On April 25th, 2025, at Chicago’s House of Hope, the Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), Palenque LSNA, and their partners gathered with over 3,000 parents, community leaders, and educators to celebrate a remarkable milestone — the 30th anniversary of the Parent Mentor Program (PMP). What began three decades ago as a grassroots effort to uplift parents and improve educational outcomes has blossomed into a statewide movement of empowerment, solidarity, and radical love.

The 2025 Parent Mentor Convention opened its doors at 9:30 a.m., welcoming Parent Mentors from 39 school districts across Illinois. The program, co-chaired by Jazmin Cerda of Brighton Park Neighborhood Council and Janel Pilate of South Side Help Center, kicked off with a lively roll call that echoed the pride and unity in the room.

The day’s agenda reflected the program’s heart — centering the voices of Parent Mentors and educators who have walked hand-in-hand to transform classrooms and communities. Attendees were treated to a powerful performance by the Phenomenal PMP Choir and the premiere of a 30th Anniversary video, chronicling stories of growth, resilience, and collective action.

A special highlight of the day was a panel discussion hosted by Ruby Rodriguez from SWOP. Parent Mentors, alumni, a principal, and a teacher shared how the program has not only changed schools but changed lives — nurturing parents into leaders, advocates, and educators in their own right.

The celebration also welcomed distinguished guests, including Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson, sharing his love of the work that Parent Mentors put into empowering parents and students and Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, who recognized the extraordinary contributions of Parent Mentors and reaffirmed the importance of investing in community-rooted education initiatives . State legislators were also present to honor the program’s enduring legacy and future promise.

By the numbers, the impact of the Parent Mentor Program is undeniable:

· 39,408 students served since its founding

· 1,821 Parent Mentors active in schools statewide

· 777 educator, paraprofessional, and substitute licenses earned since the launch of the Ladders of Opportunity initiative in 2023

· 82% of students served come from low-income households

· The model has expanded beyond Illinois, with programs now running in Colorado, Massachusetts, and Winnipeg

For 30 years, the Parent Mentor Program has proven what’s possible when schools, parents, and communities lead together. As the Southwest Organizing Project and its partners look ahead, the mission remains clear — to build lines of solidarity, cultivate leadership, and honor the talents, stories, and love of every parent who steps forward to make a difference.

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