AVANCE-El Paso began in 1997 as a chapter of AVANCE Incorporated, a private, nonprofit organization founded in San Antonio in 1973. AVANCE-El Paso prepares children for school by educating parents to be the first and most important teachers of children. Its core parent-child education program serves families with children up to 4 years, and it also provides comprehensive parenting classes, as well as on-site early childhood development activities for children. Its even start program serves families with children up to 7 years, and is for participating adults who want to learn English. AVANCE outreach also offers women an eight-session series of classes about healthy pregnancy and the importance of prenatal care. It also provides a parent-to-parent outreach program.