When one Glendale mother first saw the Pacific Clinics Head Start banner years ago, she never imagined the role the program would one day play in her life. Raising four young children during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thalia Baez Arreola faced overwhelming challenges of financial strain, postpartum depression and the deep loneliness that can come with motherhood. “I felt hopeless with my first three,” said Thalia. “I should have never isolated myself, but I was really depressed … It was hard.”
That changed when she enrolled her youngest child in the Pacific Clinics Early Head Start Home-Based program. What began as weekly home visits quickly became a lifeline of support — parenting classes, safety training, field trips and most importantly, community. “I started saying yes to everything,” she shared. “If it fit my schedule, I was there.”
Her involvement deepened when she joined the Head Start Policy Council — first as Chair and then Vice President. That experience sparked something new. At a conference in Phoenix, surrounded by stories of perseverance and growth, she realized she wasn’t alone and wasn’t finished. “It motivated me to go back to school,” she said. “Every time I tried before, I got pregnant. I felt like maybe it wasn’t meant to be.”
This time was different. Through the Head Start Apprentice Program, she began coursework in early childhood development, completed her 150 practicum hours and even began envisioning a new career. Despite being pregnant with her fifth child, Thalia committed to finishing the program. “The support from Head Start has been everything,” she said. “They’re helping me become a better parent — and build a future.”
Her journey also included taking part in a six-week mental health support program. Though initially hesitant, it opened her eyes to the importance of prioritizing her well-being. “It felt cheesy to talk about my feelings,” admitted Thalia. “But it helped me realize how much I wasn’t saying. I was in a very dark place. Now I know I can talk about it and not be judged.”
She now encourages other parents — especially mothers — to ask for help, use the available resources and believe that their dreams are still within reach. “Just because you become a mom doesn’t mean you can’t have a career,” said Thalia. “If other moms can do it, I can do it. And so can you.”
To learn more about Pacific Clinics Head Start programs, please click here, call 818-949-0019 or email headstart@pacificclinics.org Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
