Downtown Program Was Just What Longtime ELI Supporter and Her Children Needed
For Mary Hoeller’s three children, their early learning experience in a hospital setting may have had something to do with their decision to become doctors.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mary was building her legal career in downtown Indianapolis while raising Martin, Maria and Victor. At the time, infant care options were limited, and many programs focused first on cost rather than quality. Mary wanted something different.
For Mary, an attorney, nurse and longtime supporter of Early Learning Indiana, Day Early Learning (DEL) at the former Wishard Hospital provided exactly that foundation for her family.
At DEL, she found experienced teachers, a welcoming environment and a sense of stability that gave her confidence as a working parent. Located conveniently near her office, the program made it possible for Mary to balance work and family while staying connected to her children throughout the day. During lunch breaks, she would often stop by to read stories before naptime.
Her children loved it so much, they even wanted to go on weekends, she said, laughing.
Mary also valued the diversity and social environment her children experienced there. Looking back, she believes early childhood education helped shape their confidence and ability to connect with others.
“What mattered most to me was the staff; I firmly believed that if you treat your staff well, you’re going to have good staff, and good staff are going to be good to your kids.”
“They were always extremely social and outgoing,” she said. “They knew how to interact with adults and make eye contact at a young age.”
Today, Martin is a cardiologist in Philadelphia, Maria is an emergency room physician in Florida and Victor practices family medicine in Houston.
The long, proud legacy of Day Early Learning continues. Because of supporters like you, families today can access the same strong foundation that helped Mary’s family thrive.
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