Celebrating a Year of Achievements and Community Impact with AVANCE-Houston
From the annual Golf Tournament to the Inspiring Dreams event, AVANCE-Houston has celebrated a remarkable year filled with achievements, milestones, and community support. Here’s a look back at 2024.
February
Annually, AVANCE-Houston employees support the United Way Employee Campaign to make a positive impact in their communities. And 2024 was no exception. The campaign, which concluded in February 2024 with a Chili Cook-Off, raised a total of $2,356, surpassing the fundraising goal.
March
AVANCE-Houston held its annual Golf Tournament fundraiser at the prestigious Tour 18 Golf Course, bringing together an outstanding group of supporters. The event allowed participants to showcase their skills and enjoy an exciting day with their teams. Champion and Master’s sponsors received exclusive invitations to participate in a golf clinic to learn the basics, while advanced players took advantage of the opportunity to improve their game. Funds raised from this event support AVANCE-Houston’s Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP) and Adult Education program.
April
On Thursday, April 11, 2024, AVANCE-Houston hosted a panel discussion on ‘The Power of Parenting: A Generational Impact’. The event welcomed nearly 100 guests, comprising parents from various walks of life, who had the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking conversations and learn from one another. Key insights from the panelists included the importance of setting boundaries, the value of good nutrition and how this shapes a child’s mental health, and the role of empathy in parenting. For the second year in a row, this event was a beacon of education, empowerment, and encouragement for parents.
June
In the summer of 2024, 65 families completed PCEP, while Adult Education graduated 15 students. Three students received scholarships to continue their education.
AVANCE-Houston’s Healthy Relationships – FRAMEWorks Program received the BEYOND Award at the Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Programs (HMRF) Biennial Conference. This award is given to organizations based on program performance and data excellence.
July
The AVANCE-Houston Alumni Ambassador (AHAA) Full Circle was launched in 2019 as a way for the chapter to stay connected with program graduates. In July of 2024, AVANCE-Houston announced the initiative had reached 7,000 alumni. As a result of the incredibly successful alumni engagement, some who have become entrepreneurs are now giving back to AVANCE through in-kind donations and volunteer work.
August
Following a devastating derecho and Hurricane Beryl, two back-to-back natural disasters that significantly impacted AVANCE-Houston centers and offices, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) recognized AVANCE-Houston as one of the country’s most resilient organizations.
October
The Latin Women’s Initiative selected AVANCE-Houston as a recipient of a $50,000 grant to support its PCEP and Adult Education programs. This funding will significantly enhance the resources available for families, fostering stronger relationships between parents and children while also providing crucial educational opportunities for adults.
On October 25th, AVANCE-Houston hosted nearly 350 guests at our “Inspiring Dreams: A Runway of Success” celebration. Highlights included a heartfelt performance by JoeRuben Garcia and Michael Baerga, and 16 AVANCE children walking the runway with community heroes. The event honored the Blanco family for their resilience and commitment to education, and guests heard a moving testimonial from Markiss Buckley about AVANCE’s impact.
AVANCE-Houston also hosted its Parent Summit for the 10th consecutive year, equipping parents with tools to support their children’s transition from preschool to elementary school. One hundred families attended sessions on early literacy and social-emotional development and participated in activities like breathing techniques and mindful play to support their children’s mental health.
The Indo-American Charity Foundation, with its motto “We live here, We give here,” has been a steadfast supporter of AVANCE-Houston and its programs for several years. In 2024, AVANCE-Houston was selected as their charity of choice, receiving a $2,000 grant for its Parent-Child Education Program.
November
The Mayor’s Office for Adult Literacy (MOAL), in partnership with Comcast, presented AVANCE-Houston with the Houston Literacy Hero award at an event honoring students, instructors, and programs that are changing lives through literacy. The chapter’s Adult Education Program was highlighted during the event, and a panel discussion featured recent AVANCE-Houston graduate Clarissa Jimenez, who shared her experience and inspiring journey. That evening, a special television segment premiered on local Comcast channels featuring the AVANCE-Houston program, Adult Education Teacher Dr. Linda Patin, Program Assistant Gladys Monita, and several students. MOAL shared highlights and videos from the event on LinkedIn, Facebook, IG, and X.
December
In December, six AVANCE-Houston students completed their GED, two of whom have applied to college and received scholarships.
AVANCE-Houston celebrated the extraordinary milestone of reaching 968 hours of volunteer service this year! This achievement showcases the commitment of the local community and partners, including volunteer groups from organizations like ExxonMobil and TechnipFMC, whose generous support has extended beyond their time.
During the holiday season, nearly 300 children from AVANCE-Houston programs received a special gift thanks to the incredible generosity of friends, supporters, businesses, partners, and AVANCE employees. Aldine ISD Davis High School students donated 200 blankets and 100 toys for the children, and friends at Univision adopted all 50 children from AVANCE-Houston’s Parent-Child Education Program.
Univision 45’s show “Contigo en la Comunidad” recently highlighted AVANCE-Houston’s programs and their impact. The episode included an insightful interview with an AVANCE alumna, who has become an inspiring in-kind donor and an active ambassador for our mission.
