Dania Garcia
AVANCE-North Texas, 2018
Dania Garcia enrolled in PCEP in 2017 after learning about AVANCE from some friends who had participated in the program. At the time, her young son Erick Guadalupe had a speech delay, and as a first-time mother, she was concerned about whether she was doing the right things to support him.
Through PCEP, Dania better understood her actions’ impact on her children’s lives and futures and the importance of spending quality time with them, reading and playing. Dania also formed strong bonds with other moms in the program, establishing a group of friends that still provide each other with support today. Dania loved seeing her son interact with other children and learn new things in PCEP. But her favorite memory is of the special recognition Erick received for his academic performance because, despite his speech delay, he never gave up. When Dania and Erick graduated from PCEP in 2018, she was confident she had the knowledge and tools to be a better mother and guide her children on the right path.
After cultivating his social skills and learning how to read, write, and count in PCEP, Erick was prepared for school. And with his parents’ support, he has continued to thrive. Erick is now nine years old and already has his sights set on one day becoming a doctor so he can help people. With a keen mind for problem-solving and strategic thinking, he enjoys working out math problems and playing chess competitively. He excels not only in reading but also in his favorite subjects, math and science. His achievements and academic performance have even led to enrollment invitations from several of the best schools in Dallas.
Although they graduated from PCEP several years ago, Dania keeps in touch with Erick’s teacher from the program and happily shares his accomplishments, grateful for her support in setting him up for success. Reflecting on her family’s journey, Dania now holds a more optimistic outlook for the future. While she once considered college an unlikely dream for her child, she now views it as an attainable goal they work towards every day.