External Recognition
In 2009 AVANCE was awarded the E Pluribus Unum Prize, presented by the Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigration Integration Policy. This award is given in recognition of initiatives that help immigrants and their children to adapt and contribute to the United States. In January 2012, AVANCE was awarded the Simmons Luminary Award for education excellence by Southern Methodist University.
The work of the organization has been commented upon by former First Ladies, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rosalynn Carter and Barbara Bush, in relation to education. In a 1999 forum on educational initiatives and issues held in Washington D.C., Clinton described AVANCE as "...one of the most effective home-building programs of support. If you're not familiar with it, you should see it and read about it." She had also written about the organization in her book, 'It Takes A Village'. Rosalynn Carter, in discussing the effectiveness of several organizations in the promotion of mental well-being, described AVANCE as one of those programs which '...have in common efforts to reduce the risk factors that can contribute to mental illness while they enhance protective factors that can help keep our children well.' Separately, The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy recognized AVANCE among ten innovative family literacy programs that focused on early intervention.
The organization was also included in a 1997 book and photographic exhibition called 'Pursuing the Dream', a joint venture between award-winning photographer, Stephen Shames and the Family Resource Coalition (FRC). This was the culmination of a two-year photographic record undertaken by Shames, of community programs serving disadvantaged youth and families and helping families achieve financial and emotional stability.
AVANCE has been the subject of commentary in both the national press and academic publications. The New York Times wrote in an opinion piece that AVANCE, "... demonstrates that Americans everywhere can do more than denounce welfare mothers or lament juvenile delinquents. America can give poor children a Fair Chance, and their parents a second one." While Sue Mill Wiltz, writing in Harvard Education Letter, said that AVANCE's program put into practice the concept of 'That which is learned in the crib lasts forever.'
AVANCE has been ranked by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top 25 non-profit organizations supporting Hispanic people in the U.S.A.
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