Create Your Path to Educationand a Brighter Future!
AVANCE to College is a FREE program for parents and caregivers– including expecting parents, extended family, and foster families – with children between the ages of 0-5 years old. AVANCE to College supports parents and caregivers in becoming their child's first teachers at home while also empowering them to pursue opportunities for continued education and workforce upskilling. The program offers:
Parenting Education
Grow your skills and self-confidence in parenting while meeting and learning from other parents.
College & Career Lessons
Broaden your opportunity to advance your educational and career goals through postsecondary and workforce development learning sessions.
Toy-Making
Create toys that will engage your child in preparation for school readiness.
Home Visits
Receive parenting support and college/career advising during home visits.
I learned that it is never too late to learn and grow. I encourage parents to leave their routine and join AVANCE to College, especially because they could provide childcare.
-Nancy, AVANCE to College Graduate
How it Works
AVANCE to College is built on our two-generation model of engaging caregivers and their children simultaneously. Caregivers enrolled in AVANCE to College become registered college students and attend weekly sessions on-site at a local community college campus. Sessions include:
Parenting Education
Leadership Development
College and Career Support
Toy-Making Classes
Home Visits
Monthly home visits with each enrolled family tie the program together. Home visits offer caregivers an opportunity to showcase what they have learned and to receive individualized parenting support and college and career advising.
Este programa nos enseña cuáles son los valores de los niños, cómo crecen y cómo aprovecharlos. Nuestros hijos están en nuestras manos; los estamos formando. Participar en este programa es trabajar con nuestros niños... Tener niños y ser mamá es tan hermoso, y es verdad que el trabajo que hacemos al criar niños es difícil, pero es tan bello porque estamos criando personas para esta comunidad. Al final, solo queremos que nuestros hijos salgan adelante.
-Violeta Guytan, AVANCE to College Graduate
Ready to enroll?
AVANCE to College is currently offered at the following locations:
Austin, TX – Austin Community College (ACC) South Austin and North Ridge Campuses
San Antonio, TX – San Antonio College (SAC)
Houston, TX – Houston City College (HCC)-Southeast
Sunland Park, NM – Doña Ana Community College (DACC) Sunland Park
Long Beach, CA – Long Beach City College (LBCC) Trades, Technology, and Community Learning Campus
If AVANCE to College is not currently available in your area, we'd still love to hear from you! Let us know in the form below where you'd like to see the AVANCE to College program next.