Create Your Path to Educationand a Brighter Future!
AVANCE to College is a FREE 9-month program for caregivers– including expecting parents, parents, extended family, and foster families – with children between the ages of 0-4 years old. AVANCE to College supports caregivers in becoming their child's first teachers at home while also empowering them to pursue opportunities for continued education and workforce upskilling. The program offers:
Parenting Tools
Understand your child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.
Learn to turn everyday situations into educational opportunities in writing, science, or math.
Toy-Making Classes
Create educational toys using inexpensive materials to promote bonding and educational play at home.
College and Career Support
Connect with local community and college resources for exploring postsecondary education and workforce development.
Build lasting connections and a network of support with other parents and caregivers.
I learned that it is never too late to learn and grow. I encourage parents to leave their routine and join AVANCE to College, especially because they could provide childcare.
-Nancy, AVANCE to College Graduate
How it Works
AVANCE to College is built on our two-generation model of engaging caregivers and their children simultaneously. Caregivers enrolled in AVANCE to College become registered college students and attend weekly sessions on-site at a local community college campus. Sessions include:
Parenting Education
Toy-Making Classes
College and Career Support
Early Childhood Education Opportunities
Home Visits
Monthly home visits with each enrolled family tie the program together. Home visits offer caregivers an opportunity to showcase what they have learned and to receive personalized training or support that meets their needs.
Este programa nos enseña cuáles son los valores de los niños, cómo crecen y cómo aprovecharlos. Nuestros hijos están en nuestras manos; los estamos formando. Participar en este programa es trabajar con nuestros niños... Tener niños y ser mamá es tan hermoso, y es verdad que el trabajo que hacemos al criar niños es difícil, pero es tan bello porque estamos criando personas para esta comunidad. Al final, solo queremos que nuestros hijos salgan adelante.
-Violeta Guytan, AVANCE to College Graduate
Ready to enroll?
AVANCE to College is currently offered at the Valle Verde Campus of El Paso Community College in El Paso, TX, and at the South Austin and North Ridge Campuses of Austin Community College in Austin, TX.
If AVANCE to College is not currently available in your area, we'd still love to hear from you! Let us know in the form below where you'd like to see the AVANCE to College program next.