At the VFW National Home, home is about more than a place to live. It is about feeling safe. Feeling supported. Knowing there are people beside you who genuinely care about what happens next.
For Ivy, Early Education Center & Support Services Supervisor, that sense of home can be summed up in two simple words: “Family and comfort.”
Those words also describe the heart Ivy brings to her work each day.
Ivy has spent much of her life caring for children. Her passion began in high school with vocational child development classes and eventually led her to operate a licensed group childcare program for 16 years. When she was ready for a new chapter, she came across an opening for a Preschool Lead Teacher at the VFW National Home. She had never heard of the National Home before, but something about its mission immediately spoke to her.
“I was seeking something more meaningful and rewarding in my career as a childcare provider,” Ivy said. “I was immediately drawn to its mission and the chance to make a difference in the lives of children and families.”
She found that opportunity, and so much more.
A Purpose Bigger Than a Job
Ivy joined the National Home as a Preschool Lead Teacher before moving into leadership at the Early Education Center. Today, she oversees both the Early Education Center and Support Services, helping care for children while supporting parents, families and the staff members who walk alongside them.
For Ivy, the reason behind the work has never changed.
“This work is more than just a job to me because it is rooted in my passion for caring for and supporting children and families,” she said. “Every day, I have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact whether it’s helping a child learn and grow, supporting a family through challenges, or guiding my team to provide the best care and educational support possible.”
“It’s about the relationships built, the trust earned, and the difference we make in the lives of others.”
That impact often happens in moments that may seem small from the outside.
A child running up for a hug. Helping a little one work through big emotions. A parent stopping by for advice. A conversation with a staff member that becomes about much more than the day’s responsibilities.
Ivy says there wasn’t one single moment when she realized the National Home was exactly where she was supposed to be. Instead, it’s something she feels everyday.
Helping Children Feel Safe, Loved and Understood
Children who arrive at the National Home may be experiencing circumstances that other children their age have never faced. They may be adjusting to transitions, a parent returning home, a family member living with PTSD, a new school or their first experience away from a parent in a childcare setting.
But Ivy is quick to point out what all children have in common.
“They want to feel safe, loved, and understood,” she said. “They want to play, learn, and build connections just like any other child. Our role is to support them through their unique experiences while nurturing the same joy, growth, and sense of belonging every child deserves.”
That sense of belonging is created intentionally.
Each morning, Ivy makes a point to greet every child and staff member because she believes it is important that everyone feels seen and welcomed. Even on busy days, she treasures opportunities to step into a classroom, read with the children and simply connect.
And while Ivy has spent her career teaching children, she says they have taught her something important, too: “To slow down and enjoy the little things.”
The Children Who Leave a Mark
Some of those little moments stay with you forever.
Ivy remembers one non-verbal autistic child she cared for who changed the way she understood patience, communication and compassion.
“At his core, all he wanted was someone to understand him, to be patient, and to truly see him for who he was,” Ivy recalled.
There were challenges, but there was also laughter. He kept her on her toes, brought light to busy days and became one of the sweetest children she had ever cared for.
“He didn’t just learn from me—I learned from him,” Ivy said. “He taught me the true meaning of patience, compassion, and how to listen without words. He left a lasting imprint on my heart that I carry with me every day.”
That experience continues to influence Ivy’s leadership. It inspired a personal goal to strengthen staff knowledge and understanding of autism and to work toward creating a sensory room where every child can feel understood, supported and safe.
Because sometimes making a difference begins with seeing a child exactly as they are—and making sure they know they belong.
Caring for the Whole Family
The work happening at the National Home extends far beyond the classroom. When families first arrive on campus, Ivy says many are searching for something fundamental: “stability in a safe and comfortable community.”
Staff members become part of the support system that helps families find that stability. At the Early Education Center, that means caring for children while also listening to parents, sharing resources, offering training and providing guidance.
Over time, Ivy gets to see what that support can make possible.
“I have seen families leaving here feeling revived, confident and secure in their future ahead,” she said.
To Ivy, success is not simply meeting a family’s immediate needs. It is helping build a foundation strong enough for what comes next.
“Success, to me, looks like a stable and supportive household that fulfills the needs of the whole family,” she said. “It means creating an environment where children feel safe, loved, and encouraged to grow, and where families have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
And when the time eventually comes for families to leave campus, Ivy hopes they carry something important with them: confidence that they can move forward.
A Staff That Leads With Heart
Ivy would be the first to say this work doesn’t happen because of one person.
“I am incredibly grateful for my EEC and Support Services staff; I could not make it through the day without them,” she said. “Their dedication, teamwork, and commitment to doing their part make everything we accomplish possible.”
In fact, when asked about the most rewarding part of her job, Ivy doesn’t point to her own accomplishments. She points to her staff.
“Seeing my staff succeed,” she said. “When my staff feel supported, accomplish their goals, and see the positive impact they are making on children and families, it is incredibly fulfilling.”
That same dedication is evident to those who work alongside Ivy. When asked to speak on Ivy’s dedication, Angie Harkins, Director of Programs, had this to say:
“Every organization is made stronger by people who lead with heart, and Ivy is a perfect example of that. As our Child Care Leader, she consistently goes above and beyond to create a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for the children and families we serve.
Ivy’s dedication, compassion, and positive attitude shine through in everything she does. Whether she’s supporting her team, planning engaging activities, or offering encouragement to families, she approaches every day with kindness and professionalism. Her commitment to excellence makes a lasting impact on our campus and helps ensure every child feels valued and cared for.
We are incredibly grateful for Ivy’s leadership and the difference she makes each day. Thank you, Ivy, for your hard work, your heart for children, and your unwavering commitment to our mission!”
That culture of caring extends across the National Home. Ivy describes it as one of “family, compassion, and connection” and says she wishes more people understood just how passionate National Home staff are about supporting families.
It is a passion families can feel—in classrooms, in conversations, in resources offered and in the people who continue showing up for them day after day.
Asked what every child deserves, Ivy’s answer is even simpler: “A chance.”
A chance to feel safe.
A chance to be understood.
A chance to learn and grow.
A chance for their family to find stability and hope for the future.
Every day, Ivy and staff members across the VFW National Home help make those chances possible.
Thank You, Ivy
Ivy, thank you for the heart you bring to the VFW National Home every day. Thank you for making children feel safe, seen and loved, for encouraging parents and families, and for supporting your staff with kindness and compassion.
Families come to the National Home looking for stability, support and hope. Because of people like you, they also find a community that truly cares.
The children and families who call the National Home home may not remember every day they spent here, but they will remember how they felt, and the people who helped them believe in a brighter future.
Thank you, Ivy, for your dedication, your compassion and your heart for the children and families we serve. We are incredibly grateful for you and the difference you make every day.
