Parent Mentor Program

in our Palenque…

Parent Mentors are leaders in constant advocacy as we respond to the injustices that we see in our own communities. • The Parent Mentor Program provides a safe space for difficult conversations. • Parent Mentors are change agents for justice at the same time connecting families and providing information and resources. • The Parent Mentor Program is a model of strength, resilience and community assistance. • The Parent Mentor Program trainings address difficult topics like trauma and mental health. • We take care of ourselves by being responsible, caring, and fostering open communication that generates trust. • We are rooted in our communities…we love what we are doing! • We are creating joy, justice, and resilience by transforming our schools into places where parents can express their voice and practice their leadership. • We always recognize each other's skills, talents, and gifts and celebrate them.

Make an impact in your child’s school! become a parent mentor!

For over 25 years, Palenque LSNA has been training parents in the Logan Square area, mainly Latina and Black mothers, to help fill persistent equity gaps by volunteering in classrooms for two hours/day for at least 100 hours. Upon completing the initial leadership and tutoring training, Parent Mentors are assigned a classroom, where they work with students one-on-one or in small groups for two hours per day, four days per week. On Fridays, the Parent Mentor cohort comes together for ongoing professional development trainings. After 100 hours, Parent Mentors are eligible to receive a $1,500 stipend.

“I feel like I help the teachers tremendously and I have had a positive impact on the students. I feel that the students have improved greatly. I also feel more positive, more motivated, and more successful.”—Parent Mentor

making an impact

Support For TeacherS

Parent Mentors provide extra eyes, ears, and hands in the classroom. In addition, Parent Mentors can help connect the school to the community by drawing on the strengths of neighborhood families.

Support for Students

Parent Mentors can give extra attention to students in need, particularly ELL students—many of whom need extra support in grades K-3 because they are learning literacy in two languages.

Intensive Parent Training

Parent Mentors learn how the U.S. school system works and strengthen skills needed to support their children in school. In turn, Parent Mentors become community resources and share these skills with neighbors. The program also provides a pipeline to bilingual teaching and other careers.

Stronger Families and Communities

Schools become vibrant centers of community as families begin to see the school as a place to access adult education classes and multiple services. Parents develop leadership skills necessary to create positive change in the school and community.

A Nationally recognized program

The Parent Engagement Institute, a partnership of Palenque LSNA and Southwest Organizing Project, coaches community organizations and school districts across the country to replicate and scale the Palenque LSNA Parent Mentor Program. Learn more

get involved

OUR Local School Partners