MARIPOSA FAMILY STORIES

Celise, Solea, Alizae (mom), Susie (g-mom)

Susie worked for the state for twenty-nine years and retired in 2023. Around the same time, her daughter Alizae shared the news that she was pregnant. Not only that, Alizae requested that Susie care for her newborn-to-be, since Susie was retired. And do it for at least three years, until the child would enter pre-kinder. Most of that came to pass—until Susie found out about Mariposa.

Without telling her daughter, Susie placed her granddaughter Celise on the Mariposa waiting list. A few months later, a spot opened up for Celise. Now, Susie had some news to share with her daughter. Alizae, initially, was not too happy with her mom about putting Celise in childcare. But Susie insisted that Alizae come to the parent orientation to learn more about Mariposa and its programming.

Alizae learned about Mariposa’s outdoor education and learn-through-play emphases, appreciated its no social media policy, and witnessed its bilingual environment. By the end of the orientation, Alizae knew—along with Susie—that Mariposa was the absolute right place for her daughter. And now two years later, Solea has joined her older sister at Mariposa and is enrolled in the infant program.

Mariposa allows Alizae to work and Susie to dedicate her time to her nonprofit (Yo Soy ATX) and other volunteer efforts. A longtime Montopolis resident, Susie is thrilled that a program like Mariposa exists in her neighborhood to serve families who need a hand up. Alizae receives a subsidy for her girls at Mariposa.

Celise and Solea

“My daughter needed a jump start to make childcare affordable. Because of this financial assistance, she’s able to excel as a mom. As a grandmother, I’m extremely thankful for this program.”