The Power of Parents


As the year concludes, we celebrate the driving force behind Greater Than’s mission – the Power of Parents. In our mission to foster educational equity and strengthen our communities, parents and primary caregivers play an essential role.

We are intent on moving from a system of holding power over community to holding power with community. Parents and primary caregivers are not only important voices to be heard; they’re the architects of our shared vision of advancing a racially just future for learning, and their involvement is the key to our collective success.

The Rockwood Advocacy group exemplifies the transformative impact of parent engagement.

The Rockwood Advocacy Group

In 2020, Nayeli Cabrales and ten other moms from Alder Elementary School and the Rockwood Community sat down in front of the Reynolds School District board. For six minutes, Cabrales addressed the board, highlighting vital concerns about equity, security, staffing, and bus routes.

“I have three children in the district,” she said that night. “But I didn’t come here only to represent and advocate for them. I am here for their classmates and all the students in our community.”

Cabrales’s appearance before the school board is a testament to the influence of a unique parental leadership program that Greater Than has facilitated at Alder Elementary. The Rockwood Advocacy group grew out of literacy discussions that Greater Than’s Advocacy & Leadership Facilitator Laura Bolaños launched eight years ago to talk to parents about how they could help their children become better readers. The initial “Books and Breakfast” meetings soon grew to discuss a broad range of topics.

It was during these sessions that Bolaños realized the parents’ eagerness to discuss all aspects of their children’s educational experience, from academics to social issues to transportation. She recognized the strength of parental voices and handed the reins to the moms, dads, and primary caregivers.

Since 2010, Greater Than has collaborated with families at Alder, with a core commitment to advance racial equity through community partnerships in neighborhoods with systemic barriers. We also work closely with parents at Lincoln Street Elementary in Hillsboro.

Our parent leadership groups have been instrumental in shaping the direction of our programs and initiatives. Their insights, wisdom, and unwavering commitment have paved the way for innovative solutions that truly meet the needs of our students and families.

Now, more than ever, we invite you to join us in recognizing and harnessing the Power of Parents. Your support not only equips families but also fuels our collective efforts to support students from systemically underfunded communities to thrive in school, college, and career.

[Greater Than is] kind of like the bridge between the parents and the school district and when I need something I know I can go to them and they’re going to help me figure it out.
— Nayeli Cabrales, Alder Parent

As we reflect on our achievements this year, we also look to the future. To date, our Growing Greater campaign has generated $1.73M, with your help we think we can get to our goal of $1.8M by the end of the year. We hope you’ll consider contributing to help us reach our goal. Every contribution brings us one step closer to realizing our vision of equitable education for all.

Together, with the Power of Parents, we are Greater Than the sum of our parts.


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Pages of Impact: Alder's Book Club Success

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Out-of-School Time: Nurturing Growth Beyond the Classroom