Next Door Policy Council Advocates for Head Start on Capitol Hill
Pictured (L to R): William Hill, Deputy Director of Early Childhood Education; Lendraia Hughlett, Policy Council President; Gwen Moore, US Representative (D-WI 4th District); Brittany Gowie, Policy Council Vice President; and Donna Morris, Director of Family Engagement/Family Services
Lendraia Hughlett and Brittany Gowie, leaders of the Parent Policy Council at Next Door, recently embarked on a transformative advocacy trip to Washington, DC, along with William Hill, Next Door’s Deputy Director of Early Childhood Education, and Donna Morris, Next Door’s Director of Family Engagement and Enrollment. Their experiences highlight the power of parent advocacy and the critical role of Early Head Start and Head Start programs.
Lendraia, President of the Policy Council, learned of this opportunity by her Next Door Family Advocate. She was driven by a desire to explore new horizons and make a difference. Brittany, Vice President of the Council and a parent in our Home-Base program, was new to the council and eager to embrace new experience to grow in her role. Both women felt empowered and ready to take on their roles with renewed vigor after the trip.
Lendraia’s connection to these programs is deeply personal. Her first son attended Next Door’s Head Start program at the Northside YMCA, which equipped him with the tools to excel academically. Witnessing this success, she enrolled her second son in Next Door’s Early Head Start program, confident in its positive impact. Similarly, Brittany’s journey with Early Head Start began when her child was just six weeks old. The program has been instrumental in helping her understand and celebrate each developmental milestone, supporting her child’s growth and potential.
During their visit to Capitol Hill, both Lendraia and Brittany spoke directly with legislators, advocating for Head Start. They discovered that many policymakers were unaware of the program’s significant impact on communities. Their first meeting with Congresswoman Gwen Moore was refreshing and educational, as Moore shared her own experiences as a mother and former welfare recipient with children in Head Start. They also met with representatives from Senator Ron Johnson’s office and other legislators, finding the experience both empowering and enlightening.
Meeting with policymakers was a significant aspect of the trip. Both Lendraia and Brittany felt that their voices were heard and valued, which reinforced the importance of their advocacy work. The most impactful moments for Lendraia and Brittany were speaking on Capitol Hill and meeting with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, with her shared background as a Head Start parent. They said the conversation with Moore felt personal and relatable.
They believe that this visit will positively influence the future of Early Head Start and Head Start early childhood programs by raising awareness and garnering national support. They were joined by other Head Start parents across the country and felt privileged to be part of a group of parents making a difference.