The Garza Family
Irene Garza began her journey with AVANCE in 2022 when she was 37 and her youngest son David was two. She initially enrolled in PCEP expecting to improve her parenting skills but found so much more. From the beginning, Irene felt a sense of belonging and support. One of her favorite things about the program was being surrounded by other moms who shared their experiences and learned from one another.
The knowledge and tools that Irene gained through PCEP helped her become a better mother, not just for David but also for her older children. It was also the perfect vehicle for her personal growth as she developed more confidence, learning to value her children, her time as a mother, and herself as a person. The program taught her practical skills like organizing her household, establishing rules at home, and new ways to nurture her children and show love and respect at home. She also learned how to be more involved in her children’s development and learning so they feel the love in what she does and know she is happy and proud of them.
Irene also fondly recalls making toys for her children with her own hands, pouring love into every stitch. She learned in PCEP how to take her time and use the toys to stimulate her children’s creativity and channel their energy toward learning. After completing the program, she felt wiser, more resourceful, and more patient. She also looks forward to sharing her story, hoping to inspire others to enroll and benefit from similar opportunities and experiences through PCEP.
As for David, he is an active three-year-old who enjoys coloring and being read to. He is preparing to enter PreK-3. Irene has a hunch that he will enjoy science lessons because he loves animals and dinosaurs. Reflecting on her journey, she recognizes the difference it might have made for her older children if she had attended PCEP earlier. Still, she is now applying everything she has learned to help all three of her children succeed.