Jacquelyn Perez
When Jacquelyn Perez was young, she often visited the AVANCE center where her grandmother worked. Her aunts had gone through PCEP with their children, and even her mother had gone through PCEP with her older brother and sister. However, Jacquelyn’s own journey took a different path. Her parents separated when she was young, and she lacked the support and involvement she needed during her early years. Her family had also told her she was born into teen pregnancy, and it would happen to her if she wasn’t careful.
At 19, she became a mother after dropping out of high school and leaving home. A friend invited her to attend PCEP, and Jacquelyn, already familiar with AVANCE, embraced the opportunity without hesitation. Entering the center, she was warmly greeted by her daughter’s teacher, who recognized Jacquelyn from the past. She also reunited with a childhood friend going through the program.
The insight and parenting skills Jacquelyn gained through PCEP helped her understand the reasons behind the advice her family had given her. Determined to give her child the best possible future, Jacquelyn returned to school and earned her diploma. As a nontraditional student, she embarked on a career in education, spending nearly two decades bridging gaps for students and families helping them access resources and support on their academic journeys.
With the foundation laid by AVANCE and Jacquelyn’s dedication to breaking the cycle, her daughter Analisa has exceeded all expectations. She graduated high school in three years and was accepted to Arizona State University. At 20, Analisa is a year from graduating with her Bachelor of Arts from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Barrett, the Honors College. In addition to balancing her studies with a full-time job in hospitality, she is a reporter for The State Press, a student-run publication, and recently interned for The Copper Courier. As the oldest of Jacquelyn’s children, Analisa is also a great role model for her younger siblings. Jacquelyn recognizes her daughter’s strength and resilience, explaining that she has seen Analisa thrive in situations she never thought possible for herself.