Aleyda Hernandez was walking through her child’s school one day when she passed the cafeteria and noticed something unexpected, a group of women dancing. Little did she know, that dance class would be the start of a life changing journey.
“I remember one day I saw people dancing in the cafeteria,” she said. “I didn’t know that they provide this stuff right here in the school.”
At the time, Aleyda spent most of her days at home, focused on caring for her kids. She hadn’t yet found many spaces where she could connect with others or explore new opportunities. But that moment, seeing joy, movement, and community right inside her child’s school, caught her attention.
She decided to join ENP’s Dance Fitness program.
Curious and hopeful, she stepped into the space. It was one that Every Neighborhood Partnership had intentionally created for parents to feel welcome, build friendships, and prioritize their physical and emotional health.
Soon after, Aleyda was invited to attend ENP’s parent engagement group: Parent Coffee Hour, hosted by Christian Gonzalez, ENP’s Neighborhood Development Project Manager. Parent Coffee Hour is a weekly gathering to help parents build relationships with their child’s teachers, school administrators, and other parents. This space is designed to empower and educate parents so they can in turn, empower their children.
“Parent Coffee Hour is step one to help parents get involved, learn what resources are offered, how school budgets work, who to contact with specific questions or concerns, and how to advocate for topics at school district meetings,” says Christian.
“Everything started [after] going to the meetings at the coffee hour with Christian” Aleyda shared. “They [talked] about becoming a US citizen. I was like, okay… I’ll try that.”
With encouragement and support from ENP staff and other parents, Aleyda began studying. She passed her exam and officially became a U.S. citizen. And with that milestone came a shift, not just in her status, but in her confidence.
“Everything since… I became a US citizen, like a lot of doors opened to me” she said. “They’re helping me a lot to become a student, to become a professional.”
Today, Aleyda is pursuing her dream of becoming a registered nurse. She’s working hard for a better future—not only for herself, but for her kids. And she’s also using her voice to advocate for others.
At her children’s school, Aleyda serves on the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), a group of parents and community members who help shape how schools support English learners. She also participates at the district level on the District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), where parents advise on broader plans, programs, and goals for English learner students across Fresno Unified.
By stepping into these leadership roles, Aleyda is helping ensure families like hers are seen, heard, and part of the decision-making process.
Now, she encourages others to do the same:
“To the moms that are just at home thinking, ‘Oh, I cannot do it’ or, ‘Oh, but she has more advantage.’ No, you can do it too. There’s a lot of places that help you, like ENP helps you. They provide information. That’s what we are lacking. As long as you speak and you open your mouth [and] ask for help, you can get it.”
This is Why ENP Exists
At ENP, this is why we exist. Not just to launch programs, but to build bridges of trust, presence, and purpose in the very neighborhoods we serve. We believe that when a mom is empowered, a family is strengthened. When a school becomes a place for connection, a whole community grows stronger.
It all started with Aleyda joining one of ENP’s dance fitness classes.
Now she’s a U.S. citizen. A student. A future nurse. A mom walking boldly toward her purpose and bringing others with her.
“I feel like everything is becoming possible,” Aleyda said.