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Patty Diaz was shocked when she learned Family Central would be the beneficiary of a fundraising event featuring the American Girl Fashion Show. Before her client could fully ask for her support and tell what was needed, she had already said ‘yes’.  “I couldn’t sit straight,” said Diaz. “I didn’t even know they were still around. I told her Family Central had helped me so much.”

Family Central became a part of Diaz’s story more than a decade ago when she was a teen mother searching for quality, affordable child care for her young son. Diaz was working minimum wage jobs and soon experienced one of the major challenges faced by many working mothers – a paycheck that covered child care and little else.  A chance drive by a Family Central office and a decision to call to inquire about its services changed her life forever. 

Even though lack of funding forced the agency to place Diaz’s son on a waitlist, she called every month just to “find out how it was going”.  Eight months later, her son was placed in a great school affiliated with a local church.  Family Central covered a portion of the cost of care.
“I wouldn’t have been able to afford that kind of quality of care,” said Diaz. “It felt good to have my son in a place like that. It was in a church and they were monitored by Family Central.  You always want to know you’re dealing with people who love and care.  It was a great school. He loved it.”

At 19, Diaz landed a better-paying job at UPS – she was one of a handful of women handling 75 lb. cargo boxes. She wanted to earn her co-workers’ respect and proved herself to be a hard worker. They treated her like one of the guys. It was a fun, exciting job, but she later traded in her boots and shorts for a supervisory position. Her son was now in elementary school, but she was able to transition him to a Family Central after school program. 
“School ended at 2 p.m.,” said Diaz. “I was able to keep him there until 6 p.m. and they covered the cost.    A lot of people don’t know there is help for those who want to work – they help until you don’t need the service anymore.  Family Central really allowed me to get ahead.  I can’t tell you how much it helped me.”

In 2002, Diaz made another career move to Oito Florida Hair Care Distributors, a hair care products distribution company. Just as she had at UPS, Diaz began in an entry-level position and worked her way up. Today, she is the company’s business development manager.  Oito is the only Florida distributor for L’Anza hair care products and Diaz is now the number one salesperson in the United States for L’Anza. Her position at Oito and the relationships she enjoys with L’Anza and local hair stylists have brought Diaz full circle. She is now in a position to give back to the organization that once meant so much to her and her son.

“Not many people know my history,” said Diaz. “They can’t believe I have a 14-year-old son. I’m way past my combat boots and shorts.” For the American Girl Fashion Show, Diaz got hairdressers to donate time to a doll “beauty shop”. Every attendee who pays to get their doll’s hair styled will have their name entered into a raffle for a $250 basket of beauty products that includes products from L’Anza and others. Diaz also helped Family Central secure a photographer who will shoot the children with their dolls. For every picture sold, five dollars will be donated to Family Central. It is time and effort Diaz was happy to contribute. 

“There are good organizations out there like Family Central that help people like me. I felt it was important to give back and now I can.”