note from Frances Martinez, Director of Polytechnic UCC, telling a beautiful story about how participation in the show and other United Community Centers programs had helped - and continues to help - the girl and her family. She gave us permission to run it in The Vine, and we have changed the name of the child involved to respect the privacy of the girl and her family].
"Sally" [named changed] is an extremely quiet child at the school, center and home. She has been with UCC since she was in Kindergarten and now she is in the 3rd grade. At the center and school the mom has had a difficult time with her because her behavior has been really disruptive; such as talking back, using bad language, and arguing with other children. We have been very patient with her. Her family home is not the best and so we have been working with her to learn to have boundaries with her behavior and to control her attitude. Participating in the style show changed her from night to day. She has bloomed beyond what you can imagine. Since the rehearsals she has had more confidence about herself and has gained friends. Those who know her at the center can say she is someone else. And last night when she was on stage she was amazing, smiling and posing. Her mom told me that she was a totally different girl. Today as I arrived at the center she ran up to me and hugged me and said, “Ms. Frances, have an awesome day.” This is something she has never done before.
Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the children. It does really matter the small things that you did for them the weeks you were with them. We have 200 plus more kids at the centers each day and I believe UCC is changing their lives.
Again, thank you.
Frances Martinez
Director, Polytechnic UCC
# # #
ArborlawnUMC.org