Richard Montañez to Address Families May 21st!

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Creator of Flamin’ Hot® Cheetos to Address Families at Parent Step Ahead Event in Irving, TX
Richard Montañez, author of the book “A Boy, a Burrito, and a Cookie,”
to highlight his rise from janitor to PepsiCo executive

DALLAS, April 23, 2013— Richard P. Montañez, an executive for PepsiCo North America and the “Godfather of Hispanic Branding,” will be the special guest speaker at the Parents Step Ahead program for Irving ISD’s Secondary Reassignment Center (SRC). The private event for families of the SRC’s will be held on Tuesday, May 21^st from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Lady Bird Johnson Middle School (3601 W Pioneer Dr., Irving, TX 75061).

Montañez started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor and is now recognized as the creator of the Flamin’ Hot® product line, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. Montanez currently leads Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions across PepsiCo’s North American divisions, leveraging best practices internally and externally to develop community partnerships. He is known for his visionary leadership and ability to develop new systems and products. This spring he released his first published book,  A Boy, a Burrito, and a Cookie, a motivational story of his own experiences.

The Secondary Reassignment Center (SRC) program is an off campus discipline management center for Irving ISD and it offers many educational as well as social/emotional programs for each student.  “By bringing together Parents Step Ahead and schools such as the SRC we can work together to overcome the barriers that many of these families face,” affirmed Richard Montañez. “I know how it is to feel hungry for success and I want to ensure that these families don’t let fear stop them from achieving the life they deserve.”

Parents Step Ahead is dedicated to providing families the necessary tools to ensure the success of parents and students. Families from the Secondary Reassignment Center will have the opportunity to meet with counselors, social workers, and community organizations to receive information and resources so that parents can become proactive in their child’s education.  “Richard Montañez is a truly inspiring figure and we are excited for him to share his incredible story with families who have encountered numerous struggles,” said Lupita Colmenero, Chair and Founder of Parents Step Ahead. “He is a wonderful example of how a person can overcome barriers and achieve success through hard work and dedication.”

For more information regarding Parents Step Ahead and its initiatives, please visit www.parentsstepahead.org.

About Parents Step Ahead

Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children.” The organization works in partnership with corporations and community organizations to offer a series of programs for parents to demonstrate the importance of parental involvement. Programs are free and include dinner, childcare, and the raffle of prizes and culminate with the raffle of a desktop computer.

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March as Month of the Family

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Parents Step Ahead & Nissan Celebrate
March as Month of the Family in Irving ISD

On March 2^nd, Parents Step Ahead and Nissan joined together to celebrate March as Month of the Family for the third consecutive year. Parents Step Ahead and Nissan kicked-off the month with a day of community service for parents and students in the Irving Independent School District to encourage families to get involved in their schools. Nissan employees in Irving also worked alongside local volunteers to demonstrate the company’s commitment to education and community. The event included beautification efforts in Clifton Early Childhood Center, TJ Lee Elementary, Sam Houston Middle School and MacArthur High School.

The day began with a morning rally and breakfast provided by McDonald’s. Officials from the city of Irving and school district representatives attended the event and gave a few words of encouragement to the volunteers. “Great things when great organizations like Parents Step Ahead, great corporations like Nissan, great schools like Irving Independent School District, and most importantly great families come together for a great cause,” said Dale L. Walker, local representative of Nissan, during the opening ceremony. Students and parents also participated to motivate volunteers before leaving to work at the various schools

The four schools developed plans beautification projects that included a preparing a Butterfly and Vegetable Garden, creating rain sticks for toddlers, renovation of a teacher lounge, organization of a student clothing closet and an entire makeover of a courtyard. More than 350 volunteers participated in the projects and came to support the various schools.

Parents Step Ahead encourages families to celebrate March as Month of the Family by selecting a day each week to spend time together as a family. “A great way to celebrate family values ​​is to help our schools. Nissan has been a major sponsor of Parents Step Ahead and has given us the opportunity to celebrate together the importance of family unity, “said Lupita Colmenero, founder of Parents Step Ahead.

Youtube Link: http://youtu.be/Uyvnv-S-pYA

About Parents Step Ahead

Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children.” The organization works in partnership with corporations and community organizations to offer a series of programs for parents to demonstrate the importance of parental involvement. Programs are free and include dinner, childcare, and the raffle of prizes and culminate with the raffle of a desktop computer.

 

About Nissan Americas
In the Americas, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency in 2010, 2011 and 2012. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete lineup of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion U.S.). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

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More than 550 people attend 1st event in San Antonio!

Parents Step Ahead Expands its Parent Programs to Northside ISD in San Antonio, TX More than 550 Parents and Students Attend First Event at Cable Elementary    Español www.parentsstepahead.com IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dallas, TX – October 17, 2012- Parents Step Ahead is launching its parent programs in San Antonio for the first time and is expanding its number of school partnerships throughout Texas. In partnership with Educational Testing Service (ETS) and Northside ISD, Parents Step Ahead was chosen to address the need of parental engagement within the district with workshops, which all include a community resource fair.   The first event was held at Cable Elementary on Thursday, October 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with more than 550 parents and students attending the parent program. The school also saw 100% participation from school staff, all who volunteered during the event and made various phone calls to parents inviting them to attend. “The partnership ETS has provided us with Parents Step Ahead has been indeed a blessing and a great success,” said Rosie Siller, Principal at Cable Elementary. “Thank you for bringing these families to us.”   The workshops began with a staff panel answering questions from families on various parent needs and concerns. A second workshop, “Common Sense Parenting,” was held by a guest presenter from Boys Town on how to effectively communicate with children. Following the seminars families were encouraged to attend a community resource fair with local organizations such as: ¡Adelante! U.S. Educational Fund, Avenida Guadalupe Association, Comerica Bank, Educational Testing Service, Family Service Association, Good Samaritan Community Center, LATINA Style Magazine, and San Antonio Food Bank. The program included a free meal provided by McDonald’s, free childcare, and ended with the raffle of a desktop computer and other prizes.   Parents Step Ahead and ETS are partnering with Cable Elementary to educate and enable families in the area, particularly those parents who have not been involved before with the school. “Parents Step Ahead is an organization that we’re proud to be working with because parent involvement is key to education,” affirmed Meredith Christiansen, Executive Director of the K–12 EL initiative for ETS. “Improving education worldwide is what ETS’ mission is all about.”    “Parents Step Ahead is creating that bridge and relationship among schools and the community to help parents prepare their children for college,” said Lupita Colmenero, Founder of Parents Step Ahead. “It is with the contribution and commitment of our generous sponsors that we were able to make this expansion possible.”   Sponsors of the Parents Step Ahead expansion to San Antonio include: Educational Testing Service, McDonald’s, Comerica Bank and AARP.   About Parents Step Ahead Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children.” The organization works in partnership with corporations and community organizations to offer a series of programs for parents to demonstrate the importance of parental involvement. Programs are free and include dinner, childcare, and the raffle of prizes and culminate with the raffle of a desktop computer.     Follow Us!     Cable Parent with Principal Rosie Siller  Parent was also interviewed by Univision news! Univision Video Registration Families lining up for registration View Event Photos Full House! Audience dancing a song lead by PSA Ambassadors Watch video Gypsy Gavia Programs & Communications Coordinator Gypsy@parentsstepahead.org Contact Us | Phone: 214-357-2186 | 2102 Empire Central, Dallas, TX 75224

 

Expansion to San Antonio, TX!

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Parents Step Ahead Expands its Programs to San Antonio, TX
First Event is on Thursday, October 11^th, at Cable Elementary

WHO:          
Parents Step Ahead, Northside ISD, and Cable Elementary

WHAT:
Parents Step Ahead is expanding its parent education program to San Antonio, Texas for the first time! The program will focus on ways parents and legal guardians can be involved in their child’s life and the difference their involvement can make in the child’s education. The event will feature educators and parenting experts will present seminars on: the “You and Your child’s education” and “Common Sense Parenting.”

Parents Step Ahead partners include:

• Educational Testing Service
• McDonald’s
• Comerica Bank
• AARP

 

Following the seminar, families are invited to a resource fair with local organizations covering issues such as:  domestic violence, drug use, Internet safety, college preparation, health, financial literacy, and so much more! The program includes a free meal provided by McDonald’s, free childcare, and will end with the raffle of a desktop computer and other prizes.

 

WHEN:
Thursday, October 11, 2012
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm:  Parent Seminars & Community Resource Fair

 

WHERE:    
Cable Elementary – 1706 Pinn Rd., San Antonio, TX 78227

 

WHY:          
Parents Step Ahead seeks to remedy the growing lack of awareness and education plaguing parents, especially minority and disadvantaged parents, which is putting their children at a significant educational disadvantage. We believe parents are the foundation of their child’s future; and to a great extent the key to their success in life.

          

About Parents Step Ahead:
Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children.” The organization works in partnership with corporations and community organizations to offer a series of programs for parents to demonstrate the importance of parental involvement. Programs are free and include dinner, childcare, and raffle prizes such as desktop computer.

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Richard Montanez – 2013 USHYEE Hispanic Hero Legent Award Recipient

Congratulations to our Board Member Richard Montañez! He was recently selected as the 2013 U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education (USHYEE) Hispanic Hero Legend Award Recipient! His work with the community and in Corporate America makes him the ideal candidate for the award.

Richard Montañez started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor and is now recognized as the creator of the Flamin’ Hot® product line, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. Montañez currently leads Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions across PepsiCo’s North American divisions, leveraging best practices internally and externally to develop community partnerships. He is known for his visionary leadership and ability to develop new systems and products.

About USHYEE
USHYEE is focused on the high school to college continuum for Hispanic youth and developing tomorrow’s Hispanic leaders. U.S. Hispanic Youth Entrepreneur Education (USHYEE) was founded in 2004 in order to address the high dropout rates among Hispanic youth and to introduce high school youth to Leadership, STEM and Entrepreneurship as career options.