On the morning of Monday, November 12, at our James Bowie Elementary School site, parents were asked to celebrate Thanksgiving together as a class by expressing thanks for something in their lives. Aura Peredo brought in a poster she created that gave thanks for AVANCE-Dallas.

Aura explained the poster in detail to the rest of the parents. A translation of the “AVANCE” Spanish acronym on the poster shows she’s thankful for the harmony, experience, friendship, needs met, commitment, and enthusiasm she has experienced at AVANCE-Dallas.

This isn’t the first time she’s taken initiative beyond program expectations. On the very first class, when Parent Education Homer Canales introduced the leadership projects they would eventually do, Aura spoke up and said, “let’s paint this room … and let’s do it this week.” She spearheaded the project, got the paint, talked with the principal, and organized six moms to paint the classroom the first week of class.

Aura learned about AVANCE-Dallas through a UNIVISION 23 public service announcement, and Homer says she always participates in class, interacts extensively with the lessons, and puts into practice the concepts they teach. She’s a mother of one 3-year-old boy, Xel, and she’s highly motivated to be a great mom. As she puts it, she “wants to do the very best with my son.”

After observing her in the program, Homer thinks that, “in the future, she will be a very good community leader because of the concepts she’s learning and applying in AVANCE-Dallas.” Right now, she’s just thankful for the opportunity to learn how to advance her child. And we’re thankful for people like you who make this educational opportunity possible for moms like Aura Peredo.

At least the families at our David Burnet Elementary School site did. On November 14, the parents and children in our program planned a leadership project at the school to teach kindergarteners and first graders about healthy food choices. They dressed up as avocados, corn, strawberries, grapes, pineapples, a carton of milk, and more to help children understand the benefits of eating nutritious food.

This project is part of our new Little Bites, Big Steps health program in partnership with KERA. The program teaches parents what foods are healthy and what foods are not, and encourages regular family exercise. One common change in families is giving up soda and implementing fruits and vegetables into their diet.

The parents presented a powerful message to children using fun visuals that they will remember for years. And that’s one of the benefits of AVANCE-Dallas: We don’t only educate families directly; we develop leaders who will pass on knowledge and balanced living to their community. Your investments in AVANCE-Dallas families reach far beyond the AVANCE classroom walls!

On October 13, 102 parents and 137 children did a 5-mile walk together around Bachman Lake to promote exercise in the community. As a part of our Little Bites, Big Steps health program with KERA, this activity solidified that walking is a healthy, worthwhile practice for families. They walked from 8:00 AM to noon and stayed long past the event’s completion talking and playing together. The event helped families develop healthy habits and build community. Your support is making Dallas a healthier city!

OInfinity Insurance has redefined “Thanksgiving” at their company. For Infinity volunteers, Thanksgiving is a chance not just to give thanks for what they have, but to give back to others so they have a reason to say thanks too.

AVANCE-Dallas is thrilled that Infinity Insurance has joined with us again in an effort to spread the Thanksgiving spirit by making this holiday a joyous family event for low-income parents and children in Dallas. On November 19–21, AVANCE-Dallas staff accompanied Infinity employees to give free holiday baskets to our families—families who live from check to check. Each family received a turkey dinner, staple foods, and household items to give them a boost this Thanksgiving.

The families expressed immense gratitude for the kindness Infinity Insurance showed them through the AVANCE-Dallas structure. It was one more reminder that we as a community are here to help them and their children succeed. We’re grateful to Infinity Insurance for giving thanks by giving back to low-income families in the heart of Dallas.