Humberto is Soaring!

June 4, 2025

Adolescent years are known to be quite formative to a person’s life. These are the years that you start to develop traits and characteristics that are unique to YOU. It can be stressful, it can be scary, but it can also be the best and most important years of your life – which is why Humberto, and his parents knew it was time for a change.

“I’ve never seen Humberto excited to go to school. It was always a struggle. I felt like I was never getting any positive feedback about him, and it broke my heart because I know what I think about him, and no one ever saw those sides of him”, Humberto’s mother, Jeanette, shares. “But being at Elim truly helped all of that.”

In 2021, his parents began researching and looking for a new school system for Humberto when they stumbled on Elim by chance. And by August of 2022, he was 8 years old and enrolled in the 3rd grade.

Now in the 5th grade, Humberto has really grown into his own person and excels in all of his classwork.

“What really has made an impact on me this year is his level of independence,” shares Kristin, Humberto’s teacher. “He can navigate parts of the school on his own, and he needs less support in completing his work and following his daily schedule. He has a genuine love for learning and wants to make good choices when he’s at school. He is an excellent student, always respectful to his peers and teachers, but will not hesitate to make us laugh with a joke he makes up.”

Elim staff are working with Humberto to help him grow his skills in several different areas, but he has a deep passion for reading and writing. He collects books at his house that he memorizes and recites to his parents, specifically those with the Caldecott Medal on the cover. He even authored and illustrated his own book this year, titled “The Four Forest Friends”!

“He barrels through every expectation that is set for him,” Kristin continues. “We love seeing him soar!”

Humberto’s independence and social skills are being strengthened as well, as he participates in outings where he can practice ordering food, paying at a register, and going to stores. Jeanette even noted that he is showing the most interest in other people and his peers than he has ever had before.

“These life skills he is learning are very important,” Jeanette says. “He’s even walking into school by himself now!”

His silly, loving, and curious personality makes Humberto who he is today, and seeing his abilities blossom over these past few years at Elim is such a blessing.

Because of the support of the Elim community, we are able to provide the tools, resources, and programming that our students and adults need to thrive.

“Elim has changed not only his life, but all of our lives,” Jeanette says.

We can’t wait to see how Humberto continues to thrive!

Because of your generosity, our students receive the tools and resources that they need to thrive. Can you give today and equip over 400 students and adults at Elim to pursue their God-given potential?