It's Never Too Late

“For most of my life, I knew I was dyslexic - I just never had the chance to understand how to deal with it. Haley’s Hope gave me answers, confidence, and the tools to communicate without fear or embarrassment.

Today, I speak more confidently, use my full vocabulary, and no longer worry about people noticing my struggles. What once felt overwhelming has become exciting.

Learning at Haley’s Hope feels like unlocking a new language - challenging at first, but incredibly rewarding once the patterns begin to make sense.

Now, instead of focusing on what I can’t do, I look forward to everything I still have to learn.”

- Wyatt

Forever Grateful

My name is Lou Dahl. My husband and I want to share a story with you. It’s about our two boys. Both have been diagnosed with dyslexia.

Our story begins with Charlie. When he was just three years old, we noticed he had difficulty rhyming, and identifying letters and sounds. By first grade,

Charlie was really struggling. As parents, we were at a total loss. Tears, sadness and frustration had become part of our everyday routine. It wasn’t until Charlie brought home his first spelling test that we realized we had a much bigger issue on our hands. I Googled Fargo Dyslexia and Haley’s Hope popped up. I made the call the very next morning. After testing, we learned Charlie is severely dyslexic. I am forever grateful for making that call to Haley’s Hope. Remembering that moment, I still become overwhelmed with emotion; tears running down my cheek.

I wondered what it must have felt like for my child to sit in class every day and have no idea what his teacher is trying to teach him. It was then that Kari, founder of Haley’s Hope, gave us the best advice; that is, to teach our son to enjoy learning and school again. Then at home, focus on doing things that make Charlie happy! Steadily, Haley’s Hope worked with Charlie to build his skills and teach him in a way so he can learn. What does it feel like to complete each level at Haley’s Hope? Charlie says it best: “Mom, every time I start a new level, I don’t like it. To be honest, it’s really hard. But when I complete it, I feel like I can do anything!”

And that’s our story. An unmeasurable amount of gratefulness fills our hearts.

Thank you, Haley’s Hope!

Building Confidence, Achieving Success

“Before Haley’s Hope, Markell struggled to write sentences that others could understand. As parents, we knew something more was going on, but finding answers was not easy. Haley’s Hope listened, believed in her, and gave her the support she deserved.

After more than 2 years of hard work and determination, Markell completed her dyslexia tutoring journey with confidence and pride.

Today, she can write school reports, stories, and communicate in ways we once only hoped for.

Haley’s Hope didn’t just teach reading and spelling; they gave Markell confidence, encouragement, and people who truly cared about her success. We will forever be grateful for the impact they made on our daughter and our family”.

- Markell’s Family

Reaching New Heights

Sara just wrapped up 8th grade with a 4.0 GPA and even aced French after giving up her IEP - a milestone her family never imagined possible.

Now as a high school freshman, she’s already enrolled in AP courses and advanced math. “Sara would not have been able to do this without Haley’s Hope”, her mom shared. “In her photo with Leo, the dog she earned because

of her hard work and positive attitude in school, Sara’s confidence and determination shine through - a reminder of the incredible impact your support makes.”

- Sara’s Mom

"My learning difference doesn't limit me."

“I found out I had dyslexia when I was 10. Since then, I have been working hard with my awesome instructor, Mel, at Haley's Hope. Here is my story.

Reading, writing, and spelling were always a struggle for me. Ever since kindergarten, my parents hired teachers to help me work on these skills during the summer. Every year, I would start school and every year I still felt behind.

I worked super hard during the day and got pretty good grades, but when I came home, I was exhausted and the thought of doing homework was really stressful; it always took me twice as long as the teacher said it would.

My mom and dad saw my frustration and decided it was time to do something more. In 4th grade, they requested testing through the school. The results didn't show enough of a learning difference to qualify me for any extra help. Then my parents brought me to a neurologist. I went through rigorous testing which finally revealed why I was having such a hard time reading, writing and spelling - I have dyslexia. Next stop: Haley's Hope!

I have been tutoring at Haley's Hope with Mel, since June 2014. My reading, writing and spelling have all improved because she teaches in a way that truly makes sense to me!

Having dyslexia at school can be difficult because my brain thinks differently. The techniques I've learned at Haley's Hope help me to be a better and more confident student.

I now understand my learning difference does not limit me… I can do everything everyone else does; I just have to go about learning it a different way.”

- Kennedy

Helping children with dyslexia is a joy!

“It’s all about the spirit of endless possibilities,” says Pat Pieri, a literacy coach with Haley’s Hope. “I see how talented and intelligent my students are. They truly can excel in life.” For Pat, a former elementary reading teacher, Haley’s Hope was the ideal fit for her.

She was hired as the organization’s first literacy coach – nine years ago – and fills her days with helping children with dyslexia process and understand information.

As a coach, Pat takes scripted lessons and makes sure it works with each student – individually. In her role, she also becomes their cheerleader, reassuring the children that they are smart and creative.

Pat explains, “Before and after each lesson, it’s a time to get to know each student, particularly what they like to do outside their educational world. Many times using an analogy helps in the learning process. The information becomes more relevant as we bring one of their interests – art, music, sports – into play. Eventually, it can become more automatic and a natural way of learning.”

No longer working full time in a school setting, Pat feels being a literacy coach not only provides structure to her week but also keeps her in the teaching profession. “The need is so great and I wanted to do my part. Plus, I’d miss the kids so much.”

“I know if they get down on themselves, the sun isn’t going to shine brightly. So when I see the excitement they feel when they can read, I know they are going to be successful. They have endless possibilities to look forward to,” says Pat. “I look at one of my first graders and picture them in college or in the workforce. They’ll be doing great things in their community and in the world. That’s such a wonderful bonus I get by being a literacy coach.”

“I can see it in their eyes that it just clicked.”

During the day, Sandi is a paraprofessional at West Fargo High School. But that’s not all. After the school bell rings, she walks across the street to her next assignment as a dyslexia literacy

coach at Haley’s Hope. She’s been at it for five years and has already graduated seven students. “I’m just as excited as they are when they ring the bell in the hallway signifying completion of all 10 levels of Haley’s Hope. It makes my heart happy.”

 Working at Haley’s Hope is different from her job at the high school; certainly, there are similarities being an educator. Yet, students with dyslexia learn differently. “There’s been a lot of ah-ha moments through the years. It’s a learning process for me as much as it is for them,” says Sandi.

 Most coaches come to Haley’s Hope without an official teaching background; instead, they bring a passion to help kids learn. After extensive training, a coach is assigned with a Level 1 student. Using ‘nonsense’ words – like COV, BAF, RIN – the student learns the sounds of letters first, then moves onto forming real words and learning sentence structure. “When a student masters a level, I can see it in their eyes that it just clicked. That, in itself, is gratifying – for both of us.”

 “Haley’s Hope has trained me beautifully in the Barton System. Yet you have to work with the student in front of you and modify when needed,” explains Sandi. “Most students come to Haley’s Hope after a long day at school. They’re sometimes exhausted and tired. As a coach, I need to motivate each student to learn. I understand sometimes it’s difficult. Together, we try it once and see how it goes. Then the next time it’ll be easier.”

And on that graduation day? “I see a student every week for 3-plus years and get to know their family too. So, it’s bittersweet,” says Sandi. “Yet, more than anything, there’s no feeling quite like it. It’s truly an overwhelming feeling of pride, excitement and joy.” – Indeed it is, Sandi. Indeed it is.