Carlos, a Go-Getter and an Avance-Dallas
Grad
Carlos came
to Avance-Dallas with his mom when
he was only a baby. Today, he’s an energetic eighth-grader working hard to stay
at the top of his game.
When Carlos
was in Avance-Dallas, his mother
was inspired to do all she could to help him achieve. And that’s exactly what
Carlos has done—achieve.
When he was
only five years old, his mom signed him up for karate, even though he didn’t
want to do it. But he persevered for eight years and earned his black belt.
Once he
achieved that milestone, he started playing soccer—and he loves it! “I try to
practice an hour or two every day,” Carlos says, ”even in the snow. I want to
get in the best condition that I can. I even go on the Internet to learn how to
do certain soccer plays and tricks when the coach isn’t available.”
Carlos also
shows an affinity for music. He plays violin, clarinet, guitar, and
drums—though he likes drums the best. He also loves to read books, with
interests ranging from the Bible to Harry Potter and the Lightning Thief
series.
With all his
extracurricular activities, Carlos doesn’t lose sight of the priority of
educational excellence. He’s currently in the Junior Honor Society and gets all
A’s in school. He attends H. W. Longfellow Academy, rated as an Exemplary
school in 2009–2010 and currently in the Magnet school feeder pattern. He’s
setting his eyes on the School of Business and
Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, a Magnet high school, next year.
Carlos
recognizes that his parents have played a major role in his life and
achievements. “Whenever I’m down,” he says, “they help me get back up. They
motivate me to do my best in everything.” As one example, Carlos remembers that
when he started playing soccer a year ago, they made him the goalie, and he
“didn’t know anything.” He recalls, “The opposing team scored eight goals on me
and I felt really bad. I wanted to quit. But my mom kept telling me it’s just one
game and I’d get better at it. And she was right.”
Today Carlos
dreams of becoming a successful businessman and a professional soccer player. What
drives him is his determination to overcome. “When I start something, I always
try to master it. I want to complete it.” We’re confident that Carlos will surmount
any obstacle in his path!
Communities Foundation of Texas Gives Vital Funds
This year Communities Foundation of
Texas came through for us by providing critical operating support. Their
$20,000 grant not only expressed their strong belief in the Avance-Dallas mission, it also helped
our organization maintain our high standards of agency operations.
Communities Foundation of Texas (CFT) is one of the largest community
foundations in the nation, and it has provided more than $1 billion in grants since
it was founded in 1953. CFT seeks to “enhance the experience and impact of
giving” by serving as a hub of collaboration between donors, nonprofits, and
other funders. Through their efforts, CFT has effectively connected charitable
aims with real community needs.
Avance-Dallas is pleased to serve together with
Communities Foundation of Texas to meet the real needs of low-income, at-risk
children in Dallas. Thank you, CFT, for making a strategic investment in our
agency’s operations to support our community’s children.
Victoria Aleksandra, a Remarkable Two-Year-Old
Maria is a Phase II parent at our Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School
program site. She loves her daughter, as anyone can see, and she also loves to
tell how Avance-Dallas is impacting
her and her daughter, Victoria Aleksandra. Here’s Maria’s first-person account:
First of all,
I want to praise the excellent staff at Avance-Dallas.
I’m currently attending Avance
Phase II, and I’m very happy and thankful for how much Avance has had an impact on my life.
I am a grateful
mother of three children: Edwardo (23), Casandra (22), and Victoria Aleksandra
(2). I work and currently attend the Teacher Education Program for Dallas to
become a Spanish teacher at a Montessori Academy. I also attend Avance-Dallas classes every Wednesday
with my youngest child. Avance has
played a big role in the way I educate my children. When I was in the Avance program last year, I was
privileged to receive second place in the annual Toy-Making Contest.
My youngest
is Victoria Aleksandra, who is only two years old. She attends Avance-Dallas every Wednesday, and every
Tuesday she attends ASI
Gymnastics. Around the
house we call her “baby genius.” She can already count to fifteen, she knows at
least five letters from the alphabet, she can write and distinguish letters and
numbers, and she knows a few colors. She can also use scissors and has a very
strong vocabulary.
I hope with
all my heart that Avance-Dallas will
keep impacting and preparing children and parents like it did for me.