Testimonials

  • "I am so grateful for this fine school. My children learned their lessons and social skills here, and I can tell you—with complete certainty—that through monthly Family Suppers and weekly Family Support nights, I learned to be a better parent. The relationships I formed here, I hope, are long-lasting. Mainspring carried me during the dissolution of my marriage and gingerly carried me through to this beautiful other side."

  • "Family Support Group has been great and something that I truly needed to be involved in. I hope to continue enjoying our group sessions and learn more about becoming a good father."

  • "I am so proud to belong to this wonderful school. Mainspring fosters a real sense of community among its children and families. The parent suppers are insightful as well as fun, bringing staff, teachers, parents and experts together for good discussions and a place to learn and grow."

  • "I feel as if my boys and I are all very important to the staff here."

  • "This is the best school and the teachers are so good with the children. Mainspring will become a part of your life."

  • "The garden has taught my son so much and he has brought his knowledge home and shared it with all of us."

  • "We love you, Mainspring! I’m the mother that I am today due to some shaping from Mainspring. I thank Mainspring for guiding us through all of these years, allowing my daughter and I to become better and closer. I’m forever grateful of falling into y’all’s lap. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts."

  • "I love everything about Mainspring. I think they do it all right! They care about the kids, but also the parents. They are so loving, caring and patient in every possible way! I brag about them all the time to anyone that asks where my son goes to school. They are all amazingly wonderful!"

  • "Family Support Group is the best thing that I have ever encountered. It made me realize that we are all just human and we all go through good and bad. I met amazing people. This is my family!"

  • "This is my second time attending Family Support Group and both times were so amazing. I walked away knowing a lot more about myself! I enjoy that everyone in the group are loving, caring parents, going through the same issues as me. It was so easy to open up and speak about what was on my mind...and I loved that!"

  • "This session was great! The participation was balanced and positive. The folks were committed and reliable. Thank you so much for this wonderful group."

  • "I really enjoyed Family Support Group. The Family Services Director is a great person. She really helped me through my hard times and gave great advice. I love her!'

  • "One of the most memorable suppers I’ve attended was presented by the school’s movement and dance teacher a few weeks after my son first enrolled. We were new to the school, so it was a great introduction to the school community and ethos—meeting other parents, chatting to teachers, and hearing not only what our children do in their movement and dance lessons, but the science behind it and why movement and dance are instrumental to a child’s development and learning."

Families on film

Ashley shared how Mainspring helped her pave a way for her family, her career, and her happiness.

This is the story of Lillishia, a Mainspring mom with three kids, and her efforts to give her family a better future.

A Shining Gem

After both of her kids graduated from Mainspring, a mom shared her thanks.

I am so grateful for this fine school. My children learned their lessons and social skills here, and I can tell you—with complete certainty—that through monthly Family Suppers and weekly Family Support nights, I learned to be a better parent. The relationships I formed here, I hope, are long-lasting. Mainspring carried me during the dissolution of my marriage and gingerly carried me through to this beautiful other side. 

This school—YOUR school—and the people who dedicate their lives and careers to Mainspring are such a shining gem in an otherwise dull daycare landscape in Austin. 

You all have touched our lives in ways I have yet to realize fully. And I will miss our time spent in your welcoming care.

All of our love,
A Mainspring Family

The magic of Mainspring

On the morning of her son's graduation from Mainspring, a mom sent a a note about her thoughts and emotions.

All in all, it is what it is: bittersweet. But make no mistake, I have a lot going on inside. The feeling is so intense that I barely have the words to describe it. All the years of trauma, hopelessness, anger, confusion, anxiety, and excruciating pain made their mark. I had no choice but to find a way to learn how to live with it because it never goes away. And most importantly, to accept help when it was offered (asking for help is not one of my strong suits).

Let me just put it this way: Mainspring is much more than a daycare. It's the only place that consistently and compassionately provided the love and stability that we so desperately needed during a vulnerable time in my son's young life.

Early in my recovery, I didn't have the support of my family, or anyone else, for that matter. But after I received treatment through CPS and the amazing Travis County Family Drug Treatment Court program, I was offered an avalanche of assistance including therapy, parent coaching, financial planning, etc. I never once turned anything down.

Even as I struggled with the adjustment to a new way of life without drugs, crime, and violence (and trust me, I've struggled) no one ever gave up on me. At the time, people recognized my drive and potential, even though I considered myself a lost cause and thought they were crazy. I often look back and cannot believe how different things are now than they were before. And when I'm feeling down, or wishing we had a larger home or a newer car, I think about how lucky we are. It's a miracle really. 

Without the generous support of Mainspring, CPS, Family Drug Court, and countless others, things may have gone much differently, and we could have easily fallen through the cracks.

Throughout our journey, Mainspring has supported us in ways that I could never have imagined, and I want to emphasize the fact that we would NOT be where we are today without you. My son has blossomed into a fine young man and I have no doubt that his future will be very bright as a direct result of his time there. Honestly, I could go on and on about all the ways that our family has benefited, and I know for a fact that every child who walks through those doors has been touched by the magic that is Mainspring.

I'm going to miss y'all terribly. We hope to continue our relationship with Mainspring in the future and will certainly pop in on occasion to see everyone's faces!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottoms of our hearts and the depths of our souls!

Forever gratefully yours,

A Mainspring Mom