Fourteen years ago, Bennie Jean Profit took a bold step that changed the course of her family’s life. As a mother of eight and a survivor of domestic violence, she found not just support—but transformation—through AVANCE-Houston. Today, her children are thriving academically, with several in gifted and talented programs, and her eldest is preparing to begin his associate’s degree.
Looking back, Bennie is filled with gratitude:
“Everyone at AVANCE—from the family coaches to the teachers, PCEP, and Healthy Relationships’ instructors—has helped me and my children in so many ways. They’ve provided resources, groceries, and financial help. Most importantly, I have never felt judged and I have only received love.”
Her family’s connection to AVANCE runs deep. Her oldest child was part of the very first Mangum Head Start class, and her children still keep in touch with the classmates and staff they met there 14 years ago. “My children have a special bond with the staff at Mangum. They still remember their teachers—and those relationships continue.”
Bennie’s journey with AVANCE began with a simple flyer. She enrolled her first son in Mangum Head Start Center when he was just three years old. The following year, her second child joined the program—and the positive impact was undeniable. Inspired by the changes she saw in her children’s development and behavior, Bennie continued enrolling each of her kids in Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) over the years.
Her youngest, now one year old, is currently enrolled in EHS and the Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP). “The baby is reaching important milestones because I am learning more about activities that I can do with him at each stage of his development,” she shares.
In 2018, Bennie joined AVANCE’s Healthy Relationships program, a pivotal moment that empowered her to recognize red flags in her relationship. That courage led her to choose a safer path forward as a single mother—and today, she’s working on a book about her experience as a domestic violence survivor.
“This is not just a daycare. They truly take care of the kids,” Bennie says. “Without AVANCE, my children wouldn’t be doing so well in school today.”
This website is supported by the Grant Numbers Early Head Start/Head Start 06CH011541, 06HP000564, 06HP000534, FRAMEWorks: 90ZB0030 and Ready for Life: 90ZD0003 from the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of AVANCE-Houston, Inc. and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Head Start.
