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Andrés Zavala's Story

Andrés began an Early Intervention Program at Cook County Hospital. Shortly after, Child and Family Connections referred him to El Valor, determining that he and his family would best benefit from El Valor's coordinated team of therapists. Andrés meets regularly with his developmental, occupational, and speech therapists to address his needs and to promote his learning.

Immediately after enrolling in El Valor's Early Intervention program, the Zavala's started to note Andrés' progress. El Valor's team of therapists in partnership with the Zavalas, set goals for Andrés, and together worked at achieving each of them. According to Mr. and Mrs. Zavala, having the support of El Valor's therapists was a huge relief for them. There were many things the Zavala's didn't understand about Andrés' condition and his behavior that the therapists at El Valor helped them understand. Having the support of El Valor's bilingual therapists who spoke their own language and understood their culture, helped put the Zavala's at ease.

According to the Zavala's, El Valor also helped them become more self-sufficient. When the Zavala's learned about the many programs El Valor provides to the community, they became hopeful about Andrés' and their family's future. They were excited not only that Andrés would benefit from services provided at El Valor, but so would the entire family. "El Valor opened the doors for us," says Mrs. Zavala, and Mr. Zavala adds, "more like they opened our eyes." "El Valor always pointed us in the right direction, we started to seek out alternatives and started to do more for ourselves", says Mrs. Zavala.

"What El Valor has done for Andrés is so much more than what we could have asked for", says Mr. Zavala, and adds, "With help from the therapists we were finally given answers and were better able to understand what was happening with our child, at a time when we had no one to turn to. "

The Zavala's are happy to report that not only is Andrés' health and development growing steadily, but so is the health and development of the family. Mr. Zavala recently underwent his second kidney transplant, and is rapidly showing progress, he enrolled in a English as a Second Language course, and his wife is about to complete her GED. Mrs. Zavala's next step is to seek a degree in Social Work. "I don't want to work in a factory for the rest of my life. When I first came to the U.S., the goal was to come here and work in a factory. El Valor made me realize that there is so much more out there." At El Valor, the Zavala's learned that with resolve and perseverance, doors would open along the way.

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