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Success Stories

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Did you have a positive result from a conversation with a teacher, a board or work on the PTA?  Did you change from a school or focus that didn’t work to one that now does? Are you involved with education and had a win you want to share with us?

It is important to celebrate the victories no matter how big or small. We want to hear about them, e-mail your story to info@parentdrivenschools.com.

The MVP Program

Making a Difference in South Sacramento

How can anyone stand by and watch children go hungry?

That was the central question Frank and Monica Victorio had to ask themselves when they fed a hungry neighborhood child over 15 years ago. The next day that child, and many more came to them. Everyday thereafter more came.

In their South Sacramento neighborhood gangs, drugs, poverty and a basic disregard for the essentials of life were challenges every child in their community had to face. Schools were battlegrounds for all types of fights. Not so much a place to be educated, but a place that had to be survived. Home wasn't much better, with substance abuse, poverty, domestic violence and many other issues creating the embattled environment so many of these children lived within.

Frank and Monica, believing they had a higher calling for themselves in serving the children of their community, established the Moral Values Program (MVP) in 1994. Built upon teaching five Core values (Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit), the program today serves up to 85 children. This not only includes feeding them, but teaching them the Core Values, helping with homework, getting them to school, washing their clothes, caring for them when they are sick, providing medical attention, even housing them when necessary.

"It's been a hard battle," says Frank, who, besides running the program from property adjacent to his home also goes into the classrooms of local high schools to present their Core Values program. "But, we are called to this work by God. If not for this program so many of these children would be forgotten and worse."

Operating as a home-school charter school, at this time the educational program focuses on 6th-8th graders, preparing them to enter high school. Of those who have applied for entrance into Christian Brothers High School (a local private catholic school known for high academic standards), 100% of their MVP graduates were accepted. Besides academics, MVP also stresses community involvement, volunteerism, and getting involved in sports, arts and other character building activities.

Receiving no government funding, the program is a public benefit nonprofit that relies on donations, and the resources that Frank, Monica and their Board of Directors provide.

MVP embodies the values of a parent-driven school, even though virtually all of the parents of their children are not involved. However, Frank and Monica exemplify the spirit of what a parent-driven school looks like. They saw a major gap in the educational lives of "their children", in addition to the severe environment these children had to endure. By taking forthright action on their behalf, MVP has made a life-long difference in the lives of their children.

"There's always an opportunity to serve. All we have to do is take action." Frank says. "The kids deserve it."

Learn more about the Moral Values Program.

Little things like a hand held white board can make a BIG difference in the class.

Parents getting together to improve the learning environment for their kids in Augusta Georgia.