History of AVANCE
The story of AVANCE began in 1972 when Dr. Gloria Rodriguez was introduced to the Mother-Infant Program, created by two Cornell University doctoral students studying under Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner.
Dr. Rodriguez was so inspired by the program that she decided to utilize the model and Bronfenbrenner's theory to create the AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program. In September of 1973, Dr. Rodriguez founded AVANCE and began offering the Parent-Child Education Program at the Mirasol Housing Project on San Antonio’s west side.
Since those early days, AVANCE has grown to serve the state of Texas and is starting to expand beyond the borders of the Lone Star State. Throughout our history, AVANCE has earned broad recognition and funding from various sources. Notable visits from national and international dignitaries include the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Prince Charles of Wales, Oprah Winfrey and former U.S. First Ladies Rosalynn Carter, Hillary Clinton, the late Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush. AVANCE has been featured in the New York Times, NBC’s Education Nation, ABC's World News Tonight and Good Morning America, along with several social documentaries such as Ounce of Prevention and Scared Silent. Explore our historical timeline below to learn more about how we have grown into a national leader in two-generation programming.
Timeline of Accomplishments
1972 – Every story has a beginning
1973 – AVANCE is born
Dr. Gloria Rodriguez, a teacher and advocate for parent education, establishes AVANCE in San Antonio and begins offering the Parent-Child Education Program (PCEP) at the Mirasol Housing Project. Initially serving 35 families in a 500-unit public housing development, AVANCE has grown into a national leader in two-generation programming.
1986 – Your Majesty, may we present AVANCE
1988 – AVANCE in the Spotlight
1988 – Another Door Opens
1990 – An Even Start for children
1991 – AVANCE goes National
1991 – An Oprah-tunity
1996 – A New Chapter
1998 – Book Debut
2010 – Unprecedented Achievement
2012 – Excellence in Education
2014 – Taking 2Gen to a Higher Level
2016 – Focusing on Rural Communities
2018 – 45-Year-Old Startup
2019 – Expanding our Two-Gen Model
AVANCE pilots a new program to support family child care providers to increase the quality of care for children in their homes: the Quality Child Care Matters Program. With great success of the pilot in Hidalgo County, TX, the Texas Workforce Commission funds AVANCE to expand the Quality Child Care Matters program to Austin, TX.
2020 – Resilience amid a Global Crisis
2021 – Continued Growth & Innovation
With support of the Texas Workforce Commission, AVANCE launches a statewide business coaching program for family child care providers. In partnership with El Paso Community College and Workforce Borderplex, AVANCE pilots AVANCE to College, a program that utilizes the Parent-Child Education Program to provide parents direct access to postsecondary education.