Parent Spotlight:

Parent Spotlight: Dulce Trujillo

Children do not get themselves ready for school. School readiness happens when families and communities are engaged, informed, equipped, and supported. It takes a coordinated system of supports—early learning, family literacy, health care, and community connections—to help children thrive. When families are connected to trusted resources and invited into meaningful participation, they build the confidence, knowledge, and voice needed to support their children’s development and to shape the systems that serve them.

Below is the story of Dulce Trujillo, written by Dulce herself- a mom whose journey shows what's possible when families are met with opportunities instead of barriers. Dulce came to the Greater Elgin Area seeking stability and a sense of belonging for her family while navigating isolation and a language barrier in a new community. EPEL first met Dulce during community outreach at a neighborhood park. Through those trusted connections, she was introduced to family literacy programs, English as a Second Language classes, early childhood resources, and leadership opportunities that supported both her role as a parent and her personal growth.

What began as access to resources grew into engagement, and engagement grew into leadership. Dulce has worked diligently to learn English and is now confidently participating bilingually in spaces that influence how systems support families. She serves on family councils, has participated as a panelist in community-wide early childhood collaboration meetings, and is an active member of the Illinois Birth to Five Illinois Family Committee. In these roles, Dulce brings the voice of lived experience—helping shift attitudes, inform policies, and ensure that programs are more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to families today and in the future.

Dulce’s story, shared below in her own words, illustrates how investing in families builds not only children’s readiness for school, but also family leadership and long-term community impact.

^{The Inspiring Journey of Dulce:
Strength, Kindness, Leadership}

Written by Dulce Trujillo

I am originally from southern Mexico, where I worked in the mines searching for minerals. One day, in Mexico City, I met my husband, who had been living there for years. We got married and chose to live in Elgin almost 5 years ago.

I came to Elgin for love. My little boy, who is now 4 years old, was born here. I started getting to know my community, but I didn't know about many resources, and I definitely felt a little lonely because of the language barrier. Then I started taking my son to the park, and one day I met Amber Peters from Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL), who at the time was making a video clip for "Learning on the Go." She invited me to EPEL. So I went, and thanks to the program, someone was invited to study English as a second language at the YWCA Elgin, where they would help me by taking care of my son while I studied through the Family Literacy program. The "Y," as we commonly call it, connected me with the ECC (Elgin Community College), which helped me validate my studies that I completed in Mexico. So, in the mornings I would study, and then my son and I would go to EPEL, inviting my classmates with children who are friends with my son.

EPEL connected me with countless resources that helped us, such as getting to know the Gail Borden Library, which was something new for me, so my son and I got our library cards. Then it connected me with The Basics of Greater Elgin, a powerful resource that helps me with my son's upbringing by sending me personalized messages; I love them!.

Later, one day David Quiroz came and invited me to fill out an interest survey for Birth to Five Illinois. Of course, if I qualified, I would stay, and I did! I am currently still part of the Birth to Five Illinois Family Council where, thanks to it, I have been able to be a leader in my community, participating, informing, and sharing events that can help families and the little ones at home. One that I really like is Parent Cafe, which is perfect when we, as parents, can't find solutions and are looking for a space to be heard and find peace.

I am very grateful to EPEL; I am a follower and fan because, thanks to the program, I can now say who I am. So allow me to introduce myself: I am Dulce Trujillo, I have a bachelor's degree in earth sciences, I am a level 6 student at the YWCA, and I am participating in the Family Literacy and Educator Career programs. I am currently part of the Illinois Birth to Five Family Committee, and this is my third consecutive year. And I am a firm believer that information should be shared so that resources reach the people who truly need them.

EPEL | PO Box 431 | Elgin, IL 60121 US

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