“We’ve really embraced the concept of resident leadership as a means to transformation – the idea being, the families who are living the experience are the community experts among us to best solve the challenges they face.”
Boulder County has one of the widest achievement gaps in Colorado. In response, the Community Foundation has catalyzed partnerships to address this concern with dozens of nonprofits, government agencies, and business and faith leaders.
“Since 2008, we’ve been mobilizing resources and igniting action to advance school readiness, and to ensure a better future for all Boulder County kids,” says Chris Barge, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. “Through ELPASO, specifically, we’ve reached more than 3K Latino parents of 0- to 5-year-olds in the past three years.
“We’ve conducted informational interviews with them, pointed them to community resources, and emphasized the importance of education and kids starting school ready to learn. And we’ve successfully demonstrated how to make an impact in this hard-to-reach, growing population.”
Having directed and developed the Engaged Latino Parents Advancing Student Outcomes (ELPASO) initiative since 2014, Chris describes what’s next to realize the vision of this grassroots movement: “It’s all about parents sharing knowledge, organizing and taking action, and assuming community leadership that leads to real social change.
“We’ve really embraced the concept of resident leadership as a means to transformation – the idea being, the families who are living the experience are the community experts among us to best solve the challenges they face.”
On July 1, ELPASO will spin off to exist as its own nonprofit with Delia Teresa Garcia [Tere] as Executive Director, and Richard Garcia of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition as Development Director of the movement, which also comprises other Latino leaders and a volunteer board. To help provide continuity, Chris will serve on the 10-member board of the new nonprofit. Other board members include members of the Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, as well as a cross-section of community leaders who are knowledgeable and passionate about equity in education, immigrant issues, and standing up for those in our community who are vulnerable and marginalized.
“When you look at any kind of human struggle, problems are best solved by the people who’ve been living that struggle,” concludes Chris.
The heart and soul of ELPASO are its School Readiness Coordinators, like Lafayette-based Veronica Sangabriel Rodriguez. “Sometimes, Latino communities have no idea about the resources available to them, or how to get involved and support the education of their children,” she says. “I explain to them the important meaning of education, which starts at home before the baby is born. Then they start thinking about it, and looking at what they can do.
“I invite them to cafecitos where they learn how to make a difference for their kids.” Cafecitos are held at the homes of parent leaders with their family, friends and neighbors, benefiting several hundred additional children.
“There are so many examples of success – not only for Latino children, many more of whom are continuing on to college, but also for parents, some of whom are continuing their education, as well,” continues Veronica, whose own son graduated from Colorado State University earlier this month with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a minor in math. “I’m full of stories of the more than 500 families I’ve interviewed, many of whom are single mothers.
“I came to Colorado in 1999, and I know the language now – I feel very comfortable here. ELPASO is my opportunity to help my community with my knowledge of living in this country, and in Boulder County.”
Adds Tere, “For me, what’s most special about ELPASO is that ‘a-ha’ moment, when parents see what they can do to advance themselves and ensure success in school for their children.”
Before assuming her current role as Executive Director of ELPASO, Tere served as Lead Instructor and Educational Consultant. “I’ve always been an educator,” she continues. “As a teacher and assistant principal, I saw the need for us to do more to support our kids.
“When the Community Foundation came up with this incredible idea of ELPASO, I recognized it as the answer I was seeking. I could see it was exactly the thing to do to address issues of low academic performance and low self-concept among Latino children.
“Now they have a chance, just like everybody else, to succeed in school – and in life. It gives me great joy and great hope that the ELPASO movement will secure for Latinos an integral role in our community.
“Thanks to the ELPASO model supporting parents, they understand their rights and responsibility to be active on behalf of their children, themselves, and our community.”
Tere’s initial goals for ELPASO include re-engaging up to 75% of previous parent leaders in innovative ways, and bringing together diverse agencies across Boulder County to come together to better reach all members of our community.
Learn more
- Ruben’s story
- Building a Latino Parent Revolution (Chris Barge)
- Visit our Facebook photo album featuring the May 5 ELPASO graduation at University Hill Elementary School.
We mobilize resources and ignite action to support quality education for everyone. Join us!
