Catholic Charities' Together We Learn Program equipping families in the Bachman Lake area

Rodolfo came to the Together We Learn Program in the Bachman Lake area labeled by doctors as non-participatory, not very functional, and possibly autistic. At the beginning of the program, teachers remember him standing most of the class and facing the window. They were patient with him and communicated with his mother daily. In addition, teachers connected Rodolfo’s family with therapy options.

In time, this non-verbal child became a student who could name an entire box of magnetic letters. Rodolfo returned to the program the following summer and was the brightest in the class. Currently, he attends St. Monica School on scholarship.

Highlighting successes such as Rodolfo, former Program Manager Sadie Funk believes that the best part of her job is witnessing transformation within entire families. “With a child, it is amazing to see the ‘light bulb’ turn on…to watch him or her grow into a being that understands and interacts. We see an equal transformation in parents who—due to a host of issues including immigration—are sometimes scared to leave the house. Parents who were not confidant and did not know anyone in the neighborhood make friends and blossom through our program. We see this self-confidence building the entire family,” she said.

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