Learning Life's Lessons

Westmoreland Human Opportunities

Ronald Murphy

Ronald Murphy knows that life is full of lessons that are learned over time. Raising three children, ranging in ages from 5 months to 10 years, has taught him to learn as he moves through life.  

Ronald enrolled his first child, Donovan, in the Westmoreland Human Opportunities, Inc. Early Head Start (EHS) program in August of 2002. He had heard of the EHS through word of mouth and felt that it would be very beneficial to his child and the whole family. Ron's wife, Ashley, had participated in Head Start as a child and has many positive memories from the experience.  

EHS does not just provide educational services to the enrolled child; it incorporates supportive services to the whole family, ensuring that all needs are addressed. Ron's initial goal with EHS was to find stable employment so that he could move his family out of his mother-in-law's house. He had been employed as a courier for Latrobe Hospital, but lost his job due to a corporate merger. Despite a Bachelor's degree in English, Ron could not find steady employment. He worked odd jobs to make ends meet, even washing cars part-time for Enterprise Car Rental.  

Ron contributed all the time he could to EHS. He wanted to be a good parent and an active participant in his children's lives, especially their education. His own parents had separated when Ron was very young, a cycle he was determined to not repeat.  

In November 2004, as Ron moved towards becoming self-sufficient, the family transitioned into the Head Start program. Ron worked with several Head Start home visitors including Melinda Ramsey, a former Head Start parent. He became involved with the Head Start policy council and was eventually hired as a classroom aide in the Mount Pleasant/Scottdale center. After a short time, Ron became a Head Start home visitor at the Derry/Latrobe Center and truly enjoys his current position working with families.  

Ron and his family moved out of his mother-in-law's house and have been living on their own for three years. Continuing to provide for his family and further his work skills have led Ron to enroll in an Early Childhood Certificate program at Westmoreland County Community College. He is also completing classes to receive a Family Development Credential (FDC).  

Ron takes great pride in his job. He knows that men play a significant role in the lives of young children and makes it a point to include fathers in all Head Start home visits. Working with Bill Vigiliotti, Head Start staff development specialist, Ron provides parent workshops for fathers/male figureheads on positive interaction and role modeling for their children.

"Ron is a true family man, not only dedicated to his wife and children, but to the Head Start family, too.   He is the type of guy who wants to make a difference," stated Bill Vigiliotti, who also is Ron's FDC advisor. "Ron is a very smart man who uses resources well."

Ron feels that through his own family's involvement with WHO, Inc. he has been able to find a stable income and residency for his family. He believes that self-sufficiency means being able to make it on your own, while knowing that there is support to get over life's hurdles.

Ron wants to continue to grow his education and career with Head Start. He plans to graduate from the Early Childhood Certificate program within the year and receive his associate degree in Early Childhood Development within two years. He then plans to receive a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

Westmoreland Human Opportunities serves low-income residents of Westmoreland County with programs designed to combat poverty and move individuals to self-sufficiency.