This year we are honored to recognize Gael’s family as one of our 2026 Families of the Year. Gael successfully completed our ParentChild+ program, where Boys Town Early Learning Specialists visit the homes of families with 2- and 3-year-olds, focusing on language and pre-literacy skills and positive parent-child interactions.
Gael’s mother, Ana, signed up with ParentChild+ after seeing how much the program was helping her cousin’s children. During the process, Ana shared her concerns about the traditional school setting, especially since Gael did not attend VPK and English is his second language. She wanted to ensure Gael would still be on track when he started school.
When visits began, Gael was very shy and mostly accustomed to interacting only with family members. Within a few visits, however, Lionese observed noticeable changes in his communication and confidence. He became more willing to participate and more comfortable engaging during sessions. He began noticing and pointing out small details in books, mirroring the interactive reading techniques Lionese modeled during visits.
As Ana said, “I changed how I would read books now. Before I would read the books, but now I feel like I put life into the books.”
These changes transformed reading into a meaningful experience for the entire family. Ana became an active partner in programming and co-planned with Lionese. She often extended session themes into the family’s daily routines. One example was preparing a family meal based on the book Fry Bread, which she and Lionese had read together during a visit.
Gael also improved significantly in his ability to stay focused and engaged during sessions. Over time, he participated for longer periods and showed increasing interest in books, hands‑on materials and structured activities.
Gael demonstrated exceptional academic growth, scoring a 94 on the Early Literacy Assessment in September and improving to a 97 score by January, placing him in the 94th percentile nationally for his grade.
As the program continued, Gael’s mother became one of ParentChild+’s strongest advocates. She recently enrolled her daughter and frequently recommends the program to other families in her community. Her consistent engagement and communication have made her a highly reliable and valued partner in supporting her children’s growth.
Gael’s family was nominated because the Flores Family encouraged learning and immersion across all areas of their lives. Their commitment to learning has created a nurturing environment where both children can continue to grow, thrive and build a strong foundation for the future.