DALLAS—More than 15,000 Hispanic parents gathered at Feria Para Aprender to learn how to improve their children's educational opportunities.
Their children received books from Literacy Connexus at the learning fair, billed as the nation's largest Hispanic education event.
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At least 50 Texas Baptist volunteers, including many from Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio, served at the fair.
"Support from Texas Baptist volunteers made the difference in the first-ever Dallas-Fort Worth Feria Para Aprender," said Lester Meriwether, executive director of Literacy Connexus and immediate past president of Literacy Texas.
Similar learning fairs have been held in Los Angeles, Miami, Austin and Corpus Christi.
The fair provides tools and resources for Spanish-speaking parents. Distinctive elements of the event include its Spanish-language-only format and a display format that forces verbal interactions and relies less on brochures or materials, as well as hands-on activity areas to promote college readiness and careers
The event enables and encourages parents to take an active role in their children's education, with a goal of breaking down the language barrier and making a difference in improving Hispanic education.
Studies by the University of California-Los Angeles in 2009 and University of Texas Strauss Institute research in 2010 point to the event's effectiveness, reporting increases in high-school graduation rates, college enrollment and graduation rates, adult post-secondary rates, English-as-a-Second Language and GED attendance, and magnet school participation.
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At the learning fair, parents had access to interact with representatives from 11 school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as college and university representatives from around Texas.
Parents walked through exhibition tables beginning with the elementary zone up to the college zone, receiving valuable information. They also obtained information on how to plan and save for college, financial aid and about other options available for funding college.
A mock bilingual classroom allowed parents to experience first-hand that kind of educational environment and enabled them to learn the benefits of being bilingual.
In an eye-exam station, doctors made available free prescriptions for eyeglasses, and even the concessions for the event offered opportunities to learn about healthy eating choices.
The career/workforce zone provided information about obtaining certifications or degrees available to enable an individual to get a better-paying job.
The photo visualization area became a favorite of many parents. In this station, parents received a photo of their child in one of 25 career costumes or graduation caps and gowns.
Other activities included advanced learning for pre-schoolers, coloring stations, a raffle station, puzzle-making and reading stations.
"La Feria is a transformational experience for first-generation Hispanics," said Gus Reyes, director of the Texas Baptist Hispanic Education Initiative.
Reyes applauded the way the event makes an impact on individual lives.
"People walk away with a new hope for their children, empowered with knowledge and tips on how to connect to the local school system," he said.
—Bianca Duenas is serving a public policy research internship jointly sponsored by the Christian Life Commission and the Baptist Standard, made possible by a grant from the Christ is Our Salvation Foundation of Waco.
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