Texas program honored for helping immigrants to fit in Helping immigrants assimilate brings acclaim to nonprofit

Even preschool children of immigrants are included in classes at the nonprofit Houston Avance program, where their parents are taught that “the home is the most important classroom.” Even preschool children of immigrants are included in classes at the nonprofit Houston Avance program, where their parents are taught that “the home is the most important classroom.” Photo: Julio Cortez, Chronicle Photo: Julio Cortez, Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Texas program honored for helping immigrants to fit in 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

As her classmates chatted in Spanish, Edith Guerra carefully fashioned her daughter’s graduation cap using sheets of thin cardboard and a hot-glue gun. Then she added the final touch: a handmade tassel of shiny, red string.

Down the hall, Guerra’s 2-year-old, Melanie, sat in a classroom with a dozen other children, learning to recite her ABCs in English.

It was Wednesday morning, just weeks from a commencement ceremony for the group of young, Hispanic mothers and children in an acclaimed early education program called Avance, which aims to help “at risk” families — including new immigrants — break cycles of poverty and illiteracy.

The Migration Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank based in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday honored the Avance program in El Paso for being one of four “exceptional immigrant integration initiatives” in the U.S. — netting the organization $50,000.

Margie McHugh, co-director of MPI’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy, said there is a pressing need to bolster local immigrant integration programs. With the growth of immigrant communities across the U.S., she said, assimilation “cannot be overlooked anymore.” About 12.5 percent of the U.S. population is foreign born, according to 2007 Census data.

In recent years, the assimilation issue has been largely overshadowed by a heated debate over border control and immigration enforcement. Some anti-illegal immigration activists have seized on the matter, pointing to examples like phone systems that say “Press 1 for Spanish,” as evidence that many immigrants do not wish to assimilate.

McHugh said many communities are trying to strike a balance between recognizing the positive aspects of immigration, while still acknowledging that new immigrants often need some help learning English and joining the mainstream U.S. society.

McHugh said many communities are trying to strike a balance between recognizing the positive aspects of immigration, while still acknowledging that new immigrants often need some help learning English and joining the mainstream U.S. society.

Michael White, a Brown University sociology professor and co-author of the book Achieving Anew, which focuses on assimilation in America, researched first- and second-generation immigrants’ achievement, using Census data and periodicsurveys.

White, a fellow at the Russell Sage Foundation, found that being a new immigrant, or the child of immigrants, is not what determines success in the U.S. Rather, the key is overcoming socioeconomic challenges, which may be offset by education and intervention programs, White said. He said 2004 Census data found second-generation immigrants got college degrees at a higher rate than their peers.

“The immigration process is bringing in people in large part who succeedin American society,” White said. “They are not falling off the ladder of success or becoming an underclass. That doesn’t mean they don’t face challenges or obstacles. They fit into America like others of similar background and socioeconomic standing.”

Parental involvement key

Houston Avance, a non-profit, is an affiliate of the El Paso program. The parenting education and early childhood development classes are the centerpieces of the program.The Houston organization also offers a wide range of support, such as English as a second language, adult education and healthy marriage classes. The programs, funded by grants and donors, are free for participants, said Jose Villarreal, executive director of the Houston program.

“One of the main concepts is that we want to teach the parent that they are the child’s main teacher, and that the home is the most important classroom,” he said.

Guerra, 23, said she’s seen Melanie make progress since they started with the classes nearly nine months ago.

“Her language is what amazes me most,” said Guerra, a Mexico native who has lived in Houston since she was 9 years old and speaks primarily Spanish at home. “When she gets started talking now, it’s hard to keep her quiet.”

Guerra attended the University of Houston until 2005, when she became pregnant with Melanie. This summer, she plans to take classes at Houston Community College toward a degree in mechanical engineering.

Melanie’s first graduation, from Avance, will be June 6. Her mother said she already has high hopes for her.

“It’s not going to be a question of whether she wants to go to college,” Guerra said. “She has to go.”

susan.carroll@chron.com

What is Avance?

Avancecomes from the Spanish word “advance” or “progress.”

• CLASSES: The parenting education and child development classes are taught in Spanish and serve predominatly low-income families from across Houston. All classes are free.

• CONTACT: Call 713-812-0033 or go here.