Hope is Growing at Opportunity School this Spring

This spring, hope is growing at Opportunity School, and children like Laila Faison are the reason why.

When Laila first came to Opportunity School in 2022, she was just two years old. Like many children born during the COVID-19 pandemic, she had limited opportunities to interact with others. But for Laila, the challenges ran deeper as she is nonverbal and on the autism spectrum. Her early development came with unique hurdles for her and her family.

Her mother, Stormy, remembers the uncertainty. “We were quite anxious about enrolling our daughter in early learning,” she shares. “But getting to know each teacher and building relationships with them fostered trust and made a positive impact on our lives.”

At Opportunity School, Laila found more than a classroom; she found a team committed to meeting her where she was. Teachers, therapists, and staff worked together to gently introduce her to routines and social interaction. They created small, thoughtful adjustments in the classroom that not only supported Laila but engaged her peers as well.

“These small changes made such a difference,” Stormy says. “Because of the natural routine, Laila didn’t have as hard of a time transitioning and getting used to the process.”

With access to speech and occupational therapists, Laila began to grow in ways her family had only hoped for. At the same time, Opportunity School supported her parents, helping them better understand autism, navigate challenges at home, and strengthen their family connection.

“Having little to no knowledge about autism, the school was very understanding of her struggles,” Stormy explains. “They helped us learn what to look for and how to support her. We grew a tighter bond as a family because of it.”

Over time, Laila’s progress became something truly remarkable. She formed attachments, adapted to daily routines, and began to thrive in her environment. 

Today, Laila continues her journey in Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy, building on the strong foundation Opportunity School helped create. Her family knows they would not be where they are today without that early support.

“We couldn’t have achieved this growth and confidence without Opportunity School,” Stormy says. “They have a great system geared toward child development, which brought awareness to quite a few people about autism.”

For Stormy, this story comes full circle as she herself was once a student at Opportunity School. Now, decades later, her daughter has experienced that same life-changing care thanks to the continued support of our generous donors.

This spring, you can help nurture the next Opportunity School success story into bloom with your support.

Your gift ensures children like Laila receive early intervention, high-quality early childhood education, and the opportunity to reach milestones that once felt out of reach. It also means families receive the guidance, understanding, and support they need during some of their most challenging moments.

Donations can be made online at OpportunitySchool.com. You may send a one-time gift, or we would be delighted to set up a recurring monthly gift. All donations are tax-deductible and directly help support our mission to provide exceptional early childhood education to those who need it most right here in Amarillo. Gifts of any size are a true blessing.

Thank you for helping us make a lasting impact in our community. We are so very grateful for everyone who has funded, volunteered, celebrated, and advocated for Opportunity School over the past 57 years. Because of your kindness and support, Opportunity School is a community where growth happens, confidence builds, and hope takes root.