Catherine Perez

Every job I have ever had has been centered on children. Growing up in Jackson, MS, I was a babysitter when I was very young , worked as a day camp counselor when I was in high school and then was a nanny for one family throughout college. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 2001, I moved to Chapel Hill, NC and volunteered for a year with Americorps. Our mission was to create literacy rich environments for local child development centers. I was placed in a facility that served children with special needs and here was where I realized what I really wanted to do with my life. After my year of service, I moved to Columbia with my husband and started to look for a job. I had never heard of Early Intervention but I knew I wanted to work with young children with special needs in some capacity. After searching through endless want ads, I found the ad for Bright Start and it described exactly what I wanted-the combination of working directly with children with special needs and coordinating services that will benefit them as well as the entire family. I excitedly accepted the job a few days later. That was in June of 2003 and I have never looked back. I am so thankful to be part of a group of women who feel so strongly and passionately about helping children with special needs and to be in an environment that inspires me daily.