Alumna Spotlight – Bennie Jean Profit

Bennie Jean Profit is a dedicated mother of eight who discovered AVANCE-Houston 14 years ago through a flyer. She enrolled her first son, who was three years old at the time, in Head Start (HS) at the Mangum Center. The following year, she enrolled her second child in Head Start, also at the age of three. After seeing the positive changes in her children’s behavior and overall development, Bennie continued to enroll all of her children in Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS) over the years.

Now, her youngest child is one year old, and he is currently attending EHS and the Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP). Bennie says, “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.”

This mom has only good words about AVANCE: “This is not just a daycare. They truly take care of the kids. Without AVANCE, my children wouldn’t be doing so well in school today.” All of Bennie’s children are grateful to AVANCE and still remember their teachers and classmates. She adds, “My children have a special bond with the staff at Mangum, and they still spend time with the children they met 14 years ago at the center.” Her oldest child was part of the very first group of Head Start students at Mangum.

Bennie became so passionate about AVANCE that she decided to participate in the Healthy Relationships program in 2018. This program helped her recognize several red flags in her relationship, and she made the decision to continue her journey as a single mother. She is now writing a book about her personal experience as a survivor of domestic violence.

Today, Bennie is excited about her future and the future of her children. Her oldest is about to start his associate’s degree, and all of her children are earning straight A’s, with some even in the gifted and talented program.

Bennie concludes, “It’s not just a program, it’s a family. 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.”