3804 N 9th Ave

Pensacola, FL 32503

(850) 434-2724

(850) 432-1136

Project Boost

Cortlas and her youngest son, Cody.

Cortlas’ Story           

Cortlas Haynes has been faced with many obstacles throughout her life. She is a young single mother with four children between the ages of 3 and 7. Just about a year ago, her mother passed away, leaving Cortlas without her biggest source of support. Right around this time her oldest son, then six-year-old Marcus, had to have open heart surgery.  Her two school aged children brought home poor grades, and she didn’t know what she could do to help them succeed. Cortlas didn’t have the chance to finish high school, so helping her children with their schoolwork was tough.  She describes this time in her life as difficult, but says she was blessed when women she describes as an angels knocked on her door.

Those “angels” were Doris Rawls, Project Boost Coordinator, and Dorothy Lewis, Prevention Specialist, both CDAC employees.  Dorothy asked Cortlas if she would like to participate in Project Boost, a free research based program that teaches parents how to support school success for their children.

Through Project Boost, Cortlas received help with her reading skills and now can enjoy reading with her children every night, instead of watching TV. “Project Boost strengthened my mind and provides me with an endless supply of uplifting support. I am so grateful for all that has been done for me,” says Cortlas. She has been receiving home visits from Dorothy for over a year now, and they have covered everything from math, reading, and social skills to communication skills, which Cortlas says helps her understand her kids, instead of yelling at them.

Since becoming involved with Project Boost, her children’s teachers see a big improvement in not only grades, but behavior. Seven-year-old Marcus is now on the honor roll, and his mother couldn’t be more proud. He runs outside when the bookmobile comes and just can’t get enough of learning. Cortlas feels closer to her children now that they can enjoy doing activities together that exercise their minds and creativity.

Cortlas has become an advocate for the program, recommending that all her neighbors participate. Those who do are able to meet other people in the community, and they form a larger support system for one another.

For more information about Project Boost, call CDAC at 434-2724.