Organization Information

What is Parents Step Ahead?

Parents Step Ahead was created to “recognize, educate, enable, and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children. Parents Step Ahead works in partnership with school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer series of school-based conferences for disadvantage and minority parents throughout the calendar year.

Is the organization tax-exempt?
Yes, Parents Step Ahead is tax-exempt as a 501c-3 nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible.

How can I obtain a copy of the organization’s financials?
To obtain a copy of the organization’s current financials, please contact Lupita Colmenero at (214) 357-2186.

Who are the board members of Parents Step Ahead?
Dr. Betty Uribe (Chair) –  Executive Vice-President of Business & Personal Banking, California Bank & Trust

Lupita Colmenero – Founder/President & CEO, Parents Step Ahead & Publisher, El Hispano News
Robert Bard (Vice Chair) – President & CEO, LATINA Style Magazine
Susie García (Treasurer) – Business Consultant – Greater Southwest Region, McDonald’s USA LLC
Frank Gómez (Secretary) – Exec. Dir., External Relations, Communications & Public Affairs, Educational Testing Service
Gwen Craig – Former Irving ISD Trustee
Raul Magdaleno – Diversity & Community Engagement, SMU Meadows School of the Arts
Fred Maldonado – Regional Director – External Affairs, AT&T Texas
Richard P. Montañez – Executive, Multicultural Sales & Community Activation, Pepsico North America
Veronica Ruano – Owner/Operator, McDonald’s Restaurant
Damaris Schneider –
Operations and Talent Director, Deloitte
Linda Valdez Thompson
– EVP, Administration & Diversity, DFW International Airport

 

Programs

What type of events/programs are held?
Parents Step Ahead works in partnership with Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Antonio area schools, corporations and community organizations to offer series of school-based conferences for disadvantage and minority parents throughout the calendar year. Educators, motivational speakers, community volunteers and parenting experts present seminars on topics such as gang awareness, drug use prevention, underage drinking, computer literacy, Internet Safety, etc.

In December, the yearlong program concludes with an Awards Ceremony recognizing the Parents Step Ahead “Parents of the Year”.

When and where are the conferences held?
Parent Conferences are held in local schools throughout the school year either after school or on the weekend. Please see our event calendar for exact locations and dates/times.

Is there a cost to attend the conferences?
Conferences are free and include a free meal, free community resource fair, free child care and free door prizes, culminating in a prize for a new computer. Registration is required to guarantee sufficient seating and meals.

Who can participate in the Conferences?
All parents with children in school can attend the seminars in their school district.

How can I get my child’s school involved?
Please speak with the school principal or district administration regarding Parents Step Ahead Parent Conferences. They can contact Parents Step Ahead directly regarding bringing programs to their schools.

What topics are discussed at the conferences?
Educators, motivational speakers, community volunteers and parenting experts present seminars on topics such as gang awareness, drug use prevention, underage drinking, computer literacy, Internet Safety, etc. More information on topics can be found on this page of our website.

How would I benefit in participating in the conferences?
The main goal of Parents Step Ahead is to get parents involved in their child’s educational and professional development. As many know, parents who are involved in their child’s life, the child tends to succeed in school.

In addition, those who attend the Parent Conferences have a chance to win a personal computer system for their family among other door prizes.

How can I volunteer at the conferences?
To volunteer to assist with the Parent Conferences or the end of the year Awards Ceremony please Register Online or contact Parents Step Ahead at (214) 357-2186.

Parent of the Year

What is the “Parent of the Year” award?
The “Parent of the Year” award goes to a group of parents who have attended a Parents Step Ahead seminar event and were nominated by their child. These are parents who have been exceptional role models in their child’s lives and have made a genuine effort in being involved in their child’s education and personal development.

How can I nominate or be nominated?
“Parent of the Year” winners are selected based on school nomination, program participation and 2 essays; one written by the parent on the importance of parental involvement in a child’s life, and a second essay written by their child on why their parent or legal guardian should be “Parent of the Year”.

A selection committee composed of local and national community and corporate leaders selects the winning essays.

When is the deadline to submit essays?
Essays are usually due at the end of August. Essays from both the parent and child must be submitted for review. They can sent by mail or dropped of at the Parents Step Ahead office.

When is the “Parent of the Year” awarded?
The “Parent of the Year” award is given during a special awards ceremony held in the beginning of December.

Sponsorship Information

What ways can my company become involved with Parents Step Ahead?
Companies can become involved in Parents Step Ahead in a variety of ways from grants, sponsorships, in-kind donations, employee volunteer participation, etc. Visit our Sponsorship Page for more information.

Which companies have sponsored the program?
Here is a list of our major contributors:

  • El Hispano News
  • Tu Familia
  • H&R Block
  • General Motors
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • ETS (Educational Testing Service)
  • LATINA Style Magazine
  • McDonald’s USA LLC
  • Pinnacle Technical Resource
  • Univision
  • Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
  • Who do I contact regarding sponsorship opportunities?

Please visit our Sponsorship Page for more information. In addition, you can contact Marcos Saurez at (214) 357-2186.