Erie Neighborhood House

A 2011 grant from Nuestro Futuro has helped to support the Family Child Care Homes network.

For Madeline Padilla, the helping hand of a caretaker changed the world for her and her three children—all thanks to the Family Child Care Homes network and Erie Neighborhood House.

Madeline first encountered the Family Child Care Homes network two years ago, when her young son was joined by a set of twins. Struggling to balance the demands of three young children and full-time employment, she learned about this program offering affordable, high-quality in-home child care from Erie House's Iraida Garriga. Madeline signed up on the spot.

"I really don't know where I would be at this point without Iraida and Erie House," Madeline says. "I would have had to cut [work] hours to part-time, stay home with the kids or find a family member to watch them. That's not secure."

Every morning at 9:30, Madeline brings all three of her children to Iraida's provider home, then heads to her full-time job. “I take them to Iraida's and there they eat, and are taken care of. I don’t have to worry about them. They are in safe hands."

The program has given Madeline not just security, but inspiration too. She is thinking about returning to school in the fall—a step which would have been unthinkable without her newfound support. "I am focusing on myself and my hobbies to relieve stress. I'm realizing my self-worth."

Learn more about Nuestro Futuro, the Trust's affiliate that supports programs improving the quality of life of Latinos in metropolitan Chicago.