Ron Anderson

AVANCE receives the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award and the Simmons Luminary Award for Education Excellence for its innovative programming that serves as a model for improving education. 

AVANCE makes history by becoming the recipient of a $12.6 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to expand the core Parent-Child Education Program across the Nation. 

In her book, “Helping Someone with Mental Illness,” First Lady Rosalynn Carter cites AVANCE in discussing the effectiveness of organizations in the promotion of mental well-being. 

AVANCE opens a new chapter in the state capitol, AVANCE-Austin. 

AVANCE-Dallas (now AVANCE-North Texas) opens with five employees, three sites, and a budget of $300,000. AVANCE is featured in First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s book “It Takes a Village” in which she presents her vision for the children of America.

Oprah Winfrey invites AVANCE to be part of “Scared Silent,” a documentary about child abuse. 

AVANCE opens the National Headquarters in San Antonio, TX and establishes the first National Board of Directors 

AVANCE receives one of the first Nationwide Even Start Programs grants to improve the academic achievement of young children and their parents in low-income families, especially in the area of reading. 

AVANCE expands in Texas with the opening of a new chapter office, AVANCE-Houston.