Danielle Evans

Danielle Evans

Danielle Evans was living in Torrington, CT when she finished her degree in early childhood education at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted. She now lives in Lakeville with her two sons, ages 7 and 14. Since her older son has Aspergers and was struggling in his Torrington school, Danielle moved her family so he could enroll in Salisbury Central School.

Danielle now says, “He has excelled in school. The difference is like night and day. He’s in regular classes but SCS has the extra special education services he needs. His favorite subjects are math, computers and drawing. His grades have gone up and they have helped build his self-confidence, which is amazing. Now he loves school. Everyone is so kind and supportive. I can’t say enough about how great the school is.”

For the past four years Danielle has been working at the Housatonic Child Care Center. She loves the area and the friendliness and support of the people she’s met here. She says, “I have a great relationship with my landlord and work colleagues. All the parents at the Child Care Center are really nice. I feel like I have a family here.”

Danielle’s challenge now is to find a more comfortable home for her family. She is currently renting a small one-bedroom apartment for $750 per month. Her bed is in the dining area while her boys share the bedroom. For the same rent in Torrington, she had a spacious 2-bedroom apartment with a bath and a half. That would cost about $1,200 in Salisbury. So far she’s been unable to find a larger apartment in the SCS school district in her price range. She keeps hoping for something better.

This article was published in The Lakeville Journal on 10/1/15.