Thirty-eight years ago, PIQE was founded on a powerful belief: that families are essential partners in their children’s education. Today, as we celebrate this milestone, we honor the heart of our mission and renew our commitment to empowering families and opening doors to equal opportunity through education.

Our story began in a small meeting in San Diego, which set in motion a movement that would transform family engagement in education across California. Concerned by the poor learning conditions of Latino children, Rev. Vahac Mardirosian and Dr. Alberto Ochoa joined forces with District Superintendent Tom Payzant to convene a dialogue with local parents about their children’s academic struggles.

What began as a two-hour conversation with a handful of parents quickly evolved into something far more powerful. The dialogue was candid and emotional, surfacing deep-rooted challenges affecting students both at home and in school. Within weeks, more than 90 families had joined the discussions, eager to share their experiences and find solutions together.

Over the course of eight weekly sessions, parents and educators identified 54 distinct issues impacting student learning, from communication barriers and cultural disconnects to limited access to resources and support. Recognizing the urgency of these findings, Dr. Ochoa, then a professor at San Diego State University, collaborated with Patricia Mayer, a teacher and psychologist, to design a structured series of workshops addressing those very concerns.

The result became a groundbreaking model for parent involvement in education, the Parent Engagement in Education Program, now known as PIQE’s Signature Family Engagement Program.

“PIQE was born in a time and a place where most schools and educators were ill-equipped to connect with the communities we served. Language barriers and general attitudes toward engaging disenfranchised families isolated rather than activated families. So, the concept of PIQE was very novel, and our founders fought hard to build this wonderful organization,” said Dr. Ryan Alcantara, PIQE’s Interim President and CEO. “Through that effort, they demonstrated the value and impact that can be achieved by empowering families with the resources and tools to navigate the school system and their children’s education.”

Almost four decades have gone by, and PIQE has expanded its reach, deepened its impact, and remained steadfast in its commitment to educational equity. Since our founding, more than 785,000 parents have graduated from our programs, impacting approximately 2.35 million students. Today, we offer our programs in 14 states, creating ripple effects in communities across the country.

Research has shown that the work PIQE is doing has been profoundly impactful in the lives of students. “Our recent Longitudinal Academic Impact Report reaffirmed what we have seen all these years: family engagement transforms families. We found that the children of caregivers completing PIQE’s eight-week Signature Family Engagement Program achieved a 91% high school graduation rate (92% for English Learners) and 56.6% college enrollment, well above state and national averages,” shared Dr. Alcantara.

But for PIQE, the work has always gone beyond numbers or reports. At its core, it is about connection. Staff members meet families where they are—listening first, then guiding parents through systems that once felt distant or unwelcoming. In classrooms and community centers across the country, parents learn not just how to navigate school processes but how to advocate for their children’s success. Parents who once felt invisible now find their voice, equipped with the tools and knowledge to take an active role in their child’s education.

Gabriela Rios, Executive Director for the Modesto and Fresno regions, recalls, “There was a moment that truly stayed with me. A mother once shared that before joining PIQE, she felt invisible at her child’s school. She was afraid to speak up because of language barriers and the fear of being judged. But after completing the program, everything changed. She proudly told me she had just attended her first parent-teacher conference, something she never thought she could do. Now she’s encouraging other parents to do the same.

“Hearing her story moved me deeply. It reminded me that our work isn’t just about education; it’s about restoring confidence, dignity, and belonging. It’s about giving families the power to believe that their voices matter.”

Over the course of our journey, we’ve evolved to better meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. We’ve embraced innovation, technology, and new ways to connect. Our programs have become even more inclusive and responsive to the diverse realities of the families we serve.

Yet as we reflect on all that we’ve accomplished, we recognize there is still much work to be done. Our mission continues in every home, every classroom, and every community where families are advocating for change. The work ahead calls us to keep empowering families through our workshops and programs and to help nurture a new generation of leaders and advocates.

“While PIQE’s approach remains unique, the attitudes toward engaging families to support student success have changed. Schools are very receptive. Yet the need to advocate for our families and communities is just as urgent,” said Dr. Alcantara. “The recent demonization of immigrant communities reminds us how easily the progress we have fought for can be lost. The work that PIQE does remains so relevant, necessary, and transformational. And so, I am exceedingly grateful, particularly in this moment, to lead this team of social justice warriors as we celebrate 38 years of advocacy and empowerment.”