YES Prep recently welcomed families from across the district to the inaugural Todos Families United Summit, a new gathering designed to strengthen family leadership and deepen our shared charter identity. The summit is part of Todos Families United, an initiative focused on bringing parents together to learn, connect, and build community across campuses.
The Power of Coming Together
Todos Families United was created with a clear purpose: to give families more ways to engage with YES Prep and with each other. Christina Henriquez, Managing Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy, explained that the idea grew from both need and opportunity.
“We wanted our families to feel connected not only to their child’s campus but to the entire YES community,” she said. “This summit creates space for families to learn together and support one another.”
YES Prep wanted a way to help parents feel grounded in the mission, values, and shared experiences of the charter community. The summit offered that bridge, inviting families from across YES Prep and other local charter schools to grow their knowledge and leadership together.
Learning, Leadership, and Family Voice
The day featured learning sessions that helped families build confidence, grow their leadership skills, and better understand their role in shaping strong schools. Families participated in workshops led by community partners such as LEE and the Texas Public Charter School Association who offered practical tools and new insights.
Sessions also included a workshop on using personal stories to inspire change, an introduction to charter school systems, and opportunities to learn about local resources and workforce programs that support families’ daily needs.
Henriquez shared that these sessions were designed to build real empowerment. “When families understand their impact and feel equipped to use their voice, it brings strength to every school in our system,” she said.
What Families Took Away
Families shared that they enjoyed the chance to learn alongside other parents, meeting community organizations, and building new relationships across campuses. Many shared they left with a stronger understanding of charter schools and felt more prepared to talk about YES Prep with friends and loved ones.
Parents also appreciated the welcoming environment and accessible structure of the event. With childcare available, adults were able to fully participate while their children enjoyed the day as well.
Families said they felt energized to bring their new skills back to their campuses, organize with other parents, and play a more active role in supporting their school communities.
A Foundation for Stronger Partnerships
The inaugural Todos Families United Summit marks an important step in how YES Prep supports and partners with families. Events like this help build trust, connection, and shared purpose. They give families tools they can use at home, at school, and in their wider community.
As Henriquez emphasized, the summit is only the beginning. “Our families are leaders,” she said. “When we invest in them, we invest in the success of every student across YES Prep.”
YES Prep looks forward to making the Todos Families Summit an annual tradition that continues to strengthen school family partnerships and celebrate the collective power of YES. To learn more about how to get involved as a YES Prep family, click here: https://www.yesprep.org/families/get-involved
To view photos from this event, click here.