Stories have the power to inspire change. For 16 KIPP SoCal families and alums, the chance to share their personal stories on Capitol Hill recently became a reality.
From April 29 to May 1, our families traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Charter Management Organization (CMO) Coalition Spring Advocacy Week and bring their unique perspectives and voices directly to the nation’s lawmakers.
KIPP Public Schools is responsible for organizing the annual event, which brings together high-quality public charter schools from across the country, including numerous KIPP regions and other charter management organizations like Green Dot, Alliance, Aspire, and Rocketship.
The week started with coalition training, during which families and advocates aligned on key policy priorities, received advocacy training, and practiced engaging with their representatives. The following day, the CMO Coalition participated in 107 meetings with members of Congress.
KIPP SoCal families joined 11 of those meetings, which included direct conversations with the offices of Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Adam Schiff, Representative Sara Jacobs, Representative Nanette Barragán, Representative Juan Vargas, Representative Jimmy Gomez, Representative Ted Lieu, Representative Maxine Waters, Representative Robert Garcia, Representative Linda Sanchez, and Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove.
During the meetings, the CMO Coalition’s advocacy centered on preserving the Department of Education's key functions, supporting public charter schools, promoting student mental health and well-being, and securing full funding for Title I, Title III, and IDEA.
To wrap up the week, KIPP SoCal’s Director of Mental Health, Dr. Stephanie Nunez, added her voice to a powerful panel on student mental health. Joining experts from the Trevor Project, Minds Without Borders, and Hustle Mommies, Dr. Nunez shared insights on the importance of mental health support for students and how schools can better support their well-being.
Reflecting on their experiences, KIPP SoCal families shared how empowering it was to speak directly with lawmakers about educational equity, their children’s needs, and the importance of investing in public education.
“I came to Washington to advocate for San Diego families, and in general, for everyone here because we are a charter school that helps all families,” said KIPP Adelante parent Maria G. “I’m very happy to be part of this event where things are going to be fixed for families, and we as parents need to help bring more families who can advocate for our community.”
Beyond advocacy, families also had the opportunity to explore Washington, D.C. during their free time, visiting iconic landmarks such as the White House and the Washington Monument. This made the trip not only an impactful advocacy experience but also a meaningful journey of exploration and connection.
We will forever be grateful for the courage and commitment of the following KIPP SoCal families and alums who bravely shared their stories:
- Maria G. | KIPP Adelante Parent
- Beatriz A. | KIPP Adelante Parent
- Sussan O. | KIPP Adelante Alumna
- Daniel C. | KIPP Comienza Parent
- Irene C. | KIPP Comienza Parent
- ShaNé P. | KIPP Compton Parent
- Dayana D. | KIPP Corazón Parent
- Priscilla E. | KIPP Corazón Parent
- Estrealla G. | KIPP Corazón Parent
- Yariely M. | KIPP Corazón Alumna
- Alfred C. | KIPP Iluminar + KIPP Sol Parent
- Vivian C. | KIPP Iluminar + KIPP Sol Parent
- Carla C. | KIPP Iluminar + KIPP Sol Parent
- Lyzette R. | KIPP Iluminar + KIPP Sol Parent
- Eva B. | KIPP Vida + KIPP Scholar Parent
- Pamela H. | KIPP Vida + KIPP Scholar Parent
KIPP SoCal is excited to continue its advocacy efforts and encourages families interested in participating in next year’s Spring Advocacy Week to contact the advocacy team at advocacy@kippsocal.org for more information.