Anginette Vazquez-Burgos, Maria Zuniga-Alonso, Sereniti Simpson 

Bringing Out the Best (BOTB) is an organization at UNCG’s Center for Youth, Family and Community Partnerships. Over the past 21 years BOTB has helped Guildford County children under five years old overcome behavioral, social, and emotional challenges. Due to their impressive success rate, there is now a waitlist to join and dedicated behavioral specialists are excited to work with new participating families. The organization’s mission is to increase the number of children in Guildford County that are socially, emotionally healthy, and ready to succeed as they enter kindergarten. This article explores the services offered by the organization, the impact on children, and how the program provides valuable volunteer opportunities for students in related fields. 

BOTB provides children and families with support to work on their behavioral issues through a multitude of services. Informational sessions for parents are offered to educate families on managing challenges in children. These sessions can include developing personalized plans to enhance a child’s success at both school and home, and parent education groups. One-on-one parenting support and coaching can be provided at home virtually if needed. These sessions are important in creating a supportive group for both child and parent in overcoming these challenges. A unique assistance BOTB offers is all their services are available in Spanish, and accessible virtually or over the phone; this creates a wider number of families the organization can service. 

The program at times offers free childcare services while parents attend the informational sessions. This service intends to relieve stress for parents and allows them to focus on learning and shifting for a positive family dynamic. On BOTB’s website, you can access the parent toolbox to read all about the different services offered including speech language, book recommendations, family routines and schedules and strategies for teaching social-emotional skills. 

For many children, frustration, isolation, and emotional struggles define their early years. The goal in Bringing Out the Best is to develop skills to help adults understand the motivations behind certain behaviors within children. Educators witness children who once lashed out in confusion and anger, now expressing their emotions with words. One teacher reflected, “We learned to recognize our student’s cues and respond in a way that truly supported her.” Small shifts in understanding create monumental changes in behavior. 

The numbers reinforce these personal stories. Research from UNC Greensboro shows that children in the program develop stronger self-regulation skills, leading to healthier relationships with peers and adults. Parents, too, see the impact. One mother shared, “Our son now has healthy relationships with his teachers and friends. He is thriving emotionally and academically.” These transformations aren’t just heartwarming—they shape a child’s future.