AVANCE Waco opened its doors to parents and children in 2002 with generous support from the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation. Our free-standing facility has parent education/toy instruction and adult education classrooms, four fully-equipped early childhood instruction rooms, offices for staff, meeting rooms, cooking facilities, and a fenced outdoor age appropriate playground. We are located in the heart of South Waco in Waco, Texas.AVANCE is a Spanish word meaning "to advance" or "to progress." AVANCE is a nationally recognized 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) non-profit organization established in 1973. The AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program is considered a pioneer in the field of parent education. It focuses on parent education, early childhood development, brain development, literacy, and school readiness. The program serves predominantly poor Latino families in underserved communities. AVANCEs mission is "Unlocking Americas Potential" and the program accomplishes this one child, one family, one community at a time by teaching parents to be advocates and role models for their children. Parents are taught that they are the first and most important teachers for their children. The nine-month core program caters to parents with children from 0-3 years of age, operating in housing projects, community centers and schools. AVANCE instructors guide parents through the stages of emotional, physical, social and cognitive development of their children with special topics that range from the importance of reading and effective discipline to nutrition. Parents also attend classes in literacy, learning English and attaining a GED.