Successful 2012 Kick-Off!
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PARENTS STEP AHEAD Kicks Off 2012 Successfully!
Over 600 attend the program at J.O. Davis Elementary
Dallas, TX – January 17, 2012 –The parent education event, organized by Parents Step Ahead and Irving Independent School District, was held on January 12, 2012 at J.O. Davis in Irving, Texas. The focus of the program was teaching parents to understand bullying and the basics of family finances.
“Education is a triangle, one corner is our students, one corner is our school, and the third corner is our parents,” said John Ringhauser, principal at J.O. Davis Elementary. “Parent involvement is important because together we have to make that triangle strong.” The school had 68 teacher ambassadors, all of which actively pursued parents to attend the seminar by personally making phone calls, writing letters and assisting on the night of the event with child care and registration.
McDonald’s, an early supporter of Parents Step Ahead, served more than 600 meals to families who attended the program. “It is truly inspiring and motivating to see so many parents come together for the sole purpose of learning to help their children succeed,” said Lupita Colmenero, founder and chair of Parents Step Ahead. “Thanks to their commitment and dedication the event at J.O. Davis was a total success!”
Twenty community organizations such as the Boy Scouts, Irving YMCA, Dallas Baptist University, Parkland Hospital and Medicaid came to support the program as exhibitors for the parent resource fair. At the end of the event Soledad Maldonado, a parent at J.O. Davis Elementary, won a free desktop computer for her and her family. Parents Step Ahead will be visiting six more schools during the spring semester in the districts of Richardson, Dallas, Garland, and Birdville. For parent program information and dates, 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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Contact:
Gypsy Gavia
Programs & Communications Coordinator
(214) 357-2186 ext. 204
Gypsy@parentsstepahead.org
1st 2012 PSA Event!!!
Come join us for the first parent program of the year and begin the spring semester with PARENTS STEP AHEAD!
J.O. Davis Elementary
January 12, 2012 (5:00PM – 8:00PM)
310 Davis Drive
Irving, Texas 75061
There will be:
*FREE dinner provided by McDonald’s
*FREE childcare (potty-trained required)
*Seminars on Understanding Financial Literacy & Bullying
*Community Resource Fair
*Raffle Prizes such as a NEW COMPUTER
Just come the day of the event and register onsite.
Visit our 2012 Parent Programs page for more information on upcoming events!
Jorge Muñoz Honored Speaker for 2011 Gala
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2009 CNN Hero Will Speak at the Parents Step Ahead 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Award Ceremony
Jorge Muñoz to speak on the importance of community involvement
DALLAS, Nov. 29, 2011— Jorge Muñoz, a New York City school bus driver and founder of the non-profit An Angel in Queens, will be giving special remarks at Parents Step Ahead’s (PSA) 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Gala. The event will be held this Friday, Dec. 2 at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.
PSA’s annual “Parent of the Year” gala honors parents who are making a difference in their children’s educational and personal development. Parents are nominated based on PSA program participation and two essays: one written by the parent on his/her involvement in their child’s education and the second written by the child about why their parent should be named “Parent of the Year.”
Jorge Muñoz began his unorthodox meal program in 2004 and now feeds up to 140 day laborers every day. An Angel in Queens operates on little more than what Muñoz can spare from his weekly paycheck as a school bus driver, a few donations from local restaurants, and the help of his family. He was recognized in 2009 as a CNN Hero and in 2010 received the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest civilian honor, in recognition of his exemplary deeds of service for his fellow citizens.
“It is a real honor to have a person so willing to give, without expecting anything in return, at our event,” said Lupita Colmenero, founder of PSA. “Jorge Muñoz is a great example of the change that a single citizen can bring about, and is an inspiration for us to improve our communities.”
For more information 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 school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer a series of school-based programs for parents of all backgrounds throughout the school calendar year 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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Contact:
Gypsy Gavia
Programs & Communications Coordinator
(214) 357-2186 ext. 204
Gypsy@parentsstepahead.org
Guest Speaker for 2011 Gala!
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Parents Step Ahead Announces Special Guest Speaker for its 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Award Ceremony
Richard Montañez to highlight his rise from janitor to PepsiCo executive
DALLAS, Nov. 7, 2011 — Richard P. Montañez, an executive for PepsiCo North America called the “Godfather of Hispanic Branding,” will be a special guest speaker at Parents Step Ahead’s 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Gala. The event will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.
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.
“We are excited to have a renowned leader in the Hispanic and business community who will share his inspirational story with the guests at our Parents of the Year Ceremony,” said Lupita Colmenero, Chair and Founder of Parents Step Ahead. “Mr. Montanez is a wonderful example of how a person from humble beginnings can achieve success through hard work and dedication.”
Parents Step Ahead’s annual “Parent of the Year.” gala honors and celebrates parents who are making a difference in their children’s educational and personal development. Parents are nominated based on Parent Step Ahead program participation and two essays: one written by the parent on his/her involvement and the second written by the child about why their parent should be named “Parent of the Year.”
For more information regarding the “Parent of the Year” Award Ceremony, 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 school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer a series of school-based programs for parents of all backgrounds throughout the school calendar year 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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Contact:
Gypsy Gavia
Programs & Communications Coordinator
(214) 357-2186 ext. 204
Gypsy@parentsstepahead.org
PSA Gala 2011 Co-Chairs
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Parents Step Ahead Announces “Parent of the Year” Gala Co-Chairs
Dallas, TX–Oct. 28, 2011– Parents Step Ahead announces that two of its board members Susie García, from McDonald’s USA, and Fred Maldonado, from AT&T Texas, will be co-chairs for the organization’s annual “Parent of the Year” Gala to be held Friday, Dec. 2 at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.
Each year, the organization honors parents who have taken a proactive approach in their child’s educational and professional development. Parents are nominated based on Parent Step Ahead program participation and two essays; one written by the parent on his/her involvement and the second written by the child about why their parent should be named “Parent of the Year.”
“We are thrilled to have two such important community leaders serve as our event co-chairs,” said Lupita Colmenero, founder of Parents Step Ahead. “Susie and Fred recognize the importance of our mission and how crucial it is to help and empower parents to understand our educational system.”
Susie García has over 23 years of experience at McDonald’s, including restaurant management/operations, administrative regional roles, regional customer satisfaction, human resources, training, and field service. In addition, she has four years’ experience as a school teacher. For the past six years, she has been a Hispanic Career Development facilitator, teaching leadership, networking and mentoring skills to McDonald’s managers all over the US.
Fred Maldonado represents AT&T in city, county, and state governmental and community affairs. He is a member of the board of the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the Richardson, Garland, and Farmers Branch Chambers of Commerce; and the Richardson Symphony Orchestra. Maldonado recently was appointed to co-chair the Corporate Partners for the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chamber of Commerce and serves as corporate advisor on the Texas LULAC State Board.
For information regarding the “Parent of the Year” Gala, visit www.parentsstepahead.org.
About Parents Step Ahead
Parents Step Ahead is dedicated to educating, enabling and empowering parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children. The organization works in partnership with school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer a series of school-based programs for parents. Through its programs and initiatives, Parents Step Ahead has reached more than 20,000 parents at 45 schools in the North Texas area.
Contact:
Gypsy Gavia
Programs & Communications Coordinator
(214) 357-2186 ext. 204
Gypsy@parentsstepahead.org
