Families are at the heart of every school community. At YES Prep, Family Association Representatives (FARs) help turn that partnership into action by organizing family events, connecting families with school resources, sharing feedback with campus leaders and creating opportunities for families to get involved throughout the school year.  

This year, those parent leaders were recognized during the first Family Engagement Celebration, an event created to celebrate the impact of FARs while helping them continue growing as advocates through an advocacy workshop. The celebration marked the start of a new annual tradition recognizing the parent leaders who help strengthen connections between families and schools. 

 

"The purpose of this year's Family Engagement Celebration was to appreciate our Family Association Representatives while connecting them with valuable information to increase their voice through an advocacy workshop," said Juan Benavides, director of family engagement. "Our FARs do so much work for families on campus, and I want them to realize how important their position and voice are as parent leaders." 

Showing the Impact of Family Leadership 

Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, FARs showed what family leadership looks like across YES Prep. 

One of this year's highlights was sending two Family Association Representatives to Washington, D.C., for Federal Advocacy Week. Ana Torres of Airline Elementary and Amber Dunn of Southside Elementary represented YES Prep families during the charter school advocacy trip, where they shared their YES Prep stories with local congressional representatives and both U.S. senators from Texas. Their advocacy helped elected officials hear directly from the families they represent. 

The impact of FARs was also felt on their own campuses. Rita Diaz from East End Elementary organized two family dances that raised funds for her campus while bringing families together outside the classroom. The events gave families another opportunity to build relationships with one another while supporting students and their school community. or families to connect with one another and support their school community. 

"What makes a great Family Association Representative is passion, creativity and determination," Benavides said. "Passion helps them see great wins in small moves. Creativity helps them find solutions and pivot when things don't go as planned, and determination helps them keep pushing forward for the greater good." 

Leadership as a FAR extends beyond campus events. During a Charter Champion Award Ceremony, White Oak Elementary FAR Channell Woodhouse had the opportunity to speak with State Rep. Charlene Johnson Ward about her family's YES Prep experience. By sharing her story directly with a state leader, Woodhouse helped bring the voices of YES Prep families into conversations that can shape the future of public education. 

"Our FARs are more than parent leaders on their campuses," Benavides said. "They represent YES Prep in a way that is real and impactful." 

Become a Family Association Representative 

YES Prep is currently recruiting Family Association Representatives for the 2026–2027 school year. This is your opportunity to get involved, support your campus and help strengthen the connection between families and schools. 

Family Association Representatives work alongside campus staff to support family engagement, help plan school events, connect families with resources and ensure family voices are heard. Representatives also receive a $1,500 annual stipend for serving in the role. 

Applications are open through August 29. 

Click here to learn more about becoming a Family Association Representative and apply today.